Fox reasons for cancellation and tobacco companies

[on:]

As far as I know FOX never published their opinion of the show and why they cancelled it. We all make guesses, but that is no substitute for the real reasons.

My questions:

1 - What are their real reasons?
2 - Was there something political that they didn't want?
3 - Was there something in the episodes that touched a religious nerve?
4 - Was there something like mentioning WW3 or other man made or natural disasters?

It's a fact that in some Futurama episodes there are some advertisements for tobacco companies, the camel appeared at least once in some of the episodes, and Bender character was changed to make him smoke. If parents who never saw Futurama saw their children watching it while the camel character appeared they would have strongly objected to Futurama. FOX is more likely to listen to parents' objections rather than listening to the show's fans, even though they may have got money from the tobacco companies.

5 - Who is getting the money from the tobacco companies? Fox, David, or both?
6 - Is Fox forcing David to add cigarette advertisements?

It seems to me that Fox is trying to hide their unfair reasons, it's a case of the left hand is trying to hide what the other left hand did.

[Reply #1 on:]

Who said that there are any understandable reasons for cancellation of "Futurama"?
There is a long list of good shows which were cancelled for no good reason... 

[Reply #2 on:]

For me, there are "understandable reasons" in the opinion of Fox executives. I want to know exactly what these are. There are some networks who cut parts of Futurama episodes in order; in their opinion; to be suitable for young viewers.

Examples:
 http://www.peelified.com/cgi-bin/Futurama/1-002246-1/  http://www.peelified.com/cgi-bin/Futurama/1-002237-1/

Also, David mentioned in the recent interview at dvd.ign.com that Fox didn’t air the Santa episode for a year because they objected to its contents.

I don’t have children around me, so I don’t care that much. However, a family may have a problem, especially if the parents don’t watch the show.

[Reply #3 on:]

Futurama does seem to have a lot more smoking and drinking than other shows, but as they always point out, Bender is a robot who can get away with such things (he's actually been a smoker and a drinker since the first season; I don't think the character was changed), while everyone else, being literal cartoon characters, can also get away with those things as long as it's funny.

But if Fox didn't think the content was suitable for children, why did they put it on at such an early hour?  When they finally showed that Christmas episode, it was on at a special later time.

The usual story is that Fox didn't like the show's content not because they they found it objectionable, but because they didn't understand it.

[Reply #4 on:]

First of all, the reason FOX did what it did to Futurama was mainly out of spite because Matt Groening wouldn't hand over joint-control to FOX. Now, if the smoking characters (like the camel and Bender) did have anything to do with the cancellation of Futurama than FOX really needs to grow up. Kids need to learn that smokers/smoking is a part of life. I hate dickheads who try to shield their kids from drugs, violence, and alcohol. Yeah, they're not good things but kids need to know they exist. Besides, many parents and other relatives smoke so it's not like these kids are seeing some new vice previously unexplored by other human beings. These are things kids will have to make decisions about in the future.
Second of all, any prick who can't laugh at his own religion needs to get a sense of humor. I'm a Christian but I laugh at some of the things about my religion. We chose a fish as a symbol (Yes, I know why; Jesus multiplied bread and fish with his own bare hands) and though it does have something to do with our Christian heritage, it's not a very good sign. Why not a lion? Why not a sheep? I can also make fun of fellow Christians who take the religion too far. People need to learn to take a goodamned joke.

[Reply #5 on:]

in my opinion they canceled it for the simple reason that it costs a million per episode its not their best show in there opinion so why keep it? its a cartoon, they probly think its a waste of money. The reason why they dont issue a statement like that is because they know that they screwed up in the first place they know they
could have made more money from Futurama but didnt. Also Matt Groening seems to be quite the rebel. He is probly constantly working against Fox with what he can put into the show, for instance a tale of two santas and the Kiegalizer. They probly think this show is not worth all the hassle.

[Reply #6 on:]

I totally agree with you OC_James. I don't even think there's been anything in Futurama that would ever make it 'unsuitable' for kids. Seriously. I watched that second Santa ep again, and couldn't see anything. A girl gets hit by a bike?!? Come on!

[Reply #7 on:]

low ratings perhaps?

(sure it was FOX's own fault the ratings were low)

[Reply #8 on:]

Surely THE reason Fox canned Futurama because they hated it how Matt wouldn't let the execs get involved in the creativeness of the show.  I thought it was common knowledge that Fox moved Futurama to Tuesday in the first season to get back at Matt.

[Reply #9 on:]

 

Originally posted by n3000:
It's a fact that in some Futurama episodes there are some advertisements for tobacco companies, the camel appeared at least once in some of the episodes, and Bender character was changed to make him smoke. If parents who never saw Futurama saw their children watching it while the camel character appeared they would have strongly objected to Futurama. FOX is more likely to listen to parents' objections rather than listening to the show's fans, even though they may have got money from the tobacco companies.

5 - Who is getting the money from the tobacco companies? Fox, David, or both?

Since the appearence of the Camel camel and RJ is sarcastic references/criticism to tobacco companies and their ad tactics ("Kids love him!" ), I don't think FOX received any money for that. Afterall how many companies are willing to pay for bad publicity?

Bender was always envisioned to be a "breakout" character with a lot of vices, like smoking, drinking and gambling. The reason Bender gets away with it, is the fact he's a robot, ie he's not a rolemodel for anyone.

[Reply #10 on:]

Futurama was cancelled because it's too intelligent. Yes, we know that the camel was a sarcastic reference (and that entire episode was a cynical sarcastic joke, with that whole Kif vs. Malboro Man thing), but the average morron doesn't. The average morron also isn't used to have to THINK about what he's seeing on TV; it's all supposed to be spoonfeed, pre-chewed, mass-produced, crap that the lowest common denominator can understand. And, needless to say, FOX execs fall into the "soulless morron" category very nicely.
So there's your answer. They didn't support the show because they didn't understand it, and they didn't like what they saw (the political/religious/social commentary). Plus, there was that whole thing with Matt Groening. (I mean, how DARE he want to have full control over his own show and not let greedy, soulless, idiotic executives have their say in the creative process?)

[Reply #11 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
  Since the appearence of the Camel camel and RJ is sarcastic references/criticism to tobacco companies and their ad tactics ("Kids love him!" ), I don't think FOX received any money for that. Afterall how many companies are willing to pay for bad publicity?

Well, all of the tobacco companies, for a start.

As part of their settlement, they agreed to pay for anti-smoking ads--and, to make sure they couldn't do the same thing as the alcohol companies and run those "don't drink and drive, and don't drink too much, but drink lots of our beer and hot girls will sleep you you" commercials, they even agreed to continue the exact same campaign that the State of California was already running.

This isn't something that was demanded of them. This isn't a bargaining chip that they agreed to to get some concessions. This is something they voluntarily added to the agreement, of their own good will.

I think I know why. What effect do these commercials have on people who are already smokers and annoyed by the anti-smoking nazis? It makes them want to smoke even more. I know it works on me. And it helps Denis Leary's career, too.