Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 5, 2006 What has Stewie Griffin wrought? How about a Bender rebirth? Following the hugely successful resurrection of Family Guy, Fox execs are reportedly in talks to bring Futurama back from the dead. The studio has begun talks to revive the Emmy-winning animated series and produce a limited number of new episodes, thanks to a resurgence in the show's popularity on DVD and in reruns, Variety reports. Reps for 20th Century Fox have declined to comment on the news, but Variety says initial negotiations have begun. If revived, it's unclear exactly which network would air the new episodes. While Fox housed the original series, the show found new life once reruns began showing on the Cartoon Network. Comedy Central subsequently snapped up the off-air rights and will exclusively air the repeats beginning in 2008. The brainchild of Simpsons mastermind Matt Groening and writer David X. Cohen, Futurama debuted on Fox in March 1999. The series revolved around Fry, a pizza delivery boy, who is accidentally frozen for a thousand years. He wakes up in the year 3000 and befriends sassy one-eyed pilot Leela and cranky robot Bender, who both work for an intergalactic delivery service run by a distant nephew of Fry's. After five seasons and three Emmys, including the 2002 prize for Best Animated Series, Futurama was shuttered in August 2003. Should the show make its way back to the airwaves, it would follow in the footsteps of another Fox cult 'toon, Family Guy. The latter show was brought back in 2004, thanks to robust rerun ratings and staggeringly high DVD sales--the show ranks as the fourth-biggest TV-series seller ever. Since its comeback, Fox has produced two more seasons and the direct-to-DVD movie Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story. For Futurama to return, the studio would need to re-sign the show's production team, as well as voice stars Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio. In the meantime, Futurama lives on in comic-book form, with all-new stories continuing to be released by Groening's Bongo Comics. This is a show that actually would benefit from rebirth, I didn't really care for the show during its run, but started watching it right after Family Guy on adult swim. Will be happy to see new episodes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 I've always knocked it for being a pale Simpsons imitation, but I too have been watching it lately on Adult Swim and admit it's a lot better than I remember. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 For me, Futurama was always a lot more re-watchable than the Simpsons ever was. Good lord, I hope this return happens! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Given the extreme hit-or-miss-ness of the returned Family Guy, I'll reserve judgement on this one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobobrazil1984 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Futurama is genius, but its been soooo long since it went off the air, you have to wonder if the writers still got "it". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 The last new episode was in mid '03, so it's only been a bit over two years. FG was off the air for three years before resurrection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mole 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 The latter show was brought back in 2004 Wasn't it 2005? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackFlagg 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Sweeeeet, me needy new Futurama, my DVDs are gettin' worn out, heh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Given the extreme hit-or-miss-ness of the returned Family Guy, I'll reserve judgement on this one I thought you'd be jumping for joy over this from past conversations we've had about Futurama. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 The latter show was brought back in 2004 Wasn't it 2005? Yup, Spring '05. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Given the extreme hit-or-miss-ness of the returned Family Guy, I'll reserve judgement on this one I thought you'd be jumping for joy over this from past conversations we've had about Futurama. Don't get me wrong, I love the show, and I also love Family Guy's original run episodes, but the resurrection episodes have left a fair bit to be desired, hence my uneasiness over the prospect of a Futurama resurrection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 You know, this is good news, but fuck FOX. They've had more good comedies in the past 5 years than any network, and they've cancelled them all. Cartoon Network just promoted a couple shows properly, and voila~! people actually like them! Animated shows can get back together. AD and Andy Richter are gone forever. (Unless ABC or SHO pick up AD) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLAGIARISM! 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 I'll reserve judgement too, but Futurama is definitely a show that benefits from repeat viewing and deserves another go. Personally I think the feature length has been a rare low point in an otherwise fine Family Guy series, btw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Futurama is my favorite show out of The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, etc... It has all of the goofy stuff we love, but at times it has more heart that most live action shows on TV, and it's a great mix. I can't believe it's been so long since the show had new episodes. I can't wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Given the extreme hit-or-miss-ness of the returned Family Guy, I'll reserve judgement on this one I thought you'd be jumping for joy over this from past conversations we've had about Futurama. Don't get me wrong, I love the show, and I also love Family Guy's original run episodes, but the resurrection episodes have left a fair bit to be desired, hence my uneasiness over the prospect of a Futurama resurrection That all depends if the team still "has it" - Family Guy.. it's mostly toilet humor (don't get me wrong, I love the show) so I can see how stale creative would get for something like that after a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Animated shows can get back together. AD and Andy Richter are gone forever. (Unless ABC or SHO pick up AD) I could be wrong but I believe I recently read that Arrested Development will be headed to HBO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 If you watched Arrested Development, you would know that they made a joke about not getting the Home Buyers Organization to come to their dinner party, prompting Michael to say "so HBO isn't interested." By the way, Futurama is average. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 By the way, Futurama is average. ARE YOU FUCKING DAFT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Maybe Futurama will replace King of the Hill when the latter ends. It has been on for a LONG time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 I think King of the Hill is pretty much one of the worst shows I've ever seen. I have to say my redneck Texan friends love it, so maybe it's a cultural thing. Every character is just so horrible and grating. The only mildly amusing thing about it is the one mushmouth character's voice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Given the extreme hit-or-miss-ness of the returned Family Guy, I'll reserve judgement on this one I thought you'd be jumping for joy over this from past conversations we've had about Futurama. Don't get me wrong, I love the show, and I also love Family Guy's original run episodes, but the resurrection episodes have left a fair bit to be desired, hence my uneasiness over the prospect of a Futurama resurrection That all depends if the team still "has it" - Family Guy.. it's mostly toilet humor (don't get me wrong, I love the show) so I can see how stale creative would get for something like that after a while. I'd say Family Guy's humor is really quite versatile, but mostly satirical. It does delve into the occasional gross-out gag (like the constant vomitting episode a few weeks back which some found hysterical and I thought retarded). I wouldn't love FG as much if it really was all toilet humor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 By the way, Futurama is average. ARE YOU FUCKING DAFT. x2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 By the way, Futurama is average. ARE YOU FUCKING DAFT. It's not as funny as the Simpsons, Family Guy, or even King of the Hill. It's just not a very immediate show. Like during that period of time a couple years ago when Adult Swim would flip-flop Futurama and Family Guy's time slots seemingly on a whim, I'd watch Futurama if it was on first and I didn't have anything else to do, but never have I said "oh, it's x o'clock, I gotta put Futurama on." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoff 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 They're still flip-flopping. I have to say that I don't get your criticisms, Czech. Futurama doesn't pelt you with jokes the way that FG or the Simpsons do, but it stays entertaining throughout an episode, and tells a good story, too. I also agree with whoever said that the show had a lot of heart, as it often left me feeling warm and fuzzy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ted the Poster 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 Except for the damn dog episode. Those heartless bastards, making me feel all sad and shit... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbacon 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 The studio has begun talks to revive the Emmy-winning animated series and produce a limited number of new episodes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 The studio has begun talks to revive the Emmy-winning animated series and produce a limited number of new episodes I'm guessing that means they'd be "feeler" episodes to gauge viewer response, ratings, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muzz 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 The studio has begun talks to revive the Emmy-winning animated series and produce a limited number of new episodes I'm guessing that means they'd be "feeler" episodes to gauge viewer response, ratings, etc. Knowing Fox, they've probably decided to axe it again already. I'm still happy about this though, definitely one of my favourite shows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2006 "I learned about awkward social situations from a little show called Three's Company." I'm very glad that there's even a possibility of Futurama making a return. Bless you, Adult Swim. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2006 They're still flip-flopping. I have to say that I don't get your criticisms, Czech. Futurama doesn't pelt you with jokes the way that FG or the Simpsons do, but it stays entertaining throughout an episode, and tells a good story, too. I also agree with whoever said that the show had a lot of heart, as it often left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I didn't really criticize the show. I just said it's never been something I needed to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
