Futurama news

[Canadiens1131]

Good news, everyone!

UP CLOSE: DAVID X. COHEN
The 'Futurama' co-creator talks exclusively to Toyfare about the long-awaited new season...

By Justin Aclin
Posted December 12, 2006 12:00 PM

It’s the good news everyone has been waiting for! A new season of "Futurama"—the brilliant, animated sci-fi comedy from "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and executive producer David X. Cohen—is finally being produced for a 2008 release.

It’s still not determined whether the new episodes will debut on Comedy Central or DVD, but we’re too excited to care! We pinned down Cohen to get the skinny on what we can expect when "Futurama" reawakens from its cryo-sleep.

ToyFare: So where are you right now in the production of the new season?

DAVID X. COHEN: We’re about halfway through the writing, but just getting started on the animation. One big decision we have not yet made is how, once again, to “end” the series—hopefully not for the last time.

How long after the last “series finale” does the new season take place? And what can we expect for the Fry and Leela relationship?

COHEN: When our story resumes, two long years have passed. As for the Fry/Leela relationship, we will be visiting that subject right away, so I refuse to tell you where it will lead on the grounds that I want you to buy the DVD.

How much continuity will the new season feature?

COHEN: Within the new season, we will definitely feature more continuity than in the past. We will also be shedding light on several lingering questions from the original run, including hitherto unknown facts about Nibbler, dark matter and Seymour the dog. By the way, that was my first use of the word “hitherto” in an interview. I think it went well.

[Laughs] Nice. How much of the original cast and crew were you able to put together?

COHEN: We have the entire cast back, as well as a good chunk of the writing staff. We also have Rough Draft Studios animating once again, and they seem determined to top even their own amazing work from the first time around. To complete the reunion of our original crack team, it looks like we will also have Chris Tyng back to work his magic on the musical score.

Are there any guest voices lined up yet?

COHEN: We will have a number, yes, but I can only officially report on the one we have already recorded—up-and-coming voice-over star Al Gore. For the first time, we are going to show what really determined the outcome of the 2000 Presidential election.

Toynami’s going to be making new Futurama toys—are you into the toys at all?

COHEN: I think I have every Futurama toy legally produced so far. I loved their I-Men [block figures]... It’s especially fun for me to see toys based on side characters like Calculon and Roberto. Personally, although I think I speak for millions, I would like to see toys of Hypnotoad, Slurms McKenzie and Hedonismbot. Also, I’d like Fry, Leela and Bender in their superhero forms: Captain Yesterday, Clobberella and SuperKing.

Are there any new characters being introduced in the new season that you’re excited about?

COHEN: Yes, particularly Nudar, the evil alien nudist. We’re not sure what the censorship issues are as far as showing unrecognizable alien reproductive organs. I guess we’ll just put it on the air and see what happens.

Well, until Nudar debuts, who’s your favorite minor character on the show?

COHEN: Hypnotoad. By the way, we are looking into producing a full 22-minute episode of Everybody Loves Hypnotoad for the DVD release. I am serious.

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/toyfare/002710592.cfm

 

[Screwtape2]

Nice.

 

[bono_man2002]

 

[Canadiens1131]

Hypnotoad

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

omg

 

[Canadiens1131]

 

[RavenBlue]

I.love.Hypnotoad! Awesome!

 

[Angela Harlem]

AWESOME!!!!!


Best cartoon series ever made.

 

[A_Wanderer]

Im counting down

 

[AussieU2fanman]

Seriously, this is the only series I've ever seen on TV where every single episode is absolutely hilarious, followed closely by Family guy and American Dad.

Gypsy : Have you heard of the monks of Deshuba?
Fry: I've... NOT heard of them

U gotta listen to the way he says it, epitome of beautifully crafted subtle humour of futurama

Can't wait for the next series, if it's exactly the same as the previous series in terms of comical style we're in for a treat.

Fry: "Bonder? Is it really you?"
Gypsy: "Yes, I am fine. Give the gypsy 10 dollars."
Fry: "Wait a minute...Bender's name isn't Bonder, it's Bender! You're a fraud!"

Fry: "Is there anything religion can do to help me find my friend?"
Pastor: "Well, we could join together in prayer."
Fry: "Uh huh, but is there anything useful we can do?"
Pastor: "No."

Leela: "The sun, the sea air, good friends..."
Bender: "Leela is right. Fishing blows. What do you say we make it interesting?"

Bender: "Oh, no room for Bender, huh? Fine, I'll go build my own lunar lander! With blackjack and hookers! In fact, forget the lunar lander and the blackjack!

 

[LMP]

This was Matt Groening's real masterpiece.

Kind of like Joss Whedon and "Firefly".

 

[Canadiens1131]

Bender: "Oh, no room for Bender, huh? Fine, I'll go build my own lunar lander! With blackjack and hookers! In fact, forget the lunar lander and the blackjack!

 

[RavenBlue]

The thing that I love about futurama is that it can be so hilariously funny at times, and at the same time be very touching and poignant. The episode where he goes searching for the clover for instance.

 

[Canadiens1131]

The clover episode is some fine television - the best of Futurama in my view.

The one with Fry's dog is

 

[Jack In The Box]

Best cartoon series ever made.

I second that!

this is great news

"Jurassic Bark" (the one about Fry's dog) is my favorite episode

 

[Angela Harlem]

I try not to watch that episode much, as seeing Seymour getting older outside as the time passes is almost too much for me! I know - it's a cartoon and I am an adult, but the series is supposed to be continually funny, damnit! And that is not funny. It's heartbreaking.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's so sad!

 

[RavenBlue]

I've become weepy eyed several times with Futurama episodes.. I find the contrast between sad and the hilarious bits helps the show. It's what makes Futurama great

 

[Screwtape2]

I try not to watch that episode much, as seeing Seymour getting older outside as the time passes is almost too much for me! I know - it's a cartoon and I am an adult, but the series is supposed to be continually funny, damnit! And that is not funny. It's heartbreaking.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's so sad!

I saw that episode not too long after my dog died and it almost made me cry. I love the emotional part of the series.

 

[dan_smee]

Thought I'd revive this thread seeing as though I couldn't find a discussion thread on Futurama, and all movies have been released, and there is talk of a 6th season.

What did everyone think? I think Bender's Big Score as a whole was much better than the other 3, but the other 3 were still fantastic.

Bender's Big Score would be in my top 5 with Jurassic Bark, the Luck of the Fryrish, The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings and Spanish Fry

 

[bonocomet]

It's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was just announced that Comedy Central has ordered 26 new episodes

 

[powerhour24]

Hooray!!!

Let's just hope they don't kill it (quality-wise).

 

[bonocomet]

Should begin airing in 2010. It's been 6 years since it was canceled!

 

[bonocomet]

Hooray!!!

Let's just hope they don't kill it (quality-wise).

Groening and Cohen said they still have many stories to tell, so it should be good.

It's official: 'Futurama' is reborn! | News | Ausiello Files | EW.com

It's official: 'Futurama' is reborn!

Jun 9, 2009, 05:20 PM | by Michael Ausiello

Categories: News

Futurama-returns_l Six years after getting axed by Fox, Futurama is being resurrected on Comedy Central.

A spokesperson for 20th Century Fox Television confirms that the cable net has ordered 26 new episodes of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's late, great animated series to air beginning in 2010. The studio cites Futurama's "blockbuster" performance on DVD and in reruns on Comedy Central as the reason for its rebirth.

"When we brought back Family Guy several years ago, everyone said that it was a once in a lifetime thing -- that canceled series stay canceled and cannot be revived," said 20th Century Fox TV Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden in a joint statement. "But Futurama was another series that fans simply demanded we bring back, and we couldn’t have been happier when Matt and David agreed that there were many more stories yet to tell."

Adds Groening: "We’re thrilled Futurama is coming back. We now have only 25,766 episodes to make before we catch up with Bender and Fry in the year 3000."

I have a hunch Groening isn't the only one doing a happy dance.

 

[powerhour24]

If Groening and Cohen are still directly involved in the story-writing, I'm sold. What hurt the Simpsons was the departure of the old guard of writers, including them, that crafted its feel/characters, so what we're left with is something that can still be funny, but doesn't ring true with the earlier episodes (which is still a good 10 seasons of excellence). The satire just isn't as biting or subtle anymore. It still kills me just how many people enjoy this show without getting how much its making fun of them. (Like when shallow teen girls list Mean Girls as their favorite movie, the irony is too much ).

 

[speedracer]

Comedy Central press release

The guys who wrote the scripts for the DTV movies are the same guys who've been with the show from the beginning (Cohen, Ken Keeler, Patric Verrone, Eric Kaplan and others), and I can't imagine that they wouldn't be back.

 

[kramwest1]

Good News Everyone!


Mark

 

[bonocomet]

Well that sucks

'Futurama' getting new voices for Fry, Leela, Bender, and others | PopWatch Blog | EW.com

 

[dan_smee]

i call bullshit

 

[speedracer]

1. The Futurama presentation at Comic-Con (coming up a week from now) is supposed to feature some sort of skit where it is "decided" whether or not Futurama will return, so these alleged salary negotiations could all be a related ruse.

2. Assuming the salary dispute isn't a ruse...I would guess that David X. Cohen would rather resign than preside over a Futurama with replacement voice actors.

3. I really think the voice actors may be asking for too much. This article from Variety claims that the five principal actors are all asking for $75K/episode, which would be $375K altogether. It costs between $1-1.5MM to produce an episode, advertising/DVD revenues aren't so hot these days, and Futurama isn't exactly a cash cow.

 

[bonocomet]

You know what? You could be right. Katie Segal, Billy West, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarch are all scheduled to be at Comic-con.

I am going anyways so I'll be checking it out.