The Futurama Thread

[Stevorooni]

So we've had 4 great series and 4 movies which have ranged from great to mediocre, and now we've got a new season being made which I have been looking forward to ever since it was announced.


There's just one major problem...

Most of the voice cast is being replaced because of their salary demands (http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/07/futurama-new-voices.html)

Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio will not be voicing Fry, Leela and Bender.

I really hope that's wrong because there's not much point in bringing it back without the original cast.

Discuss

[Jickle]

Apparently they're demanding $75,000 an episode. I think the salary cut they're suggesting is a pretty big one, but is still, no doubt, a huge pile of money.

[faceless]

i would have given West the money, at least.

[grimace06]

So we've had 4 great series and 4 movies which have ranged from great to mediocre, and now we've got a new season being made which I have been looking forward to ever since it was announced.


There's just one major problem...

Most of the voice cast is being replaced because of their salary demands (http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/07/futurama-new-voices.html)

Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio will not be voicing Fry, Leela and Bender.

I really hope that's wrong because there's not much point in bringing it back without the original cast.

Discuss

What's the point?

Without these voices their fans will just romanticise those 4 original seasons even more (if thats possible) when the new one is garbage.

[Kotche]

Did they change the actor who does Homer's voice in the early episodes or did he just change his voice?

[Lazlow]

His voice changed. Castellaneta has been voicing Homer from day 1.

As for Futurama, I hope its not true. Shitty situation though. West is probably worth it, he voices half the cast, but Dimaggio and Sagal certainly aren't Sagal is just one character and Dimaggio has very little range.

[Lazlow]

A lot of characters voices change over time. Pretty sure in the commentary Billy West noted how the Professor's voice changed from Season 1 to Season 4

[AranchineD]

If the voices change it'll take some damn good writing to make it worthwhile.

[dimorphic]

If the voices change it'll take some damn good writing to make it worthwhile.

+1.

I'll give it a chance but it'll need to be something special.

[Meg]

I hope they come back. Give them the money they do deserve it.

[Spudzilla]

WE deserve it!

[FYI]

Give them the money they do deserve it.

Do they though? There's no doubt that acting is certainly a skilled profession. However the salary demands of many actors strike me as both absurd and insulting. There must be many television shows that have been cancelled due to salary demands, 'Without a Trace' being the most recent one that comes to mind. From what I understand, voice acting for any animated series takes only a few hours per episode. How is $75k anywhere near being justified? Let alone the $1m or so per episode that the Simpsons actors now earn. It comes down to sheer arrogance on the behalf of the actors, given that they apparantly value their voices higher than 99% of other jobs which no doubt are both more labour intensive and skilled. It is a shame that the Futurama brand will be tarnished as a result of this arrogance.

[Stevorooni]

I'll miss Zoidberg's voice most of all :(

[fearofthesky]

This really sucks. It will still be good, but just won't be the same. Bleh.

[Nic Xtreme]

I'll miss Zoidberg's voice most of all :(

I was just thinking ;_;

[darklord]

If the voices change it'll take some damn good writing to make it worthwhile.

No, it won't. No Billy West and John DiMaggio would mean I won't bother, no matter what they do with the story.

[Jickle]

Do they though? There's no doubt that acting is certainly a skilled profession. However the salary demands of many actors strike me as both absurd and insulting. There must be many television shows that have been cancelled due to salary demands, 'Without a Trace' being the most recent one that comes to mind. From what I understand, voice acting for any animated series takes only a few hours per episode. How is $75k anywhere near being justified? Let alone the $1m or so per episode that the Simpsons actors now earn. It comes down to sheer arrogance on the behalf of the actors, given that they apparantly value their voices higher than 99% of other jobs which no doubt are both more labour intensive and skilled. It is a shame that the Futurama brand will be tarnished as a result of this arrogance.

This is pretty much my view. Even if the return offer was something like $30k, that's still an awful lot of money for what is, if we're being honest here, not a terribly difficult job.

As for all the people saying they won't watch it if the voice actors don't return - first off, where's the harm in giving it a shot? It's not like you'll have anything better to do during the half hour the first return episode airs. :p Furthermore, I hope nobody is 'boycotting' it, because this isn't really Fox/Comedy Central's fault (aside from Fox's earlier mistakes with the series, but that was a full six years ago now).

[topaz]

This really bothers me. I'll still watch, but deep down I just won't be happy about it.

[buckstwits]

how much were they paid per episode before?

[Big Kev]

I know a mate who can do a pretty damn good impersonation of farnsworth, so it's highly possible they might just get some people in who can mimic the voices perfectly and it won't be so bad.

[Stevorooni]

I'll definitely still watch it but I'll be grumpy if the voices have changed too much. Especially Zoidberg.

[Clockw0rk]

What are the Dollhouse actors getting paid for each episode? It'd be worth cancelling that POS and using the money to fund Futurama.

[Hotaru_oz]

I'll definitely still watch it but I'll be grumpy if the voices have changed too much. Especially Zoidberg.

+1
It's a real shame though I particularly like Zoidberg's voice.

[Lazlow]

On July 25, 2009 many fans were dis-heartened to see that the cast was not at the Futurama Comic-Con booth. According to Phil LaMarr (who voiced Hermes on the show), the cast's invitation was retracted by FOX because of the ongoing dispute over the salaries. There has yet to be any confirmation that the original cast won't return.

Fingers crossed >_<

[Stevorooni]

Good news everyone!

It looks like the original cast will be signing on now after they reached a compromise with Fox (http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/674841)

[AranchineD]

And my boner returns. Hooray!

[BB2K]

Good news everyone!

It looks like the original cast will be signing on now after they reached a compromise with Fox (http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/674841)

Best... Post..... EVER!

[topaz]

Thank god!!

[proofreeder]

lol no one deserves the kind of money they're asking for, but I guess "deserves" is subjective. I believe the expression is "they've got them by the balls". Reminds me of "The Prestige" where Jackman needs that other lookalike.

Mass media people. Take a small bit of money from a LOT of people. That's the way to get rich. Then, when you're needed because you've ridden the coattails of geniuses, go get yours. The way of the world today, the haves and the haves not.

Don't get me wrong, some of them are very talented (although not all) but they're NEEDED because people are used to them, as evidenced from this thread. Prsonally I don't see why they need so much money. Unless they're going to donate a large percentage to charity, it seems greedy to me.

[Lazlow]

TBH what West and Co. are asking for is chump change in comparison to what Castellaneta and Co. make to voice the Simpsons (Castellaneta makes $400,000 an episode as of 2008)

Frankly I believe its deserved. These voice actors breath life into these characters in a way no one else can. This is why you wouldn't want someone else doing Zoidberg, or Bender, they are irreplaceable. Its their delivery that forges a bond with the viewer and makes the show popular.

And that popularity has lead to a multi-million (billion?) dollar franchise; DVD sales, comics, merchandise, etc.

So why shouldn't they want a bigger cut? Why should someone else reap the rewards of their talents?

[Australian Ninja]

Why should someone else reap the rewards of their talents?

Damn straight!

I totally agree. Sure they money may seem ridiculuous to poor folk like me, but when you look at how big the $$$$$$$$$$ are that the corporations make from Futurama (and potential money in the future) then it seems perfectly reasonable to ask for more money. The talent is the writers+ the voice actors that drive the show.

*But if they got desperate they could fire the actors and have Billy West just do everything. It would be craptacular, but he could do it. :D

[pecka_a]

I'm happy to hear that they sorted this out, It would have sucked if they brought it back with a new cast only for it to fail.

[proofreeder]

TBH what West and Co. are asking for is chump change in comparison to what Castellaneta and Co. make to voice the Simpsons (Castellaneta makes $400,000 an episode as of 2008)

Frankly I believe its deserved. These voice actors breath life into these characters in a way no one else can. This is why you wouldn't want someone else doing Zoidberg, or Bender, they are irreplaceable. Its their delivery that forges a bond with the viewer and makes the show popular.

And that popularity has lead to a multi-million (billion?) dollar franchise; DVD sales, comics, merchandise, etc.

So why shouldn't they want a bigger cut? Why should someone else reap the rewards of their talents?

Chump change? Give me a break. You justify their demands by citing an example where even more ludicrous amounts are being paid?

Tell that to a kid in a third world country working his ass off 12 hours a day or more for slave labour that these guys who put on a funny voice deserve the kind of money that could change the life of hundreds, even thousands of people.

I love Futurama. Zoidberg, Bender and perhaps Fry are "irreplacable". Maybe Zapp Brannigan also. Some of the others have just got lucky.

A lot of it is familiarity. People have grown accustomed to their voices, hence the "having them by the balls" bit. In an alternate reality where different but equally talented voice actors are being used and the show wished to swap to the current voice actors, no doubt people would complain.

As I have said, it is mass mediums at work. Take a small amount of money from a lot of people.

Why should someone else deserve get the money you ask? Maybe they shouldn't. That doesn't mean they "deserve" it, but it's a take what you can get society. More than half that money should be going to the less fortunate.

[Lazlow]

Oh right; get back to me when you're not such an idealist.

Money is going to made off the brand that is "Futurama" whether West and Co. take their cut or not. Your bleeding heart will not change this.

[[m]averick]

Man, Dan Castellaneta's $400 000 is chump change compared to the $1.7million Ray Romano pocketed for each episode of Everybody Loves Raymond's final season.

[incompatible with life]

lol no one deserves the kind of money they're asking for, but I guess "deserves" is subjective. I believe the expression is "they've got them by the balls". Reminds me of "The Prestige" where Jackman needs that other lookalike.

Mass media people. Take a small bit of money from a LOT of people. That's the way to get rich. Then, when you're needed because you've ridden the coattails of geniuses, go get yours. The way of the world today, the haves and the haves not.

Don't get me wrong, some of them are very talented (although not all) but they're NEEDED because people are used to them, as evidenced from this thread. Prsonally I don't see why they need so much money. Unless they're going to donate a large percentage to charity, it seems greedy to me.
So how do you determine how much a person should be paid then? Or in your ideal utopia does everyone get paid the same?

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Chump change? Give me a break. You justify their demands by citing an example where even more ludicrous amounts are being paid?

Yes?

Tell that to a kid in a third world country

No?

[Meg]

Im glad that this was sorted out.Im glad that West, Sagel and DiMaggio will be back doing the characters we all love. The money given increases to the actors wages will be made back in merchandise sales and the like.

[Hyperblau]

I love Futurama. Zoidberg, Bender and perhaps Fry are "irreplacable". Maybe Zapp Brannigan also. Some of the others have just got lucky.


Three of those are the same person. The voice actors on futurama extend their talents all across the show, the core team of actors voice pretty much every character including random background stuff. If they got rid of the core team they would have to hire about 2 to 3 people for every 1 they fired.

Thank god both sides made a deal. I couldn't and wouldn't watch the show with new voice actors.

[Clockw0rk]

I'm looking forward to a proper season rather than the movies (not that the movies weren't good). Is it going to follow on from the end of Wild Green Yonder?

[Stevorooni]

hmm with the ending of Wild Green Yonder it does make me wonder if they'll quickly return to the status quo with some random excuse, or if they'll take the show in a new direction.

[proofreeder]

So how do you determine how much a person should be paid then? Or in your ideal utopia does everyone get paid the same?

The argument where you refuse to draw the line. In life, you need to draw the line. You can have a grey area, sure, but have the balls to draw the line. It's not exactly hard in this situation... 90k for a half hour episode of making funny voices for a cartoon, money that could be used to save people's lives, put a stop to misery...

Also, ordinarily I wouldn't stoop this low but since you used it to be a sarcastic dick... every utopia is "ideal". That's the definition of "utopia".

If people could experience life on the other side, without the neccessities of life like shelter, food, etc, suffering from hunger then maybe you could understand how ridiculous this all is. But obviously you can't.

Lazlow, I'm going to try to minimalize my response to your nonsense.

Why take offense from what I have written with sarcastic remarks? Because I would prefer resources to go to starving people than cartoon voices?

These guys are getting paid ridiculous sums for voicing cartoon characters. People are dying from lack of resources. It's such a simple equation.

Boo ****ing hoo. My cartoons voices have changed.

What a ****ing world we live in. Don't get me wrong, I love futurama, it's one of my favourite shows ever, and I understand why people want the same voices, I love those voices, but people taking offense at my suggestion resources should be more evenly distributed to help people whose life on this earth is misery every day with "witty sarcastic remarks"...

I understand the importance of "art" in our life. I love futurama, absolutely love it (not the movies though) and would most definitely label it "art". There's a quote, if I could be ****ed I'd look it up but it goes something like "art makes life worth living". I also understand people in comfort, most of western society, just want to enjoy the pleasures of life like brilliant cartoon shows without someone ranting about starving people in countries they'll never have to witness. But what I have said, no matter how annoying, that's the way it is.

The older I get, the more alienated from society I become.

[Sytadel]

The older I get, the more alienated from society I become.

Society? You mean the three people that have posted? (subtract Jickle, who agreed with you!)

By that I mean, I'm on your side. There's simply nothing socially equitable about friggin' voice actors getting $75k an episode (Or $400k, or $10k). What sucks is that I doubt they'd get that salary anywhere else, but as said, they probably work out what they're worth to the company - subtract a few grand - and make that their price.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

but people taking offense at my suggestion resources should be more evenly distributed to help people whose life on this earth is misery every day with "witty sarcastic remarks"...

If that was actually an option, that I could say "instead of making more Futurama give those millions of dollars to feed the poor" I'm sure even the hardcorest of fans would say to do that.

But this money is being allocated to make an animated sitcom and if it wasn't it would go to another show.

Also putting witty sarcastic remarks in quotes makes it sound like they weren't. :(

[AranchineD]

I think people are arguing with the wrong target in mind here. Yes, I also think voice actors in general shouldn't be paid as much as they are, but at the same time, I also think that if the pay for being a voice actor is at a certain level (even if it is 'too much') then the people in the industry should have every right to chase that pay level.

[proofreeder]

Apologies Syt, from the small amount of your posts I have read, your opinion is normally extremely intelligent. By society I should clarify, I'm not referring to everyone. I mean "mainstream", overall opinion. 3 to 1 is a cross-section of society, and not far off my expectations, although admittedly with such small numbers the variables would be immense. Sorry if I have generalised.

And good post, as per usual.

Edit: And Jickle seems like a decent enough chap. How come good moderators have lost their green btw? Did they just get sick of it?

But this money is being allocated to make an animated sitcom and if it wasn't it would go to another show.

Blake, there is always an option. It's as simple as saying they want to donate the money and set an example to other people. Believe it or not, I'm not an idiot. I know my argument on some level doesn't make sense. From the maker's perspective, if Futurama did not pay those voice actors their money, the simple fact is the viewers' enjoyment would diminish, they would reap less revenue and therefore the money could not be donated to charity. I guess my point was, the voice actors should just donate half their money to charity.

Consider that situation.

Firstly, had they offered that scenario, I seriously doubt Futurama makers would refuse it as they would look like absolute assholes. And no one wants that, no matter how much they want the money.

Secondly, the voice actors would still get paid more money than they would know what to do with.

Thirdly, helping people.

I dunno, it just doesn't seem that complicated to me.

Edit: To anyone who has seen the movie classic "Chinatown" there's an argument about a rich guy who already has more money than he knows what to do with but still goes about trying to obtain more through illicit means. He is then confronted by Jack Nicholson who cannot understand why he would commit such heinuous acts when he can already obtain every material possession mankind's heart desires and asks "Can the wine taste any sweeter?" etc.

Thierry Henry's house was broken into. And 200k worth of leather coats were stolen. But who needs 200k woth of leather coats to begin with? Such frivolous expediture is not unusual for those who reap the benefits of mass mediums, the haves and the have nots. Thierry Henry, while a sports player, is providing entertainment through mass mediums, hence the clubs profitability via TV sponsorships and his own endorsements etc.

Also putting witty sarcastic remarks in quotes makes it sound like they weren't. :(

Ha ha, sorry that was kind of the point, I'm sure you knew that already though. Although I'm sure they would be funnier if I wasn't pissed off ha ha :)

Anyway, I'm going to bed. Thanks for the responses Syt, Blake and Arachnine D. I was expecting far worse :)

[Clockw0rk]

...Anyway, if the show picks up from where Wild Green Yonder left off I'd imagine they could have the wormhole depositing them right back at Planet Express HQ. Simple, explainable, potentially humorous and it gets them back to the status quo quickly.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

I'm more interested if Fry and Lela will be knocking boots. They've done enough running around on that issue, and now they could do the "wow this person sucks as my boyfriend/girlfriend" angle.

[Clockw0rk]

I did wonder about that, now that their relationship is official. There's potential for a jealous Bender too, though I think they already did that in one episode.

[AranchineD]

I'm more interested if Fry and Lela will be knocking boots. They've done enough running around on that issue, and now they could do the "wow this person sucks as my boyfriend/girlfriend" angle.

Protip: if one of the main aspects to your show is the lead male and female characters hinting towards and dancing around the subject of a relationship but not actually getting into one, then turning the show around and putting them together will kill your show within about two episodes.

[Lazlow]

Why take offense from what I have written with sarcastic remarks? Because I would prefer resources to go to starving people than cartoon voices?

These guys are getting paid ridiculous sums for voicing cartoon characters. People are dying from lack of resources. It's such a simple equation.


ATTN MOD

Currently at work, but I'd like to persue this line of discussion. Could a mod please move these posts to a new thread titled; Should a rich rerson help the Poor, just because they're rich? (or something similar if too long)

TIA

[Clockw0rk]

I'm on it. (http://www.hyper.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=19110)

[Lazlow]

Clockw0rk for mod! :D

[Clockw0rk]

:D It'd be fun but I don't pay nearly enough attention to more than 2 or 3 threads at a time. Plus I'd be tempted to ban just for poor spelling/grammar.

[AranchineD]

And you also drink far too much to be a mod


...although that didn't stop HiredMan! >_>

[Stevorooni]

HiredMan started drinking because he was a mod, he used to be blind stinking sober beforehand!

[Lazlow]

The first episode of Season 6 is titled "Rebirth", and set to premiere on June 10. The synopsis is;

The first episode of the sixth season will pick up from the events of Into the Wild Green Yonder. According to previews, it will feature a "literal" rebirth of the characters, and according to David X. Cohen, it will focus on the Fry-Leela relationship, rather than more complicated consequences of the "rebirth".

6wwUw0FQmDo

Read here (http://theinfosphere.org/Season_6) for more info on the production of Season 6. The talk about rebooting the series - in part and/or in whole - is a little worrying.

[Australian Ninja]

The first episode of Season 6 is titled "Rebirth", and set to premiere on June 10. The synopsis is;



6wwUw0FQmDo

Read here (http://theinfosphere.org/Season_6) for more info on the production of Season 6. The talk about rebooting the series - in part and/or in whole - is a little worrying.

I hope John Byrne is not involved - that guy is a Retcon machine (comics writer/artist)

[RunningMild]

Protip: if one of the main aspects to your show is the lead male and female characters hinting towards and dancing around the subject of a relationship but not actually getting into one, then turning the show around and putting them together will kill your show within about two episodes.

So Into The Wild Green Yonder killed the show?

[AranchineD]

Sure seems like it

[RunningMild]

6wwUw0FQmDo

So all the characters died and were cloned?

On one hand, I like the idea of continuing the TV season as if the movies never happened (I always felt the movies were more like 'side stories' anyway, not official canon). On the other hand, there's so many ways that they could screw this up...

[Beatrix]

Since when did Fry go to College?

Apart from Mars U.

[Lazlow]

Don't forget coney island!

[Hyperblau]

About to watch the first two eps of the new season

http://www.shockya.com/interviews/billy_west/fry_in_underwear_futurama.jpg

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

teabags etc!

[Hyperblau]

22 minute episodes are deff the way to go.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

And on Comedy Central!

[FrozenSoul80]

This is excellent, it's like the cancellation and those not-so-great movies never happened :D

[Lazlow]

Man, I'm sick of people ragging on the movies, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Bender's Game was the weakest, but still entertaining.

[Second]

I still haven't seen them. I should steal the discs off one of you guys one day.

[BB2K]

The movies were pretty damned awesome. I thought Bender's Game was gold, even. Also, I must have bought the wrong tea because mine was undrinkable >_>

[Lazlow]

I just found Bender's Game to be a little too disjointed. Like I said though, still entertaining.

[Jickle]

I think the first and fourth films were good, didn't like the middle two much.

These first two eps are pretty solid, they handled the whole 'rebirth' thing much better than I expected them to.

[FrozenSoul80]

Man, I'm sick of people ragging on the movies, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Bender's Game was the weakest, but still entertaining.

They were too long and I found I'd lost interest in the plot towards the middle of all of them. That's not to say they were terrible, they just weren't as good as the four seasons that preceded them. The formula works best in 22 minute standalone episodes.

[Spudzilla]

First two episodes are highly enjoyable.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

I liked the jokes.

[castr8or]

first 2 eps show that futurama really works better with the 1/2 hour format. I enjoyed the films, but the reality i that there was a lot of filler in them

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

The problem was you could see they knew they were probably going to be cut up into three eps at some point down the line. There was an overall plot, but they had 3 stories that would start and stop every 22 minutes. Which completely ruins the movie concept from the start.

This is a half hour sitcom and that's how it should be.

[Cubby]

I'm loving the new ones, but wasn't that happy about the end of the second ep.

[Second]

They're alright, I guess.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Hey dude, they were forced to ****!

[tau]

ANALYZING...ANALYZING...ANALYZING...CHECKING MY EBAY BID *bzzzt* DAMMIT

so many ****ing gold moments.

[Silverwolf]

Yay futurama!

May it live long at a high quality of comedy.

[Sytadel]

Yeah I quite liked the first two. Internets reception of them hasn't been great, but there has been quite a few awesome moments in them.

"My instinct is to hide in this barrel, like the wily fish."

Also loved the chamber of understanding.

[/backslash]

It feels a bit like the first season's couple of episodes where its trying to get into the flow of things. I didn't laugh for the majority of either episodes except for the professor's poking stick

Fry: "Poke harder damnit!"
Professor: "I'm poking as hard as I can! Yep...she's dead" *pokes again*

Still good to have them back though

[Natrak]

Yeah I quite liked the first two. Internets reception of them hasn't been great, but there has been quite a few awesome moments in them.

I think the internets like to lobby to bring shows back just so they can bitch when said shows do return and they're not quite as good as when they were at their peak.

Both episodes were really entertaining, some jokes fell flat, but I definitely enjoyed both and think they stand alongside the old episodes just fine.

It's great to have Futurama back in a more traditional form.

[TAT]

I thought they were great. It will probably take another episode or two to hit it's stride (seeing as the previous 5 seasons had a storyline that encompassed every single episode in some way), but that's to be expected.

The first episode continued the fond Futurama tradition of *minor spoiler*time travel/manipulation*end spoiler*, which was pretty cool.

The second was a bit more entertaining, I felt, with the addition of the vignettes and
the continued reveals from Zapp about his and Leela's predicament

Quite an amusing ending, too.

[/backslash]

Leela: "Are you sure I have to sit in your lap?"
Zapp: "It'll help us achieve maximum thrust!"

:D

[Silverwolf]

I think the internets like to lobby to bring shows back just so they can bitch when said shows do return and they're not quite as good as when they were at their peak.

Both episodes were really entertaining, some jokes fell flat, but I definitely enjoyed both and think they stand alongside the old episodes just fine.

It's great to have Futurama back in a more traditional form.

Completely agreed!

[Cubby]

Also loved the chamber of understanding.

I love the bit just before that "It isn't in the Janeway's Guide either".

[/backslash]

Wow, the HD broadcast looks so much better than the SD! Real blu-ray-like quality

[TAT]

Real blu-ray-like quality
For the love of Christ will someone change this guy's name to /blu-slash

[/backslash]

or /blu-slashray :p

[Sytadel]

lets just call him /bluslash / /backslash. Pronounced as, slashblueslashslashslashbackslash.

[Australian Ninja]

So how many episodes are in the new season?

[/backslash]

26 episodes for 2010. They might have a break after 13 eps & call that 1 season

[texta]

I doubt it. 26 sounds about right (or only very slightly high) for a season of a 20 minute show.

[Australian Ninja]

I doubt it. 26 sounds about right (or only very slightly high) for a season of a 20 minute show.

But they HAVE to screw it up so the inevitable DVD/BD releases don't make any sense

CORPORATE GOON: "Hmmm yes, let's see... 5 episodes for the first release, 35 for the second set, nothing on the third season DVD, just put some extra artwork on it and let's have... ohhhhh negative 22 episodes for the fourth season on DVD.
............. .......................
Wait..... What's that? You say we should renew the show for another 70+ episodes, but then cancel it, play them out of order and burn all the existing DVDs? Brilliant, I knew hiring a cigar smoking monkey to be our Network President would pay off in the long run!"

[Cubby]

As far as I know, it's 13 this year, and 13 next year.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Was one of the robots in the background of the build a robot shop Homer's?

[/backslash]

New episode is out :) Haven't watched it yet

edit:

Latest episode involves the iPhone. Jokes aplenty thus far, awesome :D

edit2:

Best episode yet, huge improvement over the first 2 imo

[Cerebral]

I wish the pop culture references were a little less blunt. And forced. And by a little I mean a lot.

[/backslash]

Yeah that was my main issue with it, reminded me of that Simpsons episode involving Apple. Its a great episode but didn't involve many original ideas

[Jickle]

I wasn't big on this episode. It seemed to rely on the idea that simply mentioning current popular trends/technology would be inherently funny in and of itself, which is sort of weird when the show is set 1000 years into the future.

[TSplodey]

Came on to post pretty much the same opinion as you three. Slurm = Coke is far far funnier than eyePhone = iPhone.

[Stevorooni]

Susan Boil was classic though

[topaz]

Sorry, I liked the first 10mins or so, but then it just dragged on & on...

[Hyperblau]

It may have been a bit too blunt but I laughed a lot in this episode, thought it was great. Still just so happy the show is back.

[Cubby]

Wasn't thrilled about them doing the "eyephone", but at least it wasn't done too heavy-handed. It was basically just a communication device in their heads.

[castr8or]

so far superior to modern simpsons/seth mcfarlane garbage

not as good as south park

[/backslash]

I watched the newest Family Guy ep a couple of nights ago, felt like throwing up (the content didn't help much either, Stewie & Brian stuck in a vault & involved things you might not like in a bizarre porno)

[Spudzilla]

Didn't enjoy it as much as the first two, but I can think of much worse things to spend 20 minutes watching.

[Cubby]

I watched the newest Family Guy ep a couple of nights ago, felt like throwing up (the content didn't help much either, Stewie & Brian stuck in a vault & involved things you might not like in a bizarre porno)

I thought the vault part was great, the second part with the singing was just shit and I left the room.

[Natrak]

Don't really take issue with pop-culture references, but they weren't terribly clever about it. Still enjoyed it, though.

[Silverwolf]

I thought the vault part was great, the second part with the singing was just shit and I left the room.

That's Family Guy's style, alternate between funny/amusing and cringeworthy all through the episode.

[castr8or]

That's Family Guy's style, alternate between funny/amusing and cringeworthy all through the episode.

yeah the vault part was passable, the music was just clipshow, but with unfunny clips that didn't make the cut the first time.

[TAT]

Anyone who was offended is probably one of the same dumb bastards that keeps Apple alive.

[AranchineD]

Okay, I've caught up now


can confirm haters gonna hate in this thread

[Lazlow]

ip_gVSl46xI

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

So wait, are Fry and Leela still in a relationship or what?

[Cubby]

I was thinking they just glazed over that too. They better be..

[TrinityJayOne]

You aren't the only ones, the whole relationship has just gone back to them being buddies.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

I was wondering why Fry wasn't jealous when Leela had to **** Zapp.

[Cubby]

He did kiss her and make her that nut mix though. I think he got "what was at stake" etc.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Yeah, Leela was nut deep on Zapp's stake.

[texta]

So wait, are Fry and Leela still in a relationship or what?I don't think so.

Most of the stuff that happened in the first episode was with robot Fry. So the only thing that ever really put them together was the end of the last movie.

[FYI]

Well the new one wasn't bad. Probably my favourite so far, especially with the (brief) appearance of Hedonismbot. Wasn't as blunt as the last episode either.

[Cubby]

I thought it was great. Except the complete flip of opinion from most of the characters since "I Dated A Robot".

[AranchineD]

Amazing episode.

[Spudzilla]

The weeping wine robot was amazing.

[BB2K]

I thought it was a bit blatant in the whole robosexuality = homosexuality thing, but apart from that it was probably the best so far this season.

[castr8or]

fantastic ep

ghost and horse

LOL

[topaz]

Now that's the Futurama of old, great ep.

[TSplodey]

Yeah other than the already mentioned change of opinion on robosexuality, this ep was a very fine return to form. I was smiling or laughing nearly all the way through this episode. I think Bender's one-liners are probably the best example, like the Old Maid comment at the nightclub.

[^gR]

What season is the newest? Because there's obviously a whole new season out that I've missed and I want to start downl..

yeh :)

[TSplodey]

Season 6, counting the movies as Season 5.

[^gR]

Alright awesome. Thanks Jase :p

[castr8or]

the episode would have been perfect if it had ended with the beach scene, fade to black with the sound of bender sipping his drink over the credits. Amirite?

[fiddlesticks]

the one-liners in the ep were amazing. i laughed almost non-stop during the opening 10 minutes.

the robosexuality thing was weak, especially the debate scene. but i did get a kick out of the ominous clouds.

[Jickle]

"You gotta legalize it!"
"We're talking about robosexual marriage!"
"We're talking about a lot of things!"

Actually I think the best part of the episode was Hermes' bout of Clownitis. That was great.

[/backslash]

Leela: "I thought Circusitis only affected children?"
Hermes: "Children of all ages"

:D

Twas a good episode but yeah, very similar to 'I Dated a Robot' - however nowhere near as classic

Alex: [in movie] Mr. Mayor, if you want to see a real vampire, look in the mirror!
Mayor: [in movie] I can't! I'm a vampire!

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

"The only lies worth believing are the ones in the Bible!"

[Antwandemarco]

The new episode should be out today. Looking forward to it...

Really liked the previous episode, need to watch it again to refresh my memory.

I gotta say that the new season seems pretty sexualised compared to the previous seasons.

[/backslash]

Found today's ep very average, it was all about them discovering Leonardo Da Vinci's invention. Barely a decent joke in it :(

[Natrak]

ur crazy bro

I thought it was the best episode of the season so far, and the first episode that truly felt like it could have been ripped straight from the original run. There were plenty of decent jokes, and ended on a great note that reminded us just why we love Fry as a character.

The whole Da Vinci Code thing felt a little late at first, but the episode soon grew from there.

[fiddlesticks]

best premise so far, but nowhere near as many one-liners as the first half of last week's episode.

alot more tolerable than the robosexuality plot, but as i said, alot less laughs per minute.

[Second]

The best part of the episode was the preview for next week.

[AranchineD]

Let us pry



Hi Animitronio!


Yeah that was pretty great

EDIT: Oh man, when Fry started hammering the nail with another nail, brilliant

[Jickle]

I agree with Natrak, I think it was the best yet. Took a series of outdated references and actually did something fresh and fun with them. The only real issue I had with it was all the awkwardly expository dialog at the start. Fry was all "this one is going to center around my stupidity" and Farnsworth was all "I need to inform new viewers that I'm Fry's distant nephew....awkwardly." That and....Farnsworth's possession of Da Vinci's beard didn't make sense/Fry and Farnsworth went a month without food or water in that ship, but I can ignore that easily enough. >_>

[TSplodey]

The storyline was decent. Severly lacking in funny though. :/

[AranchineD]

Fry and Farnsworth went a month without food or water in that ship, but I can ignore that easily enough. >_>

Seriously, I thought the exact same thing when that bit came up.

WHY BRAIN WHY

[AranchineD]

The storyline was decent. Severly lacking in funny though. :/

I could explain some of the more complex jokes if you like.

[TSplodey]

What are you the shows mother? I smiled a few times but didn't laugh out loud. Is that less insulting for you?

[Spudzilla]

Not every episode can have Fry slipping on a banana peel and falling into a cleaning closet.

[Araenel]

Seriously, I thought the exact same thing when that bit came up.

WHY BRAIN WHY

My greater concern was how it was flying through space >_>

[buckstwits]

One of the voices in the crowd (that boos Leonardo) boos in this really passionate/angry manner. It's a little thing but it really made me laugh.

[topaz]

Fry and Farnsworth went a month without food or water in that ship, but I can ignore that easily enough. >_>

Fry was eating rocks...and perhaps they had food from space drive-thrus along the way, where restaurants travel alongside spaceships, and you can order/get your food without leaving your ship...who knows what they have in the year 3010!!??!!

[Natrak]

A magician did it.

[Cubby]

Stuff like them being in the ship for a month is funny because it sounds impossible/ridiculous. Like the all the times Bender would put a person or something bigger in his chest.

[TAT]

Found today's ep very average, it was all about them discovering Leonardo Da Vinci's invention. Barely a decent joke in it :(
What? No.

ur crazy bro

I thought it was the best episode of the season so far, and the first episode that truly felt like it could have been ripped straight from the original run. There were plenty of decent jokes, and ended on a great note that reminded us just why we love Fry as a character.

The whole Da Vinci Code thing felt a little late at first, but the episode soon grew from there.
This

EDIT: Oh man, when Fry started hammering the nail with another nail, brilliant
THIS THIS THIS


**** you, /backslash

[BB2K]

Haha, I knew as soon as I saw /backslash's post that it was going to be a great episode, somehow.

Also, 1000th post. Whoo.

[Gutsman Heavy]

the I'm not big boned just fat was the best bit of the episode. it was pretty good overall.

[castr8or]

i thought it was a weak episode, the hermes bone joke was great though.

Oddly enough, the month without food or water didn't bother me, but the ship using flapping wings and a funny propeller for propulsion in space gave me the shits

[/backslash]

THIS THIS THIS
That part was okay but I was pretty laugh deprived by the time it happened. Didn't like the premise either

[Natrak]

but the ship using flapping wings and a funny propeller for propulsion in space gave me the shits

The best thing about the old Futurama was that the science was always so spot on.

[AranchineD]

Current cryogenic technology is actually at the stage where we can freeze someone for 1000 years and have them coming out exactly as they went in.

[/backslash]

New Futurama ep is out, completely forgot about it today. Getting it now

[Cubby]

It's good, not great though.

[TAT]

You call that an ink defense?

[AranchineD]

It's good, not great though.

What the Hoth?

[Spudzilla]

You did it, Hermes.

[BB2K]

Hermes was obviously Inspector #5

Still a good episode, though.

[Natrak]

After some initial bumps it's shaping up to be a really good season, I think.

[AranchineD]

Still a good episode, though.

...

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[Jickle]

So that's the second time we've seen Bender being bor- ah, what do I care. Fun ep!

[BB2K]

Third, if you count being backwards born.

[AranchineD]

So that's the second time we've seen Bender being bor- ah, what do I care. Fun ep!

Especially when he looked so goddamn cute.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6503/futuramas06e06lethalins.jpg

awwwwwwwwww

[Araenel]

The best thing about the old Futurama was that the science was always so spot on.

Indeed, when you listen to the commentaries you get the impression that when something called for modern physics/actual science to be used it was almost a point of pride to have it right.

Like when they spent hours graphing the maths for the multi-universe episode etc

[TSplodey]

I loved the commentaries for S1-4. You really got twice as much Futurama if you listened to them.

Took me about til halfway through to click about #5 but this ep is the great storytelling I've come to expect from Futurama.

[Sytadel]

Thoroughly enjoyed.

Does anyone else feel bad you're not actually supporting the show & it's creators? Because die-hard fans can't help but torrent the episodes as soon as they come, it'll mean that by the time it hits Australian TV it won't make any money here.

[TSplodey]

In what way? I haven't watched free to air in god knows how long, and I'll buy the box sets when they are released.

[AranchineD]

In what way? I haven't watched free to air in god knows how long, and I'll buy the box sets when they are released.

Yes yes yes.

[Cubby]

Well, that would be Ten's fault for not pulling their finger out of their arse. Also, I'll get the box set when it comes out, and I'm sure most others will too. Afterall, wasn't it DVD sales that brought it back?

[TSplodey]

Also forgot to mention last week. The opening scene doesn't have the short cartoon clip any more.

Not happy. >:|

[TAT]

Probably because Fox have the rights to a lot of old cartoons?...

[TrinityJayOne]

Well, that would be Ten's fault for not pulling their finger out of their arse. Also, I'll get the box set when it comes out, and I'm sure most others will too. Afterall, wasn't it DVD sales that brought it back?
I'm fairly sure that is the case, yes. Same thing happened with Family Guy.

[Sytadel]

Well I spose I could get the box set on principle >.>

[TSplodey]

Probably because Fox have the rights to a lot of old cartoons?...
Doubt thats the reason, cause it only stopped ~2 weeks ago. It could just be to fit in a second or two more of actual show but its kind of like cutting the Simpsons couch gag. :(

[Cubby]

I just had a look, and Rebirth is the only one to have an old cartoon. So it's been cut from 5 eps.

[Gutsman Heavy]

almost rage quit when the guy only stamped the forms 3 time!

[/backslash]

Latest ep is out, pretty good so far (5min in) :) Robots making love is pretty much like the sounds at construction sites, lol!

edit: Great episode! The Professor makes a time machine that only goes forward, you can already imagine the hilarity in advance

[Cubby]

Wow, best episode yet. Great to see they haven't lost the magic.

[AranchineD]

It certainly wasn't as funny as the previous ones, but it was a pretty cool episode overall.

[Natrak]

I agree with Aran.

[topaz]

Love the episode, I was angry like Fry & the Professor when Bender pulled the lever at the all-female era lol

[buckstwits]

Wow, best episode yet. Great to see they haven't lost the magic.

This.

Also, loved the Zager & Evans parody.

[buckstwits]

Too many bones? Not enough cash?

[Spudzilla]

Lets get this globe trottin'

[Cubby]

We got both the short clip before the credits and the cartoon on the screen in the credits, yay.

[Natrak]

Another really enjoyable episode. The cat celebration was a little bit much, but that's all I can really complain about.

[TAT]

The nod to Homer's brain was awesome

[topaz]

Another great episode, loving it!

[tau]

I haven't laughed that hard in ages. Top work, futurama!

[TSplodey]

Good ep. I always enjoy the endings where they break Earth or the Universe in some way (eg Farnsworth Parabox).

[FYI]

Probably the most absurd episode in a while, but definitely one of the funniest.

The horse says: Doctorate denied

[texta]

Latest episode was pretty good imo. I'm pretty sure my brother would have had a permanent boner throughout most of it.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Footbag?

[/backslash]

Getting it now although I should probably skip the HD version, always takes too long :(

[AranchineD]

WHY DON'T YOU ASK YOUR MUM, SHE'S COMING OVER FOR A SEX VISIT

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/5877/futuramas06e09hdtvxvidf.jpg

[TAT]

Getting it now although I should probably skip the HD version, always takes too long :(
There's no benefit whatsoever in seeing the HD version of a cartoon.

[AranchineD]

There's no benefit whatsoever in seeing the HD version of a cartoon.

You idiot, of course there's a benefit. There's lots of benefit!

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/5877/futuramas06e09hdtvxvidf.jpg

[TAT]

You're ****ing gay, mate

[/backslash]

There's no benefit whatsoever in seeing the HD version of a cartoon.
Its much easier on the eyes ;)

Quite a good ep, I loved the robot dinosaurs on wheels

[texta]

I get the HD version because Internode upped my quota to 60 gig a month and I don't know what to do with it all.

[TAT]

60Gb?

dude, I've already used that much this month

[/backslash]

I don't need to worry about quota either so thats another reason :p

[Hyperblau]

The HD version is only 550mb anyway and the quality is much much better, HD animation looks amazing and you suck.

[freeradical]

Enjoying this series. "To the Science mobile"! Lol!
iFad-lol!

[TAT]

The best joke was the second time someone said "I can no longer live on this planet"

[texta]

60Gb?

dude, I've already used that much this monthYeah, I'm sure at other times in my life I would chew through 60gig in a couple of hours but at the moment with the election and uni and footy, I don't really have a whole lot of time to sit in front of the TV.

[/backslash]

Haha, today's episode is very confusing as to who's who :D It involves switching bodies

[BB2K]

So, Fry and Leela are together now? **** continuity.

[Second]

What?

[Cubby]

So, Fry and Leela are together now? **** continuity.

There is no issue with continuity here, they have been dating all season.

Excellent episode, but the body switching 1 (switch) per pair is the same as an old stargate episode.

[tau]

I somehow doubt stargade featured

an old man and a man-fish thing making out and then bumping uglies. Speaking of which, what the **** would they have done together? D:

[Cubby]

No, that's why I didn't mention that part. Also ew, best not to think about it.

[/backslash]

Excellent episode, but the body switching 1 (switch) per pair is the same as an old stargate episode.
As long as its entertaining I don't really care :p When you think about it there's only so many ideas before they start overlapping or feeling similar to stuff you've already seen before

[Cubby]

Oh it wasn't really a complaint, and it did stretch much further than the Stargate one with the number of people involved. It was more just an observation I guess.

[Araenel]

There's no way they would have done that on purpose as a reference to the show. Not Futurama. Referencing a scifi show?


anyway, easily the best of the season.

[AranchineD]

I hate paying $14 to see Nicolas Cage solve things.

[Natrak]

****ing outstanding episode.

[AranchineD]

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/6743/futuramas06e10theprison.jpg

[Natrak]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v159/Natrak/hermes3.gif

[TAT]

Brilliant episode. So many fantastic jokes

Tonight at 11...

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

[Stevorooni]

As confusing as Bender's Big Score. I loved it!

[BB2K]

I can't believe they never used the word chainswords in the episode. Surely a viewers are geniuses moment.

[TAT]

That episode wasn't confusing at all.

[TSplodey]

Scruffy and washbucket was a crackup. Great ep.

[big_b]

The asian diplomat losing his arm did it for me. Hilarious.

[/backslash]

"To hell with Little Orphan Annie!" :D

Another good episode, Lrrr gets kicked out of his home & moves in with the Planet Express crew & 'pretends' to take over the world to get his wife back. The ending was predictable but they managed to joke about their own ending at the last second

[TSplodey]

"When are ya gonna make another Simpsons movie!?"

And the gay Mario MC. Hahaha.

Like it. Laughed a lot.

[AranchineD]

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/7491/futuramas06e11lrrreconc.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7491/futuramas06e11lrrreconc.jpg


Boy, Fox has really streamlined the process

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

It was great when everyone held up their phones to record the footage.

[TAT]

The nod to Metropolis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_%28film%29) in the latest ep was pretty cool.

[/backslash]

Ep 13 won't be screened till November 11th for a holiday ep :(

[Cubby]

I know, I can't believe it's already done for the season (excluding ep 13), it went so quickly.

[/backslash]

Yeah I still feel like I've only watched 5 eps or so :(

[itsgotime]

just realising i havnt commented on hyper forums in... many years...

anyone know when we can expect dvd/blurays of the 13 epsiodes?

[Cubby]

My guess would be early next year. Jan-Mar.

[Antwandemarco]

Meh, i was such a rabid futurama fan back in the day but the repeated mediocre efforts (the movies, the failry weak new season) have left me bitter. There were some ok new episodes. However, that stupid davinci code one was the final straw for me. Even if the new episodes are ok i'm too jaded and let down to watch them objectively.

Shit sucks :(