Quote'Futurama' given a new future on Comedy Central
04:37 PM PT, Jun 9 2009
Death isn't what it used to be for animated TV shows.
Comedy Central has struck a deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television to air 26 new episodes of "Futurama," the animated comedy from "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening that was canceled by the Fox network in 2003 after a four-season run. The first new half-hour episode of the comedy about a 20th century pizza delivery boy who wakes up in the 30th century will air in mid-2010.
Its rebirth mirrors that of fellow Twentieth animated series "Family Guy," which was canceled by Fox in 2002 and then revived by the network in 2005 after proving a major hit on DVD and in cable.
"Futurama" has enjoyed similar success, initially on reruns on Carton Network's Adult Swim from 2003 until the end of 2007, then on Comedy Central starting last year.
In addition, Twentieth Century Fox produced four straight-to-DVD "Futurama" movies last year, all of which aired on the cable network.
Comedy Central may not be the only home for the second life of "Futurama." Twentieth's deal with the cable network gives it the rights to sell the newly produced episodes to a broadcast network as well -- given the series' history and the networks' corporate ties to the studio, Fox would be the most likely candidate.
Revivals of canceled series are extremely rare and, as evidenced by the fate of "Jericho" on CBS last year, usually don't result in better ratings. But for animated comedies with a devoted core of young male viewers who devour reruns on cable and online, death is turning out to be a temporary state of affairs.
Because they don't take much time from the actors who do voice-over work, it's also much easier to bring back cast members who might have moved on to other projects.
--Ben Fritz
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/06/futurama-revived-by-comedy-central.html
:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
And I don't even need to change my avatar to celebrate!
:punk:
Bender Bending Rodriguez is back, baby!
I'm skeptical. Have to wait and see which writers they sign on. The movies weren't that great.
Quote from: Habbaku on June 09, 2009, 10:45:48 PM
I'm skeptical. Have to wait and see which writers they sign on. The movies weren't that great.
They were pretty hit and miss weren't they? Some were funny some were just kinda lame.
Awesome! :yeah:
The series went seriously downhill with their last season. Let's hope this revival is successful.
I am: unsad
Quote from: Habbaku on June 09, 2009, 10:45:48 PM
I'm skeptical. Have to wait and see which writers they sign on. The movies weren't that great.
Yeah I agree, it depends on who the writers will be. Same as the Simpsons, really.
Family Guy has gone a bit downhill lately too as it is just serving to be a mouthpiece for Seth MacFarlane's political views.
Mediocre Futurama is better than most of the other stuff out there on TV.
If only Vinraith were here to join the celebrations. :(
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on June 10, 2009, 10:36:18 AM
If only Vinraith were here to join the celebrations. :(
What happened to him?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on June 10, 2009, 10:53:19 AM
What happened to him?
Choked on his own bile after seeing Terminator Salvation. :(
I heard he found another forum that was gentler and more accepting of his alternative lifestyle.
Quote from: Habbaku on June 09, 2009, 10:45:48 PM
I'm skeptical. Have to wait and see which writers they sign on. The movies weren't that great.
I thought the quality was about the same as the tv show. Me, I'd have preferred if it kept being straight to dvd movies. New business models need to be embraced when they work, not abandoned for the relic called network TV.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on June 10, 2009, 12:25:47 PM
I heard he found another forum that was gentler and more accepting of his alternative lifestyle.
www.ihatemovies.com/forums ?
Quote from: BuddhaRhubarb on June 10, 2009, 12:27:41 PM
Quote from: Habbaku on June 09, 2009, 10:45:48 PM
I'm skeptical. Have to wait and see which writers they sign on. The movies weren't that great.
I thought the quality was about the same as the tv show. Me, I'd have preferred if it kept being straight to dvd movies. New business models need to be embraced when they work, not abandoned for the relic called network TV.
Or an exclusive broadcast contract with Hulu or somesuch. It will start happening eventually.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on June 10, 2009, 12:25:47 PM
I heard he found another forum that was gentler and more accepting of his alternative lifestyle.
Does that mean he's straight?
Quote from: Razgovory on June 11, 2009, 10:08:19 AM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on June 10, 2009, 12:25:47 PM
I heard he found another forum that was gentler and more accepting of his alternative lifestyle.
Does that mean he's straight?
I believe he is a furry.
How can you watch this shit? My kids watch it sometimes. Makes me want to rip my eyeballs out and stuff them in my ears.
Quote from: Maximus on June 11, 2009, 01:29:43 PM
How can you watch this shit? My kids watch it sometimes. Makes me want to rip my eyeballs out and stuff them in my ears.
:D