UUUUGH! Fox Benches Futurama til Feb. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJL · 01-13-2002, 09:44 PM

What a crock!
Fox announced tonight that they're keeping Futurama (and King Of the Hill) off the air until February, then they showed back to back Simpsons (one a repeat) in thier timeslot.

Does FOX really think that showing a repeat of the Simpsons would be a better lead in program for thier new gameshow "The Chamber?" I'll take a new show over a rerun any time.

Why doesn't FOX just admit they want Futurama off the air?

First, the show was pre-empted all season because of Football, then they pull the show after a few weeks on the air? What a joke.
Look, I know the Simpsons is the gold standard at FOX, but there's no reason for them to slight their other animated programs, some which are BETTER than The Simpsons.

I wish these guys would get thier act together.

Freakzilla · 01-14-2002, 05:20 PM

I like The Simpsons, but the show is past it's prime. It's only occasionally as good as it was several seasons ago. Too much Homer hurting himself, too little wit.

Futurama is now as good as The Simpsons in it's prime. It's characters are really funny and the writing is great. If only FOX would let the show air(and air in a good time-slot) so people could see what a good show Futurama is.

TJL · 01-14-2002, 07:38 PM

You're right.
FOX will never give this show a break.
I have a feeling the network is phasing out their animated programs. Some of their executives told various critics at the TV Critics Association press tour that the network is moving away from the hip and edgy stuff, and moving towards the more traditional fare.
This coming from the geniuses who brought us Temptation Island.

dugferd · 01-15-2002, 02:01 AM

We USA eastcoast Futurama fans really get screwed. Football does preempt many episodes. The few episodes we do get to see are only when there is no doubleheader on fox that week (varies in different markets because of complex NFL tv rules) or if by some miracle the games end early (which happens rarely now that they've pushed back the start times of the second games to 4:15) or because there are fewer games now that it's the playoffs. FOX hasn't yanked Futurama after a few episodes this season, it's a normal hiatus period for many shows. However, you'd think FOX would realize that there are markets which have never seen many episodes of Futurama (and King of the Hill) and would use this time to rerun them. I had seen both of the Simpsons they ran the other night, I was quite disappointed.

We should yell at FOX.

LucyCompanyPhan · 01-16-2002, 07:19 PM

to tell you the truth, i think i rather see it on the weekdays better on a Sunday because its competin with Football. I think they should put Futurama on like Mon or Weds. that be really good, i wish they take off some of the crap Fox has on then.

TJL · 01-16-2002, 08:23 PM

If FOx and the rest of the networks, removed tehir crappy progamming, life would truly be beautiful.

Now if you'll excuse me, i think "The Chamber" is on...

LucyCompanyPhan · 01-16-2002, 11:03 PM

hey i was just checkin out that theres a Futurama DVD comin out Jan 28th for UK, for the people in US, you can still buy it online as a special order. It has i think the first 13 episodes, as well as behind the scenes. Probably like the simpsons one. well i cant wait!! cya soon~xoxo Brit

TJL · 01-17-2002, 06:07 AM

That's great!
I'll have to be on the lookout for the DVD.
That should keep me happy until new episodes arrive.

Central Perk · 02-19-2002, 08:18 AM

They should really keep Futurama though I've heard that they have cancelled it..(not sure if they really did). Its just as good as the simpsons. FOX wants ownership of the show but Matt Groening has it.

TJL · 02-19-2002, 05:34 PM

Matt Greoning and the Futurama folks are waiting for the go ahead (and money) from FOX to start production on new episodes. There are already 72 episodes completed, but only about 48 have been aired. They need to get started now on episodes that won't air for almost two years, due to the amount of time it takes to do the animation.
Fox may just cancel the show and spend the next two years showing the unaired episodes.
Bummer...

Freakzilla · 02-23-2002, 10:17 PM

I hope that FOX does come to their senses and see how great Futurama is and how, with better treatment, it could turn into a big hit. But if they don't, I hope another network will pick it up. And if that doesn't happen, I at least hope that Matt Groening and Co. can produce a 73rd episode to close the series. Nothing sucks more than watching reruns of a show that doesn't have a proper ending.

Kane · 03-03-2002, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Freakzilla
I hope that FOX does come to their senses and see how great Futurama is and how, with better treatment, it could turn into a big hit. But if they don't, I hope another network will pick it up. And if that doesn't happen, I at least hope that Matt Groening and Co. can produce a 73rd episode to close the series. Nothing sucks more than watching reruns of a show that doesn't have a proper ending.

My feelings are generally similar to yours, Freakzilla.

In addition to writing to the executives at Fox, I have written to the series itself. Here's the address:

Futurama
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213-0900

Urge the personnel involved in the show to seriously consider selling the series to another network should Fox decide against ordering more episodes beyond the 72-episode commitment. Advise them to alos explore the option of producing new episodes in syndication (a la Baywatch and Charles In Charge).

Hope this helps.

01-13-2002, 09:44 PM	#1
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	UUUUGH! Fox Benches Futurama til Feb. What a crock! Fox announced tonight that they're keeping Futurama (and King Of the Hill) off the air until February, then they showed back to back Simpsons (one a repeat) in thier timeslot. Does FOX really think that showing a repeat of the Simpsons would be a better lead in program for thier new gameshow "The Chamber?" I'll take a new show over a rerun any time. Why doesn't FOX just admit they want Futurama off the air? First, the show was pre-empted all season because of Football, then they pull the show after a few weeks on the air? What a joke. Look, I know the Simpsons is the gold standard at FOX, but there's no reason for them to slight their other animated programs, some which are BETTER than The Simpsons. I wish these guys would get thier act together.

01-15-2002, 02:01 AM	#4
dugferd Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 20, 2001 Location: Richmond VA USA Posts: 112	We USA eastcoast Futurama fans really get screwed. Football does preempt many episodes. The few episodes we do get to see are only when there is no doubleheader on fox that week (varies in different markets because of complex NFL tv rules) or if by some miracle the games end early (which happens rarely now that they've pushed back the start times of the second games to 4:15) or because there are fewer games now that it's the playoffs. FOX hasn't yanked Futurama after a few episodes this season, it's a normal hiatus period for many shows. However, you'd think FOX would realize that there are markets which have never seen many episodes of Futurama (and King of the Hill) and would use this time to rerun them. I had seen both of the Simpsons they ran the other night, I was quite disappointed. We should yell at FOX.
	__________________ Leela: "You can't just sit here in the dark listening to classical music." Fry: "I could if you hadn't turned on the lights and shut off the stereo." Last edited by dugferd; 01-15-2002 at 02:03 AM.

01-16-2002, 07:19 PM	#5
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	to tell you the truth, i think i rather see it on the weekdays better on a Sunday because its competin with Football. I think they should put Futurama on like Mon or Weds. that be really good, i wish they take off some of the crap Fox has on then.
	__________________ "Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness -- give me truth.”

01-16-2002, 11:03 PM	#7
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	DVD Jan 28th hey i was just checkin out that theres a Futurama DVD comin out Jan 28th for UK, for the people in US, you can still buy it online as a special order. It has i think the first 13 episodes, as well as behind the scenes. Probably like the simpsons one. well i cant wait!! cya soon~xoxo Brit

01-14-2002, 05:20 PM	#2
Freakzilla Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 23, 2000 Location: Portage, Michigan, United States Posts: 556	I like The Simpsons, but the show is past it's prime. It's only occasionally as good as it was several seasons ago. Too much Homer hurting himself, too little wit. Futurama is now as good as The Simpsons in it's prime. It's characters are really funny and the writing is great. If only FOX would let the show air(and air in a good time-slot) so people could see what a good show Futurama is.

01-14-2002, 07:38 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	You're right. FOX will never give this show a break. I have a feeling the network is phasing out their animated programs. Some of their executives told various critics at the TV Critics Association press tour that the network is moving away from the hip and edgy stuff, and moving towards the more traditional fare. This coming from the geniuses who brought us Temptation Island.

01-16-2002, 08:23 PM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	If FOx and the rest of the networks, removed tehir crappy progamming, life would truly be beautiful. Now if you'll excuse me, i think "The Chamber" is on...

01-17-2002, 06:07 AM	#8
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	That's great! I'll have to be on the lookout for the DVD. That should keep me happy until new episodes arrive.

02-19-2002, 08:18 AM	#9
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	They should really keep Futurama though I've heard that they have cancelled it..(not sure if they really did). Its just as good as the simpsons. FOX wants ownership of the show but Matt Groening has it.

02-19-2002, 05:34 PM	#10
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Matt Greoning and the Futurama folks are waiting for the go ahead (and money) from FOX to start production on new episodes. There are already 72 episodes completed, but only about 48 have been aired. They need to get started now on episodes that won't air for almost two years, due to the amount of time it takes to do the animation. Fox may just cancel the show and spend the next two years showing the unaired episodes. Bummer...

02-23-2002, 10:17 PM	#11
Freakzilla Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 23, 2000 Location: Portage, Michigan, United States Posts: 556	I hope that FOX does come to their senses and see how great Futurama is and how, with better treatment, it could turn into a big hit. But if they don't, I hope another network will pick it up. And if that doesn't happen, I at least hope that Matt Groening and Co. can produce a 73rd episode to close the series. Nothing sucks more than watching reruns of a show that doesn't have a proper ending.