Blog FeedFuturama Comeback?
I’m not going to ask how many of you are Futurama fans. I’m sure almost all of you are. It’s past my bed time right now, but a quick squiz online before I hit the sack has turned out to be quite worthwhile. It appears, ladies and gents, that Futurama is indeed coming back, because Billy said so. Who is Billy? Why, he’s the voice of half the characters on the show. Now, if this was made known on Thursday and I have only heard about it now, that does make me a bit suspicious, but perhaps the media has just been cautious. Or I’ve been deaf. Rumours have indeed been making the rounds over the past few weeks and all of the above information seems legit - unless the voice actor himself has been had, or is lying. Unlikely. In any case, I’m buying it.
There is of course a catch - according to Mr West’s forum post, it’s not coming back to our TV sets at a regular time week. Instead, they are releasing feature-length movies on DVD, with Fox hoping to ride on the success of Futurama’s DVD sales since the show was axed. It makes sense, but I’m still very much sitting on the fence as to whether or not the new format will work out for me. I don’t recall any previous full-length movie doing too well if it was based off a series made up of short episodes. On the other hand, Futurama’s style of humour definately has a lot more lastability than Family Guy, not just with long term re-runs, but also on how many episodes I can see back-to-back in one go. I always felt that the 25 or so minutes of each episode could have been longer without dragging on.
Overall this is fantastic news. But should we be content with 4 feature length movies, or should we be after more? Damn, that does sound greedy.
23rd January | Reply
Fantastic news. I know for the past year I’ve been hearing rumors of its return. The more I watch futurama the more I really really enjoy it. It has a depth that goes beyond both family guy and the simpsons. While I would have liked some more episodes it appears that 4 feature length DVD movies are being made. That is quite a lot of futurama and if the movies are a success who knows what will follow. I know i’ll be buying.
23rd January | Reply
I’ve been a fan of Futurama for years now (own all the DVD’s) so this (if true) is great news. I won’t be holding my breath though as none of this has been 100% confirmed.
Now all Fox has to do is bring back Firefly and I’ll almost be able to forgive them.
-Blade-
24th January | Reply
I’m still shocked that they canned both Futurama and Family Guy in the first place and yet still hang onto The Simpsons that, as far as I am concerned, is getting a bit tired. So, I’m happy to hear that Futurama is coming back but I would have preferred 30-minute episodes…
24th January | Reply
As a fellow futurama fan and DVD buyer, let me be the first to say “Grnk”.
While I feel that a fifth season would suit futurama better, the same logic that applied to Firefly applies here (that being that more Futurama is infinitely superior to no more Futurama). Although I’m skeptical on the truth behind this rumour, if Mr. Billy West says so, it’s gained at least some credability.
Hell, if they’re selling, I’m buying. 20th Century Fox has a patsy handing them money in me when Futurama is involved, I don’t mind saying.
24th January | Reply
I can’t believe you hypothetically asked “Who’s Billy?” — you are aware of your audience, right?
Damn I want so much for this to be true.
25th January | Reply
Hmm…personally, I would prefer another series, but as Sheps said, its better than having no Futurama at all. In my opinion they should hve stopped Simpsons and concentrated on Futurama but viewing figures (plus money) talks so that was never going to happen.
Still, I suppose it would encourage more people to buy these DVD’s than if they had aired them in a series. Looking forward to them.
25th January | Reply
I suppose Family Guy got a fourth season after their DVD did so well, so it’s always possible the same thing will happen with Futurama.
25th January | Reply
“I don’t recall any previous full-length movie doing too well if it was based off a series made up of short episodes.”
Serenity?
27th January | Reply
That depends on what is meant by short episodes. It could be argued that Firefly didnt have short episodes.
27th January | Reply
Thornhillboy is spot on. I considered that while writing the article, and my reasoniing is that Firefly was not made up of short 25-minute episodes. It was 45-minute episodes, which, like BattleStar Galactica, is easier to translate into a movie-type production because they’re already half way there. Sitcoms like The Simpsons or Family Guy are a very different story.