FOX in early talks to REVIVE 'Futurama' episodes!

[The Clown Prince]

Didn't see this posted anywhere yet and thought this was the right board. If not, I'm sure a moderator will move it. I know the reruns air on Adult Swim but this is talking about FOX doing more episodes, not Cartoon Network specifically, so I thought this board was more proper. I apologize if it's not.

I know Billy West has been quoted in recent months as saying that a DTV was almost at the stage of final go ahead (an interview he did at IGNFilmForce), but this is something new.

Anyways, this was posted early Wednesday morning at Comingsoon.net via Variety...


Variety reports that talks have begun at 20th Century (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12567#) Fox TV (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12567#) to revive the animated series (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12567#) Futurama (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12567#), which takes place in the next millennium.

The studio is in early discussions to put Futurama back in production and create a limited number of episodes of the Emmy Award-winning series -- although it's too soon to tell where those episodes might end up, adds the trade.

The final original episode of Futurama aired on Fox (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12567#) in August 2003. But since then, the series has found new life -- and fans -- via DVD releases and repeatedly high-rated airings on the Cartoon Network.

Futurama remains popular enough that Comedy Central even stole away off-net rights to the show's repeats late last year; it will switch to the comedy channel in 2008.

A similar resurgence in interest for Family Guy persuaded 20th Century Fox TV to revive that show, which has produced two seasons of new episodes and a DVD since coming back from the dead. Family Guy now resides as Fox's Sunday 9 p.m. tentpole.

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and "Simpsons" vet David X. Cohen were behind Futurama, which premiered on Fox in March 1999.



I hope this really happens!

The Clown Prince

[Humble]

Thanks for the heads up! :D

-Humble does the happy dance

[Draven]

FINALLY some good news! Now, let's not get TOO excited just yet. This is still WELL inside rumor territory. Fox, could decide to not do it, which would be absurdly stupid, but it could still happen. But damn, it would really be great if it came together.

Here's hoping the same cast gets put together, and the hype doesn't get so overwelming all the old schoolers get disapointed when, and if, the new season comes back. Maybe it's the nostagila talking, but I could see new Futurama giving new Family Guy a run for it's money AND ratings. Easily.

[Dr. Dave]

No, this is beyond rumor. If Variety reports it, you can bet it's real.

However, "early talks" doesn't mean it's going to happen. No sure thing yet, but there is hope.

[Nin-Nin69]

Well if Futurama doesn't loose it's touch like Family Guy did, then this would be fantastic.

[sdp]

I don't know, it was sad that Futurama was cancelled but it got a decent run, I just don't want it to comeback as say Family Guy(hit or lots of misses) did, somethings are better just left alone.

[Jave]

[X] Family Guy
[X] Futurama
[ ] Teen Titans

2 down, one to go.

[Aquadementia]

I'm still hoping for a longer format DTV too.

It's interesting that this came after Comedy Central picked up the show.
I think they'll give it pretty good treatment for a show that's on it's 20th repeat cycle, but nobody has given a series a better second run then Adult Swim has given Futurama, Family Guy and American Dad, and list goes on and on.

Unless Comedy Central also gets to premiere the new episodes. I kind of doubt that, but it wouldn't do too bad after South Park, but the two shows don't really sit well together in my opinion.

But maybe miracles will happen and it will get the slot between The Simpsons and Family Guy.

[EscaflownePilot]

Somehow it doesn't sit well with me that Cartoon Network basically made the show popular with a mainstream audience, and now that they've given up the rights, new episodes might be produced. But otherwise, great news. (Then again, I'm one of the few that not only likes the new Family Guy episodes, but actually thinks the show is better than it ever has been).

[King_of_doom]

[X]Family Guy
[X]Futurama
[ ]Megas XLR
[ ]Samurai Jack

I know those two are hard to get them back but still, so it's two down and two more to go.

[Nin-Nin69]

[X]Family Guy
[X]Futurama
[ ]Samurai Jack
[ ]PPG's Final Episode
[ ]Mission Hill
[ ]The Critic

[Jay]

Thats great news.

[James]

I've heard reports of Billy West continuing to push for the revival over the last year which I though was cool. However, I did wonder if Family Guy's comeback and the fact that Futurama seems to show at primetime regularly (in the UK at least) would make a return a little more commerically viable. Sounds hopeful.

[judyindisguise]

FINALLY some good news! Now, let's not get TOO excited just yet. This is still WELL inside rumor territory. Fox, could decide to not do it, which would be absurdly stupid, but it could still happen. But damn, it would really be great if it came together.

Here's hoping the same cast gets put together, and the hype doesn't get so overwelming all the old schoolers get disapointed when, and if, the new season comes back. Maybe it's the nostagila talking, but I could see new Futurama giving new Family Guy a run for it's money AND ratings. Easily.

I'd watch "Futurama" over "Family Guy" any day.

[MGFanJay]

Same here. This is great news. I would have been happy with "just" a DVD movie, but this is EXACTLY what I wanted to see happen.

[TurtleTitan]

I'm just a little worried that FOX may decide not to do it because I know how much they hate Futurama, since Matt Groening gets most of the royalities, unlike The Simpsons.

Still, there's hope. Family Guy came back and has great ratings now, and hopefully that is what the FOX executives are thinking in their heads.

[Zim999]

[X] Futurama
[ ] Invader Zim

[Anniemaniac]

I'd watch "Futurama" over "Family Guy" any day.

ditto! this is awesome news, i hope it happens

[solarflere]

I'd watch "Futurama" over "Family Guy" any day.Same here. I was so pissed when it went off the air on Fox. It will be a tag team battle: Simpsons and Futurama vs. Family Guy and American Dad.

[Viper]

I just saw this myself, and I have to say, this is GREAT news!:D

I've always enjoyed Futurama! It's the only adult-oriented cartoon I find enjoyable. It's not as raunchy as both Simpsons & Family Guy.:)

I really hope it comes back!:)

[TheMecca]

Awesome. Now, of course, if they make 13+ episodes (which is ex-pen-sive) they can release an entire DTV season that NOBODY has seen before. THAT would be awesome.

[Luna]

It would be so great if this happens!!!!!...Futurama was (and still is) one of my favorite TV shows,animated or otherwise....Now,if only Disney would revive "Gargoyles",I'd be all set(though that's not likely...oh well,at least there's a new comic book series coming)....

[Paul_Cousins]

[X] Family Guy
[X] Futurama
[ ] Teen Titans

2 down, one to go.You left out Megas XLR and JLU.

[Yash]

[X] Family Guy
[X] Futurama

Not much else to be honest <_<

[Master Moron]

Somehow it doesn't sit well with me that Cartoon Network basically made the show popular with a mainstream audience, and now that they've given up the rights, new episodes might be produced. But otherwise, great news. (Then again, I'm one of the few that not only likes the new Family Guy episodes, but actually thinks the show is better than it ever has been).

You know, I feel the exact same way. Actually, I'm almost pissed off at this. I mean, why did they have to wait until AFTER Adult Swim decided to give up the rights to Futurama? I'm all ready to let Futurama go and forget about it. Now they're thinking of renewing it? Forget it.

[John Pannozzi]

[X] Gargoyles
[X] Family Guy
[X] Futurama
[ ] Teen Titans
[ ] Megas XLR
[ ] Samurai Jack
[ ] PPG's Final Episode
[ ] Mission Hill
[ ] The Critic
[ ] Invader Zim
[ ] Tiny Toon Adventures
[ ] Animaniacs
[ ] Pinky & The Brain
[ ] Freakazoid!
[ ] Histeria!
[ ] Road Rovers
[ ] Rocko's Modern Life
[ ] Real Monsters
[ ] Taz-Mania
[ ] Duck Dodgers
[ ] King of the Hill
[ ] Bonkers

[hobbyfan]

There was a wire service article in the newspaper today that suggested that the return of Futurama would at least start with a DTV feature film. No mention of new TV eps.

[Pepperidge]

I would prefer seeing Futurama simply continued (and hopefully concluded) as DTVs. Actually producing new episodes would be a lot riskier, and it'll just create the possibility for the show to lose steam after already finishing on a strong, if not inconclusive, note.

Plus if they screw up a DTV, it would be easier to write off.

[Conekiller]

Awesome news.

now if only reboot would come back and finish itself......

[Zyzzybalubah]

That's cool news. My friend will be thrilled to hear this. As for me,

[ ] Samurai Jack
[ ] Mission Hill
[ ] Megas XLR


The Critic is too late for me. It was a great show, but it's time to let that show's memory move on, same for Freakazoid.

[MGFanJay]

One advantage to making eps over just DTVs is that they can put more Futurama stuff into syndication, allowing Fox to recoup their costs faster.

[Zyzzybalubah]

That's cool news. My friend will be thrilled to hear this. As for me,

[ ] Samurai Jack
[ ] Mission Hill
[ ] Megas XLR


The Critic is too late for me. It was a great show, but it's time to let that show's memory move on, same for Freakazoid.

[Kino]

I shall, ironically, quote from Family Guy: "A-rriiiight!"

[ ] Samurai Jack
[ ] Teen Titans

Oh, gods of quality programming, you have well and truly blessed us all, but I pray you think no ill of me for asking that you grant but two more wishes!

[Quagmire]

excellent news.

Who wants to bet that Fox picks it up and then sticks it on a Friday night slot when no one is watching?

[PeterFries]

I've heard reports of Billy West continuing to push for the revival over the last year which I though was cool.

Yeah, Billy dropped a big hint about this development on his own forum just this week: here (http://www.billywest.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1666&PN=1)



Who wants to bet that Fox picks it up and then sticks it on a Friday night slot when no one is watching?

HA! Then they'll bring back and bury Arrested Development and Firefly on the same night!

[Zorak Masaki]

If they DO bring it back, please dont have Fry and Leela get married, at least until the REAL last episode. Not only was their growing relationship one of the best parts of the show, but marriages have been known to kill shows (see lois and clark, the nanny, mork and mindy).

[One Radical Dude]

That would be a significant comeback, if the series did return with something new.

[Peter Paltridge]

If they DO bring it back, please dont have Fry and Leela get married, at least until the REAL last episode. Not only was their growing relationship one of the best parts of the show, but marriages have been known to kill shows (see lois and clark, the nanny, mork and mindy).
One of the reasons I'm worried about Luke and Lorelai.

[Draven]

excellent news.

Who wants to bet that Fox picks it up and then sticks it on a Friday night slot when no one is watching?

Let's pretend that DID happen, I would post like a mad-man on here, reminding people, I'd tell random people at work "Hey! Futurama! Friday night! Tape it, watch it, DON'T forget." weather they liked the show or not. I'd call the radio station and tell them to say hi to Futurama, 9pm Friday night. And then request the theme song just knowing full well they probably won't play it!

Arrested Devlopment fans worked REAL hard to keep the show alive, we could do the same!

[Mr. Manager]

This is some super news! Although, I am disappointed Fox goes into talks to revive the show after Cartoon Network decides to get rid of it. My list:
[X]Family Guy
[X]Futurama
[ ]Mission Hill
[ ]Baby Blues(I know that's not going to happen)
[ ]Teen Titans
[ ]Samurai Jack(impossible to revive)
[ ]Megas XLR
[ ]Evil Con Carne

[judyindisguise]

Let's pretend that DID happen, I would post like a mad-man on here, reminding people, I'd tell random people at work "Hey! Futurama! Friday night! Tape it, watch it, DON'T forget." weather they liked the show or not. I'd call the radio station and tell them to say hi to Futurama, 9pm Friday night. And then request the theme song just knowing full well they probably won't play it!

Arrested Devlopment fans worked REAL hard to keep the show alive, we could do the same!

I think Fox should put "Futurama" right after "The Simpsons". After all "Family Guy" and "American Dad" air back-to-back, don't they?

[Mr Cat Dog]

Arrested Devlopment fans worked REAL hard to keep the show alive, we could do the same!Yeah, but their efforts could still be in vain. AD might not be picked up by ABC or Showtime, and it's looking pretty likely that FOX are going to cancel it for sure.

As for the Futurama thing, this is good news... but I hope that it won't descend into FG Season 4-esque episodes. I really don't like them in comparison to the earlier eps. But still... this is good news.

YAY 1000th post :D

[Elven Moon]

I hope this happens :) I'll take new Futurama over Family Guy any day. It's one of the few American shows I truly love and enjoy.