Difference between revisions of "Second cancellation of Futurama"

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(→‎Future: O_O HMMM)
(Updating, trimming the history sector to capture the basic history.)
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As of July, 2009, the '''status of ''[[Futurama]]''''' remains stable.  ''Futurama'', being renewed for a [[season 6|sixth production season]] can now be considered an active TV show.
As of March, 2010, the '''status of ''[[Futurama]]''''' remains stable.  ''Futurama'', with an upcoming [[season 6|sixth production season]] is now an active TV show.


However, after the upcoming 26 episodes, will there be more?
However, after the upcoming 26 episodes, will there be more?  And will it remain on [[Comedy Central]]?


== History ==
== A brief history of ''Futurama'' ==
{{main|Production}}
{{main|Production}}


=== Original run ===
Despite [[Fox Network|Fox]]'s initial discontent with ''Futurama'',<ref name="com-ep1-mg">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Groening|Matt}} |episode=Space Pilot 3000 |volume=One |disc=1}} </ref> the show remained somewhat stable for its first three production seasons, but already by [[season 4]], did Fox's ultimate intentions of [[Cancellation of Futurama|cancellation]] become clear.<ref name="com-ep72-dxc">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Cohen|David|X.}} |episode=The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings |volume=Four |disc=4}}</ref><ref name="com-f1-mg">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Groening|Matt}} |film=Bender's Big Score}}</ref>


Due to Fox's first discontent with ''Futurama'',<ref name="com-ep1-mg">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Groening|Matt}} |episode=Space Pilot 3000 |volume=One |disc=1}}</ref> attempts were made to satisfy them, but already by "[[I, Roommate]]", the show runners decided that they wanted to do the show they wanted, and not what their producers wanted.<ref name="com-ep3-dxc">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Cohen|David|X.}} |episode=I, Roommate |volume=One |disc=1}}</ref>
However, already by 2003, had Cartoon Network's [[Adult Swim]] line up been putting ''Futurama'' first, in far contrast to the lack of respect it was given on Fox.  And eventually, due to the successful cable syndication and DVD sales, [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]] ordered [[Films|four Direct-to-DVD films]] in 2006.  Of course content with the good news, ''Futurama'' fans were at disagreement whether films was the right format for ''Futurama'', and even before ''[[Bender's Big Score]]'' did a hope linger on for a possible TV season if the films were successful.


Fans often cite claims that Fox's original handling of the show is eventually what caused the show to be cancelled by 2003.  Not only did they move it out of the popular line up &ndash; only "[[Space Pilot 3000]]" and "[[The Series Has Landed]]" was in the Sunday line up &ndash; they'd often fail to air it on schedule and it was often hard for viewers to figure out when the next episode would be up.  Eventually, low ratings caused the Fox network to cancel the show by [[season 4]], simply by not calling.<ref name="com-f1-mg">{{cite commentary |speaker={{n|Groening|Matt}} |film=Bender's Big Score}}</ref>
And indeed [[Speculation of Futurama's return till the second run|speculation was rampant]] during 2008 and 2009 until June 2009, when [[Comedy Central]] could announce they had renewed ''Futurama'' with [[Season 6|26 episodes]].<ref name="futurama-returns">{{cite web |url=http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2009/061009_futurama_returns.jhtml |title="Futurama" returns to production with an initial order of 26 episodes to premiere mid 2010 |publisher=Comedy Central |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>


=== After cancellation ===
== Future ==


When Fox sold off the show to Cartoon Network's [[Adult Swim]] by 2003, the show saw a more stable airing.  In general, fans are content that Adult Swim handled the show with more grace and gave it the support it deserved.  Fans who came to like the show after the cancellation often cite Adult Swim as the place they first saw ''Futurama''.
=== Return to Fox ===
 
But good viewer numbers and more fans could not handle it alone.  The fans were still content that the amount of available ideas for ''Futurama'' had not been exhausted.  And focused purchases of [[DVDs]] eventually caused [[20th Century Fox]] in 2006 to order [[Films|four Direct-to-DVD films]].
 
Despite the good news, fans were a still at disagreement whether this was really the direction they wanted the shows in.  But they were content that strong purchase of the DVDs had given the show another chance, and this meant it was yet another chance to bring the show back as a TV show.
 
=== Pushing for a sixth season ===
{{main|Speculation of Futurama's return till the second run}}
 
Despite general disagreement among fans for which of the [[films]] were the best, they could easily agree that purchasing the films would increase the show's chances greatly.  And sure enough, by 9 June, 2009, [[Comedy Central]] together with 20th Century Fox announced an order of [[Season 6|26 episodes for the upcoming mid-2010 season]].<ref name="futurama-returns">{{cite web |url=http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2009/061009_futurama_returns.jhtml |title="Futurama" returns to production with an initial order of 26 episodes to premiere mid 2010 |publisher=Comedy Central |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
 
== Future ==


On 6 August, 2009, [[Fox Network|FOX]] announced that it would consider airing ''Futurama'' again, if it does well on [[Comedy Central]].<ref name="backtofox-if">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=8506 |title=Breaking TCA 2009 News: FOX STILL CONSIDERING AIRING 'FUTURAMA'S' NEW SEASON AFTER COMEDY CENTRAL RUN |publisher=iF Magazine |author=Cortez, Carl |date=2009-08-06 |accessdate=2009-08-06}}</ref><ref name="backtofox-tvsquad">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/06/more-from-fox-execs-futurama-glee-dollhouse-but-no-more-ki/ |title=More from Fox execs: Futurama, Glee, Dollhouse... but no more King of the Hill - TCA Report |publisher=TV Squad |author=Keller, Joel |date=2009-08-06 |accessdate=2009-08-06}}</ref>
On 6 August, 2009, [[Fox Network|FOX]] announced that it would consider airing ''Futurama'' again, if it does well on [[Comedy Central]].<ref name="backtofox-if">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=8506 |title=Breaking TCA 2009 News: FOX STILL CONSIDERING AIRING 'FUTURAMA'S' NEW SEASON AFTER COMEDY CENTRAL RUN |publisher=iF Magazine |author=Cortez, Carl |date=2009-08-06 |accessdate=2009-08-06}}</ref><ref name="backtofox-tvsquad">{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/08/06/more-from-fox-execs-futurama-glee-dollhouse-but-no-more-ki/ |title=More from Fox execs: Futurama, Glee, Dollhouse... but no more King of the Hill - TCA Report |publisher=TV Squad |author=Keller, Joel |date=2009-08-06 |accessdate=2009-08-06}}</ref>
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|4=Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly
|4=Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly
}}
}}
=== Season 7? ===
A seventh production season have so far not been discussed, at least openly.  However, it would make sense for Comedy Central (and Fox as well) to look at [[broadcast season 7]]'s numbers this summer before deciding on ordering a new season.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 15:29, 7 March 2010

As of March, 2010, the status of Futurama remains stable. Futurama, with an upcoming sixth production season is now an active TV show.

However, after the upcoming 26 episodes, will there be more? And will it remain on Comedy Central?

A brief history of Futurama

Main article: Production

Despite Fox's initial discontent with Futurama,[1] the show remained somewhat stable for its first three production seasons, but already by season 4, did Fox's ultimate intentions of cancellation become clear.[2][3]

However, already by 2003, had Cartoon Network's Adult Swim line up been putting Futurama first, in far contrast to the lack of respect it was given on Fox. And eventually, due to the successful cable syndication and DVD sales, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment ordered four Direct-to-DVD films in 2006. Of course content with the good news, Futurama fans were at disagreement whether films was the right format for Futurama, and even before Bender's Big Score did a hope linger on for a possible TV season if the films were successful.

And indeed speculation was rampant during 2008 and 2009 until June 2009, when Comedy Central could announce they had renewed Futurama with 26 episodes.[4]

Future

Return to Fox

On 6 August, 2009, FOX announced that it would consider airing Futurama again, if it does well on Comedy Central.[5][6]

“ It’s going to do its run on Comedy Central first. They really saw continued commercial business on that and fan interest and that’s what led to that order. It’s a good show, we like the show. It’s not out of the question [to pick it up on Fox], but we have not committed to picking up that option yet. ”

—Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly

Season 7?

A seventh production season have so far not been discussed, at least openly. However, it would make sense for Comedy Central (and Fox as well) to look at broadcast season 7's numbers this summer before deciding on ordering a new season.

References

  1. ^ Groening, Matt. Commentary for "Space Pilot 3000" on Volume One, disc 1.
  2. ^ Cohen, David. Commentary for "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings" on Volume Four, disc 4.
  3. ^ Groening, Matt. Commentary for Bender's Big Score on the DVD.
  4. ^ ""Futurama" returns to production with an initial order of 26 episodes to premiere mid 2010". Comedy Central. 09 June 2009. Retrieved on 15 July 2009.
  5. ^ Cortez, Carl (06 August 2009). "Breaking TCA 2009 News: FOX STILL CONSIDERING AIRING 'FUTURAMA'S' NEW SEASON AFTER COMEDY CENTRAL RUN". iF Magazine. Retrieved on 06 August 2009.
  6. ^ Keller, Joel (06 August 2009). "More from Fox execs: Futurama, Glee, Dollhouse... but no more King of the Hill - TCA Report". TV Squad. Retrieved on 06 August 2009.
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