Season 6

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Season 6
Original run24 June, 2010 —
8 September, 2011
No. of episodes26
Special guestsSee here
On DVD(s)Volume 5 and Volume 6[1]
← Season 5 Season 7 →
Episode listing
Seasons
  1. Season 1
  2. Season 2
  3. Season 3
  4. Season 4
  5. Season 5 (films)
  6. Season 6
  7. Season 7
  8. Season 8

Season 6 is the first season of the second run, its first episode aired on 24 June, 2010 and its last on 8 September, 2011. With 26 episodes, it ties with the upcoming season 7 as the largest season of the series, beating season 3 by four episodes.

The production season is spread out over two broadcast seasons, the seventh and eighth, with 13 episodes in 2010 and 13 in 2011. Both seasons end with a non-canon segmented episode: the seventh broadcast season ended with "The Futurama Holiday Spectacular" and the eight ended with "Reincarnation". Broadcast season 8, referred to by Comedy Central as "Season 6-B", began on 23 June 2011. Comedy Central chose to air Season 6-A in production order, similar to how Fox aired season 1; however, they are airing Season 6-B out of order, similar to how Fox aired seasons 3 and 4.

Season 6 was long the last known season of Futurama, before the series was announced to have been renewed for a seventh season in March 2011.[2] As a result, the finale episode of the season was constructed to work as a series finale, similar to "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings" and Into the Wild Green Yonder before it.

Plot development

A majority of the characters die and are reborn (6ACV01).

The season opens where Into the Wild Green Yonder ends: the Planet Express crew (and others) are fleeing from the Nimbus, escaping into a wormhole with unknown end. As it turns out, they crash unto the ground in New New York, and as a result everyone except the Professor dies, and he has to rebirth them all (6ACV01).

A shift occurs in focus on the Fry-Leela relationship, following the final scenes of Into the Wild Green Yonder. They now consider themselves at least to some degree a couple (6ACV01, 6ACV07), and they finally sleep together (6ACV10).

Throughout 3010, the Professor constructs both a time machine (6ACV07) and a Mind-Switcher (6ACV10). Earth is invaded by both cats (6ACV08) and Omicronians (6ACV11), and Amy Wong finally gets her degree in applied physics (6ACV08).

Production

Speculation before confirmation

Further information: Speculation of Futurama's return till the second run

Immediately after Bender's Game was announced, members of the media and fans started discussing the possibility of Futurama returning as a TV show. With the release of Into the Wild Green Yonder the speculation became intense. On 7 June, 2009, Collider.com posted a rumour about a new TV season.[3] Two days later, Comedy Central officially announced its return.[4]

Recasting ploy

Main article: Recasting ploy
David X. Cohen and Matt Groening at the San Diego Comic-Con, 2009.

On 17 July, 2009, 20th Century Fox Television announced that the main characters of Futurama would be recast, opening the door for new actors to audition.[5] 20th Century Fox Television cited that salary negotiations had collapsed with the voice actors, who, according to several reports wanted 75,000 dollars per episode in salary,[6] however this number remains unconfirmed by 20th Century Fox Television or the voice actors' reps,[7] Phil LaMarr later denied the 75,000 dollar per episode claim as greatly exaggerated. Meanwhile, others firmly believed that 20th Century Fox Television were using a negotiation ploy to get the voice actors to cut their salary demands,[7][8] and cited cases where 20th Century Fox Television had done the same thing for The Simpsons in the past,[6] and they all still have the same voice actors.[8]

Despite anticipation for news at the San Diego Comic-Con, 2009, Futurama panel, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen revealed nothing on the situation with the voice actors, only that they were hoping for the best.[9][10] The voice actors were, as expected, not present at the panel,[9][10] effectively putting an end to the debates on whether it was a hoax to stir up more talk about the show.

However, the whole ordeal ended on 31 July, 2009, when 20th Century Fox Television and Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, Billy West and John DiMaggio came to a deal.[11]

Back to work

Table reading of episode "The Mutants Are Revolting".

Since Futurama was announced back in June, 2009, the writers room had been working on a non-stop basis, and on 7 August, 2009 the first table reading began, and the first recording session would begin the following week.[12] In February 2010, covers of episodes "The Mutants Are Revolting" and "The Silence of the Clamps" were revealed,[13] and more was revealed in the months to come.

The first coloured footage was presented by Rough Draft Studios to the producers on 11 March 2010.[14]

Animation

As in the original run, Rough Draft Studios continued to do the animation for Futurama for the sixth season. Animation-wise, technology had developed significantly since Futurama first aired, and in addition to the high-definition technology used for the films, season 6 was broadcast in widescreen and high-definition where available.[14] In contrast to earlier seasons, more animation work is done by Rough Draft Studios Korea, an overseas department of Rough Draft Studios in South Korea.[14] While this is a measure to cut cost, producers noted that the quality of the show was not to be diminished as a result.[14]

History

Tease of content before broadcast

Cover of production script for "The Silence of the Clamps".

Before season 6 began airing on 24 June, revelations about the content of the season began making their way out to the public early on. When David X. Cohen was interviewed shortly after the show was announced to have been revived, he talked about some of their early ideas for the new season, such as references to Twitter and iPhones (6ACV03), and he teased about a "shocking relationship" between two main characters (6ACV04). Cohen stressed that the new season would focus largely on everyday life in the future, and be more focused on characters in contrast to the films, that were more plot driven.[15][16]

At the San Diego Comic-Con 2009, more information was revealed about the season. The two plots teased earlier were further elaborated on, and new pieces of interest included a plot about Fry and Professor Farnsworth finding a time machine that only goes forward (6ACV07), Zapp and Leela stranded on a planet alone (6ACV02), how Zoidberg met Professor Farnsworth (6ACV18), the origins of Scruffy and two new segmented episodes (6ACV13, 6ACV26).

In an 28 August 2009 Newsday story,[17] Cohen revealed that "[t]here are six scripts currently in the works, ranging in scale from 'it's a crazy idea that someone's grandmother thought of' to 'it's all on paper.' Without giving away too much, I'll say the first episode is tentatively titled "Rebirth" - and in a surprisingly literal fashion, as things turn out."

On a 3 October sneak preview, more plots were revealed. One episode were to involve Bender grave robbing in the Vatican, and as a result it will also involve the Space Pope (6ACV05). He also revealed a Nibbler story (6ACV08) and the eyePhones were revealed to be implanted into the eye. Futher interviews included Katey Sagal talking about the plot of "The Mutants Are Revolting", and the voice actors talking about how the new episodes were not only en par with the original run, but many times better and explaining that the writers and producers have come back with renewed energy.[13][18]

Talk of possible reboot

Briefly after the show's revival was revealed, Matt Groening explained that he had been inspired by J.J. Abrams' Star Trek film, in regards of rebooting a franchise, though Cohen clarified it, explaining that they "will not re-cast the actors" or anything that extreme. At the San Diego Comic-Con 2009, a question was asked to the panel about the ending of Into the Wild Green Yonder, to which Matt Groening talked about ignoring it all together, while David X. Cohen wanted to address the conflicts but warned viewers might want to "turn away" for a "literal rebirth" of the show.[9] The original concept of the first episode was to be set in another universe as a result of the worm hole, but Matt Groening moved to make a literal rebirth of the characters.[19]

Revelations from the production team

The ending in the production script for episode "The Prisoner of Benda".

During the course of the production, writing and recording of the sixth season, several partial details about plots were revealed through Internet services like Facebook and Twitter by Maurice LaMarche, Mike Rowe and an unnamed production staff member.[13] Pictures of scripts and production script covers emerged,[13][20][21] revealing the title of the hundredth[20] and the hundred and second episodes.[21]

Promo picture for "Rebirth".

The copyright for the titles for the first eight episodes of season 6 was approved on 18 March 2010, and many episode titles were listed, one of which would later be changed from "Inspector #5" to "Lethal Inspection".[22] Further copyrighted titles for the following three episodes was confirmed on 16 April 2010.[23]

Countdown to Futurama

Main article: Countdown to Futurama

Starting on 5 May, 2010, Comedy Central Insider began posting daily updates and revelations about the upcoming season in a session they called Countdown to Futurama,[24] starting with a promo picture for "Rebirth" and continuing with promotional pictures and sketches from most episodes.

On 4 May, 2011, Comedy Central Insider began its second instalment of its Countdown to Futurama, specifically broadcast season 8 (or 'season 6b' as Comedy Central calls it) with previews of "Neutopia".[25]

2010-2011 hiatus

"The Mutants Are Revolting" aired as the last episode of the main segment of the seventh broadcast season on 2 September, 2010. In the days after, the titles of several new episodes from the upcoming broadcast season were revealed, including "Neutopia", "Möbius Dick" and "Law and Oracle". Before the release of the seasonal "The Futurama Holiday Spectacular", which was aired between the two broadcast seasons, Futurama's 12 Days of Xmas Countdown was featured on the Comedy Central Insider, focusing on the episode.

On 2 December, the rest of the tentative titles as well as many story plots and writers were revealed at Can't Get Enough Futurama.[26] CGEF's owner, '[-mArc-]' revealed — however — that he wasn't entirely certain of the order, and noted that it was possible that it could change.[26] Eric Rogers revealed over Twitter that schedule had changed, and that his episode "The Silence of the Clamps" would first air on 21 July.[27][28] Later, Can't Get Enough Futurama revealed that "Neutopia" and "Benderama" would both air as the season première on 23 June.[29] Despite the change in schedule, the original order suggested by CGEF[26] seems to remain the production order,[29] indicating that broadcast season 8 would differ in order from the second half of season 6.

On 2 February, Vulture revealed that the new broadcast season would begin airing on 23 June.[30]

Reception

Viewers and ratings of the first half of season 6.


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Season 6 has so far received mixed reception from both fans and critics, and is considered by many fans to be the worst season. Most viewers have been extremely critical of some episodes, especially from the first half of broadcast season 7. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela", "Attack of the Killer App", "The Futurama Holiday Spectacular" and "Yo Leela Leela" have frequently been called the worst Futurama episodes ever.

Meanwhile, several episodes have been very well received. "The Late Philip J. Fry" has frequently been called the best and most touching episode of all time, and "The Prisoner of Benda" has been called the funniest.

Episodes

Title Original airdate
Comedy Central
Production code TV Broadcast #
Rebirth 24 June, 2010 6ACV01 S07E01 89
In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela 24 June, 2010 6ACV02 S07E02 90
Attack of the Killer App 1 July, 2010 6ACV03 S07E03 91
Proposition Infinity 8 July, 2010 6ACV04 S07E04 92
The Duh-Vinci Code 15 July, 2010 6ACV05 S07E05 93
Lethal Inspection 22 July, 2010 6ACV06 S07E06 94
The Late Philip J. Fry 29 July, 2010 6ACV07 S07E07 95
That Darn Katz! 5 August, 2010 6ACV08 S07E08 96
A Clockwork Origin 12 August, 2010 6ACV09 S07E09 97
The Prisoner of Benda 19 August, 2010 6ACV10 S07E10 98
Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences 26 August, 2010 6ACV11 S07E11 99
The Mutants Are Revolting 2 September, 2010 6ACV12 S07E12 100
The Futurama Holiday Spectacular 21 November, 2010 6ACV13 S07E13 101
The Silence of the Clamps 14 July, 2011 6ACV14 S08E05 102
Möbius Dick 4 August, 2011 6ACV15 S08E08 103
Law and Oracle 7 July, 2011 6ACV16 S08E04 104
Benderama 23 June, 2011 6ACV17 S08E02 105
The Tip of the Zoidberg 18 August, 2011 6ACV18 S08E10 106
Ghost in the Machines 30 June, 2011 6ACV19 S08E03 107
Neutopia 23 June, 2011 6ACV20 S08E01 108
Yo Leela Leela 21 July, 2011 6ACV21 S08E06 109
Fry Am the Egg Man 11 August, 2011 6ACV22 S08E09 110
All the Presidents' Heads 28 July, 2011 6ACV23 S08E07 111
Cold Warriors 25 August, 2011 6ACV24 S08E11 112
Overclockwise 1 September, 2011 6ACV25 S08E12 113
Reincarnation 8 September, 2011 6ACV26 S08E13 114

References

  1. ^ "Last of the announcements that we can tell you about is Futurama Volume 6 landing on 20 December, Commentaries are planned for every episode, along with a selection of deleted scenes, a segment with Professor Farnsworth and others about the music and the fans. It's all about the fans."
    Chiarella, Chris (30 June 2011). "Rio, Glee S2, Modern Family, Simpsons, Futurama and More Coming to Blu-ray from Fox". Big Picture Big Sound. Retrieved on 10 September 2011.
  2. ^ Runyan, Jenni (28 March 2010). "COMEDY CENTRAL® RENEWS "FUTURAMA" FOR 26 NEW EPISODES". Comedy Central. Retrieved on 30 March 2010.
  3. ^ Kemp, Cal (07 June 2009). "Exclusive: Comedy Central Goes Back to the FUTURAMA". Collider. Retrieved on 08 June 2009.
  4. ^ ""Futurama" returns to production with an initial order of 26 episodes to premiere mid 2010". Comedy Central. 09 June 2009. Retrieved on 10 June 2009.
  5. ^ Phipps, Keith (17 July 2009). "Futurama to get recast?". A.V. Club. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  6. ^ a b Schneider, Michael (17 July 2009). "'Futurama' without original voices?". Variety. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  7. ^ a b Carreon, Jorge (17 July 2009). "Not going back to 'Futurama?': Cult hit animated TV series finds its cast in a salary dispute". Examiner. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  8. ^ a b Fienberg, Daniel (17 July 2009). "Clarification on the 'Futurama' recasting reports". Hitfix. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  9. ^ a b c Perkis, Ed (25 July 2009). "Comic Con: Futurama Ignores Controversy, Promises To Take On Twitter". Cinema Blend. Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  10. ^ a b Maxwell, Erin (25 July 2009). "Groening speaks about new 'Futurama'". Variety. Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  11. ^ "Futurama Voice Cast Returning!". IGN TV. 31 July 2009. Retrieved on 01 August 2009.
  12. ^ Fowler, Matt (07 August 2009). "Leela Talks New Futurama Deal". IGN TV. Retrieved on 07 August 2009.
  13. ^ a b c d Crumpton, Craig (11 February 2010). "Futurama Cast News Round-Up". Voice Actors in the News. Retrieved on 11 February 2010.
  14. ^ a b c d JavieR (12 March 2010). "Futurama Season 6 video format, special guests and progress!". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 13 March 2010.
  15. ^ Thill, Scott (12 June 2009). "Futurama’s Future Holds Shocking Sex, Sinister Twitter". Wired. Retrieved on 12 June 2009.
  16. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (09 June 2009). "Comedy Central resurrects 'Futurama'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 12 June 2009.
  17. ^ Frank Lovece, Ed (28 August 2009). "'Futurama' finds a new future on Comedy Central". Newsday. Retrieved on 28 August 2009.
  18. ^ "We started last fall. Fall of 2009... the new episodes, in my opinion, are the best yet. They're really, really funny. Some of them are really, really thoughtful as well. The guys have come back to the show with renewed energy. The writers and producers. And they're happy to be back, and know the world and the characters so well that they're able to... it feels like they're better at it."Phil LaMarr
    Busch, Jenna (09 February 2010). "FUTURAMA's Return w/ Hermes Himself, (& STAR WARS Too)". Newsarama. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.
  19. ^ JavieR (03 October 2009). "New spoilers of the Futurama Season 6 at the Florida Supercon". Slurmed. Retrieved on 04 October 2009.
  20. ^ a b JavieR (08 February 2010). "Futurama Season 6: 100th episode script cover and page sneak peak". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.
  21. ^ a b 2010-02-10. "Futurama Script Cover and Name of episode 6acv14". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.
  22. ^ Svip (18 March 2010). ""Hot Diggity Daffodil, Futurama's back!" (News thread) (No spoilers)" Page 6. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 18 March 2010.
  23. ^ Svip (16 April 2010). ""Hot Diggity Daffodil, Futurama's back!" (News thread) (No spoilers)" Page 7. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 16 April 2010.
  24. ^ "Countdown to Futurama". Comedy Central Insider. Retrieved on 06 May 2010.
  25. ^ Tobey, Matt (04 May 2011). "Countdown to Futurama: First Clip of the New Episodes". Comedy Central Insider. Retrieved on 04 May 2011.
  26. ^ a b c [-mArc-] (02 December 2010). "Futurama News Past 6ACV13 - No spoilers outside spoiler tags!" Page 8. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 03 December 2010.
  27. ^ "DannyJC13" (13 April 2011). "Topic: Futurama News Past 6ACV13 - No spoilers outside spoiler tags!" Page 13. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 26 April 2011.
  28. ^ Rogers, Eric (13 April 2011). Futurama nerds, my episode airs 21 July, 2011.. (Twitter.) Retrieved on 26 April 2011.
  29. ^ a b reed (03 May 2011). "How many Benders is too many?". CGEF. Retrieved on 04 May 2011.
  30. ^ Adalian, Josef, Gelman, Vlada (02 February 2011). "Vulture: Things Are Looking Good for Another Season of Futurama". Vulture. Retrieved on 14 April 2011.