Season 6

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Season 6
Original run24 June, 2010[1][2]
?
No. of episodes26
Special guestsSee here
← Season 5 Futurama status#Future →
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 current season of Futurama and the first season of the second run. With 26 episodes, season 6 is so far the largest season, beating season 3 during the original run, which had 22 episodes.

From a broadcasting perspective, season 6 will be the seventh and the eighth broadcast season, with 12 episodes in 2010 and 14 episodes following in 2011,[3] which would make "The Mutants Are Revolting" broadcast season 7's season finale as previously hinted.[4] "6ACV13" is scheduled to air outside the regular broadcast seasons in December 2010, as it is a holiday episode. Broadcast season 8 is scheduled to begin during the summer of 2011.

Season 6 began on 24 June 2010 with the airings of "Rebirth" and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela".

Overall plot

The new season opens right off the end of Into the Wild Green Yonder, where the crew crashes into ground near the Planet Express headquarters, and they must be reborn. In addition, there is a shift of focus on the Fry-Leela relationship as hinted by the end of the last film, where Leela certainly grants Fry more personal time.

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.[5] Two days later, Comedy Central officially announced its return.[6]

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.[7] 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,[8] however this number remains unconfirmed by 20th Century Fox Television or the voice actors' reps,[9] 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,[9][10] and cited cases where 20th Century Fox Television had done the same thing for The Simpsons in the past,[8] and they all still have the same voice actors.[10]

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.[11][12] The voice actors were, as expected, not present at the panel,[11][12] 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.[13]

Back to work

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Table reading of episode 6ACV12.

Since Futurama was announced back in June, 2009, the writers room had been working on a non-stop basis. Unfortunately, the actors were settled later. However, on 7 August, 2009 the first table reading began, and the first recording session would begin the following week according to Katey Sagal.[14] While the voice acting is early in the process, the far larger portion of the production is the animation, as evident by voice acting for the films being completed in June, 2007,[15] while the last film was released in February, 2009.

The first table readings began in August 2009 after the dispute had been settled. In February 2010, covers of episodes "The Mutants Are Revolting" and "The Silence of the Clamps" were revealed.[16] Phil LaMarr and Katey Sagal have both expressed extreme optimism about the new season and highlight the episodes as the funniest episodes in Futurama history.[16][17][18]

Maurice LaMarche has kept the fans updated on episodes content via his Facebook updates.[16] David X. Cohen approached Can't Get Enough Futurama on their 10th birthday with details surrounding episode "The Mutants Are Revolting" and "6ACV13".[4] Table readings for "6ACV11", "The Mutants Are Revolting" and "6ACV13" took place in January and February 2010.[16][4][17] The first coloured footage was presented by Rough Draft Studios on 11 March 2010 to the producers.[19]

Animation

As in the original run, Rough Draft Studios will continue to do the animation for Futurama.

Animation wise, technology has developed significantly since Futurama first aired, and in addition to the high-definition technology used for the films, season 6 (and presumably any subsequent seasons) will be broadcast in widescreen and high-definition where available.[19] In contrast to earlier seasons, more animation work will be done by Rough Draft Studios Korea, an overseas department of Rough Draft Studios in South Korea.[19] While this is a measure to cut cost, producers do note that the quality of the show has not been diminished as a result.[19]

Tease of content

Cover of production script for episode "6ACV14".

Before season 6 began airing on 24 June 2010, 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,[20] such as addition to Twitter and iPhones (which became "Attack of the Killer App") and teased about a "shocking relationship",[20] which became "Proposition Infinity". Cohen stressed the new season will focus largely on everyday life in the future, and be more focused on characters in contrast to the films before it.[20][21]

At the San Diego Comic-Con, 2009, more information was revealed about the season during the Futurama Panel. The two plots teased earlier were further elaborated on.[11] New pieces of interest included a plot about Fry and Professor Farnsworth finding a time machine that only goes forward (which later became "The Late Philip J. Fry"), Zapp and Leela stranded on a planet alone (which later became "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela"), how Zoidberg met Professor Farnsworth, the origins of Scruffy and a new Anthology of Interest episode,[11][22] though, Cohen revealed in a later interview that they are not currently intended to call an episode "Anthology of Interest III" just yet, but stressed that two episodes would be following this formula (specifically "6ACV13" and "6ACV26").[23][4][24]

In an 28 August 2009 Newsday story,[25] 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 will involve Bender grave robbing in the Vatican, and as a result it will involve the Space Pope as well[26] (which seems likely to be "The Duh-Vinci Code" episode). There will also be another Nibbler episode and the eyePhones in "Attack of the Killer App" was revealed to be implanted into the eye in the future.[26]

Futher interviews included Katey Sagal talking about the plot of 6ACV12 in an interview[17] and the voice actors talking about how the new episodeswere 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.[16][18]

Talk of possible reboot

Briefly after the show was revived, Matt Groening explained that he had been inspired by J.J. Abrams' Star Trek film, in regards to rebooting a franchise,[27] though Cohen clarified it, explaining that they "will not re-cast the actors" or anything that extreme,[20][28] though he never outright denies it in this interview.

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,[22] while David X. Cohen wanted to address the conflicts,[22] but warned viewers might want to "turn away" for a "literal rebirth" of the show.[11]

It seems now that the original concept of the first episode was to be set in another universe, but Matt Groening moved to make a "rebirth" of the characters.[26]

Revelations from the production team

The ending in the production script for episode 6ACV14.
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During the course of the production, writing and recording of the sixth season, several partial details about plots have been revealed through Internet services like Facebook and Twitter by Maurice LaMarche, Mike Rowe and an unnamed production staff member.[16][4] Pictures of scripts and production script covers emerged,[16][29][30] revealing the title of the hundredth episode as "The Mutants Are Revolting",[29] as well as "The Silence of the Clamps" for the hundred and second episode.[30]

"The Mutants Are Revolting" appears to deal with the mutants, as well as Amy Wong's doctorate degree,[29] while "The Silence of the Clamps" appears to be an episode focused on Clamps, bringing back the Robot Mafia.[16][30]

Promo picture for "Rebirth".

The copyright for the titles for the first eight episodes of season 6 was approved on 18 March 2010. The U.S. copyright catalogue listing them as (listed alphabetic) "A Clockwork Origin", "Attack of the Killer App", "Inspector #5", "Rebirth", "That Darn Katz!", "The Duh-Vinci Code", "The Late Philip J. Fry" and "The Prisoner of Benda".[31] Further copyrighted titles for the following three episodes was confirmed before 16 April 2010, which the U.S. copyright catalogue lists as (alphabetic) "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela", "Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences" and "Proposition Infinity".[32]

Countdown to Futurama

Main article: Countdown to Futurama

Starting on 5 May, Comedy Central Insider began posting daily updates and revelations about the upcoming season in a session they call Countdown to Futurama,[33] starting with a promo picture for "Rebirth", showing the crew members hanging with only their skeletons left, except their heads which were saved during the crash.[34] The promotional content for the second episode of the new season began on 12 May, with a piece entitled "The End Is Near", where the crew announces the Last Judgement.[35]

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. ^ Goldman, Eric (04 March 2010). "When is Futurama Returning?". IGN. Retrieved on 04 March 2010.
  2. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (04 March 2010). "New 'Futurama' episodes premiere on Comedy Central in June". HitFix. Retrieved on 04 March 2010.
  3. ^ Tobey, Matt (04 March 2010). "New Episodes of Futurama to Premiere in June". Comedy Central Insider. Retrieved on 05 March 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e reed (15 January 2010). "Happy 10th Birthday CGEF!!!". Can't Get Enough Futurama. Retrieved on 15 January 2010.
  5. ^ Kemp, Cal (07 June 2009). "Exclusive: Comedy Central Goes Back to the FUTURAMA". Collider. Retrieved on 08 June 2009.
  6. ^ ""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.
  7. ^ Phipps, Keith (17 July 2009). "Futurama to get recast?". A.V. Club. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  8. ^ a b Schneider, Michael (17 July 2009). "'Futurama' without original voices?". Variety. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ a b Fienberg, Daniel (17 July 2009). "Clarification on the 'Futurama' recasting reports". Hitfix. Retrieved on 18 July 2009.
  11. ^ a b c d e Perkis, Ed (25 July 2009). "Comic Con: Futurama Ignores Controversy, Promises To Take On Twitter". Cinema Blend. Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  12. ^ a b Maxwell, Erin (25 July 2009). "Groening speaks about new 'Futurama'". Variety. Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  13. ^ "Futurama Voice Cast Returning!". IGN TV. 31 July 2009. Retrieved on 01 August 2009.
  14. ^ Fowler, Matt (07 August 2009). "Leela Talks New Futurama Deal". IGN TV. Retrieved on 07 August 2009.
  15. ^ Goldman, Eric (03 July 2007). "Exclusive: Futurama Actress Gives Update". IGN. Retrieved on 21 April 2009.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h Crumpton, Craig (11 February 2010). "Futurama Cast News Round-Up". Voice Actors in the News. Retrieved on 11 February 2010.
  17. ^ a b c Topel, Fred (14 January 2010). "Spoilers, sick jokes from Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama". SCI FI Wire. Retrieved on 16 January 2010.
  18. ^ a b "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. ^ 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.
  20. ^ a b c d Thill, Scott (12 June 2009). "Futurama’s Future Holds Shocking Sex, Sinister Twitter". Wired. Retrieved on 12 June 2009.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (09 June 2009). "Comedy Central resurrects 'Futurama'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 12 June 2009.
  22. ^ a b c Iverson, Dan (25 July 2009). "SDCC 09: The Future of Futurama". IGN TV. Retrieved on 26 July 2009.
  23. ^ "I’m proud to announce that Al Gore will be rejoining us in our environmental-themed holiday episode [airing next season]. He will help explain the future versions of Christmas, Robanukah, and Kwanza, along with Coolio, a natural pairing."Cohen, David
    Snierson, Dan (25 May 2010). "Futurama Exclusive: Exec producer David X. Conhen Previews the return". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 25 May 2010.
  24. ^ "So that’s one three-parter, and the other will be a really mind-blowing one, which will either be the very last, or second to last episode we broadcast – probably the very last. It’ll be most likely presented as a special that’s kind of outside the timeline of the series, again being an abstract episode like the 'Anthologies of Interest,' where we will see the Futurama characters in three different animation styles. Futurama itself will be reincarnated in three different styles."Cohen, David
    Zalben, Alex (22 June 2010). "Exclusive: Futurama Creator Spills on Special Last, Last Episode!". UGO. Retrieved on 22 June 2010.
  25. ^ Frank Lovece, Ed (28 August 2009). "'Futurama' finds a new future on Comedy Central". Newsday. Retrieved on 28 August 2009.
  26. ^ a b c JavieR (03 October 2009). "New spoilers of the Futurama Season 6 at the Florida Supercon". Slurmed. Retrieved on 04 October 2009.
  27. ^ Schneider, Michael (09 June 2009). "'Futurama' returns with new episodes". Variety. Retrieved on 12 June 2009.
  28. ^ Gallagher, Danny (13 June 2009). "David X. Cohen spills some dark matter on Futurama's future". TV Squad. Retrieved on 13 June 2009.
  29. ^ a b c JavieR (08 February 2010). "Futurama Season 6: 100th episode script cover and page sneak peak". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.
  30. ^ a b c 2010-02-10. "Futurama Script Cover and Name of episode 6acv14". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 15 February 2010.
  31. ^ Svip (18 March 2010). ""Hot Diggity Daffodil, Futurama's back!" (News thread) (No spoilers)" Page 6. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 18 March 2010.
  32. ^ Svip (16 April 2010). ""Hot Diggity Daffodil, Futurama's back!" (News thread) (No spoilers)" Page 7. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 16 April 2010.
  33. ^ "Countdown to Futurama". Comedy Central Insider. Retrieved on 06 May 2010.
  34. ^ Tobey, Matt (05 May 2010). "Exclusive First Look at the First New Episode of Futurama". Comedy Central Insider. Retrieved on 06 May 2010.
  35. ^ Tobey, Matt (12 May 2010). "Countdown to Futurama: First Look at the Second New Episode". Comedy Central Insider. Retrieved on 12 May 2010.