Difference between revisions of "Speculation of Futurama's return until the second run"

From The Infosphere, the Futurama Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(disasters have aftermath -- good stuff has positive effects.)
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The '''future of ''[[Futurama]]''''' is the future of the show, rather than the future it describesAs of March, 2009, a [[second run|return]] of ''Futurama'' seems more and more likely.
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Speculation of ''Futurama''{{'}}s return until the second run}}
During much of Spring 2009, and earlier, roamed '''large speculation about the status of ''[[Futurama]]''''' and whether it would return after ''[[Into the Wild Green Yonder]]''On 9 June 2009, it was officially confirmed that the show would return for its [[second run]], beginning with a 26 episode long [[Season 6|production season]].<ref name="official-word">{{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=2009-06-10}}</ref>


== The hiatus ==
This article describes the rumours and speculation up until that point.
 
== Initial purpose of the films ==


After 3-4 years of hiatus due to cancellation, the show saw new light when [[season 5]] was ordered.  Season 5, unlike prior seasons, saw its light as four films cut into episodes, which would ultimately become production season 5.
After 3-4 years of hiatus due to cancellation, the show saw new light when [[season 5]] was ordered.  Season 5, unlike prior seasons, saw its light as four films cut into episodes, which would ultimately become production season 5.


There have been a general concern with the film format for ''Futurama'', and most fear that it doesn't fit the show, and would prefer ''Futurama'' back as a weekly show.
There have been a general concern with the film format for ''Futurama'', and most feared that it didn't fit the show, and would prefer ''Futurama'' back as a weekly television show.


== Initial purpose ==
When the films were announced back during 2006 &ndash; 2007, many fans immediately thought of this as an opportunity to prove to Fox that the show still had the gist, and they were willing to put their efforts (i.e. money) into getting these films a larger success than Fox had anticipated, and thus coming around with a renewal of the show with one or more television seasons.


When the films were announced back during 2006 - 2007, many fans immediately thought of this an opportunity to prove to Fox that this show still had the gist, and they were willing to put their efforts (i.e. money) into getting these films a larger success than Fox could anticipate, and thus coming around with a renewal of the show with one or more TV seasons.
Indeed, some fans would have considered the effort of the films entirely pointless had the show not been renewed.


Indeed, some fans would consider the excise of the films entirely pointless, if the immediate reaction to their sales was a new TV season.
== Rise of speculation ==
When ''[[Bender's Game]]'' had been released, [[David X. Cohen]] appeared in an interview,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=61754 |title=A Future For ''Futurama''? |author=Spelling, Ian |publisher=Sci Fi Wire |date=2008-10-28 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> expressing hope for the show to be picked up once more.  He said, "[h]ope never dies on ''Futurama'', or not anymore," explaining it with "[i]t died once, but once you introduce the idea that you can come back from the dead, then the second time you have to have a little bit of hope that you might come back to life yet again."


== Effect of the films ==
But Cohen's hopes were not without reasoning, "[t]he hard facts would seem to support us coming back again. From what we have heard, the DVDs have sold very well, and I have heard the phrase 'greatly exceeded' 20th Century Fox's expectations", but warns fans not to get too excited just yet, because "[w]e haven't heard anything, yes or no, so it's familiar territory."
When ''[[Bender's Game]]'' had been released, [[David X. Cohen]] appeared in an interview,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=61754 |title=A Future For ''Futurama''? |author=Spelling, Ian |publisher=Sci Fi Wire |date=2008-10-28 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> expressing hope for the show to be picked up once more.  He puts it, "[h]ope never dies on Futurama, or not anymore," explaining it with "[i]t died once, but once you introduce the idea that you can come back from the dead, then the second time you have to have a little bit of hope that you might come back to life yet again."


But Cohen's hope is not without reasoning, "[t]he hard facts would seem to support us coming back again. From what we have heard, the DVDs have sold very well, and I have heard the phrase 'greatly exceeded' 20th Century Fox's expectations", but warns fans not to get too excited just yet, because "[w]e haven't heard anything, yes or no, so it's familiar territory."
=== Fox talk considerations ===
Nearing the release of ''[[Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'', HippoJuice did an interview with [[Billy West]] at South Florida Anime Supercon.<ref name="hippojuice">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi920ztPFIQ |title=YouTube video of HippoJuice interview |site=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="den-of-geek-analysis">{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/television/205437/more_futurama_on_the_way.html |title=More Futurama On The Way? |publisher=Den of Geek |author=McEwan, Cameron K. |date=2009-02-19 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> Among other things, Billy mentioned about a possible '''[[Season 6|sixth season]]''' being in discussion internally at Fox.


=== Rumours of talks with FOX and speculation ===
Billy West's comments was quickly picked up by fans, whom assumed that Billy West may had access to some information about the show that they did not.  As such, rumours and speculation stirred up after the interview.  [[Matt Groening]] and [[David X. Cohen]] also tried to stir it up discussing that the "[9th] Odd [Thing] We Now Know About Futurama" was the show returning,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/9-odd-things-we-now-know-about-futurama |title=9 Odd Things We Now Know About Futurama |publisher=TotalFilm.com |date=2009-02-20 |author=White, James |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> and continued to speak of the sixth season in other interviews as well.<ref name="movieweb">{{cite web |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEjrYsjpvdUwms |title=Go Beyond ''Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder'' |publisher=MovieWeb |date=2009-02-24 |author=Gallagher, Brian |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>  David X. Cohen went out himself and told IGN "[t]he good news is it really might happen. And the bad news is it really might happen",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/963/963098p1.html |title=The Future of Futurama |publisher=IGN |date=2009-02-27 |author=White, Cindy |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> whom then went even further with a statistic chance of it returning as 50/50.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://i.gizmodo.com/5163848/futuramas-creator-isnt-afraid-of-robots-doesnt-own-a-roomba |title=Futurama's Creator Isn't Afraid of Robots, Doesn't Own a Roomba |publisher=Gizmodo |date=2009-03-05 |author=Chen, Jason |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>
Nearing the release of ''[[Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'', HippoJuice made an interview with [[Billy West]] at South Florida Anime Supercon.<ref name="hippojuice">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi920ztPFIQ |title=YouTube video of HippoJuice interview |site=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="den-of-geek-analysis">{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/television/205437/more_futurama_on_the_way.html |title=More Futurama On The Way? |publisher=Den of Geek |author=McEwan, Cameron K. |date=2009-02-19 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> Among other things, Billy talks about a possible '''[[Season 6|sixth season]]''' being in discussion internally at Fox.


totalfilm.com talked to ''Futurama'' producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen plus the four voice actors Billy West, Lauren Tom, Maurice Lamarche, and Phil LaMarr and discussed "9 Odd Things We Now Know About Futurama".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/9-odd-things-we-now-know-about-futurama |title=9 Odd Things We Now Know About Futurama |publisher=TotalFilm.com |date=2009-02-20 |author=White, James |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>
Despite all the good talk in the media, ''Futurama'' [[fandom|fans]] were still not entirely convinced, and wanted a more solid prove of its returning, and not just its crew wishing it would return.


The ninth odd thing is about the possibility of Futurama returning:
In March, however, the British tabloid, ''{{w|Zoo Weekly|ZOO}}'', published a full page interview with [[Matt Groening]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futurama-madhouse.com.ar/miscpics/zoomag_mg_interview.jpg |title=Futurama's Shock Return! |publisher=ZOO |date= |author= |format=Image |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> where he supposedly stated that ''Futurama'' would be back in some form. Due to the nature of the tabloid, however, the news was not entirely convincing, and since no other media outlet supported ''ZOO''{{'}}s article, it was assumed to be a misunderstanding.
{{q|
<poem>'''Matt Groening:''' We would love to continue making more Futurama episodes in whatever form... Except Pogs. I think we haven't even exhausted all the story ideas that we came up with back when the show started in '99.
'''David X. Cohen:''' Every morning, and I'm not making this up, I find myself thinking in the shower about the next episode that we'll do after this one. I have it mostly worked out, so we're ready to go if the call comes in.  There is a chance of it coming back as the DVDs sold well.
'''Matt Groening:''' You have a solution? We painted ourselves into a corner at the end of this one, but I think we can do whatever we want.</poem>
}}


movieweb.com conducted an interview with Matt Groening, David X Cohen, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil Lamarr and Billy West. Among other things, they talk about a possible sixth season.<ref name="movieweb">{{cite web |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEjrYsjpvdUwms |title=Go Beyond ''Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder'' |publisher=MovieWeb |date=2009-02-24 |author=Gallagher, Brian |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> This supports the information in the prior interviews.  In an IGN interview with Cohen, Cohen mentions "[t]he good news is it really might happen. And the bad news is it really might happen".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/963/963098p1.html |title=The Future of Futurama |publisher=IGN |date=2009-02-27 |author=White, Cindy |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>
=== Spring stir ===


David X. Cohen goes further in his indication, and indicates there is a 50/50 chance of the show getting renewed for a sixth season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://i.gizmodo.com/5163848/futuramas-creator-isnt-afraid-of-robots-doesnt-own-a-roomba |title=Futurama's Creator Isn't Afraid of Robots, Doesn't Own a Roomba |publisher=Gizmodo |date=2009-03-05 |author=Chen, Jason |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> In addition to that, he continues discuss his plans for the future of the show, given the corner they have painted themselves in at the end of ''[[Into the Wild Green Yonder]]''.
For about a moment, the rumours and interviews laid quiet, until Matt Groening appeared in an interview for the A.V. Club,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-groening,25525/ |title=Matt Groening |publisher=A.V. Club |date=2009-03-25 |author=Ryan, Kyle|accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> in which he seemed to be sort of suggesting that he was getting his arms down in excitement, since in the television industry it is so easy to just say no.  However, he was still convinced that it would be financially smart to renew ''Futurama''.


=== Supported rumours of talks ===
On the radio show, ''{{w|Coast to Coast AM}}'', Billy West once again mentioned that the negotiations are still ongoing, but also encouraged fans to write in letters and e-mails to Fox, which might help them consider.<ref name="coast-to-coast">{{cite web |url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2009/04/18 |title=Saturday 04-18-09 Show Recap |site=Coast to Coast AM |date=2009-04-18 |accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref><ref name="peel-ctc">{{cite web |url=http://www.peelified.com/index.php?topic=17054.msg1029587#msg1029587 |title="Will there be any new Futurama after the movies?" Page 4 |site=[[Planet Express Employee Lounge|PEEL]] |author=Ralph Snart |date=2009-04-21 |accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref>
The British tabloid, ''[[wikipedia:Zoo Weekly|ZOO]]'', published a full page interview with [[Matt Groening]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futurama-madhouse.com.ar/miscpics/zoomag_mg_interview.jpg |title=Futurama's Shock Return! |publisher=ZOO |date= |author= |format=Image |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> where he states that ''Futurama'' will be back in some form. However, as a tabloid, its news should taken with a grain of salt. On the other hand, Matt mentions in the interview, that "[w]e're talking with 20th Century Fox and we really hope it happens".  Which differs largely from prior interviews, where the crew stated that Fox were discussing it, internally.


In addition, Matt Groening seems to be leaning towards the theatrical release of ''Futurama'', rather than a weekly TV showBut right now, no official word from Fox have been made of the type ''Futurama'' will return in.
=== Contradiction regarding talks ===
In February 2009, Matt Groening mentioned in an interview that they are "talking with Fox about doing more episodes and" he hoped they could.  He emphasised his point with "[j]ust looking at the numbers, it seems to make sense.  They're making money."<ref name="movieweb" /> His statements seemed to indicate that at the time, there was negotiations going on between the show runners and Fox, but he could not provide any clue on where the negotiations were going.


After a period of silence, Matt Groening appeared in an interview for the A.V. Club,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/matt-groening,25525/ |title=Matt Groening |publisher=A.V. Club |date=2009-03-25 |author=Ryan, Kyle|accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> in which he describes that they are not holding their breath, because in the television industry it is so easy to just say no.  However, he suggests it would be financially smart to repurchase ''Futurama''.
Later in early March, David X. Cohen stated "[b]asically, all I genuinely know is that Fox is talking about it, they're thinking about it", confirming Groening and West's statement about a negotiation. However, Cohen went on to say that "they're not talking about it with us, they're thinking about it among themselves. We know it's under consideration, apparently it's taking a while."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://io9.com/5165221/if-futurama-comes-back-whats-next-for-planet-express |title=If Futurama Comes Back, What's Next For Planet Express? |publisher=io9 |author=Woerner, Meredith |date=2009-03-05 |accessdate=2009-04-24}}</ref>


On the radio show, ''{{w|Coast to Coast AM}}'', Billy West again mentions that the negotiations are still going, but also encourage fans to write letters and e-mails to Fox, which might help their course.<ref name="coast-to-coast">{{cite web |url=http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2009/04/18 |title=Saturday 04-18-09 Show Recap |site=Coast to Coast AM |date=2009-04-18 |accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref><ref name="peel-ctc">{{cite web |url=http://www.peelified.com/index.php?topic=17054.msg1029587#msg1029587 |title="Will there be any new Futurama after the movies?" Page 4 |site=[[Planet Express Employee Lounge|PEEL]] |author=Ralph Snart |date=2009-04-21 |accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref>
These contradictions regarding where the negotiations were taking place and more importantly the significance of them (Cohen seemed to suggest it was just 'talks', whereas Groening highlights them as actual negotiations), left fans puzzled and began speculating whether each ''Futurama'' crew member had their own interpretation of the actual considerations at Fox, or whether some of them are deliberately spicing up the truth.  Because while Groening and Cohen seemed reluctant to give further information (possibly because they lacked concrete evidence), Billy West was more than happy to share information about possible talks and negotiations.<ref name="den-of-geek-analysis"/><ref name="coast-to-coast"/>


canada.com writes about the ''{{w|King of the Hill}}'' sitcom on Fox, which is about to end.  Co-producer John Altschuler mentions that the show ends to make room for other shows, where the article mentions that "''Futurama'', another animated comedy that ran briefly as a companion show to ''The Simpsons'' and ''King of the Hill'', '''will be back on the prime time TV schedule''', after enjoying a second and third life as a series of straight-to-DVD movies".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/entertainment/books/King+Hill+last+curbside+beer/1522313/story.html |title=King of the Hill to sip its last curbside beer |author=Strachan, Alex |publisher=canada.com |date=2009-04-22 |accessdate=2009-04-22}}</ref>  However, the author was later proven to be talking about episodes from the [[films]], rather than a new season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peelified.com/index.php?topic=17054.msg1030051#msg1030051 |title="Will there be any new Futurama after the movies?" Page 5 |site=[[Planet Express Employee Lounge|PEEL]] |author=[-mArc-] |date=2009-04-23 |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref>
=== Waiting for the 2009-10 U.S. television season upfronts ===


=== Contradiction regarding talks ===
Fox was supposed to announce its {{w|upfronts}} for its 2009-10 U.S. television slate on 28 May 2009.  When the British ''Digital Spy'' created a list of television shows of interest to British and American viewers, including already renewed shows and axed shows, but also shows still up for grabs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a150760/us-tv-show-status-2009-10-season.html |title=US TV Show Status: 2009-10 season |publisher=Digital Spy |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-05-10 }}</ref> which included ''Futurama'' in its original release, hope returned to the fans.  The initial mention of ''Futurama'' was unconfirmed, however, and it later disappeared entirely, perhaps because of Fox's press release for the coming season, where no mention of ''Futurama'' had been made.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=05/18/09&id=20090518fox03 |title=Fox Announces Primetime Slate for 2009-2010 season |publisher=The Futon Critic |date=2009-05-18 |accessdate=2009-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a156296/scorecard-whats-in-and-out-at-fox.html |title=Scorecard: What's in and out at Fox |publisher=Digital Spy |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=2009-05-18 |accessdate=2009-05-18}}</ref>
In February, 2009, Matt Groening stated in an interview that "'''[w]e're talking with Fox about doing more episodes and I hope we can'''. Just looking at the numbers, it seems to make sense. They're making money", indicating that there certainly was talks in the works.<ref name="movieweb"/>
 
Fans then considered what ''Comedy Central'' might do, since they were the only one in the U.S. airing the show.  But fans were let down again, when ''Comedy Central'' announced its plans for the 2009-10 U.S. television season, which included no announcement for the renewal of ''Futurama''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://realitytvwebsite.com/RealityTVNews/Comedy-Central-Locks-In-The-Laughs-With-Its-2009-2010-Development-Slate-And-Greenlights-Animated-Series-UGLY-AMERICANS.html |title=Comedy Central Locks In The Laughs With Its 2009-2010 Development Slate And Greenlights Animated Series "UGLY AMERICANS" |date=2009-05-19 |site=RealityTVWebsite |accessdate=2009-05-20}}</ref>
 
== ''Collider''{{'}}s rumour and official word ==


However, later in early March, David X. Cohen stated "[b]asically, all I genuinely know is that Fox is talking about it, they're thinking about it. '''But they're not talking about it with us''', they're thinking about it among themselves. We know it's under consideration, apparently it's taking a while."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://io9.com/5165221/if-futurama-comes-back-whats-next-for-planet-express |title=If Futurama Comes Back, What's Next For Planet Express? |publisher=io9 |author=Woerner, Meredith |date=2009-03-05 |accessdate=2009-04-24}}</ref>  These contradictions in interviews have left fans puzzling, and speculation regards whether each ''Futurama'' crew member has each of their own interpretation of the actual ongoings at Fox or whether some of them are deliberately spicing up the truth.  Indeed, Billy West have been easy to tell the world about the talks.<ref name="den-of-geek-analysis"/><ref name="coast-to-coast"/>
On 7 June 2009, ''Collider'' reported about a reliable source within ''Comedy Central'', that it is going to renew ''Futurama'' for a 13 episode season, though at the time of writing, it made clear it was still technically a "rumour", but remained certain that its sources were correct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collider.com/2009/06/07/exclusive-comedy-central-goes-back-to-the-futurama/ |title=Exclusive: Comedy Central Goes Back to the FUTURAMA |date=2009-06-07 |publisher=Collider |author=Kemp, Cal |accessdate=2009-06-08}}</ref>


=== The 2009-10 U.S. Television season ===
''Collider''{{'}}s rumour was, however, quickly turned into actual news, and could take its "rumour" label off its storyBecause two days later on 9 June, ''Comedy Central'' officially announced the renewal of ''Futurama'' with a [[Season 6|26 new episode season]].<ref name="official-word" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/its-official-futurama-returns.html |title=It's official: 'Futurama' is reborn! |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |author=Ausiello, Michael |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i388dc3328f74c5ee953fdf2f59564bb2 |title=Comedy Central resurrects 'Futurama' |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |author=Andreeva, Nellie |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118004722.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 |title='Futurama' returns with new episodes |publisher=Variety |author=Schneider, Michael |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-06-10}}</ref>
During the months of April and May, 2009, the U.S. television networks are often going to announce which shows they are bringing back and which they aren'tThe British ''Digital Spy'' have launched a list of television shows of interest to British and American viewers, including already renewed shows and axed shows, but also shows still up for grabs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a150760/us-tv-show-status-2009-10-season.html |title=US TV Show Status: 2009-10 season |publisher=Digital Spy |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-05-10 }}</ref> As of 10 May, 2009, ''Futurama'' is still listed as "to be confirmed". Elsewhere, though, ''The Futon Critic'' reports that it is returning next season and have yet to premiere,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=futurama |title=Futurama on Comedy Central |publisher=The Futon Critic |accessdate=2009-05-10 }}</ref> however, elsewhere on ''The Futon Critic'', a table seems to imply that they considering each film as a broadcast season, with the listing of 4 episodes left for ''Futurama''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/guide.aspx?id=whendoes |title=Guide |publisher=The Futon Critic |accessdate=2009-05-12}}</ref> Confirmation should be available when Fox engage their 2009-10 season {{w|upfront}} on 18 May, wherein they will announce all the shows they are going to air during the coming season.


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Futurama]]
[[Category:Futurama]]

Latest revision as of 03:09, 27 July 2013

During much of Spring 2009, and earlier, roamed large speculation about the status of Futurama and whether it would return after Into the Wild Green Yonder. On 9 June 2009, it was officially confirmed that the show would return for its second run, beginning with a 26 episode long production season.[1]

This article describes the rumours and speculation up until that point.

Initial purpose of the films

After 3-4 years of hiatus due to cancellation, the show saw new light when season 5 was ordered. Season 5, unlike prior seasons, saw its light as four films cut into episodes, which would ultimately become production season 5.

There have been a general concern with the film format for Futurama, and most feared that it didn't fit the show, and would prefer Futurama back as a weekly television show.

When the films were announced back during 2006 – 2007, many fans immediately thought of this as an opportunity to prove to Fox that the show still had the gist, and they were willing to put their efforts (i.e. money) into getting these films a larger success than Fox had anticipated, and thus coming around with a renewal of the show with one or more television seasons.

Indeed, some fans would have considered the effort of the films entirely pointless had the show not been renewed.

Rise of speculation

When Bender's Game had been released, David X. Cohen appeared in an interview,[2] expressing hope for the show to be picked up once more. He said, "[h]ope never dies on Futurama, or not anymore," explaining it with "[i]t died once, but once you introduce the idea that you can come back from the dead, then the second time you have to have a little bit of hope that you might come back to life yet again."

But Cohen's hopes were not without reasoning, "[t]he hard facts would seem to support us coming back again. From what we have heard, the DVDs have sold very well, and I have heard the phrase 'greatly exceeded' 20th Century Fox's expectations", but warns fans not to get too excited just yet, because "[w]e haven't heard anything, yes or no, so it's familiar territory."

Fox talk considerations

Nearing the release of Into the Wild Green Yonder, HippoJuice did an interview with Billy West at South Florida Anime Supercon.[3][4] Among other things, Billy mentioned about a possible sixth season being in discussion internally at Fox.

Billy West's comments was quickly picked up by fans, whom assumed that Billy West may had access to some information about the show that they did not. As such, rumours and speculation stirred up after the interview. Matt Groening and David X. Cohen also tried to stir it up discussing that the "[9th] Odd [Thing] We Now Know About Futurama" was the show returning,[5] and continued to speak of the sixth season in other interviews as well.[6] David X. Cohen went out himself and told IGN "[t]he good news is it really might happen. And the bad news is it really might happen",[7] whom then went even further with a statistic chance of it returning as 50/50.[8]

Despite all the good talk in the media, Futurama fans were still not entirely convinced, and wanted a more solid prove of its returning, and not just its crew wishing it would return.

In March, however, the British tabloid, ZOO, published a full page interview with Matt Groening,[9] where he supposedly stated that Futurama would be back in some form. Due to the nature of the tabloid, however, the news was not entirely convincing, and since no other media outlet supported ZOO's article, it was assumed to be a misunderstanding.

Spring stir

For about a moment, the rumours and interviews laid quiet, until Matt Groening appeared in an interview for the A.V. Club,[10] in which he seemed to be sort of suggesting that he was getting his arms down in excitement, since in the television industry it is so easy to just say no. However, he was still convinced that it would be financially smart to renew Futurama.

On the radio show, Coast to Coast AM, Billy West once again mentioned that the negotiations are still ongoing, but also encouraged fans to write in letters and e-mails to Fox, which might help them consider.[11][12]

Contradiction regarding talks

In February 2009, Matt Groening mentioned in an interview that they are "talking with Fox about doing more episodes and" he hoped they could. He emphasised his point with "[j]ust looking at the numbers, it seems to make sense. They're making money."[6] His statements seemed to indicate that at the time, there was negotiations going on between the show runners and Fox, but he could not provide any clue on where the negotiations were going.

Later in early March, David X. Cohen stated "[b]asically, all I genuinely know is that Fox is talking about it, they're thinking about it", confirming Groening and West's statement about a negotiation. However, Cohen went on to say that "they're not talking about it with us, they're thinking about it among themselves. We know it's under consideration, apparently it's taking a while."[13]

These contradictions regarding where the negotiations were taking place and more importantly the significance of them (Cohen seemed to suggest it was just 'talks', whereas Groening highlights them as actual negotiations), left fans puzzled and began speculating whether each Futurama crew member had their own interpretation of the actual considerations at Fox, or whether some of them are deliberately spicing up the truth. Because while Groening and Cohen seemed reluctant to give further information (possibly because they lacked concrete evidence), Billy West was more than happy to share information about possible talks and negotiations.[4][11]

Waiting for the 2009-10 U.S. television season upfronts

Fox was supposed to announce its upfronts for its 2009-10 U.S. television slate on 28 May 2009. When the British Digital Spy created a list of television shows of interest to British and American viewers, including already renewed shows and axed shows, but also shows still up for grabs,[14] which included Futurama in its original release, hope returned to the fans. The initial mention of Futurama was unconfirmed, however, and it later disappeared entirely, perhaps because of Fox's press release for the coming season, where no mention of Futurama had been made.[15][16]

Fans then considered what Comedy Central might do, since they were the only one in the U.S. airing the show. But fans were let down again, when Comedy Central announced its plans for the 2009-10 U.S. television season, which included no announcement for the renewal of Futurama.[17]

Collider's rumour and official word

On 7 June 2009, Collider reported about a reliable source within Comedy Central, that it is going to renew Futurama for a 13 episode season, though at the time of writing, it made clear it was still technically a "rumour", but remained certain that its sources were correct.[18]

Collider's rumour was, however, quickly turned into actual news, and could take its "rumour" label off its story. Because two days later on 9 June, Comedy Central officially announced the renewal of Futurama with a 26 new episode season.[1][19][20][21]

References

  1. ^ a b ""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.
  2. ^ Spelling, Ian (28 October 2008). "A Future For Futurama?". Sci Fi Wire. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  3. ^ YouTube video of HippoJuice interview. (YouTube.)
  4. ^ a b McEwan, Cameron K. (19 February 2009). "More Futurama On The Way?". Den of Geek. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  5. ^ White, James (20 February 2009). "9 Odd Things We Now Know About Futurama". TotalFilm.com. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  6. ^ a b Gallagher, Brian (24 February 2009). "Go Beyond Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder". MovieWeb. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  7. ^ White, Cindy (27 February 2009). "The Future of Futurama". IGN. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  8. ^ Chen, Jason (05 March 2009). "Futurama's Creator Isn't Afraid of Robots, Doesn't Own a Roomba". Gizmodo. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  9. ^ "Futurama's Shock Return!" (Image). ZOO. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  10. ^ Ryan, Kyle (25 March 2009). "Matt Groening". A.V. Club. Retrieved on 16 April 2009.
  11. ^ a b Saturday 04-18-09 Show Recap. (Coast to Coast AM.) 18 April 2009. Retrieved on 21 April 2009.
  12. ^ Ralph Snart (21 April 2009). "Will there be any new Futurama after the movies?" Page 4. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 21 April 2009.
  13. ^ Woerner, Meredith (05 March 2009). "If Futurama Comes Back, What's Next For Planet Express?". io9. Retrieved on 24 April 2009.
  14. ^ Wilkes, Neil (14 April 2009). "US TV Show Status: 2009-10 season". Digital Spy. Retrieved on 10 May 2009.
  15. ^ "Fox Announces Primetime Slate for 2009-2010 season". The Futon Critic. 18 May 2009. Retrieved on 18 May 2009.
  16. ^ Wilkes, Neil (18 May 2009). "Scorecard: What's in and out at Fox". Digital Spy. Retrieved on 18 May 2009.
  17. ^ Comedy Central Locks In The Laughs With Its 2009-2010 Development Slate And Greenlights Animated Series "UGLY AMERICANS". (RealityTVWebsite.) 19 May 2009. Retrieved on 20 May 2009.
  18. ^ Kemp, Cal (07 June 2009). "Exclusive: Comedy Central Goes Back to the FUTURAMA". Collider. Retrieved on 08 June 2009.
  19. ^ Ausiello, Michael (09 June 2009). "It's official: 'Futurama' is reborn!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 10 June 2009.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (09 June 2009). "Comedy Central resurrects 'Futurama'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 10 June 2009.
  21. ^ Schneider, Michael (09 June 2009). "'Futurama' returns with new episodes". Variety. Retrieved on 10 June 2009.