FUTURAMA: Rebirth
- Thread starter tharpdevenport
- Start date
I didn't like it. I seem to be the only person who thought Coolio's part was one of the few highlights. Yeah, its lyrics weren't as clever, smooth, and funny (or even decipherable) as they usually are in songs on "Futurama", but I thought it was a more fun song than the others in the episode. It was cute and I like Coolio's voice.
That's what I thought. A couple of good giggles, but that was it. I did, however, like Robot Santa's line: "And now everyone is dead. Merry Christmas!"
Aargh. I didn't even know it was on. I hope it's on On Demand. 
To me, that was the weakest joke in the whole segment. A very feeble punch line, and an awkwardly paced, abrupt ending to the story.
While I am glad to have Futurama back it still astounds me that in the history of television the only 2 programs ever brought back after cancellation( thus far ) are
animated series. that said...I missed the holiday ep due to work but thankfully as many have pointed out it shall be re-run. I find the writing has suffered a little as they seem to be trying way too hard to get a laugh a line but overall the 7 eps I have seen have been very good with at least 2 laugh out loud moments per, though the one that will always stand out to me as a classic is the professor proclaiming " I don't want to live on this planet anymore " I am so very glad they dropped the " but I am already in my pajamas " catch phrase they tried to go with early in season 1, but I may just be nit-picking
animated series. that said...I missed the holiday ep due to work but thankfully as many have pointed out it shall be re-run. I find the writing has suffered a little as they seem to be trying way too hard to get a laugh a line but overall the 7 eps I have seen have been very good with at least 2 laugh out loud moments per, though the one that will always stand out to me as a classic is the professor proclaiming " I don't want to live on this planet anymore " I am so very glad they dropped the " but I am already in my pajamas " catch phrase they tried to go with early in season 1, but I may just be nit-picking
I'm pretty happy with season 6 itself. To my shock (and relief), I think it turned out as good as any of the first five seasons. I've never been a huge "Futurama" fan, but in every season I think there have been some really funny episodes, some episodes that are both funny and incredibly moving, and some that are just weak. I believe season 6 managed to be just as much of a mixed bag as the others, hitting some impressive highs and a few lows without ever becoming exceptionally terrible.
Its comeback has been much better than that of "Family Guy", which started off strong and then slowly went to crap within about six months and has never recovered. That's why the weakness of the holiday special doesn't worry me too much. "Futurama" has been quite reliable as a show that can bounce back from its more mediocre efforts and I would expect it to again soon.
Its comeback has been much better than that of "Family Guy", which started off strong and then slowly went to crap within about six months and has never recovered. That's why the weakness of the holiday special doesn't worry me too much. "Futurama" has been quite reliable as a show that can bounce back from its more mediocre efforts and I would expect it to again soon.
That's not true. The obvious counterexample is Doctor Who. Primeval was cancelled a couple of seasons back but is returning soon. Red Dwarf was off the air for a few seasons before returning.
As for US series, there are various ones that got cancelled by one network and promptly picked up by another, from Get Smart to JAG to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Stargate SG-1 to Scrubs to Medium, not to mention Mystery Science Theater 3000. Other shows, like Cagney and Lacey and Jericho, have had their cancellations reversed by their original networks in response to fan protests. The '80s Twilight Zone revival, Mama's Family, Baywatch, and Viper began as network shows, got cancelled, and were then revived in syndication -- sometimes promptly, other times after a year or two off. And then there's the Power Rangers franchise, which has beaten cancellation and jumped networks multiple times; it was seemingly cancelled for good more than a year ago, but after a change of ownership it was put back into production.
And there are more than two animated series that have been resurrected after cancellation, including Dexter's Laboratory, Kim Possible, and Johnny Bravo. The Jetsons and Jonny Quest had new episodes made in the '80s. GI Joe had a low-quality revival in the '90s.
There's still something unprecedented about the resurrections of "Futurama" and "Family Guy" though, isn't there? They didn't just change networks between seasons (i.e. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") or get completely remade with a new cast and crew (i.e. "Doctor Who", "Power Rangers").
Are there any other shows that were off the air for several years and then brought back because of re-run ratings and DVD sales more than anything else? I think those being the reasons for resurrection are why "Family Guy" and "Futurama" are more high profile and well-known as comeback shows than your other examples.
Are there any other shows that were off the air for several years and then brought back because of re-run ratings and DVD sales more than anything else? I think those being the reasons for resurrection are why "Family Guy" and "Futurama" are more high profile and well-known as comeback shows than your other examples.
I think the big reason it can happen is because with an animated shows the cast is always going to be available even if they're doing things; with a live action tv series the actors will quickly get swiped by other shows and become unavailable.
Not to mention the constant Adult Swim airings of FG and FUT that re-kindled a new audience for them.
Not to mention the constant Adult Swim airings of FG and FUT that re-kindled a new audience for them.
True, most revivals, even those done years after the fact, tend to be made by different crews, and generally aren't as good as a result. Reuniting the original production staff after a hiatus of several years is an impressive feat. Red Dwarf only brought back half of its original writing duo. I don't know whether Primeval is bringing back its previous production team, but I think that team had already been through some changes before cancellation. And it's not quite as surprising in British TV, where it's fairly normal for a show to get done on a year-by-year basis and sometimes to have gaps between consecutive "series."
For what it's worth, Star Trek: TNG reunited much of the TOS production staff, although most of them didn't stay on the show past the first season, and it doesn't really count as the same show.
True, but that's not the same as saying that they're the only shows in TV history that have ever been brought back after cancellation.
Not quite the same thing, but the movie Serenity got made largely because DVD sales for the series Firefly were so strong.
Thanks. It's not on On Demand, so I'll keep an eye peeled for that.
Interesting to see so many posters here had the same thoughts about the holiday special that I did. Maybe I missed it, but another gripe I had was that they didn't even try to explain the three scenarios, aside from being brought to use by Gunderson's Unshelled Nuts (Which lead to my comment to my daughter after watching the entire special, "Wow, that was nut-so good.").
Would it have been that hard to do another "Anthology of Interest" (especially with Al Gore popping up?)?
Would it have been that hard to do another "Anthology of Interest" (especially with Al Gore popping up?)?
I haven't seen the holiday episode yet, this my problem. Why not do a Holidays of Interest" episode? The season / series finale is a multiple story episode too and not a Anthology of Interest either.
An enjoyable episode but I agree it's far from Futurama's best. I think the Kwanzaa segment was the best, especially in regards to the song. I also really enjoyed Al Gore's cameos and I look forward to his role next season as Capt. Lance Starman. 
Actually, that line was in the episode.
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