Muppets on Fox

[danielromens]

So I'm thinking again, bored in my office, checking out the forum as I often do, and I run across newscorp. You know, maybe these guys are good for the Muppets.

Also the timing could be perfect. This next season is supposed to be the final season of the Simpsons. We need something to replace it's quirk. I think the Muppets would be great.

just a thought.

[scarecroe]

I just read an interview with Matt Groening from about a week ago where he said they had no plans to stop doing to show anytime in the foreseeable future. Did he change his mind already?

So who's this "newscorp" anyway? What do they own; what do they do?

[grail]

no, the interview you read was the most up to date, but the word hasn't really gotten out yet. originally this next season was suposed to be the last, but that's no longer the case.

newscorp, i believe is the parent company to Fox, Fox Films, etc...but they do have the most boring name this side of "Michael"

[Luke]

I think Fox wants to keep Simpsons going as much as anyone else because they are still raking in the money. Matt will agree because he no longer has Futurama to fall back on.

[Thog]

Even though Futurama may not be back on FOX, watch out for new Futurama stuff. He dosn't plan on letting it die.

Dan

[radionate]

OK, please tell me the Simpsons isn't going bye bye this next season. Every report I heard said it was going to run at least two more years. This is one of the best shows on TV, it can't die. Matt said he'd keep it going awhile longer. How credible are these news stories?

[the_great_gonzo]

if i can remember right, all the actors on The Simpsons have a contract for up to the 15th season, which is still like 2 more years. Also after that they have an agreement saying that they will make 2 Simpsons movies.

[beaker]

>>>OK, please tell me the Simpsons isn't going bye bye this next season. Every report I heard said it was going to run at least two more years. This is one of the best shows on TV, it can't die. Matt said he'd keep it going awhile longer. How credible are these news stories?<<<

Admittedly while the simpsons keeps geeting crepier and creepier, it is an american institution...and like SNL...this could run on for quite some time. However, it still puzzles me how Simpsons forums have infinite more members than a Muppets forum. oh well...

[murgatoad]

Originally posted by Thog
Even though Futurama may not be back on FOX, watch out for new Futurama stuff. He dosn't plan on letting it die.

Dan

IMO, Mr. Groening needs to work on making people give a **** about his characters. Every time I've attempted to watch "Futurama", I've gotten this "so what" feeling no matter what dire peril Fry and Leela and whoever are in. That's because all the characters ever do is dispense one-liners, and it doesn't matter terribly much who utters what. The cast has exactly three character quirks between them: Leela is the usual Groening long-suffering mommy type. Fry is a shallow twit. Bender's a self-centered *sshole. That's about it. The rest of the characters are ciphers. The cast of the excruciating "Family Guy" has more compelling characters than "Futurama", which is a pity, because of the two "Futurama" has a far more interesting premise.

[beaker]

ture, but futurama does have that cool 3d effect sometimes. but yeah, futurama is a bit more glib...I mean frye and bender are so apathetic the whole planet could blow up and theyd just complain about lack of beer.

In 1999 futurama seemed so promising, but even Simpsons' most hardcore fans are yawning at it.

[Ernie101]

ima huge simpsons fan i have all the season dvds.No it will not be stopping and im glad id rather have simpsons than muppets sorry but its whats keeping fox up and muppet doesnt have a good chance there.

[Ernie101]

whats the link to the big sompson message board beaker?

Id love it!

[Luke]

I think the idea of Futurama was a good one for a one off TV show or animation movie but its too restrictive an idea to work on a season per season basis. There's only so much those characters can do without it all being too similar to the last episode and they aren't endearing to people. To be honest, while Matt's a god for creating the Simpsons i think he is pretty much a 'one trick pony' - it was a fluke and he'll never top it.

[murgatoad]

Originally posted by Luke
I think the idea of Futurama was a good one for a one off TV show or animation movie but its too restrictive an idea to work on a season per season basis. There's only so much those characters can do without it all being too similar to the last episode and they aren't endearing to people. To be honest, while Matt's a god for creating the Simpsons i think he is pretty much a 'one trick pony' - it was a fluke and he'll never top it.

I wonder if "Futurama" wouldn't have been more interesting had Fry and Co., say, been at war with an evil alien menace or whatnot. Every episode could then show the progress of that war, in a comic way, of course. Then at least the show could have been *about* something. As it is, I feel I could miss an ep and big deal. Not the way TV execs want viewers to feel, needless to say.

As for your "one trick pony" comment, I'd say you're right. Remember "The Critic"? The main character, while cleverly designed to look like Siskel and Ebert's love child, had the basic personality of Fry/Homer Simpson/Bender. Yet another lazy, greedy, orally-fixated male. If the show had been a sharper critique on Hollywood and moviemaking, I think it might have survived. But once again, as is the case with "Futurama", the show consisted of nothing but one-liners. I did love Jon Lovitz's voice work, however. I hope he does more such work in the future, perhaps in a Disney flick...

[FellowWLover]

... The Critic rocked. My take? The American TV-watching public was not smart enough to "get it". Shame, really.

[Luke]

Yeah i liked 'The Critic' - each episode wasn't always as sharp as the last but it did indeed rock, very much a show geared to a cult fanbase though.

[Thog]

Originally posted by FellowWLover
... The Critic rocked. My take? The American TV-watching public was not smart enough to "get it". Shame, really.

I loved the Critic, and Family Guy was also awsome. But I'm guessing that most people here didn't like the humor on Family Guy.

[FellowWLover]

I did like Family Guy, but for some reason it wasn't "must-see TV" for me. I am not sure why. I think because they moved it around a lot, and it was hard to get into a routine with. BTW, you know who *loved* Family Guy? JOSH! haha

[radionate]

Originally posted by murgatoad
As for your "one trick pony" comment, I'd say you're right. Remember "The Critic"? The main character, while cleverly designed to look like Siskel and Ebert's love child, had the basic personality of Fry/Homer Simpson/Bender. Yet another lazy, greedy, orally-fixated male. If the show had been a sharper critique on Hollywood and moviemaking, I think it might have survived. But once again, as is the case with "Futurama", the show consisted of nothing but one-liners. I did love Jon Lovitz's voice work, however. I hope he does more such work in the future, perhaps in a Disney flick... I really think Futurama had a promising outlook, but it just never panned out. I for one love it, but never get to see it often as I'm working when it is on. I found the writing sharp, but the characters do fizzle, I'll give you that. And I agree that Matt will never top the Simpsons, that would be impossible.

The Critic though, that was an incredible show. The critics also adored it. That's the problem with Hollywood "insider" shows, Hollywood, the critics, and hard core hollywood fans love them, but the rest of middle america is lost, as are the ratings.

[murgatoad]

Originally posted by FellowWLover
... The Critic rocked. My take? The American TV-watching public was not smart enough to "get it". Shame, really.

Well, speaking for myself, I think I "got it". It just wasn't very involving or entertaining IMO.

[beaker]

>>>I really think Futurama had a promising outlook, but it just never panned out. I for one love it, but never get to see it often as I'm working when it is on. I found the writing sharp, but the characters do fizzle, I'll give you that. And I agree that Matt will never top the Simpsons, that would be impossible<<<

While admittedly, my interest has waned on Futurama(and I hadnt seen it in months)...oh my! I saw it last night, and I was blown away! Really, I hope Futurama sticks around, did anybody see last night's episode? Lots and LOTS of obscure 80's pop references galore, beautiful 3d effects, cgi, smart writing, etc! Why the heck doesnt The Simpsons have at least half the 3d effect, scaling, or cgi on Futurama? And now they have released more Futurama minis that go perfectly with the new Simpsons minis! *yay*

[Buck-Beaver]

Originally posted by radionate
The Critic though, that was an incredible show. The critics also adored it. That's the problem with Hollywood "insider" shows, Hollywood, the critics, and hard core hollywood fans love them, but the rest of middle america is lost, as are the ratings.Not always, "The Larry Sanders Show" worked and found an audience.

I think part of a problem is deciding where you put a show. "Cult" or niche shows like "Futurama", "The Critic" etc. survive and thrive better on cable. "Farscape" wouldn't probably have lasted long on a network, but over on cable it is a huge success story for Sci-Fi.

This is true of the Muppets too I think. As much as I'd like five years of zany Muppet antics on Fox I have a sinking feeling it may not happen. The Muppets would probably clean-up ratings wise for the right cable station, but on network TV it may be a repeat of the "Muppets Tonight"/ABC fiasco.

Now I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but...

I think one of the things that drives these properties to networks rather than cable is often money and ego. I mean, they shoot entire movies for what it costs to do a couple episodes of ER!

I'm working on a kid's show right now and the budget for the entire season is less than what it costs to do two episodes of "Bear in the Big Blue House." They don't have the nicest production offices or get the biggest, fanciest studio to shoot in but it's a quality show and even if it finds a small audience on the right station (likely cable) it'll be a success for all concerned.

P.S. - This is my 100th post! Yea! :D

[beaker]

>>>Farscape" wouldn't probably have lasted long on a network, but over on cable it is a huge success story for Sci-Fi<<<

Gosh, I wish Farscape could be seen on regular tv, as I have to wait for the dvds. We just have all these Kevin Sorbo type cheapie Trek ripoffs and scantily clad medieval slayer type shows genre sci fi wise.

[danielromens]

Personally, I'd like to see them try what worked before. Syndicate, and let the individual stations decide. Though, yeah, I think they'd have better luck, or at least extended support with a cable station. Fox does let their shows go though, if they have the right money invested in them and a high enough profile. Family Guy, though dropped did stick around for a while, and futurama is still there too.

i think the problem I saw with family guy is that it followed to closely in the footsteps of the simpsons, fat dumb dad as the lead. The Simpson even went through some sad writing when homer was overused, but evened out. in the episodes I saw of family guy, they seemed to have to many half wit characters and no balance. MAny of their storylines just tried to hard to be out there as well.
With Greg the Bunny I think the show would have just gotten old, the characters seemed to built around satire and novelty and I really think they would've gotten old, having not been given much depth.
In the case of the Tick, I think this show was doomed on network but would have thrived on a cable network like sci fi or comedy central. It was really funny, the problem was, it was especially funny to fans of the comic, and not necessarily the average joe.

As for the critic, that show was genious to any movie fan. The writing was great and really smart, maybe too smart.

[FellowWLover]

The Tick *was* funny (the cartoon, not the live action version). I agree that it was sadly misplaced on Saturday morning network TV.

[UncleDeadly]

I wouldn't call it misplaced on Saturday mornings. It did last there for two full years, heck, maybe even part of a third if memory serves correctly.

And the problem with Muppets Tonight wasnt the fact that it was on a network, in my opinion... it was that the network wouldnt commit the show to ONE timeslot. Instead they bounced it from Friday to Sunday, to Thursday, to Saturday without any notification of warning. Of course viewers werent going to stick with a show they couldnt find half of the time.

[beaker]

Oh the Tick cartoon was awesome!Thank goodness(even tho I dont have cable) great toons like the Tick still get played. As for Fox little strange forays into replacement heack...Didnt care for the live action Tick(I mean they tried to make it VERY seinfeld esque, but still) and HATED Greg the Bunny.

[Ernie101]

Hey do know any simpsons forums please if you do tell me cause it will b helpful

[Drtooth]

I love Futurama. It is horrible that it's going to die becaue of the evil NFL!!!! There are a billion sports cable channels and they only run those stupid Sports Center type shows.

Besides, FOX has all these places to put an episode in, but refuses, and reruns a fourth run episode of Malcom (I don't see what the hype is about, but Jane K is pretty funny in it) Half the shows they released last year have bombed (unfortunately including Greg the Bunny) and they just rerun the same Malcoms and Grounded for lifes (I HATE THAT SHOW!!! HATE HATE HATE IT!!!!) over and over.

Just you wait! They'll do the same thing to the Muppets...you'll see! You'll see!!!!

I hate the NFL!!! Drew Carey's season premiere is preemptied (until 1:35 a.m.!!!!) because of the Pats Preiveiw...IT WAS A CLIFF HANGER ENDING!!!!

ARRRRRG!!!:mad: :mad: :mad:

[Thog]

Originally posted by Drtooth
I love Futurama. It is horrible that it's going to die becaue of the evil NFL!!!!

Watch for reruns of Futurama on Cartoon Network as part of their Adult Swim, starting around December.

[Drtooth]

Total agreement of the Critic. Firstly, I can't stand film critics, because they unfairly compare movies to certain other ones, and they give thumbs up to trash like XXX and Blue Crush (and to think, I used to make fuun of people who said Hollywood makes the same movie over and over). I especially enjoye the "Nightmare Before Channukka" (sp, I'm not Jewish) film.

As for the Tick, I liked it so-so. I thought the live action version could have worked had it not been so..sitcomy (the first episode was good, and the one about the evil guys trial, but the episode with Arthur's sister was off). One reason it fizzled was that the two new Die Fledermaus and American Maid "look a likes" were'nt as funny as their animated predicessors. Mainly cause the greedy evil, and now defunct, Fox Kids Network owned the characters from the show (explaining their absence from the comic books). So they made up two sorry fill ins, and didn't even use Sewer Urchin.

Greg, I liked. If anything, it showed that puppetry is not just for kids (which our culture takes for granted).

As for Futurama being one liners, I like one liners, as long as they're well written, and none of that gooey rotten Sitcom crap!!

I think they should seriously reevaluate the network. 70% of their new shows failed last year, and 24 is coming back for a second season (it's over. How can they do a second season?) and being released to DVD. Grounded for life is piddling garbage. I saw more conflict (and humor) in a poorly written Saturday morning cartoon. It was a lame attemt to cash in off of Malcom, and give too many lame "Dysfunctional family" shows. (exception..Bernie Mac was funny. Too bad it was opposite Drew Carey) And the stupid Cops/ Americas most wanted Saturday Line up is probably the reason why no ones home Saturday nights.

As for the Simpsons, Fox will never let it go. It's their primary Money maker. I'm glad greed has good effects, as Homer, Bart, and the gang wil be on for quite sometime!!!

Also, cancelling Alley McBeal and replacing it with a similar show....DUMB DUMB DUMB!!!!! Oh well, most TV audiences can't tell the difference!

[GWGumby]

In regards to the Tick, unless it had become a runaway super blockbuster hit, there was almost no way it would ever have continued past the few measly airing that it got.

For one thing, the episodes were taped and in the can for well over a year before FOX aired any of them. Do you think everyone was just sitting around that long waiting to find out if the series would be a success or not so they could get back to work? In other words, it would have been difficult getting everybody back together again after such a long wait to continue making shows.

Secondly, due to a few "big-name" producers on the show, the episodes were extremely expensive to make. Not that they were using the money for special effects or improved quality of sets and so forth. No, the money was going right into the producers pockets for merely having their name on the project. Had the show been a success, they would have merely asked for more money to return. So FOX made sure the series was never a success.

Thirdly, even though the show was better than most stuff on the air, it was inconsistent and confusing to fans and non-fans alike. The idea was to show the sitcom-style life behind being a superhero. Unfortunately, they did this at the expense of showing almost any superheroism whatsoever. I personally liked the mundane life of a superhero idea, but with no real villains or conflict to speak of, it merely served to alienate the audience who wanted to see a comedy with superheroes.

Forth, (and this is my opinion) in comparison to the cartoon, Patrick Warbuton's Tick was more stupidly ignorant as opposed to naive. Seeing as how he had experience replacing Tim Allen as "Buzz Lightyear" he should have seen how to really play the Tick: as a man who is single-mindedly focused on thwarting evil and villiany to the point where mundane details of life and love are unfamiliar and uninteresting to him. Sadly, the sitcom Tick was more an enigmatic simple-minded doofus.