The contract holdout by the Futurama voice cast worked – luckily.

Just to recap: When it turned out Comedy Central ordered a full season from the Futurama production company (and Fox Studios) the cable TV channel offered a salary that was similar to what the cast was paid roughly 8 to 10 years ago.  The cast didn’t much care for that and say “Yea, no… not fair”and held refused to the offer.

As a result, Fox Studios placed casting calls for a new cast and fans revolved.  Let’s face it, the show IS the voice cast.  Without the original actors there really is no show.  Well, the cast and studio managed to hammer out a contract.  Here’s what Variety has to say:

Twentieth and Comedy Central have been kicking around ways to make “Futurama,” originally produced for a broadcast network (Fox), make financial sense for a cable run.

It’s believed that the “Futurama” cast initially asked for around $75,000 per episode (a number disputed by at least one thesp), and later brought their request down to $40,000. The final number wound up below that, but above what 20th was offering. (It’s not clear what 20th’s initial offer was.)

Once again, I have something to look forward to in 2010 (right Oz?).

Well, it looks like my excitement over the full season return of Futurama was very – very short lived.

Why?

It looks as if the original cast will not be returning to do the voice over work.

“We love the ‘Futurama’ voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands,” the studio said in a statement Friday. “While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on.”

What Fox Studios doesn’t seem to be remembering is that the voice actors ARE the show.  The inflections, the method of delivery, and the inside jabs that come through are all picked up by the views to make a total viewing experience.  Sure, The Simpsons voice talent experienced the same issues – and ended up winning – but I fear that will not be case with Futurama.

At this point, I’d much rather have no new episodes than some watered down version of what the show once was.

Forget this whole “13 episode” rumor stuff, Futurama WILL be back on Comedy Central for a full 26 episode season!

A spokesperson for 20th Century Fox Television confirms that the cable net has ordered 26 new episodes of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s late, great animated series to air beginning in 2010. The studio cites Futurama’s “blockbuster” performance on DVD and in reruns on Comedy Central as the reason for its rebirth.

“When we brought back Family Guy several years ago, everyone said that it was a once in a lifetime thing — that canceled series stay canceled and cannot be revived,” 20th Century Fox TV Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden said in a joint statement. “But Futurama was another series that fans simply demanded we bring back, and we couldn’t have been happier when Matt and David agreed that there were many more stories yet to tell.”

I wouldn’t call the latter DVDs “block buster” but, apparently, it was enough to create interest in the franchise! Now I have a reason to look forward to 2010.

Ah, the little faith that I had with the entertainment industry may have just gotten stronger – rumor has it that Comedy Central ordered 13 new episodes of the show.

An inside source has revealed exclusively to Collider that “Futurama” has been given a 13 episode order by Comedy Central. Though still technically a rumor at this point, word is that “Futurama” production offices have already opened and that casting is about to move forward.

Ah, yes… let’s just hope they don’t butcher the 13 episodes like they did with the majority of the direct to dvd movies.

Bad News, Everyone!  The last of the Futurama direct to dvd movies was released last month, and I finally got the chance to watch it.  Well, it’s not bad news that I watched it – just that there are no more movies in the making.

Please understand that I’m writing this assuming you have some working knowledge of the series….you may be a bit lost otherwise.

Futurama – Into the Wild Green Yonder is a cute send off to the animated science fiction franchise so many geeks world wide had loved.  Now, I’m not trying to make it sound as if this movie was the best of the series – it wasn’t – but the production team managed to wrap up a number of story lines in a thoughtful manner that has the ability to leave the viewer (well, me in this case) feeling good with how things turned out.

The premise of the movie, as the title may suggest, focuses on some form of eco-conservation.  Ultimatly, the message is that humanity, much like all other animals, has the potential to face extinction.  While not said in the movie, it can easily be inferred, that if we change our actions – say by not by cutting down all of our forests for urban sprawl – our futures may not end in such a bleak fashion.

So what wasn’t to like about the final edition of the show?

• At times the story felt disjointed
• The Robot Mafia was back, and really didn’t help move the story along
• Lea joins a group of highly annoying eco-feminists
• Likewise, the feminist/female jokes were equally as annoying
• Half the jokes missed, and missed badly

And what about the positive?  What was there to like?  

• Amy and Kif end up resolving their differences
• The sci-fi edge the series was known for was kept intact
• The half of the jokes that didn’t miss hit perfectly and where quite funny
• Fans finally got to hear Leela and Fry express their love to each other 

At the end of the movie the writers had fun trying to work in as many “will we be back?” and “This is the end” comments as the Planet Express Ship realize they are caught between the ship that is chasing them and a wormhole.  Instead of giving into the ship chasing them, they opt to head into the wormhole…where Fry and Leela kiss as the ship disappears. 

The regular TV series ended with “The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings”, and Emmy nominated episode.  During said episode the viewer had the opportunity to see Fry express his love to Leela, but only have Leela look on with appreciation.  Into the Wild Green Yonder we finally get to see the love shared by both characters – the proverbial “aww” moment – that never seemed to materialize before.   

While not the strongest of the 4 DVD movies, if this is truly the last installment of Futurama, the disjointed story could be overlooked for providing good closure to a series almost 10 years old.  

7/10

Gas

Depending on where you live in the country, the price of gas will vary.  There are a number of factors that play into the regional price – local emission requirements, demand, refinery capabilities – but overall the price should be semi-reflective of the oil consumption/demand of the nation (or world) in general.

Have you noticed that the price of oil has dropped within the last year?  Damn right you did, because you say the price of gas drop significantly. Within the last month, however, have you noticed that the price of gas is starting to slowly creep upward?  You may not have noticed yet, but I’m guessing you will shortly.

In Chicago, the price of gas is ranging from $2 to $2.25.  Seeing that the price of oil is range bound from $35 to $45, doesn’t it see peculiar that the price of gas is starting to rise?

The rise in gasoline is directly tied to the oil companies – this time.

When the price of oil was at $147/per barrel, the oil companies had no choice but to raise the price of gas.  To place blame on those organizations for the jump was unfair as they had very little control over the energy market, the futures traders and investors did.  This time, it seems, the oil companies are moving the price up due to technical issues, as well as the decision to cut refinery capacity due to “a lack of demand”.

Such action on the part of oil companies appears as if they are testing the limits of the consumers.

Unemployment

Yep, the nationwide unemployment rate hit 8.1% this past February.  That is a jump of half a percent from January’s 7.6%.

Quite scary, no?

Here is something even scarier: If you are black, unemployment is now at 13.4%

“Unfortunately, the black unemployment rate is typically about twice the white unemployment rate,” said Algernon Austin, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute’s Race, Ethnicity and Economy Program.

“In recessions, you typically see a black unemployment rate increase significantly.”

The coming week doesn’t have a lot of economic data, but the market will continue to look for evidence of a recovery.  My guess would be that the market will continue to bounce around current levels.

Things to watch

I have the last Futurama Movie, “Into the Wild Green Yonder” in my possession and hope to watch and review at some point this evening.

I’m rather torn about watching this movie, as I believe this will be the last in the series.  The initial DVD Movie Release did very well despite the fact that the effort was sub par. The second movie was… just weird… while the third returned Futurama to the glory fans used to know. I would love to see the show continue on, but I fear the writers are trying too hard…

On to another show…

Season Three of Venture Brothers is coming out on 03/24/09.  If you’ve never experienced the joy that is Venture Brothers, I suggest you start with Season 1.  You’ll find some of the best comedic writing on television, hands down.

Do you, or your man, need a mirdle?

A London department store is hoping to cash in on the lucrative men’s underwear market Thursday by launching a throwback to the Victorian era, a gut-cinching garment that designers say will help men make it through these belt-tightening times.

The stretchy contraptions resemble normal sleeveless tank tops or long-sleeved T-shirts — only shrunk down two or three sizes in a special blend of Spandex, nylon and polyester. Control underwear will be launched later this year.

“It makes waists look trimmer, improves posture and helps men get into the latest slimmer-fitting suits,” said Gavin Jones, head of the Australian company Equmen, which launched its male shapewear line in Selfridges on Thursday. “Men are under a lot of pressure right now to perform financially, socially and romantically. Why shouldn’t we have the same products that women have had for years to make us feel better?”

Really?

It’s called eating less and working out.  Look into it.

UPDATE: 03/09/09

Yeah, no Futurama “Into the Wild Green Yonder” review this envieng.  I got caught up in another project I was working on.  I’ve added it to my list to do for tomorrow! Now I’m off to play some Bioshock.

Good news, everybody!  

The fourth feature-length Futurama movie, Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder,  is headed to your DVD player on February 24th (also available on Blu-ray).  

There are a number of interesting guest stars joining the cast this time, including illusionist Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, Snoop Dogg, and the creator of Family Guy Seth MacFarlane, I’m sure good times will be had by all, but what is bitter sweet about this release is that this movie is expected to be their last…

Good things never last, it seems.

Here are the 10 reasons you are spend your late evenings watching adult swim (and not in bed with your hot wife)

10. The ATHF theme song rocks.

9. You find Major Motoko Kusanagi, from Ghost in the shell, really hot and you think you could have a chance with her.

8. Morel Orel , as uncomfortable the show seems at times, has sublime humor about religion .

7. Carl. Need we say anything more?

6. Because you love Brian, from Family Guy, when he says “Meg made me eat her hair pie”.

5. You are waiting for the classic episodes of Sealab 2021, Chickmate, where debbie’s biological clock goes off, and All That Jazz where Murphy is trapped by an evil soda machine.

4. Futurama! Oh, wait…

3. There is nothing like watching a robot hump a washing machine.

2. The Venture Brothers is the best show going for them.

1. Because you don’t have a hot wife, let alone a hot girlfriend.

Ok, so let’s jump right in.

At first I thought someone was too heavy into the drugs… and then I realized that the movie started with an extra-long, Beatles inspired, opening.  Watch it and you will understand.

As with the previous efforts, this movie is cut into four 22 minutes stories that are intended for broadcast at a later point.  All four segments are tied together to create the final movie.  The first episode takes a bit to get going in terms of the larger story; you don’t really know where the plot is headed.  The second segment gives Bender his own sub-plot and provides some back-story on Professor Farnsworth. Part three has the Bender / Farnsworth sub-plots coming together and the fourth part provides closure to the entire story.

The writing is truly vintage Futurama.  A number of fans online had complained that the last two DVDs, especially “The Beast with a Billion Backs”, were too weird.  Bender’s Game, however, provides the viewer with a movie that is paced just right, the comedic timing is perfect, all major characters have a fair amount of screen time (none are overdone) and add a dash of fantasy – D&D – and you have a perfect show.

I was a bit apprehensive about this movie once I found out there was “Dungeons and Dragons” theme.  Having never played the game, and have no interest in doing so, the first thought that came to mind was “how am I going to connect to the story”.  Luckily, the writing crew didn’t go all out D&D crazy.  This was a good effort and classic Futurama.

And just for pure enjoyment, here is a picture of the cover…

History will be made one way or another tomorrow, Tuesday November 4th, 2008.  You figure that, no matter what, 50% of the people out there will be unhappy with what they see.  If history repeats itself, this can be a disappointing day…. but…. Tomorrow we see the release of “Bender’s Game” and one has the Futurama finally realized that their efforts haven’t been up to par? 

The first DVD release after a long “time out” caused by the wonderful folks at Fox was “Bender’s Big Score”.  The writing team did everything in their power to jam every known Futurama reference into a 88 minute movie.  It seems as if this was a thank you to all the fans who supported the show, which was really cool on the production teams part, but the effort seemed to be rather disjointed.  Yes, I was satisfied as a viewer but didn’t see how this movie was going to connect with a larger group beyond the fans. 

The Beast with a Billion Backs, the second DVD movie release, was just… well… weird.  Yes, the writing was back to true Futurama form –  Discrete math was peppered throughout the show, philosophical and scientific theories are given mini shouts, and the general “sci-fi” theme was back – but the general concept was again way out there to connect to a larger audience.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Futurama fan.  You can think I’m wrong with my views on the two releases but look at the numbers.  Bender’s Big Score sold 925,310 DVDs with sales totaling $16,772,138 while The Beast with a Billion Backs sold 228,087 DVDs with sales adding up to $5,053,962.  Obviously, they are missing their mark. (source: the-numbers.com)

Has the Futurama production team realized they need to sell DVDs in order to keep the show alive.  If so, will Bender’s Game reflect the classic writing Futurama is known for?  Will there be a larger audience or has Futurama missed their chance at continuing on in the land of DVDs?

PS – Oh, yea… Vote.