Post # 10

Whcih was Better Simpsons or Futurama?




Hey well I want to see what every one things about this “Which was better the “Simpsons” or “Futurama”. I am sure Almost everyone has seen the “Simpsons” but not everyone might have seen “Futurama” as Fox in their infinte wisdom moved it to a different time spot every week and then showed reruns every 4 or fifth week. Now I know “Simpsons” season 5 and six are almost untouchable as that was really the pinnicale of the show . But “Futurama” was almost all good right from the get go as it came out in 2000 and ran right after the “Simpsons” some weeks. The “Simpsons” is down right awful now and is in need of a mercy killing, as much as I would hate to see it go off the air, for it to drag on like this is just sad. Reality check once you have to start putting a celebrity into every show just so people will tune in every week it might be time to call it quits. They keep saying “oh this will be the last year” well when is it? The show isn’t funny the jokes are so lame if there are any and it just feels crummy, except for the actually animation which has gotten much better over the years, if anyone recalls the first year of the “Simpsons” which is so bad it is almost un watchable. “Futurama” started off much better in both the animation department and the joke department. Although they are both animated show by Matt Groening they take very different approaches to animation. There seems to be a lot more creativity and daring in the “Futurama” episodes. I would argue that “Futurama” is a much smarted show than the “Simpsons”, not that the “Simpsons” are dumb, certainly not at the level of some family guy jokes, but that “Futurama” uses a lot of jokes that you might not get or sight gags(which is why I love watching them over and over again). “Simpsons” on the other hand doesn’t try to incorporate math jokes of which there are litteraly tons( I found this out after listening to the commentary , cause it all went over my head ) but is is timely in it’s comical gaufs at political and everyday life. It definitely paved the way for shows like “Family Guy” and “South Park”. I love the “Simpsons” and “Futurama” but I think if I had to pick one I would go with “Futurama” as it just keeps making me laugh. Well tell me what you think i would love to have some input!

Post # 8

Futurama DVD: Monster Robot Maniac Fun Collection DVD



I finally got a chance to watch this collection of 4 of the viewer all time favorites, that span all 4 seasons of Futurama. This collection came out at the end of august and features 4 epsisodes and all new commentary. The commentary is really what is worth it, as the epsiodes are already avaliable on seasons 1-4, not to mention regualry shown on TBS and cartoon network, not bad for a show that FOX cancelled cause nobody would watch it. Anyways the collection is great escpecially the commentary by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. the title is slight misleading as there really aren't any monters (except Al Gore), plenty of robots one gigantic infact. The orginal title:"Monster Robot Maniac Fun Explosion" was changed by the wise people at FOX. The chance to really hear wht the creators of the show think relfect on the show 4 years later in some cases in really interesting and gives a really good idea of what is involed in writing and producing and episode such as these.

The collection includes "Hell is other robots" in which "Bender" the robot charater turns to religion to fight his addiction to electricity and is then condemed to hell when he fails to abide by it. Hell apparenty is under "Coney island" and is filled with robots which feels vey similar to one of the tree house of horror episodes they do with Hhomer on that other show of theirs. "antholgy of interest 1 " whihc is 3 what if propositons, the best of which poes fun at Al gore and Stephen Hawking. the third epsidode "roswell that ends well " beat out south park, simpsons and king of the hill to win an emmy in 2002. The episode revoles around the fact that fry goes back in time and meddles in his past. The last epsidoe is form seson four and is either the last or near the last in ther series and is mostly about "Fry" and leela's relation ship and visites a lot of jokes that were set up in the first epsiode. Called "The Sting" it is about someone getting stung, go figure. this episode was also nominated for an emmy.

If someone was thinking about getting into this series and wanted to check the show out i would highy recommend watch this dvd, ( it's only 10 at amazon) it got great shows and great co0mmentary and is a real departure from that other show they do.

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Post # 7

"Invader Zim" Master Of The Nicktoon Universe

Invader Zim was a TV show created by jhonen Vasquez and aired on Nickelodeon. The show has interesting animation, quirky humor, and a dark, cynical style which combined to give it a growing, devoted cult following, particularly among young adult viewers older than the normal Nickelodeon viewer base. Disappointed that its low ratings did not justify high production costs, Nickelodeon initially cancelled the show. Production was reinstated after intense pressure from fans, and then cancelled, resumed and cancelled once more. In all, one and a half seasons of Invader Zim were made (the second being incomplete). It was first broadcast in March 2001. Invader Zim seasons 1 and 2 are now on DVD. I have to admit that story wise there is not much going on, the first episode sets up the rest of the show, but I think it is worth watching just for all the one liners that you'll end up quoting all day long. "GIR" his sidekick assumes almost all the weird one liners you could want, usally uttering something that you have to do a double take to make sure you heard him right, random and weird. Pictured here I think he is really the star of the show. "Gir " is assuming the identity of a dog so hew can fit in with the humans, convincing no? Will Zim destroy the universe? Will his arch nemis Dib stop him ? Well you have to check it out. this show is worth a watch as I find it not the best but memorable.

Post # 6

"Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin : The Untold Story"

Finally got a chance to watch this straight to dvd movie this weekend. I have to say that this movie reinforced the notion i was having that the new seasons of Family Guy aren't as good as the old ones. After spending the required 88min to view this film, i realized i hadn't laughed much. Not to say i didn't like it, it just felt like i was laughing at individual gags the were strung together with almost no continuity. This dvd sets out to tell the story of stewie and how he got the way he is, but it fails on that account, which is supposed to be the entire reason for the dvd. Once again emphasizing that story is just as important as the animation, and more importantly that good writers are an absolute nesscity to string together the outlandished acts into some sort of story. After seeing "Whats Opera Doc" in class it was hard to even sit through the whole dvd. It just pailed in comparison. "Whats Opera Doc" with it's simple story line that linked all the wacky ness that unfolded was simply just better. They were able to tell a story without much dialogue, while Family guy was unusally dialog heavy and full offfense, still was unable to tell a proper story. I have to admit that i am a huge family guy plan but i really wonder how long the show can last with the current writing that aims at outrageousness instead of being funny.

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post # 5

I'm Chilly Willy the penguin. I shake until I'm blue. My head is hot and my feet are cold. Ah Eee Achoo! Now what about the crocodiles along the River Nile? I'll bet they're always warm as toast. They always seem to smile. I'm always Chilly Willy. I'm frozen through and through. My nose is red and my tail is cold. Ah Eee Achoo!

-Chilly Willy theme song

From 1953 through 1972, a spunky little penguin in a knit cap out in cold Yukon always hunger and always looing for food.

Created by Walter Lantz to replace retired Andy Panda. The little penguin intialy failed but was reworked by Tex Avery. Chilly was teamed up with Smedly the dog who in "mice and magic" is refferd to as a polar bear. The polar bear is named "maxie" and doesn't appear till later in the series. Almost every episode foolowed the standard formula of chilli looking for food or trying to get warm. Tex avery wan't very fond of ther series and only did two before leaving the studio. " The Legend of Rockabye Point" was the second to last cartoon Tex Avery did before leaving the studio( which was nominated for an Academy award). But he drew out three story board ideas before leaving. Alex Lovy used most of the gags that were left behind when he took over directing the series in 1956. His stint was short as well and he left the studio in 1959. the remaining epsisodes were directed by Sid Marcus who produced long time favorite "half-baked Alaska" and introduced Maxi the polar bear and Looney gooney to freshen up the series. He remained in charge of the series until 1972 when the studio closed