Groening given up?

Hi. I don't know if this has been talked about before, but I saw this "my generation" magazine from several months ago that had done a cover story on Matt Groening, and he basically said he'd lost interest in "Futurama" which is pretty discouraging. They barely even mentioned it in the article, like it was some kind of failed experiment that Matt wanted to sweep under the rug. He said something to the effect that he was now more interested in getting back to more down to earth, human stuff. Because we all know how realistic and down the earth "The Simpsons" is these days.

"Trevor Piscek" wrote in message news:[email]...

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Matt has been done with "The Simpsons" for quite some time. I think it's safe to say the only thing he really seems to care about is "Life In Hell" anything else with his name on it is simply that. something with his name on it. I think he just likes making, not actually doing so much. But oh well premise is a great portion of a show. As long as you set up good people to run the show the way you wanted it to run it goes ok. (although sometimes they tend to go astray after a fiew years, like Scully with "The Simpsons") David X. is the real head of Futurama and really has been since about the time they started working on the Pilot (the only thing Matt wrote himself).

"Michael Zaite" wrote in message news:...

Actually, I think it's rather opposite. The only thing that's maintained his interest for two decades is "Life in Hell," which also happens to be the only thing he actually writes and draws all by himself.

If you've read the "My Generation" interview, I think it's one of the most informative pieces that have been written on Groening. It really tells a lot about his personality, both indirectly and directly. He mentions that 'The Simpsons' has been deviating from his original vision almost since the show began, and has been going further and further off-course each year. Remember why he stopped being so involved with 'The Simpsons' in the first place--the Jay Sherman episode that was forced on him. He'd lost control of the show and he knew it. *HIS* show, that was drawn in his style, that used his handwriting in the credits, that had so many characters named after friends and places from his childhood. It must have been painful.

He originally tried to do a Krusty spinoff (first live action, then animated), and when that went nowhere, he started conceiving 'Futurama.' I think the idea of doing a second series was intended as an "in-your-face" to Brooks more than anything else. He proved his point--he doesn't need Brooks to make a good show. To make a successful show is another matter...

But I do think he's rather sick of TV animation, where dozens of writers take his series and remold it in ways that he doesn't really like. He says that he'd prefer to do the writing himself on his next project (and some rumors on the SNPP site claim that there are contracts stipulating that Groening must write the script for 'The Simpsons' movie--only time will tell if this is true).

He also mentioned at Comic-Con that a 'Futurama' movie is an even higher priority on his list than the much-anticipated 'Simpsons' movie. Now *THAT* would be cool.

-C

"Craig" wrote in message news:[email]...

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That sounds strikingly similar to my statement.

His "Vision" was made up on the elevator to the FOX office where he pitched it mere seconds later.

It would have been worse if like FOX wanted "Life In Hell" was used instead of The hastily cobbled togeather Simpsons for those Ulman shorts. As I see it The Simpsons sole purpose for existance was simply to give FOX what they wanted while protecting his real interest. He knew from the start that FOX would be pulling the strings with "The Simpsons".

Is anyone really suprised?

Well that pretty much sums up Futurama doesn't it? Id certainly has the feel of a something that justifyed it's existance the first day and now is simply moving on waining momentum thanks in large part to FOX itself.

Ugh I hope they never make that movie.

Yes assuming that they did something really spectacular. And they actually got a green light to make it.

I read that the characters (Simpsons) are signed to a three movie deal.

Steve

and where did u read that?

"Steve, eh?" wrote in message news:K3eI7.519916$[email]...

<< and where did u read that? >>

It was everywhere when the vocal artists' new contracts were signed. Perhaps there's still an active link @ www.snpp.com

In article , [email] says...

URL please? TIA!

-< Moon >-

On Mon, 20 Aug 2001 10:58:38 +0200, Moon wrote:

http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/groening01a.html

-Jouni

=v= I actually found some encouragement in that interview, because he said that his next challenge could "involve actually writing the words being said." I am a big fan of his writing, because he really puts some heart into whatever he touches. I contend that the series pilot, which he co-wrote, has the most heart of any episode.

=v= The discouraging part was this, of course:

"I'm more interested in human emotion and the ways people really behave now. 'Futurama' has so much fantasy in it that it's of little interest to me personally."

I know what he means, because scifri/fantasy can really indulge a tendency to be distracted from one's emotional life. I also think it's a liability that the lead characters in _Futurama_ have the emotional limitations that they do, even though this is a big part of what makes them comedic.

=v= Yet when one rises to the challenge of this abstractness and these limitations, it's possible to deliver a good inquiry into human emotions and surprise the heck out of everyone. Exhibit A is the best episode this season, "Parasites Lost."

=v= "Parasites Lost" was written by Eric Kaplan, who's quickly become my favorite episode writer for the series. I think he has a real feel for the 31st Century. Even Groening could learn a thing or two from him.

=v= If he does, and if we get a _Futurama_ movie that combines Kaplan's skill with Groening's, plus Groening's heart, it will be the best thing to come out of Hollywood in years. If Groening pursues some other project, though, we'll all benefit anyway, and _Futurama_ will still be in capable hands. So I'm not too discouraged about the future.

=v= Aside from the impending enslavement of humanity by cyborgs. <_Jym_>

P.S.: I don't mean to discount the talent's of the show's other writers and contributors. It's still one of the top two shows on television, after all!

"Jym Dyer" wrote in message news:[email]...

True no other episode has really captured the feeling that the Pilot had. However I wasn't that pleased with "Colonel Homer" but that was written a long time ago.

I had a problem with this quote simply because good Science Fiction is about Human Emotion and the ways people really behave isn't it?

<...>

Assuming the movie gets made. Lots of good movies aren't made every year since too much money is spent on garbage movies like "Bubble Boy".

I do they are wildly inconsistant and all seem to have thir own conflicting ideas of what kind of show Futurama is.

=v= "Colonel Homer" featured furshlugginer country music, which turns me off. A lot. Even Raymond Chen (a legendary poster to alt.tv.simpsons) wrote, "Too much singing." Yet I find myself re-watching that episode and even (*gasp!*) enjoying the songs. That's quite a feat.

=v= Yes, but the operative word there is "good," and there's too little good science fiction out there in the world. (I'll duly note Theodore Sturgeon's observation that the same is true of non-science fiction.) <_Jym_>

"Jym Dyer" wrote in message news:[email]...

Yea but it isn't making any top 10 episode lists. Or at least it shouldn't.

Yes well it is his show. If it's Bad science fiction it's only his and David X.'s fault.