'Futurama' voice cast may be replaced
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"Futurama" is known for its whimsical humor, but when it returns to Comedy Central in 2010, it may sound a little funnier.
The original voice voice cast -- Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, John DiMaggio and Maurice LaMarche -- may not return to the futuristic cartoon, and voice casting to replace them will soon be underway, report the trade papers.
"We love the 'Futurama' voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands," studio 20th TV said in a statement Friday. "While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on."
Comedy Central has already ordered 26 new episodes of the show to premiere next year.
In other cable news, TLC, the network known for shows centering on big families ("Jon & Kate Plus 8," "18 Kids and Counting") will focus on a different sort of big family -- where the people are themselves big.
Yup, the half-hour docudrama, "One Big Happy family," about a morbidly obese family and the troubles they face every day, has been ordered for a six-episode run.
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I didn't think it was possible, but TLC has found a way to keep itself one of the cl***iest networks on television. Good for them.
Kinda bummed about the voice cast of Futurama, but I'm willing to still give the new episodes a chance.
I saw Billy West over the weekend and he said nothing was set yet, but he and the cast will be down at Comic-Con for the futurama panal, which leads me to think that this is a big joke being played and a anouncement will be made there about them being signed for the show
I hope it is a joke because the original cast is a big reason for the quality of the show.
Doing it with other actors, no matter how talented, would be like doing a Beatles reunion with none of the Beatles, just other people singing their songs.
The guy who plays Fry, Zoidberg, and the Professor was on Red Eye on Fox News Channel a few weeks ago promoting the new season of Futurama. I don't get why he would do that if he wasn't going to participate.
yea it doesnt make sense to replace the voice cast when theyre out promoting the show. isnt this the 10 yr anniversary of the show as well
i don't think i could watch it with out billy west doing my three favourite characters in the world buthopefully this is just going to blow over
and how come ihaven't seen futurama in any of the best character polls
leela would have easily won best tuff girl
and professor fonsworth would have taken best employer easily
I heard this news a couple of days ago, and was horrified -- FUTURAMA is one of my favorite shows of all time, and the voice cast is an essential part of this.
I'm really hoping that this press release is an attempt to strong-arm the actors into settling for the existing contract, because, honestly, I'd rather see no new episodes at all than to see the show ruined by greedy actors and/or hasty decisions by the studio.
I agree with David; I'd almost rather not see new episodes at all than see them replace the cast. I don't want to hear anyone else as Fry or Leela or any of the characters. It would just feel wrong.
No , the show musn't go on !