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Matt Groening on Internet and Cartoons
prostoalex writes "Online Journalism Review posted an interview with Matt Groening, the mastermind behind The Simpsons and Futurama. Matt lists his favorite comic sites, talks about how Internet changed the cartoons, shares his view on Fox Network's idea to put Simpsons on cell phones, as well as his own plans for Web cartoons."
I don't know whetrher it's safe to say this on Slashdot, where rabid Simpsons fans congregate, but Futurama is a much better sow than the Simpsons, and I'm really hoping that it will be resurrected in some form since no one has paid to make new episodes. A Futurama movie would be splendiforous!
Having not seen Futurama at all, I decided to rent the Season 1 & 2 DVD box sets..... All I can say is that i think the quality of the show is JUST as good as The Simpsons.
;)
I hope The Simpsons & Futurama never gets axed
Er, who's the nuthead who moderated me 'offtopic'? I actualy read the article and quoted it in my comment. How much more on-topic should I get?
:( Off to K5 now.
Slashdot has really become rotten in some ways...
max
-- It's always darker before it goes pitch black.
IMHO it is relevant that this "old rant about DMCA/MPAA/RIAA etc" be discussed here, because a rather important producer is now complaining about how it restricts his viewing of foreign media, hence restricting his exposure to what's being made around the world. As an artist and media "glutton" I can perfectly understand his concerns about this piece of regulation.
Yes, the "rant" is ON TOPIC since, in this case, we're also talking about accessibility to independent cartoons/films/shows/media.
Next time I suggest you read the article before snapping and telling ppl what can be discussed or not, especially when the subject is about new media (cartoons in this case) and the ways to access them.
Cheers,
max
-- It's always darker before it goes pitch black.
Slashdot. News for Nerds. Stuff that matters. :-)
The format is linking to stories of interest.
The reality is that at least some of us almost never read the linked articles and read the comments instead. The assumption is that with so many comments and limited time it's best to concentrate on the higher ranked comments. It's not just nerds reading Slashdot.
Astroturfers with mod points know this and will mod down significant comments detrimental to their cause. Doesn't always work though
Slashdot isn't rotten, but it is a war zone and sometimes the good guys will take a hit.
//or a DVD player and TV that has component video (e.g. RGB) which doesn't use PAL/NTSC to encode the colour information
Actually, many newer mid-sized and large screen TVs and mid-ranged to high quality DVD players over here have component video as an option, it's just the cheap stuff that leaves component out nowadays. Just last month picked up a 25' Samsung TV for $350 Canadian and while it lacks S-Video input, its got Component, figure that one out!
I noticed in the last episode, Special Edna, it appeared to me that they are starting to use some of the Futurama computer techniques. I noticed several busy backgrounds with parallax scrolling and subtle shadows on the characters. Did anyone else notice it or was it just me?
I noticed it at the IMAX movie and at the amusement park.
What, me worry?
The Simpsons: A nuclear family stars - a married couple with 2.5 kids (is a baby half a kid in that deal? I dunno). A formula that has been done a million times and, IMHO, the family characters have become about as one-dimensional as you can ask for:
Homer - All he does is go on wacky adventures now. The writers have even pointed out that he hardly ever goes to work anymore. He's almost always a jerk or uncaring to everyone around him (family included).
Marge - The writers attempted to inject some "life" into Marge by adding some sexuality to her part in recent seasons, but it's mostly just seemed uncomfortable. She has been, and always will be, the loving mother and wife. She cleans and cooks but generally doesn't want much more out of life than her family. I've got no problems with that, really, but not much too her.
Lisa - Standard issue know-it-all. "No one gets me because I'm too smart!"
Bart - Standard issue trouble maker. "No one gets me because I'm slow. That's why I act out!"
Maggie - Can't talk/do much. I still find her amusing.
As far as other characters, almost everyone fills similar one-dimensional stereotypes (and they're really pushing Lenny and Carl on us now - they were much more fun as peripheral characters). That's not to say that they're not interesting or amusing stereotypes, but after 13 seasons they do tend to be played out.
Futurama: A young adult from 1,000 years in the past stars, along with a disturbingly old professor and his delivery crew.
Fry - You've got to enjoy a semi-geeky 90's boy who seems to fall for every woman he comes across. It hits so close to home. :)
Leela - Similar to Lisa in the "I don't fit in!" sort of way only with one eye and as an adult. She also has the mystery of where she came from and an on again/off again flirtation with Fry. Note that, with the bizarre exception of Skinner and Krabapple, the Simpsons almost prides itself on its lack of continuity (how many times has Bart has a last day of school? 5?). I find that I enjoy characters when there is actually some sort of continual timeline happening, not just random weekly events that everyone forgets about the following week. That's just me.
Bender - A bending robot who likes drinking and stealing. Yep.
Professor - Old, forgetful but supposedly brilliant professor. Even if you don't find him amusing, some of his inventions are.
Hermes - Ok, there's really not much to Hermes. They can't all be winners.
Zoidberg - A lobster creature who acts a little like a Jewish mother. A doctor who doesn't know a whole lot about human anatomy.
Amy - Rich future girl. Fun.
Honorable mention - Celebrity heads. I hate guest stars on the Simpsons, but when they're in glass cases, it seems so much more tolerable.
So, I'm not really expecting you to change your mind (If you've given Futurama a fair shot, you probably don't need to read this anyways). Don't get me wrong, I love the Simpsons (I've been moderating the forums at The Simpsons Sourcebook for a couple years at least), but for the past couple years I've been enjoying Futurama a lot more. Ok. I'm done. Sorry about the long reply.