I'll admit it. When Futurama first came on the air, I was soooo excited for it, being a monstrously huge Simpsons fan. But once I actually saw it, I was kind of bored and irritated and thought the whole show seemed way too forced. I watched maybe 4 or 5 episodes and then gave up. My wife, on the other hand, always liked it and will never let me forget that. Because now that it's been on in reruns incessantly on Cartoon Network (and now Comedy Central), I think I finally get it and I love it. So when the new Futurama movie on DVD just came out, "Bender's Big Score," I couldn't wait to pick it up. We just watched it the other day and while it was great to see the old gang together again, I have to admit that I was a bit underwhelmed. If it was just a collection of 3 or 4 separate 22-minute episodes, it would have been great. Instead, they stretch a storyline over an hour and a half or so, giving you lots of boring dead time. Still, I can't wait for the next one.
And speaking of the Simpsons... I had the pleasure of meeting Simpsons-creator Matt Groening (rhymes with "raining") about a decade ago. The Simpsons were really hitting on all cylinders and they just started a line of comics with a company called Bongo Comics. I was working our magazine's booth at the annual San Diego Comic Con and Bongo's booth was diagonally across from ours. Bongo was actually one of my company contacts for work, meaning I had to talk to them regularly to find out any news, releases, etc. So I already had a relationship with the guys over there and went over from time to time to chat. They told me Matt Groening was actually going to be there signing autographs later and I should hang out. I protested saying it wouldn't be right, let the fans really do it, etc. And he said, don't be silly. So I waited on line. And got to meet Matt Groening. And I was quite impressed.
Friendly, personable and a seriously nice guy was not what I expected when I finally got up to him. But not only was Matt signing autographs, he was doing quick sketches. For everybody. And yes, for free. My sister is also a huge Simpsons fan, and her birthday was about two months away, so I thought it'd be an awesome gift to give her an original sketch by Groening. So I told him that and he said, "Okay, what's her favorite character?" I told him she loves them all, but go ahead and draw Homer. So he did. And then he wrote "Happy Birthday Beth" on it, put the day's date on it and then signed it. He looked at it, furled his eyebrows and said, "Hmm. That's not right. I should've put her birthday date on it, not today's date." I said it was fine, don't worry. But he refused. He crumpled the paper up and tossed it. Then got started again. He screwed something up that time too and started over a third time, this time getting it perfectly right. I thanked him profusely and went back to my booth to actually get some work done.
When I got back home to NY I got that picture professionally framed and held on to it for a month or so until my sister's birthday. She was quite surprised to say the least.
COUPON TIME:
As luck would have it, there are a few really good coupons/deals out there right now for TV shows on DVDs. I'm actually going to go take advantage of the DeepDiscount offer I think to snag some of my favorite shows like The Tick!
Buy 1 Get 1 Free select TV Box Sets at DeepDiscount.com
Use the above link to view available DVDs.
In your shopping cart, enter promotional code BOGOANCBAY.
Valid through: January 30, 2008 11:59pm CT
10% off online orders at Time Life
In your shopping cart, enter coupon code AFLOVE.
Valid through: February 29, 2008 11:59pm ET
This offer does not apply to Introductory and Preview Offers. One promotional code per customer. Cannot be used in combination with any other offer, prior purchases, or gift certificates. US, APO and FPO customers only.
25% off one item at Barnes & Noble
Valid online only. Use coupon code D8H8E4H.
Valid through: January 27, 2008 11:59pm PT
Discount will be applied to the most expensive eligible item in your order. Excludes: pre-orders, Barnes & Noble Memberships, Gift Cards, online Gift Certificates, gift-wrapping, textbooks, shipping or handling expenses or products provided via Barnes & Noble BookQuest LLC (e.g. used books, PC and video games, etc.). Cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount.
One Response to “Back to the Futurama”
Wow. That was an awesome gift for your sister.