For fans of Matt Groening's sci-fi comedy "Futurama," it may seem like a millennium
has come and gone since we last saw the Planet Express crew in action.
It's hard to believe that a full 22 years have passed since the show made its auspicious premiere
on Fox and that it's been eight years since its bittersweet finale brought it to a close.
The series' fractured run saw it earn a handful of Emmys, score a fiercely devoted fanbase, and
make a legitimate case for being one of the best animated series of all time. Regardless, the show
constantly struggled with ratings and was canceled by Fox after four glorious seasons, only to be
reborn on Comedy Central with the restructured direct-to-video films. Then, unfortunately,
it was canceled again after an additional two seasons. Low ratings and cancelations aside,
every step of the way, Groening and company consistently made "Futurama" that rarest of
animated series — one that could easily make you laugh out loud or openly weep into the cosmos.
The show's blend of low-brow humor, high-minded insight, and raw, unabashed emotion is what
helped make "Futurama" a cult hit in its initial run on Fox. It's also a big reason the series'
storied legacy only grew in syndication, which ultimately led to its revival on Comedy Central.
And it's why — even after that unexpected gift of a 60 + episode revival — "Futurama"
fans still clamor for even more cosmic adventures with the Planet Express gang.
We can't say for sure whether or not another season of "Futurama" might eventually be on
the horizon. Though, with each passing day, the prospect of new episodes full of humor,
heart, and random pop culture references seems
about as likely as ridding yourself of a brain slug of your own free will.
"Hopes deleted."
The only ray of optimism we can offer is that the cast sounds excited to get back in the spaceship.
Voice actor Maurice LaMarche told Syfy Wire that the old cast remains in touch and that
they're all ready and willing to head back to the recording booth should more episodes arise.
He went on to say…
"I have to leave it up to the Powers That Be, but I know everybody's into it,
including the cast. [...] So hopefully someday there'll be a 'Futurama' reboot,
but we're well-practiced at the reboot thing."
Since the cast is willing, and now that Disney acquired 20th Century Studios,
perhaps they will want to revive the show, seeing how it still has a fervent fan base.
Stranger things have happened, especially in the world of "Futurama."
"Guess this is your lucky day, Pimparoo."
However, some longtime viewers have wondered whether we actually need new
episodes of "Futurama." Those fans point out that all good things do eventually
come to an end — and many of the best things come to an end a little quicker than most.
That's especially true of television. Thanks to poor ratings,
some brilliant shows with amazing potential become history way too
soon. And then there are others that stay on the air many years past their prime.
"I know what you mean."
Either way, most fans agree that "Futurama" ended exactly the way it should have back
in 2013. That's due to the fact that Comedy Central's brass did something
Fox didn't do so many years ago. They gave the show's creators a heads-up that the end was near.
That inside info allowed the "Futurama" team to ensure that the series received a
fitting swan song — one that tugged on the heartstrings as much as it tickled the funny bone.
"Quit touching my junk, pervert!"
The show's finale — simply titled "Meanwhile" — more than achieved that goal. Groening and company
imbued the episode with all the wit, wonder, and insight you'd expect from the series, icing
the cake with a ravishingly romantic storyline rarely seen in the annals of animated television.
As many have pointed out, new "Futurama" episodes might seem
extraneous in the wake of that finale. Not just because "Meanwhile" was such
an effective series end, but also because fond farewells are so rare in an era where
network and streaming executives always seem to have their axes at the ready.
After all, one of the key narrative threads throughout the show's largely remarkable 140
episode run was that time is finite. No matter how many time-shifting devices or
bizarre scenarios you encounter, it's important to appreciate what you have while you still have it.
"No it isn't! Shut your filthy clam!"
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