Futurama returns with new episodes after a 10-year layoff

Shawn Knight

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In a nutshell: One of the greatest cartoons of the modern era is making a return after a 10-year layoff, and you won't have to wait long to start enjoying brand new episodes. The first new episode of season eight will premiere on Hulu on July 24, with subsequent episodes to follow on Mondays.

Hulu ordered a 20-episode run of Futurama in February of last year that will see much of the original show's voice actors and crew return, including executive producers Matt Groening (The Simpsons) and David X. Cohen (Beavis and Butt-Head). Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman are all back, as is John DiMaggio who voices Bender.

Futurama premiered on Fox in the spring of 1999 and ran on the network for five seasons before getting canceled. The show would return in 2010 for a two season run on Comedy Central, with the final episode of that deal airing on September 4, 2013. The order with Hulu will mark the program's third platform, or fourth if you count the direct to DVD movies.

Season eight will initially consist of 10 episodes. It is unclear if the remaining 10 episodes from the original order will arrive as a second half of season eight or a new season entirely.

According to Hulu's description, new viewers will be able to pick up the series from here while Futurama diehards will be rewarded with payoffs to longstanding mysteries. Highlights are said to include developments in the relationship of Fry and Leela, the contents of Nibbler's litter box, the whereabouts of Kif and Amy's tadpoles, and the history of evil Robot Santa.

In 2013, TV Guide rated Futurama as one of the 60 greatest cartoons of all time. The show also made IGN's list of the 25 best adult cartoon TV series in 2019, finishing in fifth place just ahead of Family Guy. At the top of IGN's list? The Simpsons. Rick and Morty and South Park rounded out the top three.

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Smitty: He's making a break for it. Get him!
Fry: No! No! I was just picking my nose.
Smitty: He's picking his nose. Get him!

I love this show.
My hope is they release these new episodes on disc so I can buy them at some point.
 
Part of me worries when the reboot things. As long as it isn't just a cash cow, or so bad it kills it forever.
White Men Can't Jump (2023). The laziness of Hollywood.
Cheaper to redo something already done.
I mean I know the Simpsons has done everything, but, some effort of individuality.
 
Some of those voice actors must be getting on in years.

I hope they have some potential replacements lined up, just in case.
 
Well kiss my shiny metal a** I didn't see this coming.

I watch very little TV but this is one of the few I will see, over and over I'm sure.
What sucks is if this catches on it will be at least a year before we get more.
 
Part of me worries when the reboot things. As long as it isn't just a cash cow, or so bad it kills it forever.
White Men Can't Jump (2023). The laziness of Hollywood.
Cheaper to redo something already done.
I mean I know the Simpsons has done everything, but, some effort of individuality.
This isn't a reboot. It's just a revival after a long hiatus. Even the new "Quantum Leap" is a continuation as it's set up as a revival and has many references to the previous show. Now that it has a second season, maybe Scott Bakula might make a guest appearance?
 
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