Second cancellation of Futurama
As of July, 2009, the status of Futurama remains stable. Futurama, being renewed for a sixth production season can now be considered an active TV show.
However, after the upcoming 26 episodes, will there be more?
History
- Main article: Production
Original run
Due to Fox's first discontent with Futurama,[1] attempts were made to satisfy them, but already by "I, Roommate", the show runners decided that they wanted to do the show they wanted, and not what their producers wanted.[2]
Fans often cite claims that Fox's original handling of the show is eventually what caused the show to be cancelled by 2003. Not only did they move it out of the popular line up – only "Space Pilot 3000" and "The Series Has Landed" was in the Sunday line up – they'd often fail to air it on schedule and it was often hard for viewers to figure out when the next episode would be up. Eventually, low ratings caused the Fox network to cancel the show by season 4, simply by not calling.[3]
After cancellation
When Fox sold off the show to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim by 2003, the show saw a more stable airing. In general, fans are content that Adult Swim handled the show with more grace and gave it the support it deserved. Fans who came to like the show after the cancellation often cite Adult Swim as the place they first saw Futurama.
But good viewer numbers and more fans could not handle it alone. The fans were still content that the amount of available ideas for Futurama had not been exhausted. And focused purchases of DVDs eventually caused 20th Century Fox in 2006 to order four Direct-to-DVD films.
Despite the good news, fans were a still at disagreement whether this was really the direction they wanted the shows in. But they were content that strong purchase of the DVDs had given the show another chance, and this meant it was yet another chance to bring the show back as a TV show.
Pushing for a sixth season
- Main article: Speculation of Futurama's return till the second run
Despite general disagreement among fans for which of the films were the best, they could easily agree that purchasing the films would increase the show's chances greatly. And sure enough, by 9 June, 2009, Comedy Central together with 20th Century Fox announced an order of 26 episodes for the upcoming mid-2010 season.[4]
Future
Neither Comedy Central and 20th Century Fox have as of 15 June, 2009 made any further discussion of future for Futurama. However, speculation are being to ponder fans with the material that has been released so far, such as the upcoming Comic Con 2009 exclusive Futurama: The Complete Collection 1999-2009 DVD box set.
Another notice regarding Comic Con is the the description for the Futurama panel at the Comic Con 2009 event, which contains "[...] as a top-ranking FOX executive decides live, on stage, whether Futurama will make yet another triumphant return or whether it is gone forever! The very fate of Futurama hangs in the balance!"[5]
Comedy Central has already confirmed that they will be airing it the coming mid season, 2010.[4] And the show is already in production, so what fate exactly is the quote referring to? Speculation turn two parts, either it will be Futurama returning to the Fox network or the announcement of yet another season after season 6.
References
- ^ Groening, Matt. Commentary for "Space Pilot 3000" on Volume One, disc 1.
- ^ Cohen, David. Commentary for "I, Roommate" on Volume One, disc 1.
- ^ Groening, Matt. Commentary for Bender's Big Score on the DVD.
- ^ a b ""Futurama" returns to production with an initial order of 26 episodes to premiere mid 2010". Comedy Central. 09 June 2009. Retrieved on 15 July 2009.
- ^ "Programming for Saturday, July 25". Comic Con. Retrieved on 15 July 2009.