Futurama Producer David X. Cohen On Ending The Series…Again
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The animated TV series Futurama is currently #3 in my top 5 favorite TV shows of all-time. There’s just something about the animation and writing that keeps me coming back to the wacky adventures of the Planet Express crew. Needless to say, I was very upset when Fox canceled Futurama back in 2003, but I was ultimately happy again when four special straight-to-DVD movies were released, which led to the animated series’ resurrection on Comedy Central. But now Futurama is canceled again, and tonight Comedy Central is airing the series finale with the episode titled “Meanwhile.”
We’ve seen Futurama bounce back before, and it’s not hard to imagine Futurama staging another comeback in one way or another. Unfortunately, producer David X. Cohen thinks this might truly be the end for the Planet Express crew. Cohen tells TV Guide:
‘In my heart I feel like it really is the end,’ says Cohen. ‘Part of it is that the episode (“Meanwhile”) is so satisfying to me. It almost feels like we’d be wasting it if we came back again… But on the other hand, I’m reminded that I did say that with full conviction at least twice before, so people don’t seem to believe me. My opinion has been shown to be not of much value in predicting the future on this one subject.’
Futurama has been canceled three times during its entire series run, so it’s hard to believe that there will be no more new episodes of the long-running animated series. Futurama will live on in comic books and hopefully another straight-to-video movie, but for now we must say goodbye to Philip J. Fry, Turanga Leela, and Bender Bending Rodríguez.
The final episode will feature the long-awaited (second) marriage of Fry and Leela, but in true Futurama fashion, something tells me nothing will go according to plan for the pair. Comedy Central will also air two Chris Hardwick-hosted live online talk show specials before and after the series finale airs tonight.
The specials will feature the cast and crew of Futurama talking about series finale and their experiences working on the animated series. Series creator Matt Groening and executive producer David X. Cohen, along with vocal stars Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, Phil LaMarr, and Lauren Tom are all expected to join in on the live panel discussion.
Futurama is a rare TV show that really goes in-depth with the science fiction genre. There are episodes about alternate realities, time travel, cryogenics, futurism, and paradoxes. Over the last 15 years there hasn’t been anything like Futurama, and I doubt that anything could take its place. I always saw Futurama as a gateway drug to the bigger world of science fiction. The series was broad enough to entertain casual viewers, while nerdy enough to entertain hardcore sci-fi fans. Futurama will be missed, but not forgotten.
Although I’m sad to see Futurama go, we have 140 wonderful episodes to watch and enjoy. A majority of the episodes are currently streaming on Netflix Instant. “All Glory To The Hypnotoad.”
