“Futurama” has had four series finale shows so far, with the most recent being on Wednesday night, when fans got to see their beloved Fry and Leela tie the knot. Because of the show’s cult status and enduring popularity, it was brought back in straight-to-DVD-movie form after Fox canceled it in 2003, then moved on to new episodes in 2010. No one–especially the show’s producers–thought it would last much longer than one new season. Now that the most recent finale has aired on a satisfying note, it would be difficult to bring the show back…but that doesn’t mean it’s over.
“In my heart I feel like it really is the end,” says executive producer David X. Cohen. “Part of it is that the episode 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.”
It has to be hard for any creator to let go of a project that has seen so much success, so many fans, and so many good times; knowing you’ve created a world you love yourself is one thing, but to create something that so many people identify with, love, and quote on a daily basis is a whole other level.
“It’s a high degree of difficulty to get a touching ending in a cartoon, especially when it’s a crazy science-fiction cartoon where some of the characters are not even human beings,” Cohen said. “If you get people emotionally invested in robots and lobsters, then you’ve achieved some success.”
Creator Matt Groening agreed with Cohen about the uncertain future of the show.
“We’ve been in this situation before. It’s probably over, but we’ve said that before, too,” he said.
Image: Wikimedia Commons