Can Matt Groening Recapture Lightning with New 'Futurama' Episodes?

By Nate Parker | TV | June 27, 2023 |

By Nate Parker | TV | June 27, 2023 |

Betteridge’s law of headlines says the answer is No, but I’m really hoping for a Yes as Hulu preps us for brand new Futurama, coming this July. While The Simpsons’ absurdly long run continues — 34 seasons and at least 2 to go — Matt Groening’s sci-fi epic left us 10 years ago, after 10 seasons, and now returns with 10 episodes that, with any luck, will give us the same emotional highs and devastating lows as the original run.

The entire cast is back — most importantly Katey Sagal, Billy West, and John DiMaggio — and Groening and David X. Cohen are back on writing duties. The preview promises some familiar laughs while adding some topical sources of humor, with varying results.

How can the pandemic be only 3 years old yet already feel dated as a source of humor? Maybe it’s the 18 months we spent living every day on repeat or the subject’s been beaten into the ground, but jokes about Q-tips are a bit tired. That one minor gripe aside, I’m excited for new Futurama. At its best it was brilliant, and the rest of the time it was still great. It’s still too soon for some storylines, though.

10 new episodes of Futurama drop July 24, on Hulu.