If you’re a fan of Futurama, then you might be happy to hear this bit of news. Futurama will be returning for a one-off, 42 minute podcast episode. Ok, so maybe it’s not what you wanted to hear. But, its better than nothing, right? Apparently the folks over at Nerdist, have spent a lot of time wishing that Futurama was still on TV. They have somehow managed to put together a brand new Futurama episode that will be 42 minutes long and will feature the original cast, in a story that is written by the original writers as well. This episode will air on September 14th and is one that you shouldn’t miss.
As an avid listener of the Nerdist podcast, this doesn’t come as a surprise to me. Chris Hardwick is constantly working on these types of projects, and has built an empire around it. Hardwick states “Last year I cornered two fine gentlemen–Matt Groening & David X. Cohen–and pitched the idea of doing a new Futurama episode as a podcast/radio play because it’s one of my favorite things and I need more of it. Today I am drooling with unfiltered joy to say that a) it’s actually happening, b) I got to voice the villain (Klaxxon), and c) I’m a freaking head in a jar in Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow, a game I’ve been feverishly playing since it came out. Galaxies of thanks to Matt, David and TinyCo for acquiescing to the maniacal ravings of a well-meaning fanboy.”
Will this satisfy the appetite of hardcore Futurama fans? For Hardwick it will, but for others it might not. Like I said, I’m an avid Nerdist listener, but I’m not sure that I’ll be able to translate (in my brain) something that is visual, into something audio based. That’s not to say I can’t, or I won’t. I’m just not sure that I can. And I wonder how many other people will feel the same way I do.
This might just be promotion for the Futurama game. There is a sneak peek at the upcoming podcast inside the game. Some people have indicated that the show ended in such a way that it doesn’t necessarily need a follow up. Which isn’t the case with a lot of shows, it seems. I suspect that anyone who was a fan of the show, will check out the podcast, regardless. Just to see what it’s all about and what happens next. But I think those same people will feel weird about coming back to a show that ended in such a good way.
It’s also interesting to see all the shows that are coming back. I mean, we had Gilmore Girls return to wrap up that series. And, let’s be honest, it wasn’t great. And now Will and Grace is returning. Where does it end? Does this give us the closure we need, or does it just make us angry about the closure we received? Either way, one of Chris Hardwick’s dreams is coming true with this Futurama revival. You should definitely check it out, and check out the Nerdist podcast to keep up on everything nerdy.