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Futurama

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Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom.

Futurama Planet Express
Futurama Planet Express

It was created by Matt Groening. He is the same creator behind The Simpsons. The show uses a futuristic setting to explore many different ideas. It is essentially a workplace sitcom. The plots revolve around the Planet Express interplanetary delivery company. The employees of this company often fail to fit into their future society. This creates many funny and interesting situations for the characters.

The story begins with Philip J. Fry. He was a pizza delivery boy in the year 1999. Fry accidentally fell into a cryogenic pod. A cryogenic pod is a machine used to freeze living things. This caused him to be preserved for 1,000 years. He finally reawakened on New Year's Eve in the year 2999.

Futurama flag of Earth
Futurama flag of Earth

Upon waking, he finds work at Planet Express. He works alongside a one-eyed mutant named Leela and a robot named Bender. These characters form the central trio of the series.

The characters at Planet Express have very distinct personalities. Fry is a good-hearted but gullible man. Turanga Leela is the competent captain of the Planet Express ship. She grew up in an orphanage and once believed she was an alien. She eventually learns she is a mutant from the sewers.

Katey Sagal - 54593110507 (cropped)
Katey Sagal - 54593110507 (cropped)

Bender Bending Rodriguez is a robot manufactured by Mom's Friendly Robot Company. He is often described as egocentric and ill-tempered. He is Fry's best friend and roommate. Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth is the owner of the company. He is a brilliant but very old mad scientist.

Billy West Photo Op Animate! Columbus 2023
Billy West Photo Op Animate! Columbus 2023

The crew also includes Hermes Conrad, a Jamaican accountant. He is a 36th-level bureaucrat who loves paperwork. Finally, there is Dr. John A. Zoidberg. He is a Decapodian, which is a squid and lobster hybrid alien.

The history of the show involves many different networks. Matt Groening envisioned the series in the mid-1990s. He worked with David X. Cohen to develop the stories.

David X. Cohen & Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore
David X. Cohen & Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore

The show was first aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company. After it was cancelled, it aired reruns on Adult Swim. It was later revived through four direct-to-video films. Comedy Central then aired these films as 16 new episodes. This became the fifth production season. The series has since been revived by Hulu.

In 2025, the show returned to FXX for its tenth season.

The setting of the show is New New York at the turn of the 31st century. This city is built over the ruins of present-day New York City. The old city now acts as a sewer known as Old New York.

Futurama Earth Flag
Futurama Earth Flag

The world features many technological wonders. For example, the wheel is considered obsolete. People use hover cars and pneumatic transportation tubes instead. The show uses this future setting to exaggerate modern issues. These include global warming, capitalism, and bureaucracy. It also explores how religion has evolved into new forms like Robotology.

Futurama has received a great deal of critical acclaim. The show has been nominated for 17 Annie Awards and won nine of them. It also received 12 Emmy Award nominations and won six.

John DiMaggio Photo Op GalaxyCon Oklahoma City 2025
John DiMaggio Photo Op GalaxyCon Oklahoma City 2025

The writers have also won awards from the Writers Guild of America. In 2013, TV Guide ranked the show on its list of the "60 Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time." This high ranking shows the lasting impact of the series. Many fans also collect merchandise like video games and action figures.

The series connects to many broader topics through its storytelling. It uses science fiction to lampoon modern society. The writers use the "world of tomorrow" to highlight issues of today. This includes discussions on predestination, prayer, and salvation. Even the technology in the show reflects real-world concerns. For instance, self-aware robots are a major cause of global warming. By using a distant future, the show can look closely at the world we live in today.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Futurama Planet Express.svg
Futurama Planet Express.svg
File:Futurama flag of Earth.svg
Futurama flag of Earth.svg
File:Futurama Earth Flag.svg
Futurama Earth Flag.svg
File:David X. Cohen & Matt Groening by Gage Skidmore.jpg
David X. Cohen & Matt Groening by Gage...
File:Billy West Photo Op Animate! Columbus 2023.jpg
Billy West Photo Op Animate! Columbus 2023.jpg
File:Katey Sagal - 54593110507 (cropped).jpg
Katey Sagal - 54593110507 (cropped).jpg
File:John DiMaggio Photo Op GalaxyCon Oklahoma City 2025.jpg
John DiMaggio Photo Op GalaxyCon Oklahoma...
File:Tressmacneille.jpg
Tressmacneille.jpg
File:Maurice LaMarche by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
Maurice LaMarche by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
File:Lauren Tom Photo Op Animate! Raleigh 2025 (cropped).jpg
Lauren Tom Photo Op Animate! Raleigh 2025...
File:Phil LaMarr (54252692894).jpg
Phil LaMarr (54252692894).jpg
File:SXSW-2024-alih-OB7A0785-Office Space David Herman.jpg
SXSW-2024-alih-OB7A0785-Office Space...

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