The actual draw of a brand new season of “Futurama” is the return of beloved characters and the performers who voice them. Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Phil LaMarr, and Lauren Tom are again. And never solely does the voice work really feel completely of a bit with the place the present was at within the 2000s and 2010s, however so does the animation. The truth is, the present arguably seems to be dated with easy artwork that feels designed to be according to what extra of the shape seemed like within the FOX iteration of the present than what it does at present. It provides this system an old style sensibility, contemplating how far TV animation has are available two days that performs to its biggest strengths.
To that finish, “Futurama” has all the time labored finest when it has leaned into an virtually Vaudevillian humorousness. Most of that “Catskills Comic” set-up/punchline materials comes from DiMaggio’s Bender, nonetheless a constantly hysterical character. The little bits are the sharpest in “Futurama,” like when Bender attracts an additional 0 on the tip of 50-lb weights to try to make them heavier and appears legitimately stunned when it doesn’t work. To that finish, the episodes within the first a part of this season that use old style templates are one of the best, together with a second chapter that sees a form of custody battle with Amy & Kif’s youngsters and a style send-up within the subsequent chapter titled “How the West Was 1010001.”
When the writers of “Futurama” attempt to get topical, they falter a bit. The premiere is a direct send-up of the streaming wars as Fry will get caught in an countless binge-viewing machine, and later episodes embody spoofs of Amazon and even a jab at Ivermectin. These items feels extra like generic stand-up, makes an attempt to make the present really feel extra present than the writers have to trouble making an attempt to do. Simply lean into what works finest about “Futurama” and what followers love about it.
Will this be the renewal of “Futurama” that lastly takes and leaves it operating for years? Perhaps. Hulu has confirmed to be very supportive of their animated hits—have a look at the push for “Photo voltaic Opposites,” for instance. Anyway, even when it does get canceled, that most likely gained’t be the tip of “Futurama.” At this level, it seems like canceling this present is only a short-term situation.
Six episodes have been screened for assessment. “Futurama” premieres at present, July 24th on Hulu.