Bad News, Everyone: Futurama Gets Cancelled, Again
Forgive me if I’m a bit late to the news, but you can chalk it up to the fact that I’ve been in mourning since I learned that Futurama is getting canned for the second time. Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s science fiction/comedy powerhouse has faced the slaughter before, of course — Fox gave them the boot back in 2003, and though Comedy Central was a faithful ally from 2009 until 2013, it’s still a shame to see the show blasted into orbit.
The show-runners hope to see Futurama picked up by a different network once the current season ends on September 4th, but I think it’s time for them to turn their attention towards, well, the future. Streaming entertainment has recently garnered a great deal of positive attention, and who can deny it? Subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu have shot through the roof in recent years, and, with the latest trend of stream-exclusive content ala House of Cards and the upcoming season of Arrested Development, it’s a wonder that Futurama isn’t looking for a more permanent home on the streaming circuit.
Only time will tell what happens to one of the most hysterically witty television shows of our generation. Until we learn more, I’ll just have to content myself with watching hours of reruns in my pajamas, crying over Jurassic Bark like a small, unattended child.
Ten and Eleven Photographed on Set, Plus: Nine Returns?
Can you feel that, folks? That stirring in the cosmos? That would be the earth-shattering awesome currently radiating from the set of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special. This image of actors David Tennant, who recently celebrated his 42nd birthday, and Matt Smith getting cozy with the TARDIS hit the web this week, and I don’t think there’s been a greater cause for celebration amongst Whovians since the anniversary special was first announced. Though the photograph itself gives little information about the upcoming episode, we do get a glimpse at one of the potential villains, seen in the rightmost corner of the image. No news yet on what the Classic Who monster has in store for our hero(es?), but I’m sure it won’t be long before we find out more.
Now, some of you may have felt the same heartache I did upon learning that the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, would not be returning to the cast for the anniversary event, but fear not, friends. Everyone’s favorite leather-clad Time Lord is making a return to the series during next week’s episode, entitled “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS”. The cameo itself is little more than a voice over, much to my chagrin. Keep your ears tuned for this line from Nine’s first episode: “The assembled hordes of Genghis Khan couldn’t get through these doors, and believe me they’ve tried.”
Release Dates for New Star Wars Films Announced
There isn’t much that we know in regards to the upcoming Star Wars sequels, and something tells me it’ll be a little while longer before we even get a glimpse of what the newest names behind the series have in store. We’ve got J. J. Abrams slated to direct and Michael Arndt on the script, but aside from the confirmation of a few old friends, there isn’t all that much to go on. Disney intends to reward us for our patience, however; during this years Cinemacon, the company announced that fans should expect Episode VII as early as the summer of 2015.
With subsequent releases of Episodes VIII and IX set to follow in 2017 and 2019, Disney promises to fill the time in between with standalone films which would potentially focus on fan favorites such as Yoda, Boba Fett, and Han Solo. Of course, the subjects of the one-offs are purely speculation at this point, but I wouldn’t mind a little more back story with my Episode sandwich.
This begs the question of whether or not Disney can keep up enough momentum to make each film as memorable as (almost) every other iteration in the series. I’m sure there isn’t a fan amongst you that can complain about a steady diet of well-polished sci-fi, but if Disney’s untimely assassination of LucasArts is any indication, you can bet I’ll be waiting around for the upcoming flicks with my fingers crossed, hoping I won’t have to tell the next generation of movie-goers about that time I spent $90 to watch a series of six disappointing misadventures starring characters I once loved and cherished. All I’m saying is: Disney, don’t let me down.
Halo 4 - early 2010 Forerunner architecture concept.
Microsoft - 343 Industries.
The Thing
Portal 2. Unused ‘History of Aperture Science’ Testing Tracks.
Image by John Berkey
