Friday, November 03, 2023
Futurama Renewed for 2 More Seasons; ABC Holiday Specials
Hulu has renewed the adult animated series Futurama, which hails from 20th Television Animation, for two seasons (seasons 13 and 14) and an additional 20 episodes. Hulu originally revived the beloved series in 2022 with a 20-episode order. Season 11 premiered on Hulu on July 24, following a massive presence at San Diego Comic-Con. The season is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 86%, and was on Nielsen’s Top 10 Original Series List for six of the weeks during its run. Season 12 is expected to debut on Hulu in 2024.
Futurama premiered in 1999 and quickly gained a faithful following and critical acclaim, including two primetime Emmys for Outstanding Animated Program. Despite its far-future setting, the show is renowned for its satiric commentary on life in the present. The series follows Philip J. Fry (Billy West), a New York City pizza delivery boy, who accidentally freezes himself in 1999 and gets defrosted in the year 3000. In this astonishing New New York, he befriends hard-drinking robot Bender (John DiMaggio), and falls in love with cyclops Leela (Katey Sagal). The trio find work at the Planet Express Delivery Company, founded by Fry’s doddering descendant, Professor Hubert Farnsworth. Together with accountant Hermes Conrad, assistant Amy Wong, and alien lobster Dr. John Zoidberg, they embark on thrilling adventures that take them to every corner of the universe. After its initial run on the Fox Broadcasting Network, a roller-coaster of cancellations and resurrections ensued. Four successful direct-to-DVD releases in 2007-2009 led to the show's rebirth on Comedy Central from 2010-2013. Then, after a brief ten-year freeze in the cryogenic chamber, Futurama emerged triumphantly as a streaming series for Hulu with a 20-episode order.
ABC is spreading holiday cheer this season and announced a lineup of festive programming that will air during the most wonderful time of the year. Highlights include The Wonderful World of Disney movies, Frozen, Home Alone and The Santa Clause; holiday-themed episodes of fan-favorite shows including The $100,000 Pyramid, America's Funniest Home Videos, Celebrity Family Feud, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Press Your Luck and Shark Tank; and a magical new season of The Great Christmas Light Fight also returns, along with news of a season 12 pickup for 2024. Dazzling holiday specials like Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Prep & Landing, Olaf's Frozen Adventure & Mickey Saves Christmas, along with all-new specials CMA Country Christmas from Nashville, The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest and the previously announced iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023 special, round out the schedule.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, April 24
Happy's Place - "Everyone's a Critic" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Bobbie lets Isabella try giving the staff a "compliment sandwich" during their performance reviews, nobody is pleased with the outcome.
Happy's Place - "Couples Counseling" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After Bobbie starts serving patrons at the speakeasy, Isabella accuses her of stealing customers, causing the sisters to attend couples counseling; Emmett tries his best to gently break up with Monica.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 20)
Friday, April 24
- Zach Galifianakis (Baskets) - Watch Zach on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - Olivia is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about Paradise on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Rachel Dratch (Grimsburg/Imaginary Mary/30 Rock) - Rachel is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Ellen Burstyn (The Ellen Burstyn Show) - Ellen talks about Poetry Says It Better: Poems to Help You Wake Up on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Nia Long (Uncle Buck/The Cleveland Show/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Nia talks about Michael on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Kathy chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Laura Marano (Austin & Ally/Back to You) - Laura talks about Original Sound on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
- Ayo Edebiri (Big Mouth/The Bear) and Don Cheadle (The Wonder Years/Black Monday/House of Lies/The Golden Palace) - Ayo and Don talk about Broadway's Proof on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am. Don will also be on in the 9am hour.
- Melissa Peterman (Happy's Place/Young Sheldon/Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Kit and Melissa check out How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie and Sunny Anderson are joining Drew for the news and Val is telling Drew about her Lifetime movie on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jill Kargman (Odd Mom Out) - Jill tells Drew about her new movie Influenced on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
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