The Unbelievable Resurrection of Futurama: Matt Groening Achieves a Record-breaking Feat Beyond Imagination
Futurama's revival grants Matt Groening an extraordinary achievement, allowing all 3 of his creations to run concurrently However, Disenchantment's conclusion reduces his active shows to 2, yet the possibility of characters crossing over ensures his shared universe remains intact
Summary
Matt Groening achieved a surprising record in 2023 when all three of his TV shows - The Simpsons, Futurama, and Disenchantment - were still running simultaneously.
The simultaneous airing of all three shows was a remarkable achievement, especially considering Disenchantment's previous struggle for critical acclaim. With Disenchantment coming to an end, Groening is now left with two shows on air. However, there is a possibility for Disenchantment characters to make appearances in The Simpsons or Futurama, thanks to their shared universe and similarities.
The return of Futurama signifies a remarkable accomplishment by Matt Groening, which seemed highly unlikely just five years ago. Groening, known primarily as one of the co-creators of The Simpsons, played a pivotal role in designing the characters and pitching the series, alongside producers Sam Simon and James L. Brooks. However, Groening's creative genius extends beyond The Simpsons. In 1999, he also co-created Futurama and, in 2018, Netflix's fantasy parody Disenchantment, both featuring his distinct character designs. This led to an unexpected achievement for Groening in 2023.
Although Futurama had returned to screens prior to season 11, it was the first time the sci-fi comedy made its comeback while Groening had two other ongoing shows. The Simpsons, which premiered in 1989, has enjoyed a long and successful run, recently being renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons. In contrast, the production history of Futurama has been far more complex. Originally debuting in 1999, the show ran for four seasons until its conclusion in 2003. Subsequently, Futurama produced four direct-to-DVD movies from 2007 to 2009, leading to its revival in 2010. This revival, however, was short-lived as the show was canceled after two seasons, only to be revived once again.
Futurama's Revival Allowed All 3 Matt Groening-Created Shows To Run Simultaneously
In 2023, Hulu revived Futurama once again, marking a significant career milestone for Matt Groening. For a brief period, all three of his TV shows – The Simpsons, Futurama, and Disenchantment – were simultaneously airing thanks to the revival. However, this achievement was short-lived as Disenchantment season 5 marked the end of the show's run. Nevertheless, it was a noteworthy accomplishment for the co-creator. It was unlikely that Futurama, The Simpsons, and Disenchantment would ever air simultaneously since Futurama had been previously canceled before Disenchantment's premiere in 2018. However, the fortuitous timing made it a reality, if only temporarily.
In August 2023, Groening had a Netflix fantasy series, a Hulu sci-fi show, and a renowned Fox family sitcom all airing at the same time. Although The Simpsons season 34 concluded before Disenchantment season 5 and the revival of Futurama's 11th season began, the achievement was commendable. While The Simpsons never spawned a successful spinoff in its 34-year run, Futurama stands as Groening's second-most famous project. On the other hand, Disenchantment struggled to attain the same level of critical acclaim that both earlier shows enjoyed. While critics' opinions turned sour on The Simpsons after its 10th season, Disenchantment never garnered such overwhelmingly positive reviews during its five-year tenure.
Disenchantment's Ending Means Matt Groening Is Back To Only 2 Shows On The Air
The time period when all three of Groening's shows were airing simultaneously was very short. Since Disenchantment ended on September 1, 2023, it is now once again only Futurama and The Simpsons that are currently on television at the same time. However, Disenchantment's serialized storyline played a significant role in determining its fate. The show didn't have as long of a run as Futurama or The Simpsons, partly because it followed a single storyline that had inherent limitations. While Groening's earlier shows were sitcoms that didn't adhere closely to their canon, Disenchantment was a heavily serialized fantasy comedy with a predetermined ending.
Matt Groening's Shared Universe Means Disenchantment Characters Can Still Return
The Futurama revival brought forth an unexpected revelation - Disenchantment exists in the same universe as the sci-fi series. With both Disenchantment and Futurama having connections to The Simpsons, Matt Groening's short-lived show now has the potential to survive through his earlier successes. Although Disenchantment may have come to an end, its characters could still make appearances in The Simpsons or Futurama. Given that all three shows share elements of magic, time travel, and other imaginative storylines, setting up this crossover shouldn't be too challenging. However, the question of whether the two Disney shows can incorporate Netflix characters might pose a complication.
The Simpsons would need another major plot twist to intersect with Disenchantment. However, the show has become increasingly surreal in recent seasons, making this possibility seem achievable. In the first episode of season 29 titled "The Serfsons," The Simpsons explored a fantasy version of Springfield with magical renditions of its characters. This fantasy element opens up the potential for integrating Groening's other series into the narrative. Additionally, Futurama has always dabbled in fantasy elements, such as in the film Bender's Game. If Futurama were to dedicate a movie to satirizing fantasy conventions, it could provide an opportunity to reconnect with Groening's most recent series.
