Unveiling the Epic Transformations: Futurama Reboot vs Original Series

Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Futurama season 11.

Summary

The opening credits of the Hulu reboot of Futurama have been visually altered, with the inclusion of "Hulu Presents" and "A Hulu Original" before the title card.

Incorporating greater continuity from previous episodes, the Hulu reboot of Futurama expands upon existing storylines and references to develop its plots.

The Hulu reboot of Futurama incorporates more contemporary storylines and humor, satirizing current events and incorporating pop culture references. There are several subtle distinctions between the original Futurama series and the Hulu reboot, reflecting the extensive duration and rich history of Futurama. Additionally, certain alterations stemmed from the progression of television comedy in the era of streaming.

10 The Opening Credits

: The Hulu Futurama reboot has retained the incredible voice cast from the original series, including the talented John DiMaggio who portrays the iconic character, Bender. Following a prolonged salary disagreement, DiMaggio graciously agreed to reprise his role. While the core characters continue to be voiced by their original actors, there have been some modifications in comparison to the original Futurama series.

At the beginning of each episode, the Hulu Futurama reboot introduces a notable visual alteration. Instead of immediately displaying the title card of the series, the episode commences with white text against a black background stating "Hulu Presents" and "A Hulu Original." The familiar Futurama title card eventually appears, featuring the letters F and T that spin around for a few seconds and transform into an H and L, creating the word "Hulurama." Additionally, a few modifications have been made to the initial scene of the Planet Express ship navigating through the New New York skyline. Notably, Bender momentarily becomes visible beneath the ship, caught by the vessel's magnetic lift.

9 More Continuity

While the original Futurama series had a mostly episodic structure, providing laughs independent of the overall plot, Hulu's version takes a different approach. Hulu's Futurama season 11, episode 2, "Children of a Lesser Bog," demonstrates this shift by building upon past episodes. Specifically, it addresses the aftermath of "Kif Gets Knocked Up a Notch," where Kif becomes pregnant, a storyline that was abandoned in the original series.

8 More Topical Storylines

The Hulu Futurama undergoes another change by incorporating a higher number of storylines that parody current events. While the original Futurama did have its fair share of episodes with a topical focus, the reboot by Hulu places a greater emphasis on these types of narratives. In the premiere episode of the Futurama reboot, titled "The Impossible Stream," there is a significant amount of commentary on the business practices of streaming services. Another example is "How the West Was 1010001," where the issues of Bitcoin are addressed through an Old West metaphor, as Professor Farnsworth coerces the Planet Express crew to travel westward and partake in the new Bitcoin mining frenzy.

7 More Topical Humor

6 Less B-Stories

The humor in the original series of Futurama primarily revolved around the characters themselves. Particularly in the early seasons, the focus was on Fry and the comedic situations that arose from his unfamiliarity with the futuristic world of Earth in the year 3000. Even as Fry grew accustomed to his surroundings, the show continued to rely on jokes based on the unique traits and quirks of the characters rather than relying heavily on parodies of popular culture. Although the Hulu reboot of Futurama still retains these types of jokes, there appears to be an increase in referential humor, including numerous parodies of streaming shows. This is evident in the storyline where Fry embarks on a mission to binge-watch every episode of the fictional soap opera All My Circuits, which is humorously promoted within the show.

In scriptwriting, a B-story refers to a secondary plot that branches off from the main story or A-story. Typically, a B-story focuses on the secondary characters of a show rather than the main cast. Many of the iconic Futurama episodes incorporated B-stories that emerged from their A-stories, like the development of the Kif and Amy romance following the events of "Amazon Women in the Mood." However, most of the episodes in the Hulu Futurama reboot lack B-stories, often neglecting the supporting characters unless they serve a specific purpose within the larger narrative, such as looking after the comatose Fry in "The Impossible Stream."

5 More Focus On The Ensemble

4 Less Cameos And Cutaway Gags

Despite the absence of B-stories, the Hulu reboot of Futurama places a greater emphasis on the supporting cast beyond the main trio of Fry, Leela, and Bender. A prime illustration of this can be found in "Children of a Lesser Bog," the second episode of season 11, where Amy Wong takes center stage in her quest to prove her maternal capabilities. Similarly, "Parasites Regained," the fourth episode of season 11, delves into the plight of Leela's pet Nibbler as he faces the prospect of losing his intelligence due to a parasitic infection, a character arc worth noting.

Surprisingly, in Hulu's revival of Futurama, the focus seems to have shifted to the secondary ensemble, with a noticeable decrease in throwaway gags compared to the original series. Characters such as the melodramatic robot actor Calculon still make appearances, but they are now typically woven into the main storyline in a more extensive manner. The occurrence of cameos by recurring characters like Hedonism Bot or the news monster Morbo has significantly reduced, as their sole purpose was to provide a fleeting moment of amusement before fading from sight.

3 More Drama

2 Less Fry And Leela Romance

What set Futurama apart from other adult animated series of the early 21st century was its unique ability to evoke both laughter and heartbreak. Memorable episodes like "The Luck of the Fryrish" and "Jurassic Bark" are rightly remembered for their poignant and tear-inducing moments. The revival of Futurama on Hulu is embracing this aspect by delivering more stories centered around traditional sitcom drama. For instance, the episode "Children of a Lesser Bog" explores Amy and Kif's determination to prove themselves as capable parents. Similarly, the character Hermes Conrad embarks on a journey to connect with his son Dwight in the episode "How the West Was 1010001."

The initial seasons of the original Futurama showcased a classic "will they or won't they?" dynamic between Fry and Leela. As the series went through numerous reboots and restarts, their relationship experienced fluctuations, frustrating those who eagerly awaited a definitive commitment. Fortunately, the Hulu Futurama reboot has solidified Fry and Leela's enduring bond as a loving couple, preserving their heartfelt declaration of love from the finale of the original series, "Meanwhile."

1 More Breaking The Fourth Wall

Futurama's original series incorporated fourth wall breaks, featuring jokes that mocked both the networks airing the show and the viewers. However, the latest reboot of Futurama on Hulu goes a step further by including multiple gags where characters appear to directly address the audience. One notable instance occurs in the final scene of "The Impossible Stream," where Fry looks directly at the audience, cautioning them to watch television in moderation, comparable to smoking cigarettes or drinking bleach. In addition, President Nixon also turns towards the audience, bidding them goodnight and wishing blessings upon Earth, ending with an "Aroo."

Catch new episodes of Futurama season 11 every Monday exclusively on Hulu.