Futurama was received considerably well during its prime, especially considering that it was so different from other adult animated shows being made at that time. Part of what made people love it so much were the unique characters that, despite many being aliens, possessed several human flaws and qualities.
Aside from the humorous characters and the dynamics that they brought with them, the setting of a world where technology had taken over was very relevant. Given that Futurama began when the internet age was really beginning to take off and become a normal part of society, the concept of a futuristic world where technology seemed to have all the answers simply seemed appropriate. However, while many viewers of the time would agree that the series was comedic and enjoyable, today some of the show's humor likely wouldn’t be so likely to receive that praise. As the show is about to undergo a revival, its humor may have to change too.
It is an inevitable fate of any show that transcends decades to undergo changes — even to details that may be considered staples in the franchise. The Simpsons is a good example. Though The Simpsons has maintained its cultural status throughout the years, this continual success has not been without evolution. Fans of the show can likely list several details that have changed in the series throughout the years, such as Homer abusing Bart. While Bart and Homer’s abusive and toxic relationship was originally intended to reflect the frustrations of parenthood, the violence factor (which was acceptable in TV and film at that time) did not age well. Now that society is more open and active about abusive situations, media content that makes light of such things has become taboo, as it’s insensitive to real victims. While many fans would likely have noted this detail as a key feature of Bart and Homer’s relationship, removing it from the story didn’t take away from the complexity of the dynamics between the father and son.
This goes to show how the longevity of a show relies on the writer’s — in this case, Matt Groening’s — ability to adapt to changing times and to be considerate of the interests and concerns of viewers. Much like the Simpsons in its early years, when Futurama left off, the humor it used catered to a society of different views and interests than the one of today. This means that it’s quite likely that the Futurama revival that is being created by Hulu will have to undergo some alterations to be able to find the same level of success. Fortunately, as Groening has proven, he’s capable of incorporating societal focuses into his writing.
Some details from Futurama’s past approach to comedy may be viewed today as problematic, such as those that are insensitive to female viewers and viewers from various cultural groups. For starters, Fry being the closest thing to a singular protagonist would seem like a cliché if he was given too much credit as a leader today. On the same note, Bender’s sexual appeal to women may be approached in a different light today. Another point in terms of female inclusion is how Leela is often sexualized and treated as a prize, when she’s clearly one of the most intelligent characters in the show. There are also several examples of racist stereotypes that would have been able to slide in the 2000s, but would not be viewed as acceptable today.
Despite inevitably having some tweaks to make to the content of the humor in the show, there is a lot of content from the original style of the show that still holds up. The show’s impeccable ability to reference relevant pop culture in a way that blends it with futuristic lingo is one of its greatest charms. It also does a legendary job blending comedy with sci-fi without leaning completely into one or the other, which will be sure to appeal to an audience that’s growing more used to such structures.
All of this said, because Groening will be continuing the storyline, the story should have everything it needs to adapt and maintain the elements that make it special. Any changes will hopefully improve the show. There will hopefully be more female empowerment, with less over-sexualization of female characters, and women in the audience will have a greater interest in the storyline. There hopefully won’t be any culturally insensitive jokes, and the humor will be more relevant to pop culture today.
Now that global climate change is such a looming subject, they may even focus more heavily on the origin story of humans being able to easily travel in space and alien life openly living on Earth. Beyond that, the sci-fi elements of the show will probably be updated and improved upon, making the world feel even more fantastical. These changes would help engage audiences and maintain the essential parts of Futurama’s comedy, making it an irresistible watch for returning fans and new ones.