Abigail Whitehurst is an entertainment professional and writer for Hollywood Insider based in Los Angeles, CA. Having lived all over the world as part of a military family and having pursued a bachelors of music, she brings a unique outlook to the entertainment industry. A life-long learner and researcher, Abigail is pursuing her masters in entertainment management. She strives to write through the lenses of context, analysis, and Hollywood Insider’s values to bring a fresh perspective to industry trends, entertainment business, and new film and TV releases. Her favorite place is a movie theater, and she’s always hunting for the deeper meaning and studying media as it pertains to culture. Film, TV, and interactive media are some of the most impactful artforms of our day, and they are worth digging into and analyzing. Everything is connected, whether it’s through Bacon numbers or history. When she’s not writing or at the movies, you can find Abbie crocheting or playing video games with her partner.
Sep 1, 2024
Table of Contents
Though his most recognizable show may be ‘The Simpsons’, Matt Groening’s ‘Futurama’ season 12 is reliably funny and always relevant. In its second season at its new home on Hulu, things are no different. From obsolete media to NFTs, from 80s flashbacks to the year 3024, the commentary on the present through the lens of a distant future is relatable, accessible, and intelligent without giving up its entertainment potential. ‘Futurama’ season 12 does what ‘Futurama’ has always done well, while still breaking down new ideas and amping up its production with the freedom afforded by its reboot with a new host.
The writers have really adapted to ‘Futurama’ as a Hulu offering. Once upon a time, ‘Futurama’ was aired by Fox Broadcasting Entertainment, and from the many jokes made at the network’s expense on screen and the erratic airing of episodes, one could tell they had a somewhat adversarial relationship with each other. Fox eventually canceled the show in 2003, but Comedy Central picked it up for a few seasons in 2009 after years of nothing but reruns on Adult Swim. 2013 marked what was then the end of the show with the finale “Meanwhile”, a satisfying ending (for now) but one that left the door open to future seasons. Fortunately for fans, Hulu ordered two seasons of ten episodes each in 2022, and since then have confirmed two more seasons for the show on their platform with all of the original voice cast.
We can argue all day about what the glory days of Futurama were or are, but to remain a powerhouse of social commentary over 3 decades as a cartoon is a feat worth appreciating. Sure, ‘The Simpsons’ predicts the future sometimes, but what Futurama says about the here and now is worth seeing and always gets a laugh. Using the familiar faces of Fry, Leela, Bender, and friends on the beloved streets of New New York and beyond, we can see the absurdity of today through the hilarity of tomorrow.
One of the most impactful improvements of recent seasons of ‘Futurama’ has been the music. Both the music scored for the show by Christopher Tyng and the songs licensed for the soundtrack have been impeccable for season 12, expanding the audio of the show far beyond previous seasons. Fry may live in the 31st century, leaving his family in the 20th, but despite the temporal distance the writers find ways to develop their relationship a thousand years apart. Many of Futurama’s more emotional episodes occur in earlier seasons and are extremely hard to top (and if you didn’t cry during ‘Jurassic Bark’, you have a heart of stone), but there are some admirable attempts in recent seasons and the music really ties things together. ‘Ur Mum’ by Wet Leg as used in the episode ‘Quids Game’ this season is an excellent example of how the show uses music to its advantage, and I’m excited to see what other soundtrack picks they make for the rest of the season.
The “Hulurama” era of ‘Futurama’ may honestly have some of the best bits of commentary in the whole show. Season 11’s references to the WGA strikes in 2023 the rise of Bitcoin were memorable for their relevance and humor, and season 12 is on track to have some similar great moments. “The One Amigo” starts off strong with Bender making NFTs and the subsequent hijinks he and the crew get into, “The Temp” taps into the rapidly warping landscape of media consumption today, yet unaired episodes hint at comedic breakdowns of fast fashion and AI chatbots. With years of untapped films, TV, and news stories between when Futurama ended on Comedy Central and started back up again on Hulu, there are so many references the writing team can make in this new era that simply weren’t possible until now.
Does ‘Futurama’ have its cheesy moments? Absolutely, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a pillar of adult animation, and one I’m glad has stuck around for so long. Here’s to another season!
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Abigail Whitehurst is an entertainment professional and writer for Hollywood Insider based in Los Angeles, CA. Having lived all over the world as part of a military family and having pursued a bachelors of music, she brings a unique outlook to the entertainment industry. A life-long learner and researcher, Abigail is pursuing her masters in entertainment management. She strives to write through the lenses of context, analysis, and Hollywood Insider’s values to bring a fresh perspective to industry trends, entertainment business, and new film and TV releases. Her favorite place is a movie theater, and she’s always hunting for the deeper meaning and studying media as it pertains to culture. Film, TV, and interactive media are some of the most impactful artforms of our day, and they are worth digging into and analyzing. Everything is connected, whether it’s through Bacon numbers or history. When she’s not writing or at the movies, you can find Abbie crocheting or playing video games with her partner.
Abigail Whitehurst is an entertainment professional and writer for Hollywood Insider based in Los Angeles, CA. Having lived all over the world as part of a military family and having pursued a bachelors of music, she brings a unique outlook to the entertainment industry. A life-long learner and researcher, Abigail is pursuing her masters in entertainment management. She strives to write through the lenses of context, analysis, and Hollywood Insider’s values to bring a fresh perspective to industry trends, entertainment business, and new film and TV releases. Her favorite place is a movie theater, and she’s always hunting for the deeper meaning and studying media as it pertains to culture. Film, TV, and interactive media are some of the most impactful artforms of our day, and they are worth digging into and analyzing. Everything is connected, whether it’s through Bacon numbers or history. When she’s not writing or at the movies, you can find Abbie crocheting or playing video games with her partner.
Abigail Whitehurst is an entertainment professional and writer for Hollywood Insider based in Los Angeles, CA. Having lived all over the world as part of a military family and having pursued a bachelors of music, she brings a unique outlook to the entertainment industry. A life-long learner and researcher, Abigail is pursuing her masters in entertainment management. She strives to write through the lenses of context, analysis, and Hollywood Insider’s values to bring a fresh perspective to industry trends, entertainment business, and new film and TV releases. Her favorite place is a movie theater, and she’s always hunting for the deeper meaning and studying media as it pertains to culture. Film, TV, and interactive media are some of the most impactful artforms of our day, and they are worth digging into and analyzing. Everything is connected, whether it’s through Bacon numbers or history. When she’s not writing or at the movies, you can find Abbie crocheting or playing video games with her partner.
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