TV characters may often lead more exciting lives than the average person, but they're just as susceptible as anyone to relaxing on the couch while watching their own televisions. Most of the time, those shows-within-shows are completely fictional, as not to cause any copyright friction, which can lead to some hilariously weird and inspired creations.

So, in the vein of fake bands we love listening to, fictional brandings we love promoting, and commercials for faux products, let's now celebrate fake TV shows that might just be as watchable as the real ones.

Married...With Children - "Psycho Dad"

Perhaps Al Bundy's favorite TV show, the "simple saga of a guy run amok in the Old West" was somehow a PBS series (and then a Fox one), despite being one of the most violent shows on TV, which the theme song alludes to. Didn't stop the spinoff Psycho Mom from happening, though.

Gravity Falls - "Duck-tective"

If it walks like a duck and solves mysteries like a detective, it can only be Gravity Falls' fine-feathered sleuth Duck-tective, who heads up the titular mystery series that relies heavily on bad puns and cheap effects, like so many shows of the '80s and '90s.

Community - "Inspector Spacetime"

Despite Community's Abed having once worn a Doctor Who T-shirt, his preferred sci-fi time-travel saga is Inspector Spacetime, a very on-the-nose homage to the long-running UK fave. (The American version introduced years later was portrayed by Luke Perry.) I'd wager I.S. has more canonical backstory than almost any other show-within-a-show, with lots of background for fans, real and otherwise, to dig into.

South Park - "The Terrance And Phillip Show"

Two of the biggest celebrities within South Park that aren't parodies of real-world celebs are Sir Phillip Niles Argyle and Sir Terrance Henry Stoot, best known to the Canadian comedy lovers as Terrance and Phillip, who have their own TV show that's a real gas...gas...gasssss.

Extras - "When The Whistle Blows"

One of the funniest things about Ricky Gervais satirizing BBC sitcoms in HBO's Extras is how little it feels like a parody, and how believable it would be as a real-world series with its lowest-common-denominator jokes, forever cementing "Are you 'avin' a laugh?" into the annals of love-to-hate TV catchphrases.

Saturday Night Live - "TV Funhouse"

Saturday Night Live has featured loads of fake movie trailers, songs, TV shows, etc., but perhaps the only applicable recurring sketch to get spun off with its own shows-within-a-show concept was "TV Funhouse," as created by Robert Smigel. Later a standalone series on Comedy Central, the OG run gave the world the Ambiguously Gay Duo, "Bambi 2002," and other SNL classics from the '90s and 2000s.

The Big Bang Theory - "Professor Proton"

I'd have to imagine Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper would have loved Mr. Wizard's World or Beakman's World if he were real, as his favorite small-screen personality was the science educator Professor Proton (real name: Arthur Jeffries). For viewers, Proton's excellence was naturally due to comedy legend Bob Newhart being cast. And you can't forget his puppet pal Gino the Neutrino, even if it's best not to bring up the puppeteer.

Parks And Recreation - "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"

Chris Pratt's Andy Dwyer brought Johnny Karate to life initially as a guitar-playing act for children's birthday parties, but that just wasn't musical or explosive enough, so of course he got his own inspirational TV show. Johnny may have been a doofus, but alter-alter ego Jonathan Karate is the one who has it all together.

Rocko's Modern LIfe - "Meet The Fatheads"

Within Rocko's Modern Life, the Bigheads' lives were fictionalized as The Fatheads, a family sitcom centered on pretty awful and stereotypical characters. Amusingly enough, the revival special Static Cling also featured the in-universe revival of The Fatheads, which not everyone was a fan of.

Home Improvement - "Tool Time"

One of TV's ultimate "How-Not-To" characters, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor somehow kept his job hosting the Detroit-set series "Tool Time," despite being shockingly consistent at destroying property and electrical equipment with ease. It's just as shocking that co-host Al Borland didn't quit or suffer grave injuries during that run.

Only Murders In The Building - "Brazzos"

No one remembers the detective series "Brazzos" as well as Only Murders in the Building's Charles-Haden Savage, the actor who donned the iconic hat for its surprisingly long run. (Okay, perhaps his loyal stunt double Sazz remembered it just as fondly.) But who else could have spun these banal words into an oft-ish-repeated catchphrase: "This sends the investigation into a whole new direction." So many new directions for this guy.

Rugrats - "Oodles The Talking Poodle"

As an avid Rugrats fan during the NickToons era, it's been 30+ years since I've been able to hear the world "poodle" without hearing a light "ding" behind it, as it goes in the talking dog's theme song. "OOdles. OOdles the TALking POOdle. Ding." How is this not a movie by now?

Stargate SG-1 - "Wormhole X-Treme"

While Stargate SG-1 didn't always show off its funny bone so directly, the self-spoofing 100th episode "Wormhole X-Treme," which focuses on the action-geared sci-fi series that provided the ep's title. I wish every show I love had a parody as faithful and fan-friendly as this one.

The Simpsons - "The Krusty The Clown Show"

If not for Krusty the Clown's quality-questionable variety show, Bart, Lisa and Simpsons fans around the world might never have been introduced to the hyperviolent "Itchy and Scratchy Show," which superceded its own source clown's popularity, with former sidekick Sideshow Bob amassing more notoriety.

Murderbot - "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon"

It's easy to see why Alexander Skarsgård's sentient SecUnit just wants to spend all day, all 397 (at least) episodes of the sudsy space opera "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon." With legit talents like John Cho, Clark Gregg and DeWanda Wise heading up the How to Get Away with Murder-esque series, this is easily worthy of a standalone spinoff to keep viewers rapt.

Young Justice - "Hello, Megan!"

Who knew superheroes would get into such normalcy as the sitcom "Hello, Megan!" A by-the-books sitcom from 1979-1980, the show follows a pretty cheerleader, her BFF, hunky boyfriend, and parents, and not even for large-scale adventures, but just everyday plots like taking care of the school frog. Okay, fine, I completely understand why everyone is obsessed.

Channel Zero - "Candle Cove"

The worst kind of TV show, I think we can all agree, is one that inevitably brings you harm just by watching it. So it goes for the first season of the excellent horror anthology Channel Zero, where "Candle Cove" is a pirate-based puppet show that may only exist in the minds of its viewers. Watch out for The Skin-Taker, that's all I'm saying.

Steven Universe - Crying Breakfast Friends

If you don't know the value of watching "Crying Breakfast Friends," then I don't suggest mentioning it to Steven Universe's titular crystal being. He adores watching the various food items, leaking both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Glum Glass and Weeping Egg Cup are all of us, really.

Supernatural - "Ghostfacers"

Supernatural, a show that legitimately crossed over with the animated Scooby-Doo gang, brought an equally silly spin to the never-ending number of paranormal investigator series that took over cable in the 21st century. Founded by the Ghostbusters-homaging Harry Spangler and Ed Zeddmore, the Ghostfacers appeared quite a few times over the years, and even sparked a web series of shorts.

BoJack Horseman - "Horsin' Around"

For as dramatically serious and maudlin as BoJack Horseman could get, none of that was to be found in the cornball hijinks of the in-series sitcom "Horsin' Around," centering on three kids adopted by a horse, obviously. It fights right alongside fare like Punky Brewster, with a slew of wonderfully groan-worthy lines perhaps best exemplified by the pun "Now, that's a horse of a different...crueller."

Twin Peaks - "Invitation To Love"

Oh, to explore around inside David Lynch's brain to see all of the things he might have been thinking about for the expertly crafted soap opera "Invitation to Love," which was a favorite amongst some of the characters inhabiting Twin Peaks' titular town. The fact that the storylines reference the characters' lives only makes it more interesting.

Seinfeld - "Jerry"

While Seinfeld's show-within-a-show "Jerry" really only existed as a pilot and not as a fully ordered network-aired series, given the actions of its characters, its ridiculous plot is enough to make it one of the more memorable faux TV series out there. Jerry gets into a car accident, and the other insurance-less driver has to become Jerry's butler, making "Because he's MY butler" one of the more logically accurate fake TV catchphrases.

Family Guy - "Jolly Farm Revue"

With an aesthetic that mashed up the Teletubbies with other pastoral children's fare, Family Guy's faux UK series "Jolly Farm Revue" became an obsession of Stewie's, as he believed its characters actually existed, only to find them to be less real than his teddy bear Rupert. I prefer the American remake with that li'l cutie Karina Smirnoff.

Arrested Development - "Mock Trial With J. Reinhold"

Arrested Development's melting pot of humor is well-exemplified by Michael Bluth having a legal case heard as part of a courtroom reality show fronted by Judge Reinhold (who definitely isn't a real judge), with a theme song sung live on-set by William Hung and a backing band. Should this have turned into an actual series? "I'm going to allow it," even if it pretty much rips on a gag from Clerks: the Animated Series.

SpongeBob SquarePants - "Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy"

Not only was the superhero series "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" a fun show-within-a-show for SpongeBob SquarePants' characters, but the titular characters were a treat outside of their televised exploits as well. For one, they were originally voiced by legends Ernest Bornine and Tim Conway, and later boasted '60s Batman icons Adam West and Burt Ward in the respective hero and sidekick roles at one point or another.

30 Rock - "MILF Island"

A fake TV show that will likely exist before this sentence is finished, 30 Rock's reality TV-aping romance competition MILF Island was sold with the disturbing tagline "25 Super-Hot Moms, 50 Eighth Grade Boys, No Rules." Okay, maybe we should just keep this one hidden behind a locked door back in 2008.

Lost - "Exposé"

Lost's storylines didn't just flash backwards, forwards and sideways. They also went internal for the show-within-a-show Exposé, a '70s-esque action-adventure series in which Kiele Sanchez's Nikki was guest-starring. (With Billy Dee Williams as the lead of the faux show.) We see just enough to make me want more, although that would never happen, as audiences' dislike of Nikki and Rodrigo Santoro's Paolo was strong enough to get them killed off during the same season in which they were introduced.

DuckTales - "Ottoman Empire"

A TV parody that is too close to the real thing to be entirely comedic, DuckTales' "Ottoman Empire" centers on two twin rooster brothers, Johnny and Randy, who design custom ottomans for customers. It's like Property Brothers with a punnier title, and you know, roosters.

Drake And Josh - "Drew And Jerry"

Drake & Josh entered sitcom doppelgänger territory in Season 2 when Drake Bell and Josh Peck's namesake characters took a friendly break from each other, only to befriend someone else with the exact same personality. By the end, the titular teens were buds again, while their "others" were somehow given their own TV show that looks exactly like D&J. Presumably with its own Season 2 doppelgänger plot.

My Name Is Earl - "Estrada Or Nada"

We're at a point where real-life game shows are about as ridiculous as anything fictional, but My Name Is Earl's "Estrada or Nada" is still pretty special. Basically, anyone can challenge the CHiPs star to any imaginable challenge, from shooting basketballs to eating hot dogs to looking like Erik Estrada.

Futurama - "Everybody Loves Hynotoad"

I love Hypnotoad. You love Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Good show.

Garfield & Friends - "The Binky Show"

Hey, kids! No fake TV clown seemed quite as intent on waking everyone in the hosue up as Garfield & Friends' Binky the Clown, whose show seemed to be on at literally all hours. Because it was of such high production value, I can only assume.

There’s already plenty of great stuff to watch on streaming every week. Whether you’re into Only Murders in the Building or The Great British Baking Show, each week offers something new that must not be missed. But the streaming platforms seem to think we can’t have too much of a good thing, as there’s plenty more debuting this week.

Futurama, Season 13 - September 15 (Hulu)

Futurama is simply the show that will not die. Having been cancelled and resurrected multiple times, on multiple networks. This time, you need a Hulu subscription to watch the further adventures of Fry, Leela, and the rest. At least one more season will also happen, set to arrive next year.

Elio - September 17 (Disney+)

Pixar was once unstoppable when it came to its films. It introduced countless new characters over dozens of films, with many of them becoming successful franchises. Of late, Pixar’s original stories have struggled at the box office, and Elio, the story of a boy looking for a home in another world, is just the latest to not draw an audience. That said, the movie is quite good, and if you have a Disney+ subscription, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Gen V, Season 2 - September 17 (Prime Video)

The Boys and its various spinoffs have become one of the best reasons to get and keep a Prime Video subscription. While the main show is heading toward its final season, the college spinoff Gen V enters its second season this week. It will be our first look at how the fallout from The Boys impacted these characters, and we can expect all the mature superhero action the franchise has continued to provide.

The Morning Show, Season 4 - September 17 (Apple TV+)

One of Apple TV+’s early original series, The Morning Show, returns for Season 4 this week. Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are back alongside a host of returning and new characters. Fans who have been waiting to see what happens next with the network TV drama will want to have their Apple TV+ subscription ready to go.

Black Rabbit September 18 (Netflix)

Jude Law and Jason Bateman were a pairing I wasn’t necessarily expecting, but at first glance, Black Rabbit looks like it might have a lot to offer and be the best reason to have a Netflix subscription this week. Bateman plays a down-on-his-luck guy who is in deep with organized crime. He turns to his brother, a successful restaurateur, played by Law, for help, and ends up drawing him into the criminal underworld too.

Tulsa King, Season 3 - September 21 (Paramount+)

Tulsa King, with Sylvester Stallone, was one of the earliest hits among those with a Paramount+ subscription, and now the series is getting ready to enter its third season. While we certainly don’t know everything that’s set to happen in the new season, one thing we do know is that it will introduce us to a new character, played by Samuel L. Jackson, setting up his own spinoff series, NOLA King.

If you’re waiting for Slow Horses or Marvel Zombies, you won’t have to wait too much longer./ September is almost over, and both shows will arrive before the month is out.

As I sit here in my humble abode poring over Amazon's entertainment-friendly Prime Day deals, I am surrounded by Funko Pop figures that represent a vast swath of pop culture interests. For all my current obsessions, it's safe to say that quite a bit of shelf space honors my favorite movie and TV characters from the 1980s and 1990s. My greedy inner child cannot be silenced sometimes. (Most times.)

So you can bet that I've been keeping an eye on all the Funko discounts noted so far during Prime Day, and even though I don't NEED any additional figures to bolster my collection, it seems silly not to at least LOOK at what's available, knowing that Amazon already has my payment information for quick purchases. I'm just looking, though... At least at first.

Check out the best Prime Day entertainment deals for Funko Pop figures from '80s movies and TV shows, and then head to the best Prime Day streaming deals to land a subscription or two to rewatch the properties reflected below.

Prime Day Deals On '80s Movie & TV Funko Pops

• Rocky - Ivan Drago ($11.49, was $14.99)
• Rocky - Clubber Lang ($9.99, was $11.93)
• The Breakfast Club - Brian Johnson ($7.99, was $14.99)
• The Breakfast Club - Andrew Clark ($9.99, was $14.99)
• Sixteen Candles - Jake Ryan ($10.49, was $14.99)
• Sixteen Candles - Samantha Baker ($10.49, was $14.99)
• Pretty in Pink - Andie Walsh ($9.99, was $14.99)
• Beetlejuice - Lydia Deetz ($8.49, was $14.99)
• Beetlejuice - Delia Deetz ($9.99, was $14.99)
• Leprechaun - Leprechaun Bloody ($11.49, was $13.99)
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Cameron Frye ($10.99, was $14.99)

Lots of classic John Hughes comedies represented above, and those alone are enough to fill up my shopping cart. And it's not exactly easy to repress the urge to add to my growing assortment of Beetlejuice figures. (My favorite is from the under-remembered animated series, but that's not so relevant to Prime Day.)

Even more horror-comedy vibes are present when it comes to Funko's deals for '80s TV shows.

• The Real Ghostbusters - Winston Zeddemore ($10.49, was $14.99)
• The Real Ghostbusters - Ray Stantz ($6.99, was $14.99)
• Jem and The Holograms - Jem ($9.99, was $14.99)
• Jem and The Holograms - Synergy ($9.99, was $14.99)
• Jem and The Holograms - Aja Leith ($9.99, was $14.99)

I'm sure there were some kids in the '80s who played with Ghostbusters and Jem figures at the same time. This is your time, people!

Now let's shower some love on '90s pop culture with these Prime Day deals.

Prime Day Deals On '90s Movie & TV Funko Pops

• Alien 3 - The Runner Funko Pop Super ($14.27, was $24.99)
• Mars Attacks - Martian Spy Girl ($8.99, was $11.00)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas - Mayor [Blacklight Special Edition Chase White Glitter] ($27.28, was $38.98)
• Ghost Face Funko Pop Jumbo ($33.99, was $39.99)
• Star Trek First Contact - Locutus of Borg ($9.99, was $14.99)
• The Aristocats - Duchess Funko Pop VHS Cover ($12.99, was $19.99)
• Bride of Chucky - Chucky with Protector Case ($9.56, was $16.99)

Can we all agree that The Muppet Christmas Carol's "Marley and Marley" is one of the all-time greatest Muppet-related songs? It's not "Rainbow Connection," sure, but it's also not as over-used as that track, either. Statler and Waldorf sadly aren't around for Prime Day deals, which they'd certainly have something to say about, but even Scrooge would think the duo of Bob and Tiiny Tim is a steal.

Amusingly enough, children's movies and sci-fi/horror fare are the most prominent genres offerings for Prime Day deals on '90s Funko Pops. Which was 100% up my alley at the time, so no complaints here.

On the '90s TV side of things, SNL and Matt Groening's creations are represented well, as seen below.

• Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary - Mary Katherine Gallagher ($6.49, was $14.99)
• Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary - Gilly ($6.49, was $14.99)
• Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary - Debbie Downer ($6.99, was $14.99)
• Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary - Stuart [Californians] ($4.99, was $7.79)
• The Simpsons - Martin Prince as Calliope ($6.99, was $14.99)
• The Simpsons - Sideshow Bob ($8.49, was $14.99)
• Futurama - Fry ($8.99, was $14.99)
• Futurama - Turanga Leela ($6.99, was $14.99)

Hopefully even more Funko Pop figures will make their respective ways into Amazon's Prime Day entertainment deals. But I'll still just be looking, and definitely not buying...too much.

People have a lot of opinions on sitcoms, and the more popular, the more opinions there are. So, for this, our list of the best episodes of the best sitcoms, we combed through sites like IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes to see if we could find a consensus. It's probably not perfect, and opinions will vary, but at the very least, it's as close as a list can get to all the best episodes of these classic sitcoms from every era of television.

Seinfeld - The Contest

There is no question that "The Contest" in Season 4 ranks among the best episodes of Seinfeld ever. There may be one or two episodes that compete for that top spot, as would be expected from a show as beloved as Seinfeld, but just hearing Kramer yell "I'm out!" is enough for us to include it on this list.

Modern Family - Caught In The Act

Everyone fears walking in on their parents doing the deed, and that's the aptly titled "Caught In The Act" in Season 2 of Modern Family. The episode hilariously explores that one thing that everyone can relate to.

The Golden Girls - One Flew Out Out Of Cuckoo's Nest

Over the many years it ran, The Golden Girls just kept getting better. In fact, it's rare to see a series finale be ranked among the best ever, but that is the case with "One Flew Out Out Of Cuckoo's Nest." The classic NBC came to a wonderful conclusion with a couple of marriages and a move out of Florida. It does have some of those classic Golden Girls insults, though! What a way to end!

Good Times - The Evans Get Involved: Part 1

Sometimes the best episodes are not necessarily the funniest. Take, for example, "The Evans Get Involved: Part 1" from Season 5 of Good Times. Not only does it introduce Penny, played by a young Janet Jackson, who would become a major character going forward, but it also addresses the deadly serious subject of abuse. So, it's not the funniest, but it is great TV.

The Brady Bunch - The Subject Was Noses

Multiple generations grew up watching The Brady Bunch, and when asked about episodes, it's inevitable that many will immediately cite Marcia's broken nose episode as one of their favorites and certainly one of the most memorable. The episode, from Season 4, is a classic, and the ridiculousness of the football hitting Marcia in the face is one of the best moments in TV history.

Scrubs - My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby

The second episode of Season 4 of Scrubs, "My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby," takes the top spot for the medical comedy. Honestly, just the title is perfect for the show's over-the-top nature and earns it this spot on the list.

All In The Family -  Too Good Edith

All In The Family was never afraid to blur the lines between drama and comedy and take on heavy subjects. The series finale, after nine incredible seasons, takes the top spot here. Titled "Too Good Edith," the show explores the love Archie has for Edith and his fear of her death. The death comes off-screen, after the show concluded, and is dealt with the the show's sequel series, Archie's Place. A fitting end to the classic show.

The Simpsons - Homer's Enemy

Ask 100 fans of The Simpsons what the best episode is, and you'll probably get 100 different answers (though anyone who says anything after Season 10 is wrong). The most popular answer on the internet seems to be "Homer's Enemy" from Season 8, which tells the story of Homer's hapless co-worker Frank Grimes, aka "Grimsy," may he rest in peace.

Community - Modern Warfare

Ah, the famous paintball episode of Community. It feels like all we really need to say here is, "If you know, you know."

Family Guy - Road To The Multiverse

Years before the MCU movies took us into the multiverse, The Family Guy offered us a "Road to the Multiverse" in Season 8. It's a little surprising that this one is so loved by fans. It's a great episode, but it's also very different from a standard episode. Sometimes going this far astray doesn't work, but Seth McFarlane and his crack crew nailed it here.

Cheers - One For The Road

It turns out that fans actually kind of love series finales. "One for the Road" was the last episode of the classic sitcom Cheers, and while it's a great ending to the show, there are funnier episodes, for sure. Still, these episodes clearly rank highly for many shows. The same probably can't be said for dramas like Game of Thrones and Lost.

Gilligan's Island - Don't Bug The Mosquitoes

It's become cliche to joke about all the visitors who came to the castaways' island in Gilligan's Island, only to leave without the poor stranded folks on the island. So that's not what we'll do here, but "Don't Bug The Mosquitoes" from Season 2 is a prime example of just how ridiculous (and great) the show was. The Mosquitoes are pretty much a parody of mid-'60s rock stars, just as cheesy as you'd expect from the show.

The Odd Couple - Password

There really isn't a funnier premise than Felix and Oscar from The Odd Couple trying to work together on a game show like Password, as they did on this episode from Season 3 of the classic sitcom. Hijinks ensue!

Friends - The One Where Everybody Finds Out

Like a lot of really popular shows on this–and few shows ever have been as popular as Friends–there are sure to be people who disagree that the Season 7 episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" is the best. But c'mon, Phoebe yelling "My eyes!" is classic Friends!

Abbott Elementary - Volunteers

Abbott Elementary seems to be an unstoppable force. The multiple Emmy-winning show is probably the best sitcom of the 2020s, and it's because of episodes like "Volunteers." Though there is likely some recency bias baked in the reviews here, as it's a relatively new episode, coming from Season 4.

WKRP In Cincinnati - Turkeys Away

WKRP In Cincinnati is an all-time great sitcom, and this episode, the Thanksgiving episode from Season 1 titled "Turkeys Away" is almost certainly considered by all of the show's fans to be the best–or at the least in the top two or three. It's a show where clips still get shared every Thanksgiving, even decades after the show aired. And no, Les, turkeys can't fly.

I Love Lucy - L.A. At Last!

What would sitcoms be without I Love Lucy? The pioneering show starring the legendary Lucille Ball broke ground in more ways than we could ever talk about on this list. Books have been written about it. The Season 4 episode, "L.A. At Last!" is a classic episode, as Lucy and Desi go to Los Angeles and rub shoulders with the stars... with predictably disastrous results.

Arrested Development - Development Arrested

Season 3 of Arrested Development was supposed to be the series finale for the show that always seemed in danger of imminent cancellation. The episode, called "Development Arrested," does a great job of tying a bow on the series and, like pretty much every episode from those first three years, is absolutely hilarious.

Schitt's Creek - Happy Ending

Yet another series finale of a classic sitcom that tops the list of best episodes is "Happy Ending" from Schitt's Creek. It's a mostly happy ending for everyone, especially David and Patrick, as they finally get married after a lot of hassle!

Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Doll

There is nothing unique about "The Doll" from Curb Your Enthusiasm; it's just classic Curb, with Larry getting angry over mundane things, like how to act in a movie theater and locks on bathrooms (or the lack thereof). There are so many great episodes of the cringy classic that picking one is impossible, but this one is as good as any, and definitely one of the best.

Full House - Secret Admirer

For a certain generation, Full House will forever be an important part of their childhood. That makes "Secret Admirer" from Season 4 the perfect choice here. Everyone has had, or wishes they've had, a secret admirer, and in this episode, every member of the family finds that wish coming true, even though it was true for any of them. It really should be ranked number one.

Designing Women - Killing All The Right People

For whatever reason, Designing Women doesn't seem to have stood the test of time as other sitcoms from the era have. It's odd because in its day, it was wildly popular and a real cultural phenomenon. It was also a show that didn't shy away from commenting on the most controversial issues of the day, as it did in "Killing All The Right People" when it addressed the AIDS epidemic in a time when few were paying as much attention as they should have been.

The Jeffersons - Sorry, Wrong Meeting

Few spinoffs in television history have been as popular as The Jeffersons, which was one of the spinoffs from All In The Family. Like the show it came from, The Jeffersons loved to poke fun at series issues, like George accidentally attending a meeting for the KKK in "Sorry, Wrong Meeting."

Roseanne - War And Peace

"War and Peace," from Season 5 of Roseanne, is all about rumors and family squabbles. That might sound like most episodes of the sitcom, but this one is actually one of the best, as is evident by its ranking at the top. It's a classic Dan episode, which, if we're honest, is the best kind of episode.

Futurama - Jurassic Bark

Any show as beloved as Futurama is going to have a lot of opinions about the best episode. Season 3's "Jurassic Bark" is surprisingly agreed upon by many, though. It's one of the rare times the show got somewhat serious, and that always bumps a show up, it seems.

Diff'rent Strokes - First Love

We have to admit, this one surprised us. Diff'rent Strokes had its fair share of episodes that tackled controversial subjects, but this episode, "First Love," is a pretty straightforward sitcom episode centered around Willis and his new girlfriend, Charlene. Willis isn't allowed to see her, but he finds a way anyway, much to Mr. Drummond's ire.

Murphy Brown - Frank's Appendectomy

Putting this list together, it seemed certain that the most popular episode of Murphy Brown would be "You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato" about Murphy raising her child as a single mother. Instead, a relatively normal, but very funny episode from Season 2, "Frank's Appendectomy," won out.

Sanford And Son - A Guest In The Yard

One of the classic re-occurring bits on Sanford and Son had Fred berating Lamont for being a "big dummy." In the classic episode "A Guest In The Yard," it's pretty much a whole episode of just that. A homeless man tries to scam Fred and Lamont, and they can't figure out how to get rid of him. Lamont wises up, but it's no use; the man still manages to have them get him drunk.

Will & Grace - Grandpa Jack

Jack McFarland on Will & Grace is one of the best supporting characters in sitcom history, and many of the shows that focus on him are among the best in the show's history. Grandpa Jack...wait, Jack is a grandpa?... is no exception, and it's no surprise that it's ranked at the top.

Frasier - Ham Radio

It's incredible that Kelsey Grammer has been playing Frasier Crane for as many decades as he has. It's one of the most enduring characters in TV history, and "Ham Radio" from the fourth season of Frasier embodies everything we love to hate about the character when he tries to create an old-timey radio drama on his station. Of course, he's controlling and bossy, and everything falls apart...

The Big Bang Theory · The Stockholm Syndrome

The series finale of The Big Bang Theory, called "The Stockholm Syndrome," is, in a lot of ways, just another episode of the popular show. The gang of nerds gets into trouble on a flight to Sweden. But it definitely feels like a finale in many ways, most notably with the revelation that Penny is pregnant. The show's enduring popularity has led to multiple spinoffs, but the original is still the best for episodes like this.

Night Court - A Day In The Life

There is no question that "A Day In The Life" from Season 4 of Night Court is the best episode. The courtroom gang has to work at warp speed to get through hundreds of cases before midnight, and the frantic pace of the episode is hilarious and wonderful.

There are a lot of bad companies in the world of film and TV, companies that would be brutal work for like Inotech in Office Space. Those are hardly the only ones. Imagine having to show up to work every morning for Lumon in Severance. Or even a place that might seem like fun like Dunder Mifflin in The Office, would really be awful. Here is our list of companies that would be terrible to work for from TV shows and in movies.

Inotech (Office Space)

Bill Lumberg (Gary Cole) from Inotech in Office Space would be just a terrible boss to work for. The worst part is that he was just one of the many bosses working for the company. It's no wonder everyone was so miserable that everyone had their idea on how to get out of the rat race, from embezzling money to burning the place to the ground.

InGen (Jurassic Park)

Sure, on the surface InGen in Jurassic Park would be an amazing place to work. It's on a tropical island, there seem to be great benefits, and if you're a scientist, it's cutting edge work. Of course, then you have to consider the dinosaurs. Life will find a way and when it does, you're going be in a lot of trouble.

Nakatomi Trading (Die Hard)

Let's be honest, just having to work with a guy like Ellis (Hart Bochner) would be bad enough. Adding in an attack by a bunch of psycho thieves at the Christmas party and well, yeah, it would be pretty awful working for Nakatomi Trading in Die Hard.

The Dharma Initiative (Lost)

It's pretty hard to decide what the worst job would be if you were a part of the The Dharma Initiative in Lost. Desmond being stuck in the hatch typing in the numbers ever few hours has to be close to the top of the list. It's also very cult-like and for anyone who has worked for a company like that, they know just how weird it can be.

Omni Consumer Products (RoboCop)

Omni Consumer Products in RoboCop does some terrible stuff. It's basically a company, led by an egomaniac, that has absolutely no moral compass. Sure, it's a pretty dystopian situation in the world of RoboCop, but that's no excuse, you need to do better than work for an awful company like Omni.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (Seinfeld)

George (Jason Alexander) in Seinfeld had a few bad jobs on the show. When working for the Yankees is the best job, you know the rest have to be bad. Kruger Industrial Smoothing has to be the worst though. Mr. Kruger is a guy who just doesn't seem to care about anything at all, and what in the world is "industrial smoothing"? Christmas at Kruger Industrial Smoothing seems especially annoying.

Pierpoint & Co. (Industry)

The British hit Industry shows all the worst sides of investment banking. One of the worst aspects of working in that industry is the cut-throat competition that all bankers deal with, especially at Pierpoint & Co o the show. Some may thrive, but most people would hate it.

Weyland-Yutani Corporation (Alien)

Weyland-Yutani Corporation from the Alien franchise is one of the most morally bankrupt companies on this list, and that is really saying something. Over and over it is clear that the powers that be don't care one bit for the health and safety of their employees. Over and over, those employees wind up dead. You'd think someone would blow the whistle, but all these years later, Weyland-Yutani is still at it.

Dunder Mifflin (The Office)

Everyone loves The Office and we all love laughing along with all the whacky stuff that goes on every day at Dunder Mifflin. But think about it, how awful would you feel if you had to deal with Michael Scott (Steve Carell) every day of your life. IT wouldn't take long before you lost it on him, right? It's easy to understand why Jim (John Krasinski) is so miserable all the time.

Wernham Hogg (The Office - UK)

Perhaps the only place worse to work in a sitcom world than Dunder Miflin would be Wernham Hogg in the British version of The Office. Michael Scott is terrible, but David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is mean-spirited and just plain nasty sometimes, in addition to being a total idiot. How anyone ever works for Brent is really hard to understand.

Lumon (Severance)

This list has a lot of sketchy, miserable companies on it, but Lumon from Severance probably takes the cake for the worst. It has everything that makes everyone else terrible all wrapped up into one. Menial tasks with little reward, shady technology, psychopathic leadership, a cult-like atmosphere... the list goes on and on.

The Wonka Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory)

Working at a candy company might sound like a dream for many people, until you learn that all of your co-workers are weird orange beings that are liable to burst into song at the drop of a hat. Add on to that a wildly narcissistic CEO who is completely unpredictable and throws up little tests all the time to test your loyalty and it's safe to say you'd want no part of working for Willy Wonka.

Miller/Gold Talent Agency (Entourage)

Nobody wants to work for a boss whose base level is "yell as much as I can at everyone." It might be a great place to get ahead in a tough entertainment industry, but working for Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) on Entourage would be completely soul-sucking, right? Right.

Tyrell Corporation (Blade Runner)

Anyone working in a giant building that looks like a cross between an Imperial ship from Star Wars and a mid-century brutalist building in Germany should know exactly what kind of company they are working for, right? Building and designing replicants, who are basically enslaved techo-humans, seals the deal. You don't want to work here.

The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (The Simpsons)

Being a low-level drone in Sector 7-G at a nuclear power plant would be a pretty miserable existence. It seems to work for Homer Simpson, and he's never permanently lost his gig, no matter what he does, but let's be honest, Homer is an idiot. Anyone of even normal intelligence would be out there in a hurry.

Bluth Company (Arrested Development)

A family filled with morons running a company mired in controversy and corruption like the Bluth Company in Arrested Development sounds pretty awful on its face alone. When you get in there, you'd realize that the one family member who is trying to make it work can't control anyone else in his family. Even working for the Banana Stand would be better than going into the office every day at Bluth.

Spacely's Sprokets (The Jetsons)

Even back in the 1960s no one wanted to work for a giant corporation like Spacely's Sprokets. Not only do they not make a real product (sprockets?) but Mr. Spacely is the worst kind of CEO, the kind that rules with fear and intimidation. That's no way to run a company no matter what year it is. We should all have flying cars by now though.

Umbrella (Resident Evil)

As the name of the show implies, Umbrella, the over-arching company in charge of seemingly everything in the world of Resident Evil is, well, evil. The list of things it does that are pure evil is far too long to list in one place, but it's safe to say that you could never truly feel good about your job here.

BiffCo (Back To The Future 2)

The future looks pretty bleak if Biff is in charge. After stealing the time machine and the Sports Almanac, Biff rakes up so much money that he can pretty much do whatever he wants. No one should have to work for a boss like Biff or a company like BiffCo. Who names a company "BiffCo" anyway? Beware the man who builds monuments to himself.

J. Peterman Company (Seinfeld)

The J. Peterman Company on Seinfeld doesn't seem like the worst place to work. it's a trendy catalog, and there is cake in the break room all the time. The serious drawback is working for an egomaniac like Peterman himself. It would be impossible to take orders from a guy like that.

Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory (Family Guy)

It would take about ten seconds to sour on a CEO like Jonathan Weed, owner of the Happy-Go-Lucky Toy Factory on Family Guy. His smug, pretentious behavior would get old quickly and there aren't enough toys in the world to make going to work for a guy like that every day worth it. Peter got lucky when Mr. Weed died and the whole factory was torn down.

Sunshine Taxi Company (Taxi)

Two words, Louie De Palma. Or is that three? Either way working for Danny DeVito's character on Taxi would be miserable. There are some appeals to driving a cab. You can make your own hours, and you can be alone with your thoughts a lot, but then you remember you have to return to the garage and put up with that jerk. No thanks.

Veridian Dynamics (Better Off Ted)

Senior vice-president of the Research and Development department at Veridian Dynamics sounds like a pretty sweet gig for Ted on Better Off Ted and for the most part, the day-to-day isn't bad at Veridian. The problem is that it is the definition of a soul-sucking multinational conglomerate and it takes a real toll over the long term when you realize you are a completely replaceable cog in a giant machine.

E Corp (Mr. Robot)

A company like E Corp - what kind of name is that anyway? - would make anyone want to be a bad hat hacker working to bring the whole place down. They prey on the most vulnerable and have no morals or ethics whatsoever. This is easily one of the worst companies in television history

Hooli - (Silicon Valley)

It's pretty easy to understand why anyone worth their salt would want to ditch Hooli and strike out on their own. Anyone would have been in the same kind of position with a company like Hooli, knows what it's like to watch others benefit from your good ideas and hard work. Pied Piper is chaotic, but it's theirs.

Zorg Industries (The Fifth Element)

Gary Oldman is brilliant as Zorg, the leader of Zorg Industries on The Fifth Element. The character is completely unhinged and that is not the kind of person anyone wants to work for, setting aside how awful the company itself is. It's simply a company with way too much power.

ENCOM (Tron)

On its surface ENCOM seems like a pretty standard technology company that could do a lot of good for the world. Then you realize it's being run by a total megalomanic. Ed Dillinger cheated his way to the top, and holds onto his power in a ruthless and morally bankrupt way. He's despicable.

MomCorp (Futurama)

Planet Express in Futurama may have it's own set of issues, but working for its rival, MomCorp and dealing with Mom would be way, way worse. At least Planet Express feels like a family. Sometimes, anyway.

Soylent Corporation (Soylent Green)

There is nothing worse on this list than people serving people to other people and Soylent Green is people! That's really all that needs to be said. It's not the only terrible thing that the Soylent Corporation does, it's just the worst thing in the world.

LexCorp (Superman)

It's good to have a hard and fast rule that working for a supervillain like Lex Luther is never a good idea. LexCorp does so many evil things it's hard to know exactly where to start when it comes to reasons why no one should work for a company like that. The worst thing might be that Superman, of all people, could show up and end everything you're doing in a hurry.

Buy N Large Corporation (WALL-E)

The Buy N Large Corporation might have started as an innocent yogurt company but it grew into something far too large, with far too much influence and power. Like other companies on this list, it's just too good for anyone's own good.

Oscorp (Spider-Man)

Oscorp wasn't started by one supervillain, it was started by two! Yeah, there's no way anything you could do at that company would be for the good of anyone except the two evil geniuses that run it. Easy pass.

There are a lot of great bartenders in film and TV history. Guys like Same Malone in Cheers and Moe in The Simpsons. The kind of guys that quick with a joke and ready to hear you lament about your job. Pouring stiff drinks and beers while their patrons celebrate and mourn, congratulate and commiserate, and everything else that happens at your local water hole. This list celebrates all those great bartenders in movies and TV shows.

Sam Malone - Cheers

Of course Sam Malone has to be on this list. The owner (at least some of the time) and operator of Cheers bar in Boston's Back Bay. Played by Ted Danson for all eleven seasons of the smash hit Cheers, Sam is always ready to poor Norm, Cliff, and the rest of the gang great drinks and cold beers.

Isaac Washington - The Love Boat

For many people, the most important person on a cruise ship is the bartender. These days modern cruise ships have dozens of bartenders, but back in the day, the Pacific Princess, better known and The Love Boat only needed one, Isaac Washington (Ted Lange). At least, Isaac we pretty much the only bartender anyone ever ordered a drink from, and he always served it with a smile.

Marion Ravenwood - Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) tried to run away from her problems (and her former lover) by heading to Nepal and opening a rundown shack of a bar that at least had a warm fire and some stiff drinks to help her customers get through the long, cold nights - at least until that ex-boyfriend showed up looking for her father in Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

Lloyd - The Shining

There aren't a lot of people for Jack (Jack Nicholson) to talk to at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Unfortunately, Jack either invents Lloyd or supernatural forces create him, but either way, audiences quickly learn he's not the friendly bartender we've all come to expect in hotel bars. He does know how to mix up a whole bunch of martinis in a hurry though.

Guinan - Star Trek: The Next Generation

Even the crew of the USS Enterprise need a place to unwind and have a few drinks after a long day below decks. On Star Trek: The Next Generation, that means heading to the Ten-Forward lounge and sipping on the concoctions created by Guinan, played by the legendary Whoopi Goldberg.

Al Swearengen - Deadwood

Al Swearengen is the foul-mouthed, mean, criminally-minded propriator of the Gem Saloon on Deadwood. Played brilliantly by the great Ian McShane, Swearengen is so much more than a drink-slinger, as he is the most powerful person in town and the most likely to get violent, or have his crew get violent, in a town full of mayhem.

Horace - The Family Guy

For 11 seasons (and decades in show-time), Horace was the owner and bartender at The Drunken Clam, Peter and company's preferred watering hole in The Family Guy. It's hard to say how long Horace was serving up drinks, as he's there in almost every flashback to the bar going back...well... again, who knows. Sadly we lost Horace in Season 11 when he died and the guys have to go all out to save "The Clam."

Razor Charlie - From Dusk Till Dawn

Audiences don't get a ton of Razor Charlie in From Dusk Till Dawn, played by the menacing (and awesome) Danny Trejo. While he tries to run the bar with iron fist at the beginning of the movie, it comes up against a crew that he shouldn't have messed with.

Brian Flanagan - Cocktail

Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) is a terrible bartender at the beginning of Cocktail, one of those '80s movies that just has not stood the test of time. He soon meets Doug (Bryan Brown), a veteran bartender who literally knows every trick in the book and soon Brian and Doug are a superstar team of bottle-flipping bartenders who are much performers as they are servers. At least the movie has a great soundtrack.

Coach - Cheers

One of the bartenders we miss the most is "Coach" Ernie Pantusso. he was Sam's original partner behind the bar on Cheers, who was, let's just say, a few bottles short of a case. Sadly, when actor Nicholas Colasanto died after Season 3, Coach followed him to that great bar in the sky and we've been mourning the loss ever since.

Butchie - The Wire

If we're honest, as awesome as Butchie in The Wire is, we're not sure it's the kind of bar we'd want to hang out. Butchie, played by S. Robert Morgan, is more of a banker to the criminals of Baltimore than he is strictly a bartender and while he's always loyal, he keeps some awfully shady company.

Moe Szyslak - The Simpsons

What would Homer Simpson do with his free time if it wasn't for Moe's Tavern? That goes for Lenny, Carl, and especially Barney too. Moe is the surliest bartender on TV, but that's part of his charm. He's gruff, ugly, and quick to lose his temper, especially to those annoying kids who keep prank-calling him, but he's also always sincere and genuine.

Rick Blaine - Casablanca

While not strictly a bartender, more of an owner and keeper of secrets, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) surely knows how to mix a mean martini after all those years running Rick's in Casablanca. He's probably served drinks all over the world and for that, he deserves to be on this list.

Spider - GoodFellas

Spider in GoodFellas, bless his heart, is clearly trying his best. The hapless drink server, played by future Sopranos star Michael Imperioli, just can't keep Tommy (Joe Pesci) happy. At first, his punishment is getting shot in the foot by the psychopath, but it gets worse from there. You're not alright, Spider.

Wuher - Star Wars

Every small town in the world - nay, the universe -has a gruff, somewhat racist bartender like Wuher in the first Star Wars movie. Sure, it probably takes an iron fist to run a bar in wretched hive of scum and villainy like Mos Eisley, but he's not the friendliest bartender on this list, for sure.

Woody Boyd - Cheers

After Cheers lost Coach, it wasn't long before they hired Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson) to replace him. Sure Woody was a lot younger than Coach, but he was just as... innocent and, well, dumb, as Coach. Luckily he was just as charming and the bar (and the show) didn't miss a beat with the new addition.

Doug Coughlin - Cocktail

Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown) from Cocktail is easily the flashiest bartender on this list. He can flip a bottle and charm a customer like nobody's business. He's also good for business as the show he puts on draws people from all over the Tri-State area.

All Of The Bartenders In Coyote Ugly

Lil (Maria Bello) may own the bar in Coyote Ugly, but she's just one of the amazing bartenders who serves up drinks, and takes no guff, to the wild, drunken patrons every night of the week. It's impossible to have a favorite so it's only fair to include all of them on this list of great movie bartenders.

Gary - The Big Lebowski

Audiences never actually see Gary in The Big Lebowski, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve to be on this list. You can just tell by the way he interacts with The Dude (Jeff Bridges) and the rest of the guys at the bowling alley that he's a good guy and mixes a great White Russian.

Short Bartender - Desperado

Listed in the credits as "Short Bartender) and played by Cheech Marin, the barkeep in Desperado is clearly unimpressed by Buscemi (Steve Buscemi) from the moments he walks in the door. He even gives off as many hints as he can to warn Buscemi about acting correct in the tough saloon. That isn't enough, but you can't blame him for what happens next.

Georgie - The Sopranos

Georgie Santorelli on The Sopranos, played by Frank Santorelli, is pretty much a total idiot. While he seems to be decent at his job, serving up drinks to Tony and crew at the Bada Bing, he's pretty much a moron in every other way, but he's great comic relief on the show.

The Gang In Always Sunny In Philadelphia

This list is called "great bartenders" but let's be honest, the gang on Always Sunny In Philadelphia are all pretty terrible at everything, including bartending most of the time. There isn't much to say nice here, so let's move on.

Carl - How I Met Your Mother

Carl on How I Met Your Mother is hard to read. At times, the bartender at the show's popular pub MacLaren's, played by Joe Nieves, is sometimes the nicest guy in the room, but other times he's brutal and unforgiving. When you think about it, that's probably how all great bartenders need to be.

Mark Donnelly - Paradise

Mark Donnelly (Michael Hogan) on Paradise isn't a main character, like most of the bartenders on this list, but it doesn't take much to understand that he's an empathetic guy who not only serves a stiff drink, but he's ready and willing to let you talk about your problems. He's also pretty helpful in a pinch, as he proves when he tries to help Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) keep his children safe.

iZac - Futurama

One of the signature things about Futurama is putting a futuristic spin on cultural references and it doesn't get any better than a robot bartender with a sweet mustache name "iZac" as a callback to Isaac on The Love Boat. He's not always the most empathetic bartender, but he gets the job done.

The Octopus - Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

The only thing better than a two-armed bartender is an eight-armed one like the Octopus in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Anyone who has ever bartended knows that there would be nothing better than having a few extra appendages when the crowd fills up and the bar gets crazy at peak hours. This guy will make any server jealous with his skills.

Jim - Three's Company

Jim the bartender at the Regal Beagle on Three's Company, played by Paul Ainsley, is the most notable of all the bartenders and servers at the legendary TV watering hole. He doesn't have much to do as a character, but serving up drinks quickly and efficiently is enough for us.

Nick Miller - New Girl

Nick Miller in New Girl, played by Jake Johnson, is one of just a few bartenders on this list who also happens to be one of the main characters on a show. Nick is perfectly suited to be a bartender too, as his quick wit and empathetic nature make him a natural.

Margo - Gone Girl

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) in Gone Girl is, if we're honest, a pretty terrible person. He may not be as psycho as his wife, but he's not a good guy. His sister, on the other hand, Margo (Carrie Coon) is actually a pretty good person who is loyal - maybe too loyal - to her brother and helps out however she can at his bar.

Arthur - Passengers

Arthur in the sci-fi romance Passengers is a character clearly inspired by Lloyd in The Shining, with the twist that instead of a figment of a character's imagination or worse, he's an android. He is the only person on the ship Jim (Chris Pratt) can call on to talk about his depression, but he can't keep a secret, which is something all bartenders should be able to do.

Frankie - Road House

Frankie (Jessica Williams) in Road House, the bonkers 2024 remake of the 1980s classic, really wants to save her bar in any way she can. She's a good owner, loyal to her staff, and fearless. She isn't just a bartender, of course, but she certainly knows how to pour a whiskey and open a cold beer, right?

Nick - It's A Wonderful Life

Nick the bartender in It's A Wonderful Life, played by Sheldon Leonard isn't the kind of guy who suffers fools and he's really got little time for dealing with any of his patrons' nonsense. That's exactly what some people need in a great bartender. Just keep 'em coming.

Warning: SPOILERS for Season 12 of Futurama are in play. If you haven’t avenged the series’ cancellation just yet, you’ve been warned.

Good day, everyone! We’re one week closer to Futuama’s Season 12 finale, closing out the adventures of Fry, Leela and our Planet Express gang on the 2024 TV schedule. Right about now is where someone would have a killer theory on how it’ll all pan out, and where creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s legendary series could be going next.

However, I find myself unable to fully commit to saying that I know where it’s going, as a disturbing pattern has left me with a wild theory about how Season 12 has progressed. Although I do have an idea on why we’re in the situation we’re currently experiencing. So in true Futurama fashion, it looks like I do have a theory, and just didn’t know it! Buckle up, folks! It’s time to dive into what could be the future of Futurama’s future!

Season 12 Has Engaged In A Pattern Of Apocalyptic, Unresolved Cliffhangers

When covering the press day for Futurama Season 12, the initial batch of episodes given ended at a rather curious spot. Out of the 10 episodes that make up the latest Hulu subscription driver, us journalists were only given the first six. Which means that for us members of the press, we were left with the “Attack of the Clothes” seemingly dark cliffhanger rattling around in our minds.

Weeks later, when Season 12, Episode 7 - “Planet Espresso” landed, I was surprised that the series had moved onto another episode. What’s more, there was yet another ominous conclusion, foreshadowing an alien race’s plan to evolve humans through coffee. That was also left hanging when Episode 8 - “Cuteness Overload” decided to turn Fuzzy Funbags into a combination of Gremlins and the Xenomorphs from Aliens.

Thankfully, the penultimate episode of Season 12, “The Futurama Mystery Liberry” was an anthology. So it’s not like those stories needed concrete endings, or to really do anything but be voice actor John DiMaggio’s pick for the most rewatchable Futurama episodes. Still, three weeks with huge closing scenes that foretell impending doom, only to go nowhere, means something, right?

Futurama’s Season 12’s Finale Is Going To Return To A Pivotal Episode…Again

Something that has also been sitting in my mind is the fact that Season 12 was previously teased to be ending with an episode that would revisit Comedy Central’s Futurama series finale, “Meanwhile.” It wouldn’t be the first time the Hulu era of episodes would do this, as Season 11’s opener, “The Impossible Stream,” returned us to that very moment in time, unfrozen and with everyone unaware of what had happened - just as promised.

Meanwhile, here’s what Season 12’s finale “Otherwise” has as its episode synopsis:

The implication that Fry (Billy West) is about to have a “near-fatal” run in with familiar events is particularly curious. Especially when he suffered so many deaths, but was able to rewind time back enough to escape into what was intended to be another sweet series sendoff.

Of course, since we already know Futurama’s post-Season 12 fate, it could be assumed that we’re not going to get a warm and fuzzy finale. On the contrary, we could see something that’ll leave us all on the hook for at least another year of waiting!

I Think An Even Greater Cliffhanger Is In The Works For Futurama

Speaking with Futurama’s David Herman and John DiMaggio, work on Seasons 13 and 14 was confirmed to be ongoing. While the streaming ecosystem has seen weirder things happen to finished products, I don’t think we’re going to see another cancellation just yet.

Which is part of why I think that “Otherwise” is going to end on an even greater cliffhanger that might tie together the loose threads of Season 12. The “other part” is the fact that upon revisiting Season 11’s finale “All The Way Down,” I was reminded that Futurama was messing around with yet another sci-fi staple: the multiverse.

Right there, two universes were established as existing in the Hulu era of the series. What if the reason that multiple episodes of Season 12 ended with massive world altering consequences on our doorstep is that we’ve been observing other universes at work? And how are they all going to be tied together?

Could Futurama’s Multiverse Meddling Be Leading To Something Gigantic?

Revisiting the events of “Meanwhile” raises some interesting questions, the first of which could tie into the multiversal theory. Seeing as Professor Farnsworth (Billy West) was shifted into another timeline in Futurama’s second series finale, he was able to manipulate that fact to save Fry and Leela after “decades” of trying. So what if the events we’re seeing are even more tangent timelines that spring from The Professor’s successful reboot at the beginning of Season 11?

Also, what if Hulu’s multiple seasons are meant to bring greater continuity to Futurama, which has already ended twice? Engaging in such storytelling is a pretty wicked way of addressing how we’ve seen Fry and Leela (Katey Sagal) score happily ever after in each series finale, only to have it yanked away in some way by the good news of a revival.

On the brighter side, this kind of story does seemingly dare Hulu to cancel the series again while it’s telling its current story. That’s definitely the type of “bite the hand that feeds” attitude Futurama has always exhibited, so I wouldn’t put it past this writer’s room to try and pull it all together.

Futurama’s Hulu Era Suggests An Even Longer Game Is At Work

Think about it: if Futurama went into production knowing there was a set number of seasons, that means Matt Groening, David X. Cohen and the entire writing staff could go all Kevin Feige on our asses and start playing a seriously long game that encompasses the entire Hulu era so far. Why else would “All The Way Down” have gone to such great lengths to explain the concept of the multiverse?

And before anyone thinks that the Futurama writer’s room doesn’t think this far ahead, consider the following: “The Futurama Mystery Liberry’s” opening title card included the message “You streamed it, you can’t unstream it.” Acting as a sly reference to “Anthology of Interest 2,” it’s just another example of the series’ consideration for continuity being on point. So if this whole shell game I’ve described is true, we just may have experienced multiple universes in this story’s existence, with more to come.

Or perhaps I’m just a crackpot who’s been zooming around the universe for too long to know what’s up! We’ll see what happens next week, when Futurama’s Season 12 finale “Otherwise,” debuts with everything new on Hulu Monday, September 30th.

With just two more episodes left in the 2024 TV schedule, it’s almost time to say goodbye to a beloved animated series once again. However, knowing Futurama’s post-Season 12 fate ahead of time, none of us should be worrying about the TV child of creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen going anywhere any time soon.

Now that we all know we can invest even more into one of the best animated TV shows of all time, let’s dig a little deeper into its historically hysterical bench of supporting characters. More specifically, I want to talk about the story of how series star Billy West came up with his legendary impression of former US President Richard Nixon.

It’s a story of both creative nurturing and childhood memories, the result being so crafty it could stage the moon landing…ON VENUS! Arooo!

The Part Of Matt Groening’s Approach That Shaped Billy West’s Nixon Impression For Futurama

As a hardcore Futurama fan, I couldn’t resist the invitation to participate in the press days for Season 12’s debut. With access to a room that consisted of Billy West and Lauren Tom, there are certain things I had to inquire about when it came to my Futurama fandom, leading to our talk about his one-of-a-kind portrayal of one Richard Milhouse Nixon.

As part of what he revealed to CinemaBlend, West told me the following story about how he was inspired to go so crazy with the ex-POTUS in the first place:

A disembodied exaggeration of the 37th President of the United States, Futurama’s Nixon is a paranoid leader who’ll do anything to seize power. That drive has led to his inclusion in some of Futurama’s most rewatchable episodes, such as “A Head in the Polls,” as well as recent resurgences in Season 11’s “The Impossible Stream” and “Rage Against the Vaccine.”

While he’s not a core member of the Planet Express crew, Richard Nixon is outrageous enough to have made a memorable impact on the world(s) of Futurama. And why wouldn’t he be, considering this is how the episode introducing the cheerful lad ended?

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve revisited that clip since it first aired almost 25 years ago. What I can say is that I absolutely had to revisit that episode as I prepped for the Futurama interviews in general. And yes, it does indeed hold up to the lens of modern viewing.

Since this is a Matt Groening co-created series, having a memorable stable of recurring characters could more than likely be the key to the oft-cancelled series’ longevity with fans. And anyone who questions that claim can always check out this list of The Simpsons’ popular post-Season 1 characters, with the option to correct their opinion.

The madness of Groening and giving his characters hooks was only the beginning of the comedic resurrection of Richard Nixon. For the rest of that story, we need to go back into Billy West’s childhood, as a historic first led to a lasting impression of the California politician that would then form a classic Futurama character trait.

How Billy West’s Childhood Memories Of Richard Nixon Inspired His Futurama Character

It wouldn’t be a Futurama story without a little bit of childhood trauma, would it? That point definitely stands throughout Season 12’s recurring themes of bleak dystopian capitalism and abandonment issues. However, these are the ongoing adventures of the Planet Express, which means that humor needs to be injected into the heavy stuff.

Which absolutely falls into the Hulu original’s recurring portrayal of this controversial political figure. Even Richard Nixon’s most vehement detractors probably couldn’t have predicted how Billy West would turn to the world of monster movies for his Nixon variant.

And as he shared with CinemaBlend, the sort of “hook” this voice acting legend used to flavor his performance came from that fateful night. But first, let’s hear what Mr. West had to essay about the Nixon/Kennedy debate in general:

To be fair, the Nixon/Kennedy debate of 1960 is one of those famed events that has landed across the landscape of pop culture. Even the first season of Mad Men had the good folks of Sterling Cooper trying to get Dick Nixon elected, and to disastrous results. But to really get a feel of how big of a moment this was, you really do need to see it.

In the name of cultural history lessons, and the betterment of one’s enjoyment of Futurama, feel free to peruse the first TV debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy:

So what does an historically bad debate performance have to do with the “Aroo” of it all? Well, Futurama’s future voice artist had some very era-appropriate concerns when it came to then Vice President Richard Nixon’s appearance. Tying it all together is this final portion of Billy West’s pivotal memory:

The fact that Nixon’s vice president Spiro Agnew was portrayed as a headless Frankenstein’s monster of sorts makes even more Classic-Universal-Monsters-sense with this knowledge. It also helps me appreciate Billy West’s efforts in crafting this landmark addition to his stable of Futurama characters, as the emphasis of fun over historical accuracy helps further sharpen the very pointed dialogue he delivers.

Much like Darryl Hammond’s Sean Connery impression from Saturday Night Live’s Celebrity Jeopardy sketches, Mr. West’s Richard Nixon will always have a place in my dark and comedic heart. I'd venture to guess that the cast and writing staff of Futurama feel the same, especially when the Hulu era's 2023 premiere featured Nixon aroo-ing his way into the streaming age.

At this point, I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of shenanigans the ex-president will get into whenever he appears again. In fact, I wonder if he's behind the recent trend of unresolved world ending catastrophes that have been introduced in the last couple of Futurama episodes? I guess I'll just have to follow the money to find out.

Futurama’s entire back catalog is currently available for anyone with access to a Hulu subscription. So there’s plenty of time to catch up on Season 12 before its September 16th season finale. And if you want to dive into the classics, the rest of the series’ run is also available for anyone who wants to crank up the nostalgia and wreck up the place.

Some people might like to argue that streaming, in becoming our dominant form of media consumption, has ruined the television industry. Well, there is no doubt that it has changed the industry in many ways and, in some cases, for the better. 

There are many TV shows that are now regarded as classics but might not have earned such an honor if not for audiences discovering it on a streaming platform, helping boost its appeal in a way traditional television could not for whatever reason. Let's take a look at some of the most beloved TV shows that were made more popular (or even saved) by streaming. 

The Wire (2002-2008)

In its initial run, The Wire was already considered one of the best shows on HBO, if not of all time, for its refreshing grounded depiction of urban crime in modern Baltimore from both sides of the law. However, thanks to having a Max subscription (formerly known as HBO Max and, earlier, HBO GO), new generations of viewers have been able to witness David Simon's masterpiece.

You (2018-2024)

Even many of the biggest fans of You might not realize that the serial killer drama starring Penn Badgley is not a true Netflix original. It was canceled after one season on the Lifetime Network and, after becoming a surprise hit on Netflix, the platform picked it up for four more seasons.

Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)

Despite achieving instant success in its home nation of Canada on CBC, creator Dan and Eugene Levy's sitcom following a family's riches-to-rags story went underseen in the States for years on the Pop Network. Luckily, when the series dropped on Netflix, America suddenly could not get enough of the Schitt's Creek cast, the comedy's remarkable quotability, and surprisingly heartfelt moments.

The Expanse (2015-2022)

Based on a series of novels by Daniel Abrahams and Ty Franck (and James S. A. Corey), The Expanse quickly found a following on SyFy as one of the network's smartest and most exciting dramas and, yet, it still got the boot after three seasons. Fortunately, the adventures of James Holden (Steven Strait) and his crew's defense against a conspiracy affecting the colonized solar system were able to continue as one of the best sci-fi TV shows on Amazon Prime for three more seasons.

Suits (2011-2019)

Despite being one of the longest-running series on USA Network, Suits really became a hit in its later years after gaining traction as one of the most-watched TV shows on Netflix. Of course, Suits cast member Meghan Markle's marriage to Prince Harry likely had an influence on the legal drama's success.

The Office (2005-2014)

Greg Daniels' Americanized update of the hilarious British sitcom was certainly a hit on NBC, but its fanbase grew exponentially when it became one of the highest-viewed series on Netflix. It is no wonder why Peacock paid the platform $500 million for the streaming rights to The Office and even released special Superfan cuts of select episodes.

Letterkenny (2016-2023)

To be honest, Letterkenny, which follows the day-to-day lives of people from the titular rural town in the Great White North, already originated on a streaming service: the Canadian-exclusive platform, Crave. However, when it became available in the United States with a Hulu subscription, the quirky sitcom's fanbase took a Texas-size expansion.

Firefly (2002-2003)

There is a variety of reasons why Firefly was canceled after Fox aired only 11 episodes, from a doomed time slot to misguided marketing. Luckily, even before streaming helped widen its fanbase, the now beloved sci-fi TV show following a crew of outlaws traveling beyond the stars released a DVD set that allowed audiences to see the epic Western-style cosmic adventures they missed out on.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

Following the journey of a young man born with the ability to manipulate the elements air, earth, fire, and water, Avatar: The Last Airbender was a huge hit during its initial run on Nickelodeon. It would only become even more popular when it became available to stream on Netflix, which would go on to produce a live-action series update in 2024.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

According to Variety, after Breaking Bad won the Best Drama Series Emmy in 2013, creator Vince Gilligan admitted he owed the success of his groundbreaking drama to Netflix, which later produced El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. The thriller, following a terminally high school chemistry teacher (played by Bryan Cranston) turning to crime to support his family, could barely be called a hit during its few years on AMC.

 Freaks And Geeks (1999-2000)

One of the first titles that come to mind when people think of series that ended too soon is Freaks and Geeks, which was canceled by NBC after one season for the typical reasons: misguided marketing and a poor time slot. Since most of the Freaks and Geeks cast went on to take Hollywood by storm, the coming-of-age dramedy has become one of the most acclaimed series of its time by fans who discovered in the digital age.

Criminal Minds (2005-Present)

After lasting a whopping 15 seasons on CBS, Criminal Minds continued to captivate audiences as one of the most popular crime TV shows on Netflix. The procedural drama's enduring success eventually led to its revival, on Paramount+.

Manifest (2018-2023)

When NBC canned it after just three seasons, fans prayed that Netflix would swoop in to renew Manifest and, luckily, their wish came true. A fourth and final season of the sci-fi drama, about a commercial jet that suddenly reappears five years after mysteriously vanishing, debuted on the streaming platform, allowing it to have the smooth landing creator Jeff Rake intended.

Lucifer (2016-2021)

Based on a DC Vertigo comic book, Lucifer — starring Tom Ellis as the Devil, taking human form to be an LAPD consultant — debuted on Fox, where it lasted only three seasons. Soon after, it would be hailed as one of the best DC TV shows on Netflix when it was renewed for three more seasons exclusively on the platform.

Community (2009-2015)

Ironically enough, when Dan Harmon's comedy about a close-knit group of community students first transitioned from NBC to a streaming exclusive on the now-defunct Yahoo! Screen, it was considered a disaster. However, fans would go on to revisit the best episodes of Community on Hulu, Netflix, or Peacock, keeping the #SixSeasonsAndAMovie dream alive. 

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

One of the most popular shows on The CW (when it was still called The WB) was Gilmore Girls, which would only remain popular and acquire more fans who discovered it with their Netflix subscription. The streaming platform would even serve as the home of a four-episode sequel series called Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Friends (1994-2004)

Could Friends have been a bigger bit than it was during its ten-year run on NBC? As it turns out, yes, since the popular '90s TV show became a monster hit on Netflix and, once it left the platform, likely inspired many fans to get a Max subscription just so they could keep the binge going.

Luther (2010-2019)

Some of the best evidence of the enduring popularity of Luther — an acclaimed British crime thriller starring Idris Elba in the brilliant but cantankerous title role — can be found on Netflix. In 2023, the platform distributed a feature-length spin-off called Luther: The Fallen Sun, which quickly became its highest-watched movie and led to a deal for more films.

Arrested Development (2003-2019)

Despite never getting the ratings it needed to be a hit during its three-season run on Fox, Arrested Development was remembered fondly as one of the most hilarious cult favorite TV shows of all time. That enduring legacy led to its revival in 2017 as "a Netflix semi-original series."

Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

In its prime, Boy Meets World was one of the must-see comedies from ABC's TGIF Block in the 1990s and would later spawn a sequel series following Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga's (Danielle Fishel) daughter, Riley (Rowan Blanchard) called Girl Meets World. The success of the Disney Channel series, also starring Sabrina Carpenter, inspired a new generation of fans to check out the original with their Disney+ subscription. 

Futurama (1999-Present)

Creator Matt Groening's animated satire about an average 20th Century man who wakes up from an accidental, 1000-year cryogenic slumber initially ran for just four seasons on Fox, was revived on Comedy Central from 2008 to 2013, and then, a decade later, became an exclusive on Hulu where it is more popular than ever. At this rate, it looks like Futurama might last well into the future.

Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

MTV's darker take on a funny coming-of-age creature feature from the '80s was a surprise hit, even as one of the best horror TV shows on Hulu in the years since it ended. The continued interest in the series on streaming would lead to a feature-length continuation that premiered on Paramount+ in early 2023.

iCarly (2007-2012, 2021-2023)

Miranda Cosgrove followed her role as the mischievous Megan on Drake & Josh by starring on the Nickelodeon sitcom as a teen internet sensation. People who grew up with the show would rediscover their love for it as adults when Paramount+ revived iCarly with more mature audiences in mind.

The Mindy Project (2012-2017)

Creator and star Mindy Kaling's first major follow-up after playing Kelly Kapoor in NBC's The Office cast was the aptly titled The Mindy Project, in which she plays an OB/GYN struggling to balance her personal and professional life. It premiered on Fox, where it remained for three seasons, before moving exclusively to Hulu for the latter half of its run.

Longmire (2012-2017)

Based on a series of novels by Craig Johnson, Longmire is a neo-Western drama starring Australian actor Robert Taylor as the titular Wyoming sheriff who brings his own brand of justice to his county. Despite debuting on A&E as the cable network's highest-rated original drama, it was not renewed for a fourth season, leading Netflix to step in and become its home for another three years.

Trailer Park Boys (2001-2018)

A show that Letterkenny fans would enjoy if they have not heard of it already is Trailer Park Boys — another comedy set in rural Canada which, for its first seven years, aired on a channel exclusive to the country called Showcase. A newfound interest in the documentary-style series and its feature-length spin-offs in the United States led Netflix to acquire the show in 2012, lasting several more seasons and even spawning more specials and an animated series.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

Before a new Star Wars TV show premiered on Disney+ every few months or so, one of the most beloved small-screen titles to come from a galaxy far, far away was Star Wars: The Clone Wars. However, the Force initially could have been stronger with this one as it was canceled by Cartoon Network in 2013 before gaining newfound popularity on Netflix (where a new season was distributed) the following year and, later, getting revived for one more batch of episodes on DIsney+ in 2020.

Parks And Recreation (2009-2015) 

Despite being the brainchild of The Office producers Greg Daniels and Michael Schur and starring former SNL cast member Amy Poehler in the lead, Parks and Recreation struggled to find its footing on NBC for its first couple of years. The mockumentary-style political satire got a bit of a boost in popularity once it dropped on Netflix and, for years after it ended, earned a reputation as one of the most popular series on the platform.

White Collar (2009-2014)

The show that made a star out of actor Matt Bomer is White Collar, in which he stars as a suave professional criminal who works with the FBI to catch other cons like him. Like many other USA original series, the dramedy was a much bigger hit on Netflix than it was during its initial run on the network.

Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

Kiefer Sutherland stars in Designated Survivor as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who is suddenly appointed President after everyone in the chain of command above him is killed in a catastrophic attack. The political drama was canceled after only two years on ABC but would go on for one more season on Netflix.

The Nanny (1993-1999)

Co-creator and star Fran Drescher is best known for playing Fran Fine on The Nanny, which had a strong run on CBS in the 1990s. The sitcom is noted for appealing to a new generation when it dropped on Max.

The Killing (2011-2014)

The American version of the Danish television series Forbrydelsen, The Killing, originally premiered on AMC, which would cancel the dark crime drama after its third season, which almost did not happen. The series then made an official transition to Netflix, where its fourth and final season was distributed.

There are few novelties within the media landscape that can be more enjoyable than good crossovers. For years now, creatives have found intriguing ways to cross-pollinate properties. Said events are especially common when it comes to TV shows, and viewers have certainly been treated to some entertaining productions involving multiple series mixing it up. On that note, we’re going to talk about 32 particularly excellent small-screen mashups. 

Batman/The Green Hornet

The 1960s series Batman and The Green Hornet linked up in a few small ways during their runs, but their most prominent crossover occurred during a two-part episode of the former show. “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman’s Satisfaction” saw Gotham’s protectors forge an uneasy alliance with the Hornet and Kato, and the result was a truly action-packed hour of pulpy goodness.

Full House/Family Matters

Remember the time Family Matters’ Steve Urkel appeared on Full House? In Season 4’s “Stephanie Gets Framed,” the Urk Man traveled from Chicago to San Francisco for a science fair and ended up giving Stephanie Tanner advice regarding her new glasses. The result was a relatively sweet installment, which built a solid bridge between two of ABC’s best TGIF comedies.

The Jetsons/The Flintstones

The respective casts of Hanna-Barbera’s prehistoric and futuristic animated sitcoms finally came together in the 1987 TV movie The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones. During the special, the two groups walked a mile in each other’s shoes via time travel, and the result was a fun piece of work that could make you yell Yabba Dabba Doo!

The Beverly Hillbillies/Petticoat Junction/Green Acres

It’s no secret that CBS’ The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres are all set within the same fictional universe. All three shows crossed over multiple times, but the sweetest example was arguably the Hillbillies Season 7 episode “The Thanksgiving Spirit,” in which the casts of the three comedies warmly shared a meal together.

St. Elsewhere/Cheers

Both Cheers and St. Elsewhere are set in Boston, so it was only fitting that a connection was built between the two NBC shows. The crossover occurred during Season 3 of the medical drama, when several doctors visited the titular pub from one of the best sitcoms of all time. Come for the intrigue of the mashup, and stay for Rhea Perlman’s Carla Tortelli chewing out a group of medical professionals.

Diff’rent Strokes/Hello, Larry

Honestly, Hello, Larry wasn’t all that interesting on its own, but its three two-part crossovers with fellow NBC sitcom Diff’rent Strokes were solid. The final meetup between the two casts, “Thanksgiving Crossover,” was particularly enjoyable and highlighted character dynamics in fun ways.

Boy Meets World/Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Fan-favorite Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Melissa Joan Hart briefly appeared as her eponymous character during the closing tag for the Boy Meets World Season 5 episode, “The Witches of Pennbrook.” Her appearance may not be considered canon now, but it was certainly cool to see at the time. 

Scooby-Doo/Josie And The Pussycats

Throughout the two-season run of The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Mystery Inc. ran into a number of notable people – both real and fictional. It was only fitting that the sleuths met up with their fellow Hanna-Barbera-birthed peers from Josie and the Pussycats. The two gangs teamed up to solve a mystery in “The Haunted Showboat,” resulting in a fun romp.

NCIS/NCIS: Los Angeles/NCIS: Hawai’i

In early 2023, NCIS’ first triple crossover debuted, bringing together characters from the mothership show as well as the Los Angeles and Hawai’i spinoffs. The shows’ respective teams joined forces to investigate the apparent suicide of a retired military official. It can be said that this Avengers-style event was well worth the wait.

Happy Days/Laverne & Shirley

Within the fictional TV universe co-created by producer Garry Marshall, Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley cross-pollinated multiple times. One of the most notable instances of that was with the two-part crossover “Shotgun Wedding,” in which Shirley and Laverne became engaged to Richie Cunningham and the Fonz to save them from arranged marriages.

The Mask: Animated Series/Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Both Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask: Animated Series were adapted from Jim Carrey movies, so it was only right that they both crossover. The two-part event – which was spread across both shows – was a truly wild romp that involved brain-switching shenanigans, a trip to space and more.

Friends/Mad About You

Amid all the truly strong and ridiculous Friends episodes, is the memorable two-parter, “The One with Two Parts.” The installments see Joey Tribbiani falling for Phoebe Buffay’s twin sister, Ursula, from Mad About You. The fun episodes also featured cheeky cameos from Helen Hunt and Leila Kenzle, who appeared as their MAU characters.

The Golden Girls/Empty Nest/Nurses

Three-show crossovers can be tricky, but NBC pulled off a fun one in 1991 with The Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Nurses. “Hurricane Saturday” saw the characters of the Florida-based sitcoms weathering a massive storm and humorously crossing paths as they did so.

The King Of Queens/Everybody Loves Raymond

Due to a retroactive bridge being retroactively built between them, Everybody Loves Raymond and The King of Queens crossed over multiple times throughout their runs. One of the best of those, however, is the first crossover, which occurred in the Queens Season 1 episode “Road Rayge.” It’s a funny episode that sees Doug Hefferman and Ray Barone striking up a friendship after meeting at the DMV.

Power Rangers In Space/Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation

Power in Space’s “Shell Shocked” marked the realization of a Saturday morning dream, as it saw the rangers team up with the heroes in a half shell. These iterations of the amphibious martial arts masters hailed from Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (a show that shouldn’t have been canceled after one season). The Turtles were mind-controlled by the Rangers’ nemesis, Astronema, who uses them to take over the power team’s Megaship.

The Office (U.S.)/The Office (U.K.)

Both iterations of The Office collided when Ricky Gervais’ David Brent popped up on a Season 7 episode of the U.S. series. During that installment, he and his American counterpart, Michael Scott (Steve Carell), ran into each other. I don’t know what’s funnier: the two abrasive bosses getting along so well or Michael awkwardly telling David that Dunder Mifflin wasn’t hiring.

Supergirl/The Flash

The Arrowverse showcased a number of great team-ups over the years, but the first was a fun crossover between The Flash and Supergirl, in which the titular hero of the former show found himself in Kara Danvers’ universe. As fun as the Supes Season 1 episode is, what’s even more amazing is that this event happened before the Melissa Benoist-led show moved from CBS to The CW to join its slate of DCTV fare.

Sister, Sister/Smart Guy

Fellow shows on The WB, fan-favorite Sister, Sister and Smart Guy seemed like the right fit for a crossover, with the former sitcom hosting it. The episode saw 10-year-old prodigy T.J. Henderson being recruited to tutor twins Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell for their SATs. T.J. ultimately employed some unconventional – but effective – methods to get the job done.

The Fairly Oddparents/Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

Few cartoon crossovers can match the greatness of the three-hour-long crossovers between Nickelodeon’s The Fairly Oddparents and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Known as The Jimmy/Timmy Power Hour, the episodes saw Neutron and Timmy Turner coming into interdimensional conflict on multiple occasions. Even today, seeing characters from two of the best Nick shows of the 2000s is downright delightful.

New Girl/Brooklyn Nine-Nine

I’m not sure anyone could’ve predicted that a crossover between New Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine would happen, but that’s exactly what fans were treated to in 2016. This was a two-part event spread across both comedies, and it was certainly fun to see Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta, Zooey Deschanel’s Jessica Day and more mix it up.

Luke Cage/Iron Fist

After much demand from the fans, Netflix’s Luke Cage featured a true superhero tag team between the show’s eponymous character and Danny Rand of Iron Fist. While reception to the latter show and its protagonist had been relatively underwhelming, fans loved what was done with Rand on Cage. All in all, it was a team-up worthy of the Heroes for Hire legacy.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air/In The House

One crossover that I’d argue is rarely talked about is the one that took place between The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and In The House. ITH’s “Dog Catchers” saw Alfonso Riberio guest star as Carlton Banks and Tatyana Ali as Ashley Banks. The story involved Carlton (inadvertently) alerting Marion Hill (LL Cool J) to the fact that friend Tiffany Warren’s (Maia Campbell) new boyfriend was two-timing her with Ashley.

The Simpsons/Futurama

“Simpsorama,” a Season 26 episode of The Simpsons, finally brought Springfield’s famous family into contact with the cast of Futurama. The Planet Express crew made their way to the present to prevent Homer and co. from causing a dire situation in the future. The crossover not only employed the kind of gags specific to both Matt Groening-produced shows but preserved the heart as well.

Scandal/How To Get Away With Murder

Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope and Viola Davis’ Annalise Keating finally met each other when Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder crossed over. The 2018 multi-episode arc saw the crisis manager and defense attorney join forces to collaborate on a class action case. Both actresses brought their A-game for what proved to be a truly emotional story, with some poignant social commentary.

Supernatural/Scooby-Doo

I’m not sure many people envisioned Supernatural bringing in the Scooby-Doo characters upon the announcement of a crossover in 2017. However, the episode, “Scoobynatural,” ultimately received high praise from critics and fans alike. Seriously, the sight of Sam and Dean Winchester aiding Mystery Inc. in a case (set against the backdrop of one of the animated franchise’s classic episodes) was so much fun.

The X-Files/Cops

Have you ever wanted to know what it would be like if The X-Files’ Mulder and Scully’s off-kilter adventures were ever presented in a format similar to Cops’? Well, look no further than the Season 7 episode “X-Cops,” as it put the two in such a situation. The idea may have sounded wild at the time, but it proved to be highly entertaining TV.

Archer/Bob’s Burgers

It’s rare that a crossover gets wilder than the one between Bob’s Burgers and Archer, which occurred in the later show. "Fugue and Riffs" featured an amnesiac Sterling Archer waking up to discover that he’s the head of the Belcher family from Bob’s. That episode was certainly fun, especially considering that H. Jon Benjamin voiced both Archer and Bob regularly anyways.

That’s So Raven/The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody/Hannah Montana

Disney Channel gifted children of the 2000s with a real treat when the three-way TV event That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana. It brought together the casts of the hit shows That’s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana for a madcap meetup that’s still beloved today.

Doctor Who/Torchwood/The Sarah Jane Adventures

Series 4 of Doctor Who ended on a high note with a two-part finale that brought the eponymous Time Lord and his allies together with characters from two spinoff series, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Not only did the Who writers manage to provide plenty of crossover craziness, but they also wrapped up a number of pivotal story arcs in the process.

Generator Rex/Ben 10

It’s not often that two awesome do-gooders link up on the small screen, and Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United offered a shining example of that. While it was great to see the two eponymous characters ultimately team up, it was also cool to see them come to blows upon first making contact.

Bones/Sleepy Hollow

The notion of the cast of Sleepy Hollow and Bones coming together for a two-part story sounds weird on paper, and that’s because it is. Nevertheless, it was intriguing to watch Special Agents Seeley Booth and Temperance “Bones” Brennan team up with FBI Agent Abbie Mills and Ichabod Crane to investigate a decades-old corpse on Halloween.

Arrow/The Flash/Supergirl/Batwoman/Legends Of Tomorrow

The producers behind “Crisis on Infinite Earths” did the impossible by uniting the casts of not two, three or four Arrowverse shows but all five series that were on the air at that time. What was even more impressive was that in addition to Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Batgirl being involved, Black Lightning’s eponymous hero was also in the mix. You’d be hard-pressed to find a small-screen crossover as massive as this one was.

From the best sitcoms that are perfect for a comfort watch to intense dramas that you rewatch in an effort to dissect a juicy story even more, there’s something incredible about returning to a great show. It’s a pastime many enjoy, however, the choices of what to watch seem endless. With that in mind, here are some of the most rewatchable television shows. 

Parks And Recreation 

If you are like me, you’ve seen the best episodes of Parks and Recreation – like “Flu Season,” for example – so many times you can recite the majority of said episodes from memory. OK, maybe that’s an over-exaggeration, however, it highlights just how good and rewatchable this workplace mockumentary is. Led by Amy Poehler, the Parks and Rec cast was always firing on all cylinders, cracking viewers up with hilarious one-liners, fantastic inside jokes (like Treat Yo’ Self) and a heartfelt story about a dysfunctional parks department. 

The Office

From deeply funny office shenanigans to heartfelt relationships like Pam and Jim’s The Office captured folks’ hearts from 2005 to 2013, and it’s continued to in the years since. To this day, this workplace mockumentary is a favorite among many, and it’s a zeitgeist staple as viewers continue to watch it on repeat, quote it constantly and use iconic memes that have surfaced because of it. As it gets older, it just feels like The Office gets stronger, because not only is it finding new audiences all the time, but it’s also infinitely rewatchable. 

New Girl

While workplace comedies are great, there's nothing quite like simply hanging out with friends, and that’s what New Girl is. Filled with a cast of quirky characters, New Girl follows Jess (Zooey Deschanel) as she moves in with three random guys, and what ensues is a hilarious and lovably chaotic story about found family. It’s because of silly inside jokes and bits, like True American, deeply complex and romantic storylines like Nick and Jess’s and the adorable friendship that’s formed between these roommates that makes this Fox comedy something folks always return to. 

The Good Place

The Good Place is one of those projects that you’ll have a different experience with every time you view it. The first time, you’re simply trying to figure out what in the afterlife is going on, and once you have the epiphany with Kristen Bell’s Eleanor and yell “Holy mother-forking shirtballs” your entire perspective on the show changes. However, it’s not just the plot twists that make this philosophical comedy rewatchable; its cast, led by Bell and Ted Danson, is beyond lovable and hilarious, and The Good Place’s heart is so big, all you’ll want to do is spend more time in this afterlife. 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Led by Saturday Night Live legend Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a delightful comedy all about a group of detectives working together in New York City. While whodunnits and crimes of the week are involved, what makes this show rewatchable is Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s silly cast of characters who are played by incredible comedic actors like Samberg, Andre Braugher, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews and so many more. 

Gilmore Girls

These days, Gilmore Girls is considered the perfect autumnal comfort show, and many go back to it over and over again because of its cozy vibes. On top of the lovely energy that radiates out of Stars Hallow, the Gilmore Girls cast is also staked with an incredible crew of regulars and a revolving door of iconic recurring characters. Plus, how could you not want to rewatch the love story of Luke and Lorelai, Rory’s messy romantic drama with Dean, Jess and Logan as well as the incredible tale of a mother and daughter that lies at the heart of this beloved show? 

Gossip Girl

You know, sometimes you just need a good drama that will make you want to scream at the TV, and Gossip Girl is just that. The 2000s CW drama was a teen staple back in the day as it followed a group of high schoolers whose lives were always on blast because of the titular gossip site. It was praised and criticized at the time for how scandalous it was, and to this day people come back to Gossip Girl for the relationships, fashion, characters and, of course, the gossip, because as the titular writer says, “you know you love me…”

Arrested Development

Dysfunctional comedy is always fun, however, it’s hard to think of a show that does it better than Arrested Development. Of course, the series is rewatchable for its hilarious storylines and quippy dialogue, however, it’s the incredible ensemble that really makes it, as actors like Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Will Arnett, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and more brought the funny all the time.  

Futurama

While it’s been canceled, renewed and moved networks numerous times, Futurama remains one of the most rewatchable shows, and that’s why these attempted cancellations and moves haven’t sent it to its ultimate end yet. The animated series has been around since 1999, and for over two decades, it has been a fun animated comfort show that many have turned to when they need a good laugh and some fun sci-fi. 

Friends

Whether you tuned in live during the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, caught chunks of episodes on Nick at Night when it was in syndication or streamed all ten seasons on Netflix (back in the day) or Max (now), Friends has been a seminal show for many. Watching the shenanigans of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Monica was not only hilarious but relatable. It’s simply a show about six friends living their lives, and I think it's that relatability mixed with an incredibly special cast that has kept people coming back to it for decades. 

Breaking Bad

The story of Walter White almost feels like a legend now. Widely considered one of the best television shows of all time, Breaking Bad tells the story of a down-on-his-luck man who turns into a drug lord. Led by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, this series made an unforgettable mark on television history when it was released in 2008, and it’s something worth studying and watching over and over again. 

Bob’s Burgers

Can I apply a few personal anecdotes here? When I was in high school, I had a friend who would watch Bob’s Burgers every night before going to bed. As an adult, I have another friend who just completed another rewatch of the series. So many adore this wonderful animated series about a family who owns a burger joint, and it is so easy to rewatch and fall in love with. So, it rightfully deserves a place on this list. 

Dexter

The world loves an anti-hero, and it doesn’t get much better than Dexter. The series follows a blood splatter expert, played by Michael C. Hall, however, the thing is, he’s also a serial killer. Going on this journey with the titular character, and getting into his mind to figure out why he goes about life in the way he does is fascinating. It’s also one of many reasons why people keep coming back to Dexter. 

Fleabag

If you need a short, sweet and perfect two seasons of television, Fleabag is the show for you. The series was created by and stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and it follows her titular character as she goes about life in London while handling grief. On top of that, Season 2 introduces Andrew Scott’s Priest – a.k.a. The Hot Priest, as the internet likes to call him – and the incredible love story between him and Fleabag. 

Scrubs

Bill Lawrence has made a lot of terrific shows, however, Scrubs is his classic. The series, starring Zach Braff, is a fun workplace comedy about a hospital, and its irresistible ensemble and heartfelt friendships are what keep many coming back to it. 

Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso started out as an ad for NBC Sports, and then by some miracle it turned into one of the best comedies in recent memory. The titular coach of AFC Richmond is played by the mastermind behind the show, Jason Sudeikis. And he and his creative team brought together Ted Lasso’s epic cast that made names like Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster those of the household variety.

Overall, this show about an American football coach in the UK coaching soccer (I know, I know...it’s actually football) is heartfelt and thoughtful, and it’ll have you smiling from ear to ear from beginning to end. You know what they say, “We’re Richmond ‘til we die!”

The X-Files

What makes a supernatural case of the week show even better? Having David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson lead it as the beloved crime-solving duo of Mulder and Scully. 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Vampires, action, romance and high school drama. Honestly, this show has everything. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a seminal early 2000s teen drama about Sarah Michelle Gellar’s titular vampire slayer, and it was impossible not to fall in love with her and her friends. 

The West Wing

If you are in need of a fast-talking, snappy and fun drama, The West Wing is your show. It follows Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet and his incredible staff who are played by fantastic actors like Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff and Rob Lowe. From the mind of Aaron Sorkin, this show all about what it’s like to be the president is a quippy yet thoughtful series about running a country and it’s irresistible and infinitely rewatchable. 

Yellowstone

Between the deep family story at the center of this show and the intense moments in Yellowstone, this modern Western was born to rewatch. It’s filled to the brim with compelling stories about the Dutton family that will have you hitting the next episode button immediately. While the show’s primary conflict has always been the same – they’re always battling to save their ranch – the new threats and long-lasting deep relationships are what make it so great.  

Seinfeld

Seinfeld is famously “a show about nothing,” and that might be the primary reason why it’s so easy to view over and over again. The series, starring Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander and Michael Richards, works because of these four and their chemistry, and watching them simply live life and make jokes is something so many can do over and over again.

Sherlock

It’s elementary my dear Watson, the Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman-led Sherlock is a fantastic modern adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work, and with each viewing new details emerge that make it even better. The series was comprised of 15 episodes across four seasons, and each mystery Sherlock and Watson solved was dense with detail and intrigue.

There’s a reason the story of the great detective keeps getting told, and you’ll understand why when you realize that you can watch Sherlock over and over again. 

Supernatural

I realize 15 seasons – or 327 episodes – is overwhelming, however, it also proves just how beloved Supernatural is. The series about Jared Padalecki’s Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles’ Dean Winchester is beloved by many, and watching the two of them fight off evil over and over again is something so many fans can do on repeat, as proven by its 15 seasons. 

That ‘70s Show

That ‘70s Show is all about a group of teens growing up in the suburbs of Wisconsin who all gather in a basement to hang out. It’s a simple and relatable concept, and between that and its stellar ensemble, it’s no wonder everyone loves to say “Hello Wisconsin!” more than once. 

Psych

A silly case-of-the-week show about a guy who is pretending to be a psychic is obviously made for comfort viewing, and fans have been doing just that since 2006. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender

No matter what age you are, it’s always a good time to watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. As someone who watched the show for the first time in elementary school, and has seen it many times since, I can attest to this. Seeing Aang master the elements and work to defeat the Fire Lord and his evil plan is a masterful work of animation that is action-packed, deep, silly and heartfelt. 

Its handling of hard themes like prejudice and colonization are poignant and accessible, and its morals about love and acceptance are something everyone needs. So, yeah, this is 100% a show you should see multiple times throughout your life. 

Schitt’s Creek

How can you not want to watch David and Alexis bicker, Johnny aimlessly try to wrangle his family and Moira be Moira over and over again? The beloved comedy from Dan and Eugene Levy about a rich family who loses their money and has to move to a small town is quirky and unique while also fitting right in with the best comedies. Also, how can you not rewatch it simply to try and nail Moira’s ambiguous accent?

Community

Between the silly classes, paintball battles and Troy and Abed’s end credits, Community is a quirky comedy that’s one for the ages. It’s so fun to go back and remember all the silly inside jokes and ridiculous moments that happened at Greendale Community College. 

Cheers

Sometimes, you just want to go where everybody knows your name. Need I say more? No. But I will, because returning to that bar to see Sam, Carla, Cliff, Norm, Frasier, Woody and more is always a wonderful time. 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

This fast-talking period piece about a woman making her way in the world as a stand-up comedian in the 1950s is a wonderful romp. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, this series has the quick-witted silliness Gilmore Girls has, and it’s chock full of incredible and high-octane performances from Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub and more. 

The Simpsons

Talk about an all-time classic. The Simpsons has been around since 1989, and it’s still going strong. The animated comedy is so easy to watch, and the characters – like Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa – are so iconic that this show is one that fans want to come back to over and over again. 

Grey’s Anatomy

Medical drama, romance, McDreamy; Grey’s Anatomy has it all. Between its heart-pounding medical cases and simultaneously heartwarming and heartwrenching romance, it’s easy to understand why this show has been on for over two decades and why folks keep coming back to see what’s going on at Grey Sloan Memorial. 

What all these shows have in common is they’re all deeply loved by their fans, which is why they keep returning to them time and time again. 

A good sign that your series has become a pop culture fixture is its rewatchability. The long-running series, and current Hulu original, Futurama continues to stake that claim, thanks to its ever-supportive fanbase. As creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s animated entertainment continues to run into the 2024 TV schedule, that subject continues to grow in relevance through the new batch of episodes making up what’s known as Season 12.

So, when speaking with the cast for the episodes we’re currently seeing play out, it was the perfect time to ask John DiMaggio and Billy West what the most rewatchable episodes are. And thanks to further participation from fellow co-stars David Herman and Lauren Tom’s responses, it’s safe to say that tear-jerkers are now officially part of the formula for this shiny metal staple of adult animation.

John DiMaggio and David Herman’s Choices For Futurama’s Most Rewatchable Episodes

Digging into the magic that was the press days for Futurama Season 12, I went in with the knowledge that this year marked the 25th anniversary of its debut on Fox. Part of that beautiful reality inspired me to ask about Futurama potentially ending (again), which delivered the wonderful news that the future is already in progress, with a new season in production!

Another key piece of knowledge I brought to the table was how Reddit named Futurama as the most rewatchable TV show, which then sparked my curiosity as to what the cast of the series felt were the stories with the most potential to revisit.

When asking that question in David Herman and John DiMaggio’s interview room, Mr. Herman prompted his Futurama co-star for a particular episode he was hung up on. That led DiMaggio to share with CinemaBlend what he feels is the surefire formula for an episode with infinite replay:

Strangely enough, the episode that DiMaggio was looking for with “Anime Futurama” was “Reincarnation,” one of the installments that would come from the Comedy Central years. Although “Anthology of Interest” was the Season 2 episode that kicked off the template that John DiMaggio cites above.

However, when it comes to more traditional episodes, there’s some further rhyme and reason that both men considered when answering the question. David Herman in particular helped flesh out the concept of a “rewatchable” episode, which then saw his Futurama cohort continue to rattle off some prime episodes.

Continuing their discussion with CinemaBlend, here’s how Herman attempted to define a “rewatchable episode”:

David Herman: In terms of re-watchable, what criteria do you apply to re-watchable? Were you just saying what, what was the best one? … The bottom doesn't fall out, that's what you want out of re-watchable, right? … There's depth.

John DiMaggio: There’s “Jurassic Bark,” “Roswell That Ends Well,” “Amazon Women on the Moon.” “Mars University.” “A Head in the Polls,” that's a good one. There's all sorts of ones.

You don’t earn a reputation as one of the best-animated shows of all time by merely telling jokes. The real mileage in Futurama’s appeal, as exhibited in their remarks above, comes from the novelty that helps reinvent the series periodically. Of course, that reinvention isn’t a total one, as the well-regarded comedy has always played to several layers of humor.

The more serious side would be discussed further with stars Lauren Kim and Billy West, as their choices for the most rewatchable Futurama episodes happen to be some mythic tear-jerkers. And yes, there’s more “Jurassic Bark” talk, so if you need to prepare yourself for that eventuality, take a moment before you continue reading.

Lauren Tom And Billy West’s Rewatchable Futurama Episodes Are Total Heartbreakers

Some of the most memorable dramatic moments from sitcoms have come through Futurama’s. “Jurassic Bark” alone is the episode that most fans jump straight to when it comes to recalling somber moments involving the Planet Express crew.

But shaking things up a little was Billy West, the voice of Fry himself! In his response to CinemaBlend, he called out the following episode as his go-to rewatchable:

Acting as one of the cornerstones to the iconic love story between Leela (Katey Sagal) and Fry, “The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings” is such a fantastic choice. Not only is there the perfect mix of heart and humor that helps identify Futurama’s overall appeal, but it also served as the bittersweet first series finale the show encountered. This seems to be another recurring theme in this franchise’s history, as Season 10’s finale “Meanwhile” was another romantic ode to this perfect pair, just as Comedy Central’s 2013 cancellation went into effect.

Of course, we came into this conversation talking about “Jurassic Bark,” the Season 3 episode that introduced sci-fi comedy fans to “I Will Wait For You,” the mournful ballad from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Seymour the dog’s story has been remembered time and again by aficionados of the story so far. As Lauren Tom shared with CinemaBlend, there are some special reasons why that episode is a favorite:

Season 12 has had its own heartbreaker reminiscent of what Tom was talking about thanks to the second episode "Quids Game." I won't spoil it here, but a surprise visit to Fry's past brings up some memories that not only ask further questions of the Futrurama canon, but also wind up with a finale that ranks among the most tissue-worthy.

Look, I’m partially sorry to do this, but with all of this discussion of Futurama’s all-time heartbreaker, I have to throw in a clip. We’ve been dancing around Seymour’s story for long enough that we need to just have that cathartic cry that’s been building up this whole time. You’ve been warned:

You know something: that ending wasn’t a total emotional meltdown. It’s another sign of Futurama’s ability to shift from Professor Farnsworth’s sterling defiance of God’s natural order to a montage that still makes me cry. It’s so easily rewatchable because it honors the sadness, while also rewarding the comedy.

And if David Herman’s tease for an upcoming episode is anything to go by, we might have more of that coming soon:

I’m certainly going to have to rewatch that episode David’s alluding to, as it appears that he's referencing the upcoming entry “Cuteness Overlord.”

We’ll just have to wait until that episode airs on September 16th, with David Herman’s teasing voice echoing in our heads for the duration of that wait. What you don’t have to wait for is watching (or re-watching) Futurama! You can catch almost every single moment of merriment and madness through the power of a Hulu subscription.

And don’t forget that weekly trips to the world of tomorrow are boarding every Monday, at midnight ET, on Fulu; er I mean Hulu. Tissues are optional, but probably advised, as who knows when you'll need them next?

Good news, dear readers; Futurama is back…again! The 2024 TV schedule has blessed us fans with what’s considered Season 12, and this past week saw the latest chapter in the lives of the Planet Express gang kick-off! Being able to say that still sounds like a miracle, considering how many times the former Fox series has been canceled over its 25-year history.

So of course, with every new season comes the same question: is Futurama going to end (again) anytime soon? Well, in the interest of tempting fate and good conversation, I asked members of the cast of one of the best animated TV shows how they felt about the matter. Not only did I get an actual answer, but the actors on hand also shared some fond wishes for what should happen in the potential future.

John DiMaggio And David Herman Know The Futur(ama)

I had the absolute honor of representing CinemaBlend for the press days commemorating Futurama Season 12. Through two conversations with some of the actors who make it all fantastic, the subject of counting the seasons actually tied into concerns about whether or not the twice canceled series would be on the chopping block once again.

By no means did I expect my chat with John DiMaggio and David Herman to yield an answer as satisfyingly definitive as they provided. But if you want a concrete answer as to whether Futurama will be sticking around, check out what Mr. DiMaggio had to share with CinemaBlend:

Last November, Futurama was renewed for Seasons 13 and 14, per Variety. Hulu’s 2022 Futurama announcement had Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s animated baby returning for an initial commitment of 20 episodes; which, if you’re keeping track, confirms that Season 12’s finale “Otherwise” will not be in the path of the Streaming Reaper. 

Set to air on September 30, you can kind of see where others who are keeping score would have started to get a bit anxious if this wasn't the case. Especially because some of us fans still carry the scars of watching “Meanwhile,” the Season 10 episode that served as the finale before  Comedy Central canceled Futurama. 

But with the re-confirmation about Seasons 13 and 14 on the map, we might not have to worry about those sorts of tears again for at least another two years. That didn’t stop David Herman, the voice of numerous staples like Scruffy the Janitor, from being superstitious. Hedging the series’ bets in the name of safety, Herman engaged in the following japery with John DiMaggio and CinemaBlend:

David Herman: I'm scared to say one thing about it, because I know I will, I will jinx it to high heaven. So I…
John Dimaggio: You're not gonna jinx it.
Herman: I'm just gonna say, should I play the other side? Play the other side of like, oh no, we're going away. Yeah, we're gone.
Dimaggio: Totally. We're gone. Right? It's a wrap. It's a wrap.
Herman: It's a wrap. It's a wrap.

If I’m being totally honest, I kind of side with David Herman’s superstition when it comes to Futurama’s potential run. While John DiMaggio says Seasons 3 and 4 are in production as we speak, that doesn’t mean some sort of freak tax write-off can’t come in and crush the dreams of those of us who are digging the new stuff sometime in the future. At the same time, my other chat with members of this comedy gem’s cast provided some further food for thought on just where the story should go.

Billy West And Lauren Tom’s Wishes For The Futur(ama)

It’s a pretty solid bet to say that the entire cast of Futurama is thankful for the continued existence of what’s always been a fan favorite. That much was evident in both groupings of cast members mentioning the phenomenon of “Futurama Sleepers,” a fun name for the multitude of viewers that credit this enduring classic with helping them sleep. 

Fellow legacy cast members Lauren Tom and Billy West, who voice Amy Wong and Phillip J. Fry, respectively, tied those feelings in with some thoughts on just how long the series could continue to run. In their chat with CinemaBlend, Tom and West revealed these hopes for what’s to come: 

Lauren Tom: Wouldn't this be a miracle and wonderful if, if our show just kept going on and, and these characters got old? I mean, some of 'em are kind of old already, like the professor. But I mean, what would someone who's kind of shallow and into looks and clothes and, and like, just like gig partying, how does a person like that let go of their cuteness overload? Or letting go of all the chips that they can't cash in anymore.

Billy West: The story of life, Lauren. That's the human condition. You get too tired for nonsense.

If Futurama manages to run that long, it’d be pretty spectacular. Which, based on remarks made by Billy West during that conversation, would be for at least another eight years; at least according to his current age of 72. On the plus side, with two more seasons already in the pipeline, the series’ luck would only need to hold out for three more renewals at two years apiece. 

This only brings us back around to a question that many fans ask about this beloved source of convention fodder. After 25 years and three major network switches, why does Futurama continue to stick around? To close us out with optimism for the world of tomorrow, here are John DiMaggio's further thoughts on that matter: 

Friends, if you’ve made it to this point in the interview, you’re a true fan of Futurama. You might even be a Futurama Sleeper in need of new episodes to watch, before or during your nighttime ritual. Fear not, as Season 12 has debuted, and will be dropping fresh new episodes from now until September 30’s finale. And they said that Hulu subscription wouldn’t pay off! 

This week sees July come to an end and August get started. That’s great news for anybody looking for something new to watch, as the beginning of the month brings an influx of new content to many of the best streaming services. Of course, finding out what’s new on Netflix and what’s upcoming on Hulu that’s worth watching can be difficult among the massive influx of content. Luckily we can help you out by pointing out a few highlights you won’t want to miss out on.

With new Star Wars animation upcoming on Disney+, new DC animation, from a source other than Max, and the newest season of one of the most popular modern animated series it’s an especially great week for fans of animation. There’s plenty of live-action content you won’t want to miss, from series you may want to rewatch to movies you probably missed in theaters. Here are a few items you won’t want to skip this week.

New TV

 Prison Break (Netflix) 

If you’ve already burned through Lost since it returned to Netflix after years away, then perhaps you need another popular multi-season series to rewatch from the beginning with your Netflix subscription. Prison Break, the Fox series about two brothers escaping from prison was something of a cult classic in its day. The series saw four seasons in its original run followed by a fifth season several years later. All five seasons hit Netflix this week.

Prison Break debuts July 29 on Netflix.

 Futurama, Season 12  (Hulu)

Futurama is an animated series that never seems to die. After being initially canceled on Fox, it was revived once by Comedy Central, and then as a Hulu streaming series. The next batch of episodes, officially called Season 12, arrive this week. Fans don't need to worry that this is the end (again), more episodes will be coming for the next two years.

Watch Futurama Season 12 starting July 29 on Hulu

Women in Blue (Apple TV+)

One of the wonderful things about streaming is the way it has made access to international content easier for so many. While not everybody loves dealing with subtitles, many are willing to do so if the story is good enough and foreign series and movies have been among some of the most popular streaming content over the years.

Women in Blue is inspired by a true story and follows four of the first female police officers in the country of Mexico. The show looks to be a strong character drama for those who overcome what Bong Joon Ho called the “one-inch barrier” of subtitles.

Women in Blue premieres July 31 on Apple TV+

Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 (Netflix)

Unsolved Mysteries as hosted by Robert Stack was a popular series on NBC for years and the show has been almost as popular since Netflix brought it back. The show looks at unsolved crimes and other mysterious happenings, and with a new global audience watching the show via streaming, there are a lot of people who may have answers who will be watching.

Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 debuts July 31 on Netflix.

Batman: Caped Crusader (Prime Video)

The saga of the new Batman animated series, Batman: Caped Crusader has been a complicated one. The series was very nearly canceled by WB/DC before being saved and sold to Amazon. Now everybody with a Prime Video subscription will get to enjoy it. Those of us who grew up with Batman: The Animated Series are certainly hoping this one lives up to one of the best pieces of Batman media ever created.

Batman: Caped Crusader Premieres August 1 on Prime Video.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (Shorts) Season 2 (Disney+)

Star Wars continues to grow and expand on Disney+ and with the series The Acolyte recently having wrapped up, it’s time for more Star Wars, this time geared toward younger viewers. The second season of animated shorts for Star Wars; Young Jedi Adventures arrives this week ahead of the Second series of the main series hitting Disney+ next week.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (Shorts) Season 2 premieres August 2 on Disney+

New Movies

Lisa Frankenstein (Prime Video)

Based on the box office, you probably didn’t see Lisa Frankenstein in theaters. However, based on the reactions of most of the people who did see it, that was a mistake. The movie has previously been available to those with a Peacock subscription, but if you’re lacking one of those, but do have a Prime Video subscription, then it’s worth your time to check the movie out when it arrives this week.

Lisa Frankenstein Premieres July 30 on Prime Video.

Beetlejuice (Max)

With the long-anticipated sequel to Beetlejuice finally happening, it’s probably time for a lot of people to revisit the original. Luckily Max is making that easy as everybody with a Max subscription will be able to check out the original again, or for the first time, ahead of the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice release date which is set for early September.

Beetlejuice premieres August 1 on Max.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Hulu)

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was one of the first big additions to a franchise by Disney that had been started before the studio bought Fox. Based on the movie’s solid box office performance it appears that the Planet of the Apes is still going strong, and for those that want to rewatch the film, or who missed it in theaters, the movie is making its streaming debut on Hulu this week.

The film is set generations after the events of the previous trilogy, with Ape society having broken into different tribes. The stories of Caesar have become the stuff of legend, and while apes fight each other, humans attempt to find their place in this new world.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes premieres August 2 on Hulu

It’s a solid end to July and an equally great start to August. For streaming fans looking to avoid the summer heat, there’s plenty of great stuff set to arrive this month, including more of the Summer Olympics on Peacock, a BTS travelogue series on Disney+, and more.

In an age where there are more TV shows than ever before, it may seem silly to rewatch something instead of checking out all the new series premiering, but that’s the reality we’re living in. For some, the endless possibilities are too overwhelming, and returning to a comfort show again and again just makes sense. Of course, not all old shows have the same rewatchability though, which is why some are more popular than others.

Interested in finding out what shows people are watching over and over again, a Redditor posed the question in the AskReddit sub and was quickly flooded with more than 11,000 responses. While a relatively wide selection of shows were mentioned, there were two that truly reigned supreme by getting the most mentions, upvotes, and comments: Futurama and Arrested Development.

Futurama Is The Most Rewatched Show According To Reddit Users

Beating out all live-action shows and other animated classics like The Simpsons, also co-created by Matt Groening, Futurama is currently the series that the most people are happily rewatching, according to users in this Reddit thread. The animated sci-fi series follows pizza-delivery man Fry as he wakes up 1,000 years in the future and gets taken in by his sole descendant, an elderly scientist. Revived in 2022 years after its second cancellation, Futurama currently boasts eight seasons (which includes the direct-to-DVD features) and 150 episodes that are available to stream on Hulu, with the back half of Season 8 debuting in July 2024.

Reddit User TheDandyDons kicked off the Futurama love fest, commenting:

While it seems that Reddit Users are in agreement over their love of the sci-fi series, their reasons for why the show is the greatest to rewatch take many forms. Take a look at some of those reasons:

• How could it get old if it's from the future duh... EDIT: don't worry I'll see myself out - @djaure
• Yep, seen every episode 20 times or more, still finding new jokes and the old ones dont get stale. - @mithridateseupator
• Bender's antics are truly the gift that keeps on giving - @Benjyaakovis

In addition to the above comments, fans also flooded the thread with their favorite episodes and quotes, proving just how big of a fan of a Futurama fan they are. As someone who has admittedly never seen the series, reading all the joyous comments definitely has me wondering if I should finally check it out.

Arrested Development Also Got A Lot Of Love 

Coming in second place with over 5,000 upvotes and over 300 comments is the sitcom Arrested Development. Like Futurama, the series was revived by a streaming service and continues to find new fans thanks to the ability to stream it with a Netflix subscription. The show's Bluth family has their pompous lifestyle turned upside down when the patriarch gets sent to prison for white-collar crimes, and Jason Bateman's Michael Bluth is tasked with juggling the real estate business his father left behind and keeping his eccentric family in check, with all the in-jokes and callbacks humanly possible.

Reddit User dokhtarjoon was the first to give the satrical sitcom its flowers, writing:

It's hard to top a concise comment like that that clearly explains why the series is the best to rewatch, but that didn't stop other Reddit Users from trying. While most of the comments were flooded with quotes and favorite moments, others shared fun facts to show off their love. Here are some of the highlights:

• My girlfriend and I named our cat Gene Parmesan - @SuperKnuckleCanuckle
• I came here to say this! I rewatch so many shows but this one is notably better on rewatch! - @llunachick2319
• I love when Rita is sitting on a bench for Wee Britain, but her head blocks out "it" so all you can read is "Wee Brain" - @FittedSheets88

While no show came close to topping the numbers these two did, there were a handful of others that Reddit Users seem to agree to make for great rewatches. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Malcolm in the Middle both got over three thousand interactions. And The Simpsons also cracked the top five, though only the classic first ten seasons are worthy, at least according to user SnuggleBunni69. Surprisingly, the classic sitcom Seinfeld isn’t getting as much love as one might think, with only 500 interactions as of this writing..

The results were certainly shocking to me, but then again taste in TV is subjective so I’ll never judge anyone for what they choose to watch.

Even some of the funniest sitcoms of all time are not without their moments that make us shed a tear. Relive the most memorable breaks between laugh tracks that proved to be the most heartbreaking below.

Ben Sullivan's Death (Scrubs)

In Scrubs' third season, Brendan Fraser reprised his Season 1 guest role as Dr. Cox's brother-in-law, Ben Sullivan — a Leukemia patient who, by the end of the episode, convinces Cox to forgive J.D. (Zach Braff) for losing a patient on his watch. Just a moment later, it is revealed that Ben was the patient who passed and Cox's conversations with him throughout the episode had been imagined. 

Will's Father Leaves Again (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

For Will Smith, the most special episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sees his fictional counterpart reunited with his estranged father, Lou (Ben Vereen), only for their planned road trip to be scrapped when Lou selfishly walks out of his son’s life again. No one can resist getting teary-eyed when Will asks Uncle Phil (James Avery), “How come he don't want me, man?" before breaking down in his arms.

Phoebe's Final Moment With Her Triplets (Friends)

In Season 4 of Friends, Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) is asked by her half-brother (Giovanni Ribisi) and his wife (Debra Jo Rupp) to be a surrogate mother for their triplets and, after giving birth, admits to Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) that she wants to keep one of them. However, she ultimately accepts that the children do not belong to her, but is able to have one moment alone with the infants before passing them along to their parents.

Marshall's Father Passes Away (How I Met Your Mother)

One of Jason Segel's most riveting performances comes from the devastating conclusion of Episode 13 of How I Met Your Mother's sixth season when Lily (Alyson Hannigan) tells Marshall that his father (Bill Fagerbakke) had a heart attack and did not make it. Segel actually improvised the line, "I'm not ready for this," which had the comedy's co-creator, Carter Bays, looking away in tears.

Eric Must Decide Not To Adopt Tommy (Boy Meets World)

In Boy Meets World's sixth season, Eric Matthews (Will Friedle) meets and befriends an orphan named Tommy (J.B. Gaynor), whom Eric tries to adopt, only to realize he would be better off with someone else, which breaks the boy's heart. They would later reunite in an emotional episode from Disney Channel's sequel series, Girl Meets World, when the grown-up Tommy reveals that Eric giving him up was the best thing anyone had ever done for him.

Penny's Abusive Home Life (Good Times)

Janet Jackson made her acting debut on the fifth season of Good Times in the groundbreaking role of Penny — a young girl whom the Evans befriend after J.J. (Jimmie Walker) discovers she followed him home. They later learn she ran away to avoid her abusive mother, but she luckily finds a new mother in Wilona Woods (Ja'net DuBois).

Paul's Sudden Death (8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter)

In 2003, John Ritter passed away at the age of 54 after only completing one full season as the lead of the ABC sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. The former Three's Company star's untimely death was addressed in the second season's two-part fourth episode in which the Hennessy family and others gather to mourn his character, Paul. 

Terry Is Racially Profiled (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

One of the best episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, called "Moo Moo," addresses the topic of racial prejudice in the police force, as seen through the eyes of Terry Crews' character, Terry Jeffords. While searching for his daughter's blanket in his own neighborhood at night, he is nearly arrested by a police officer (Desmond Harrington) without probable cause.

Arnold Meets Mr. Horton (Diff'rent Strokes)

In one of the most famous episodes of Diff'rent Strokes (and most noted "very special episodes" in sitcom history), Arnold (Gary Coleman) and his friend, Dudley (Shavar Ross) meet a bicycle shop owner named Mr. Horton (Gordon Jump) who grows uncomfortably close to the boys. As it turns out, Horton is not the kind of man you want around children and, luckily, Phillip (Conrad Bain) finds out about their secret meetings with him before Arnold can get too close.

Maude's Unwanted Pregnancy (Maude)

In only its first season, the acclaimed All in the Family spin-off, Maude, addressed the topic of unwanted pregnancy when Bea Arthur's middle-aged title character is unexpectedly with child. Ultimately, in one of the boldest moments in TV history, Maude decides not to have the baby.

Jim Says Goodbye To Michael (The Office)

The end of Steve Carell's tenure on NBC’s The Office cast was met with one of the mockumentary series' most unforgettably emotional moments when Jim (John Krasinski) realizes today will be the last time he sees his boss, Michael Scott. He stops Michael from a traditional goodbye and instead tells him they can have a proper farewell at lunch "tomorrow" and tearfully calls him the best boss he ever had.

Hawkeye's Horrific Realization (MASH)

There were many reasons to shed a tear during the final episode of MASH, including when Hawkeye (Alan Alda) recalls a time he forced a woman on a bus holding a chicken to keep it quiet out of fear that enemy soldiers would hear them. It is later revealed that he is misremembering the incident and breaks down when he realizes it was really an infant that the woman fatally smothered on accident.

Ross And Rachel Break Up (Friends)

One of the most devastating break-ups in TV history comes from the third season of Friends when Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) discovers Ross Gellar (David Schwimmer), believing their relationship was over, stepped out with another woman. The couple's heartwarming will-they-won't-they arc from the previous seasons made this split especially heart-breaking and their eventual reconciliation in the finale all the more satisfying.

Brian Dies (Family Guy)

In a shocking turn of events, the Griffins' talking dog, Brian (Seth MacFarlane) was run over by a car and died in the Family Guy Season 12 episode, "Life of Brian." The controversial, yet heartfelt, move was reversed only two episodes later with help from Stewie's (MacFarlane) time machine.

Edith's Assault (All In The Family)

A two-part episode from the eighth season of All in the Family titled "Edith's 50th Birthday" sees Mrs. Bunker (Jean Stapleton) suffer an attempted assault by a man posing as a detective while her family was next door planning a surprise party. The second half of the episode — the first in a sitcom to address the issue — follows her struggles to come to terms with her trauma.

Mateo Gets Deported (Superstore)

It was not until after Mateo Liwanag (Nico Santos) was hired at Cloud 9 that he discovered he was an undocumented immigrant, beginning a very poignant and sobering arc on Superstore depicting his struggles with his immigration status. It comes to a heartbreaking head in the Season 4 finale when the Philippines-born man is taken away by ICE as his co-workers gather outside the store to watch him go.

Greg's Fatal Car Accident (Family Ties)

One of the most stylistically unique episodes of Family Ties was a two-parter that aired during its fifth season, in which Alex P. Keaton's (Michael J. Fox) friend, Greg (Brian McNamara), perishes in a car crash. The tragedy causes him to experience survivor's remorse, upon realization that he was supposed to be with his friend the night of the accident, and to reevaluate his life and his future.

Eddie Faces Discrimination (Family Matters)

Family Matters tackled the topic of discrimination within the police force in the Season 5 episode, "Good Cop, Bad Cop," in which Eddie (Darius McCrary) is pulled over and harassed by two officers for being a Black man in a white neighborhood. This prompts his father, Sgt. Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson), to track down the cops involved, with whom he has a powerful conversation about racial profiling.

Seymour's Wait For Fry (Futurama)

In Futurama's Season 4 episode "Jurassic Bark," Fry (Billy West) wants to clone his old dog, Seymour, but decides against it after learning he lived another 12 years after he was cryogenically frozen. Unbeknownst to him, Seymour spent all those years outside of Panucci's Pizza waiting for his owner's return.

Shawn Loses His Father (Boy Meets World)

Quite a few dramatic moments on Boy Meets World stemmed from Shawn Hunter's (Rider Strong) relationship with his father, Chet (Blake Clark). Right when it seemed like they were about to have the dynamic Shawn longed for, Chet succumbed to a heart attack. 

Martha Wants To End Her Life (The Golden Girls)

In a landmark episode of The Golden Girls called "Not Another Monday," Sophia's (Estelle Getty) friend, Martha (Geraldine Fitzgerald), reveals she plans to take her own life and wants Sophia to be there when it happens. Sophia ultimately convinces her friend not to go through with the decision after ensuring her that she will always be there for her whenever she is in need.

Blackadder's Crew Face Their Fates (Blackadder)

One of Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson's best TV shows is Blackadder — a quasi-anthological farce that pokes fun at different notable periods in history. The final episode of the final season, which is set during World War I, was surprisingly poignant and darkly moody, depicting how the titular military captain and his men prepare to enter what could very likely be the final battle of their lives.

Henry Blake's Plane Is Shot Down (MASH)

Only a comedy series like MASH — which takes place at a military hospital during the Korean War — could write out a character in such a profound and devastating way as they did in Season 3. The death of McLean Stevenson's beloved character, Henry Blake, whose plane was shot down over the sea of Japan, proved to be controversial but was nonetheless a powerful exploration of the unforgiving nature of war.

Victor’s Reaction To Elena Coming Out (One Day At A Time)

In the Netflix original reimagining of the classic sitcom, One Day at a Time, Elena Alvarez (Isabella Gómez) reveals that she is a lesbian and is met with support from all of her family members, except for her father, Victor (James Martinez). During her Quinceañera, he leaves before he is meant to join her for the father-daughter dance, but her supportive family members take his place. Luckily, in the third season, Victor comes to accept his daughter for who she is and, when he gets remarried, dances with her at the reception.

James Evans Dies (Good Times)

When speaking to Sway, John Amos revealed that he was fired from the Good Times cast for, admittedly, expressing his creative issues over the sitcom in a non-professional manner. Thus, his character, James Evans, was tragically killed off in Season 4 by a car accident, just as his family was planning to move from Chicago and join him in Mississippi.

Sandy Doesn't Get His Second Chance (Growing Pains)

Future Friends cast member Matthew Perry had a recurring role on Growing Pains as Carol Seaver's (Tracy Gold) boyfriend, Sandy, who ends up in the hospital after a car accident and faces DUI charges but is happy to have survived. Unfortunately, his second chance at life comes short because, only later that day, Carol learns he has passed due to internal bleeding.

Jesse's Caffeine Pill Addiction (Saved By The Bell)

Growing increasingly desperate to juggle her many responsibilities, Jesse Spano (Elizabeth Berkeley) turns to caffeine pills for help. However, it soon becomes a habit that grows out of control, leading to one of Save By the Bell's most memorably earnest moments when Jesse breaks down, begging Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) for help.

Robin Discovers She Cannot Have Children (How I Met Your Mother)

In the Season 7 How I Met Your Mother episode, "Symphony of Illumination,” Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) recalls the story of how she thought she got pregnant with Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) to her future children, a la Ted (Josh Radnor). However, it is later revealed that her son and daughter are imaginary after Robin learns she is actually unable to have kids, forcing her to reconsider her previous views on parenthood. 

Jodi's Fatal Overdose (Mom)

In Mom's third season, Emily Osment joined the cast of the CBS comedy in the recurring role of teenage Jodi Hubbard, who becomes Christy's (Anna Faris) rehab sponsee. In the season's 12th episode, "Diabetic Lesbians and a Blushing Bride," Christy and others are worried when Jodi tells them she is with her recently clean ex-boyfriend, Travis Sullivan, only to discover later that she suffered an overdose and did not make it.

Will Saves Carlton From An Armed Mugger (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's fifth season, Will (Will Smith), takes a bullet for Carlton (Alfonso Ribiero) when they are confronted by a mugger at an ATM. The shock of the event and subsequent survivor's remorse inspires Carlton to buy his own weapon, which Will urges against.

Quagmire Kills His Sister's Abusive Boyfriend (Family Guy)

Fed up with seeing his sister, Brenda (Kaitlin Olson), treated cruelly by her boyfriend, Jeff (Ralph Garman), Quagmire (Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane) suggests his own solution: murder. After convincing Peter (MacFarlane) and Joe (Patrick Warburton) to help, he actually follows through on the idea, cementing a controversial end to the animated comedy's surprising address of domestic abuse.

The Sinclairs Brave The Impending Ice Age (Dinosaurs)

The bizarre family comedy, Dinosaurs, is famous for having a surprisingly bleak finale. It sees the Sinclairs contemplating an uncertain future as their home becomes engulfed in snow amid the coming of the Ice Age.

How many of these dramatic sitcom moments ended with tears on your TV screen?

For as long as the medium has been around, TV has given audiences unforgettable characters, iconic moments, and beloved storylines we still talk about months, years, and even decades later. In addition to all of that, these small-screen staples have introduced us to some big businesses that we cherish just as much. That being said, here are 32 TV shows with fake businesses that everyone knows…

Dunder Mifflin (The Office)

Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. from The Office is undoubtedly one of the most well-known fake businesses from a TV show, even by those who’ve either never watched the beloved workplace sitcom or only caught a few episodes here and there. Central to many of the best episodes of The Office, this paper and office supply wholesaler might not have the best products, but it’s got the best people.

Moe's Tavern (The Simpsons)

The Simpsons has given fans countless fake businesses over the years, so much so you could build an entire list with nothing but locations from Springfield. One of the most iconic, and most prolific, is Moe’s Tavern. Homer’s favorite watering hole and Bart’s favorite prank call target, this dimly-lit, smoke-filled bar has been central to many episodes of the long-running animated series.

Cheers (Cheers)

As noted in the timeless opening credits song, the titular bar in Cheers is a place “where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” Over the course of 11 seasons, this Boston pub became one of the most well-known sitcom settings thanks to its cast of bartenders and extremely faithful patrons. 

Waystar Royco (Succession)

Waystar Royco, the massive conglomerate at the center of most of the drama in Succession, has become one of those corporations like Ewing Oil or the Bluth Company that prove that family and business don’t always mix. In fact, the mergers, acquisitions, deals, and in-fighting are enough to rip a family apart. 

Los Pollos Hermanos (Breaking Bad)

On the surface, Los Pollos Hermanos was a fast-food chain owned and operated by Gustavo Frig and Max Arciniega, but we all know it for its money laundering and various other schemes on Breaking Bad. It would be nice to try some of that tasty fried chicken, but only if we keep our wallets and heads intact.

Planet Express (Futurama)

With a slogan like “Our crew is replaceable, your package isn’t!” it’s hard not to find the humor in Planet Express’ business model on Futurama. This futuristic intergalactic delivery service was at the center of a large portion of the animated series’ best episodes and created some unforgettable moments along the way.

Central Perk (Friends)

Besides Monic and Rachel’s apartment, there are no locations from Friends that are more recognizable as Central Perk. This New York coffee shop, which is a play on Central Park, gave audiences all kinds of great moments, both scripted and improvised like Billy Crystal’s hilarious appearance alongside Robin Williams.

Sterling Cooper (Mad Men)

Sterling Cooper, and its various incarnations and name changes, made the world of advertising look like the coolest profession when the agency was introduced alongside Mad Men back in 2007. Sure, a lot that went on at the New York-based company wouldn’t fly today, but the ‘60s were a much different, smoke-filled time when nothing was off the table.

Good Burger (All That)

Before there were two movies set at this fast-food restaurant, Good Burger got its start on an unforgettable skit on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show, All That. Kel Mitchell’s Ed could be the most dim-witted and frustrating cashier known to man, but there is no denying his charm or those delicious burgers and shakes (just as long as he’s not in the ice cream tank again).

Pendant Publishing (Seinfeld)

Pendant Publishing, Elaine’s longtime employer on Seinfeld popped up quite often during the show’s run. This includes some hilarious episodes like the one where Kramer tries to get a coffee table book published and another where George briefly gets a job, one of many career changes for the neurotic and opinionated character.

Strickland Propane (King Of The Hill)

Strickland Propane, known for its propane and propane accessories, could very well be the most well-known gas-based company in the history of animated television. It’s hard to not quote Hank Hill whenever going to refill a propane tank, or when you just randomly pass a rack of them when going to the grocery store.

The Bluth Company (Arrested Development)

Sure the Bluth Company helped Saddam Hussein, committed all kinds of fraud, and was led by an extremely wealthy family who lacked self-awareness or a connection to normal society, but it had a lot of charm, and that’s what matters. Can you imagine Arrested Development without this massive headache of a company?

Paddy's Pub (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been on the air since 2005, and it’s hard to find an episode that doesn’t at least partially take place in Paddy’s Pub. That gang’s bar, which somehow manages to stay in business despite small crowds and various other issues, is essentially the sixth lead on the long-running comedy series.

Vandelay Industries (Seinfeld)

Okay, Vandelay Industries doesn’t really exist, even in the context of Seinfeld, but there’s no way we were going to leave one of George’s best schemes off this list. One of the best jokes from the show’s long run on NBC, this fake latex company is classic Seinfeld.

The Android's Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop (The Simpsons) 

The Android’s Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop, home to the Comic Book Guy, is one of those locations from The Simpsons everyone had to find on the once-booming The Simpsons: Tapped Out mobile game more than a decade ago. Host of several great episodes, and even more hilarious interactions, this comic book store is a staple of Springfield.

Casa Bonita (South Park)

Okay, Casa Bonita exists in real life, but we would be remiss to leave it off our list of great TV businesses. This over-the-top and absurd Mexican restaurant is at the center of one of the best South Park episodes and remains one of the most well-known businesses in the show’s massive universe.

Vought International (The Boys)

Who doesn’t love an evil, pompous, destructive, and merciless corporation filled with villains who’ve convinced the world they are the good guys? Well, Vought International from The Boys definitely falls into that category. We just wouldn’t want to visit the headquarters or cross paths with any of its executives, especially Homelander.

Ewing Oil (Dallas)

One of the most well-known TV shows of the latter part of the 20th century, Dallas gave audiences so many unforgettable moments involving J.R. Ewing and his Ewing Oil company. This is another company we wouldn’t want to do business with, considering all the scheming, murder, and whatnot.

ACME (Looney Tunes)

Decades before all the drama surrounding Coyote vs. Acme, Wile E. Coyote used the fictional company’s products time and time again in his endless quest to capture that pesky roadrunner. Acme, Corp. had it all: dynamite, bird food, excavating equipment, you name it, but the products just never seemed to work. 

WKRP (WKRP In Cincinnati)

WKRP in Cincinnati will forever be remembered as one of the best sitcoms from the ‘70s and ‘80s, and not just because it gave us the best Thanksgiving episode of all time. The AM radio station at the center of this beloved classic was full of all sorts of misfits and outcasts trying to give you the news and some tunes you could find in a small-market Midwest town.

Bob's Burgers (Bob's Burgers)

Maybe it’s the charm that makes the titular restaurant in Bob’s Burgers so beloved because it certainly can’t be the location (right next to a crematorium) that’s bringing in its admittedly small customer base. Regardless of its issues and trappings, Bob’s Burgers is a fast-food joint that many of us know all too well.

Sanford And Son Salvage (Sanford And Son)

Sanford and Son Salvage, the family business on the classic sitcom, Sanford and Son, could very well be the most recognizable junkyard in the history of television. Sure Fred G. Sanford was more prone to faking a heart attack than giving someone a deal on some junk, err treasures, but he sure did make it all the more fun.

Gary's Shoes & Accessories For Today's Woman (Married... With Children)

One of the best aspects of Al Bundy’s character on Married… with Children was the fact that he worked at Gary’s Shoes & Accessories for Today’s Woman. This manly man who liked to drink, bowl, and sit a certain way on the couch would spend his days peddling shoes for the “modern” woman. Oh, the irony. Oh, the comedy.

MacLaren's Pub (How I Met Your Mother)

Can you count how many nights we spent with the How I Met Your Mother cast at MacLaren's Pub, their main hangout spot? It has to be dozens upon dozens, if not more. Several of the characters first met at this iconic New York City bar, a place we would certainly like to visit if it existed in the real world.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (Seinfeld)

Jerry had all the girlfriends but George had all the jobs on Seinfeld, including a stint at Kruger Industrial Smoothing. Following his stint with the New York Yankees, George lied his way into a job with this company, which would ultimately lead to Festivus, one of many phrases Seinfeld introduced to the English language.

The Max (Saved By The Bell)

Every sitcom has a go-to hangout for its cast of characters, and Saved by the Bell had The Max. Over the course of the series’ run in the early ‘90s, the students of Bayside High treated this neon-filled diner as their personal hangout where A.C. Slater would do the coolest and most ‘90s thing ever by turning his seat backwards before sitting down.

The Smash Club (Full House)

Uncle Jesse was always up to something to not lose touch with his younger and more daring self on Full House, whether it was running away from his family for a weekend in Tahoe to starting the Smash Club. This San Francisco nightclub was a major location during later seasons of the ABC sitcom’s run and gave us some hilarious, and thoughtful moments along the way.

MomCorp (Futurama)

Though the leader of MomCorp puts on the appearance of a gentle, kind, and good-natured elderly woman running a robot company, behind closed doors she’s anything but. Throughout Futurama, Mom runs her business with an iron fist. Well, except for whenever the Professor is around.

Mega Lo Mart (King of the Hill)

Mega Lo Mart, a clear parody of the real-life Walmart, came up time and time again on King of The Hill, including with its trademark commercials starring flugelhorn icon Chuck Mangione. Appearing in the first and last episodes of the long-running Fox animated series, the store was a major part of several arcs and unforgettable moments.

Outdoor Man (Last Man Standing)

Tim Taylor had “Tool Time” on Home Improvement but Mike Baxter, also played by Tim Allen, had Outdoor Man on the popular sitcom, Last Man Standing. As its name suggests, this outdoor and recreation store had everything an adventurer, fisherman, or hunter would want in life.

Packard Sawmill (Twin Peaks)

One of the great things about Twin Peaks was the fact that the Pacific Northwest town and its various businesses and industries had a tremendous amount of lore. This includes the Packard Sawmill, which was at the center of several of the major subplots and arcs in David Lynch’s mystery thriller. It was also predominantly featured in the Twin Peaks title sequence, which is one of the best in the history of TV.

Krusty Krab (Spongebob Squarepants)

We may never really know what’s in a Krabby Patty, but one thing that is for sure is that the Krusty Krab is one of the most well-known locations on Spongebob Squarepants. The better of two burger joints in Bikini Bottoms, Mr. Krab’s signature sandwich has to be one of the tastiest-looking food items in the history of animated television.

Though these fake businesses can’t be visited in real life (aside from an occasional pop-up shop marketing ploy), we can go back and watch these various shows time and time again.

Animation is one of the earlier moving art forms, and has provided countless artists the means to bring their stories to life, be it through the black-and-white hues of Bosco the Talk-Ink Kid or the multicolored bliss of Fantasia. Toons can be as simple as the Oscar-winning “The Dot and the Line” from legends Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble, or they can be as endlessly complex as Wallace and Gromit’s stop-motion universe. Television has provided audiences with 80 years of memorable projects –- including some forgotten Saturday morning gems — with new shows debuting at a rapid pace, and we’re here to celebrate the very best animated series of all time.

From classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone to modern favorites like Monkey D. Luffy and the Belcher family, CinemaBlend’s staff is saluting them all. So join us in paying tribute to the funniest, coolest, smartest, and most moving animated series that have graced our TV screens over the decades.

75. The Jetsons

Despite being the first show ABC ever broadcast in color, The Jetsons was canceled after a single season and only 24 total episodes. It just couldn’t find the right audience, at least until the reruns started airing on Saturday mornings and an entire generation of kids fell in love with the futuristic setting and zany plotlines. George, Jane, Judy, Elroy, Astro and Rosey eventually became so popular in syndication that more than 20 years after its cancellation, a further fifty-one episodes were produced, as well as a movie. It’s an unconventional success story but perhaps one fitting for a show filled with futuristic tech that hilariously never works as intended.

74. Aqua Teen Hunger Force

When Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block premiered in September 2001, Aqua Teen Hunger Force was one of its surreal cornerstones, and it’s pretty much stayed that way ever since. The long-running series follows three anthropomorphic fast food items – Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad – who get into all kinds of trouble with their neighbor(s), locals, and interdimensional beings. ATHF helped usher in a new era for adult animation at the turn of the century, and it's remained just as hilarious and timeless during that historic run. But for as wild and nonsensical as it gets, there’s a certain charm that makes it not just one of the funniest shows on Adult Swim, but in all of TV animation.

73. Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends

Though not lauded quite as high as animation giants such as Walt Disney or Hanna-Barbera, Jay Ward delivered many of the medium’s most lasting creations, with The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle at the center of his zany, intelligent, and meta-before-meta-was-cool storytelling skills. The titular moose and squirrel’s serialized rivalry with the devious Boris and Natasha can never be forgotten, while the history-adoring side characters Sherman and his pup Mr. Peabody became a pop culture magnet unto themselves over the years. Now if only we could get a Fractured Fairy Tales spinoff for the 21st century…

72. What If...?

Upon its launch, part of the reason why a Disney+ subscription was so appealing involved the streaming service's new content directly connected to major IPs like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And while we’ve been treated to a number of live-action shows, the studio also took a major risk with the multiversal animated series What If…? The comic book anthology series offers alternate realities to the MCU characters and events we know and love, and shows how the entire franchise could be radically altered if just one character's arc differed. Additionally, the voice cast of What…If? features many Marvel favorites reprising their roles to tell these ambitious stories that could never be produced in live-action.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was all about Penny Proud and her wild, yet relatable, journey through high school. While the premise was simple, this show’s fabulous crew of characters is what made it iconic, and its depiction of the day-to-day lives of an African American family is what made it groundbreaking. From our lead Penny to her father Oscar, her besties Dijonay, Zoey, LaCienega and Sticky Webb — and of course Sugar Mama — this family is the best, and we’ll adore them forever.

70. Beavis and Butt-Head

Besides The Simpsons, arguably no animated series from the 1990s sparked a bigger array of multi-generational reactions around the country than Beavis and Butthead. As soon as it premiered on MTV in March 1993, Mike Judge’s groundbreaking, edgy, and unsavory cartoon became a national sensation while following two objectively moronic teenagers barely navigating school, life, nachos, and a carousel of music video commentary. Video games, movies, tons of merchandising (both official and bootleg) flooded the market in the years that followed, and there's a reason revivals keep happening: it's a great show, dammit. Mm-heh-heh.

69. Schoolhouse Rock!

Schoolhouse Rock! is an animated gem that has been passed down from generation to generation for all the right reasons. Originally debuting on TV back in 1973, the show's approach to combining educational programming with toon-filled songs cemented it as a true classic with more lasting value than most. From grammar-focused tunes like “Conjunction Junction" to the iconic intro-to-governmental-processes track “I’m Just a Bill” to even its Preamble song, Schoolhouse Rock! has had a lasting cultural impact, influencing many other shows, and even inspiring some spoofs along the way to its permanent place within pop culture.

68. Static Shock

The DC Animated Universe got a true shock to its system when Denys Cowan's Static Shock zapped onto TV screens in the early 2000s as a Saturday morning offering on Kids’ WB. Viewers were treated to some truly exciting, funny and heartfelt episodes that tracked the heroic exploits of teenager Virgil Hawkins in Dakota City. Thanks to late series creator Dwayne McDuffie and his talented team, Static Shock remains a dynamic piece of comic book fun, serving up some serious action mixed in with thoughtful social commentary on occasion. In short, this is a super-powered gem that’s rightfully still revered to this day.

67. Dexter's Laboratory

What child hasn't wished they had a secret location in their house that provided the means to do the most fantastic things their heart desires? Dexter’s Laboratory helped many youngins live vicariously through its titular brainiac, and the general hilarity of his meddling sister Dee Dee derailing it all helped make this one a definitive Cartoon Network classic. From the brain of the similarly brainy Genndy Tartakovsky, Dexter also boasted other animated shorts like Dial M For Monkey and The Justice Friends, which were all equally as enjoyable. To this day, I bet there are many who owe their ability to say “cheese omelet” in French to this wonderful series.

66. Kim Possible

“Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me,” because it’s time to talk about Kim Possible. Mixing a high-stakes spy drama with high school shenanigans appropriate for Disney Channel-aged audiences, this show is an action-packed good time. Largely centered on Kim’s missions to take down Dr. Drakken and Shego with the help (or more like attempted help) of her bestie Ron Stoppable and his naked molerat Rufus, Kim Possible defined many childhoods and taught generations of kids, and specifically girls, that anything is possible with the right mindset and gadgets.

65. Muppet Babies (1984)

How amazing are Jim Henson’s Muppets? The list goes on, but one key factor would be that Kermit and the gang brought to life what remains one of pop culture’s only genuinely great examples of “Your favorite characters, but they’re babies.” Trading TV studios and New York City exteriors for a Nanny-run nursery where the power of make-believe knows no bounds, Muppet Babies showed viewers of all ages that imagination is powered best when one is surrounded by friends to the end. Unfortunately for avid fans, the show’s abundant use of licensed TV, film, and music clips will likely keep it from ever hitting home media.

64. Family Guy

For one reason or 69 others — get it, Peter? — certain TV shows are able to get away with wildly edgy content without getting “canceled," either literally or figuratively. Granted, Seth MacFarlane's long-running fave Family Guy actually did actually get canceled by Fox back in 2002, but the '80s-adoring comedy was able to return from its shallow grave just two years later due to extraordinary DVD sales, a hit syndicated run, and the embrace of Adult Swim. and high ratings from reruns in syndication. Ever since that 2004 revival, viewers have followed the antics of Peter, Lois, Chris, Meg, Stewie and Brian along with all the ridiculous and often offensive cutaway flashbacks that fill their lives.

63. Robot Chicken 

Watching Robot Chicken calls to mind many chldhood memories of inventing scenarios with action figures modeled after classic movie and TV characters. That's essentially what Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s stop-motion animated Adult Swim hit is: people playing with their toys. But with a bigger budget and more talented voice actors than any kids I ever played with. With boundary-pushing and insightful humor in the mix, the Emmy-winning Robot Chicken is sketch comedy at its most refreshingly unique, rebelliously raw, and deliciously nostalgic, and is not bogged down by the limitations that might come with a live-action production.

62. The Flintstones

For many people, The Flintstones is one of the first cartoons we remember watching on TV. This classic Hanna-Barbera series about a lovable caveman and his family navigating a prehistoric world field with outrageous stone-age variations of modern-day appliances and tools, is just as funny and attention-grabbing as it was upon its release more than 60 years ago, which is really saying something about its quality. On top of such indelible characters like Fred Flinstone, Barney Rubble, and the Great Gazoo, the show also has one of the most iconic opening themes of all time.

61. Freakazoid!

Though not the most marquee-ready superhero, Freakazoid!’s titular protagonist is the creation of Batman: The Animated Series legends Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, with Steven Spielberg and Tiny Toons vet Paul Ruegger leading the charge. So yeah, it’s a perfectly bonkers mix of comic book mythos mixed with slapstick and fourth-wall-breaking comedy, complete with a mini-universe of B-tier heroes and villains such as Candle Jack (but don’t say his name). Lasting two seasons from 1995-1997, Freakazoid! ss a joy for viewers of all ages, anchored by the stellar voice work of stars Paul Rugg and Ed Asner.

60. Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers

Long before the series was reimagined as a hilarious Disney+ movie starring John Mulaney and Andy Sandberg, Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers started out as a tremendous and timeless action-adventure toon about a pair of chipmunks fronting a crew of anthropomorphic animals. Thanks in part to that earworm theme, it never gets old watching Chip, Dale, Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack, and Zipper solve all manner of crimes (both big and small, really small) and save the day before the end of each episode, and the show can still hold the attention of our kids all these years later.

59. Teen Titans

Some viewers probably weren’t sure what to make of Teen Titans upon its debut, but the series eventually became a hit – and for good reason. The quirky superhero romp is the definition of cartoon greatness, as it skillfully blends action and comedy, ultimately using both to great effect. Yet, most importantly, so much heart is on display amidst the explosions and sheer wackiness as well. Because of that, Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy and Raven remain not only one of DC’s best TV super teams, but also one of its greatest familial units. And, yes, that theme song still slaps.

58. Gargoyles

The oft-underrated Saturday morning toon Gargoyles is one of those shows that manages to deliver more than the kind of action you’d expect from Disney's weekly animated fare. It’s a dark and complex drama series with dynamic characters, beautiful animation and stories that sometimes border on Greek tragedy. Many viewers understandably still have such reverence for the tales that EP Greg Weisman and his team told about the mighty Goliath and his clan of night guardians. It’s ironic that a group of beings that turn cold as stone are among some of the warmest heroes to ever grace a TV screen.

57. DuckTales

Having quite possibly the catchiest theme song on this list that's chock-full of them is probably enough reason to include DuckTales on this list, but of course, the show has so much more going for it. Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, previously only bit players in Disney cartoons, earned the star spotlight for a show that was about as close to an action/adventure cartoon as Disney had delivered at the time, making it something fresh new, and exciting. But it was still “Disney” and thus more accessible to younger viewers than other ‘80s cartoons looking to sell action figures, drawing from Carl Banks' timeless comic run.

56. Hey Arnold!

Amidst all of Nickelodeon's best chracters, perhaps no greater role model for younger viewers exists than the football-headed protagonist of Hey Arnold! In fact, Craig Bartlett’s series offered something very few animated programs have (then or since): a diverse ensemble whom kids could potentially relate to or aspire to be like. With a stunningly grounded urban aesthetic, even in its most peculiar momens, and a hefty set of valuable life lessons that often came out of dark situations, admittedly — not to mention an absolute banger of a jazz score — Hey Arnold! is a masterstroke for the medium.

55. The Real Ghostbusters

1984's Ghostbusters inspired an immediate sequel, but when live-action follow-ups stalled, Sony did the next best thing: created this magnificent riff on the beloved property. No, they couldn’t get BIll Murray and Dan Aykroyd together every three years, but they could animate Peter, Ray, Winston and Egon for a series of animated adventures around New York City, the world, and even realms beyond. The best part about The Real Ghostbusters is that it understood the irreverent tone of Ivan Reitman’s two movies, but split the difference to also appeal directly to kids who just wanted to see Slimer. When we really need a hit of that nostalgic rush, these are the Ghostbusters stories that most deserve revisiting.

54. Teen Titans Go

DC Comics adaptations often get knocked for being too serious, but that's not the case with Teen Titans Go, an effervescent, energetic, and rapid-fire funny series centered on Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire. The show embraced irreverent humor, leaning hard into its heroes' stereotypical behaviors, from Robin’s crippling need to be a leader to Raven’s broody Goth Girl energy and beyond. Without hinging on continuity or major cameos from A-list DC heroes (at least, not until Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, which was equally excellent), this slap-happy toon basically gave young kids a comic book portal where they could enjoy “waffles, waffles, waffles” without having to brood over anyone's parents getting gunned down in an alley.

53. The Powerpuff Girls

Sugar, spice, and everything nice wasn’t even half of what we got with The Powerpuff Girls. Like many other animated classics, it was a show made for kids that adults could easily also enjoy. The superpowered Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup deal with typical childhood troubles like sibling rivalry and bed wetting while also saving their town from a truly ingenious rogue’s gallery. These endearing kindergartners, their friends and foes (like arch nemesis Mojo Jojo, and Powerpuff wanna-be Princess Morbucks) provide us with laughs, lessons and intrigue, all wrapped in a parody and pop-culture focused package that doles out plenty of surprises.

52. Tiny Toon Adventures

Following in the footsteps of the iconic Looney Tunes squad was always going to be a tall order, but the Stephen Spielbeg-produced Tiny Toon Adventures understood the assignment. While the characters may have been inspired by those that came before, each one from Babs and Buster to Plucky and Hampton, was given just as much freedom to be entirely new characters, not simply the “new versions” of the classics. The humor was always on point, with plenty of gags for younger viewers, alongside references only the older “kids” watching would get.

51. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Making a cartoon for children that's as creepy as it is funny is no easy task, but Courage the Cowardly Dog found a way to execute that balance quite beautifully, relying mostly on overtly bizarre and/or paranormal villains. Courage protecting his owners, Eustace and Muriel, against everything from a cursed mummy to a duck with a mallet never gets old. It’s the most deserving Cartoon Network original that needs a revival, which could potentially still happen someday, considering Courage was part of a Scooby-Doo crossover movie released in 2021. Until that day comes, fans can revisit the entire series with a Max subscription.

50. Adventure Time

Most classic adventure cartoons engage in storytelling in a more earnest manner, but only a few effectively capture the joys of make-believe like Adventure Time — which for many is the absolute cream of the crop for Cartoon Network’s original programming. Creator Pendleton Ward’s fantasy-comedy follows Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and Jake the Dog (John DiMaggio) as they navigate the weird and wonderful, post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, having a mathematical time along the way. With its charming animation, ingenious creatures, clever world-building, and a lighthearted tone that never abandons spellbinding excitement, the fun truly never ends.

49. Big Mouth

It’s not every day that audiences get a hilariously offensive animated show that actually provides accurate representation of growing up LGBTQ+. On the surface, Netflix's Big Mouth, which rocks an all-star cast led by co-creator Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, simply shows the trouble and turmoil of puberty, sexuality, hormones, and the everyday struggle that we call “life.” Lucky for viewers, it is also much, much more than that. The show follows a group of young people who tend to be accompanied by “hormone monsters” (who now have their own wacky spinoff series) who help guide them through the changes and struggles that come with growing up.

48. Arthur

Kids owe PBS for so many great animated series, but Arthur might be its crown jewel. For over 20 years, Marc Brown’s storybook aardvark, along with his friends and family, endeared themselves to the public. The author and the show’s writing staff, through their efforts, taught youngsters firm lessons in responsibility, community, empathy and much more. What’s particularly impressive is that the grade-school comedy managed to remain consistent in conveying such morals during its lengthy run. Of course, when the program wasn’t dropping vital nuggets of knowledge, it was simply exuding pure, imaginative fun. What we have here is a truly timeless show, and one that’s sure to delight audiences for generations to come.

47. Pokémon

Part of the reason Pokémon remains one of the top franchises worldwide is because the series can have a different meaning for every generation that consumes it. The kids of 2024 can watch the same show O.G. viewers watched in the late '90s and appreciate those characters in new ways, given there have been plenty of successive projects that have come loaded with over a thousand different Pokémon for children to latch onto and make their favorite. The show's awesome battles haven't quite held up when it comes to the franchise's many video games, but perhaps someday, Game Freak will give the people what they want.

46. Spider-Man

Spider-Man fandom has been known to grow from many sources, including the comics and multiple generations of live-action blockbusters, but the Spider-Man animated series from 1994 holds a special place in the hearts of millennials – as it should, because it is amazing (pun totally intended). In retrospect, the content censorship is ridiculous (this is a show where Spidey wasn’t even allowed to punch people), but the filmmakers still found ways to deliver exciting adaptations of comic book stories, and some episodes are even better than the source material. We have yet to see a better version of the Venom origin story than what was created here.

45. Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Thanks in large part to the success of Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989, it was at one point decided that the best version of the Caped Crusader is the dark and brooding version. That has now been the go-to mode for the superhero for decades – but at the very least Batman: The Brave And The Bold reminded us for a time just how much fun the Dark Knight can be. The deep voice and silly sensibilities of Diedrich Bader make him one of the best to ever play the hero, and every episode delivers a fun team-up opportunity. Every DC character is represented with love, but there’s an argument to be made that John DiMaggio's Aquaman is the all-time best version of the Atlantean king.

44. Doug

The entire Nicktoons library was a big deal for '90s kids, and who was more relatable than Doug Funnie on Doug? Through his journal entries and soaring imagination, the preteen opened up about the seemingly everyday events of his life, from getting a haircut to trying liver and onions, and we totally felt that. We understood the middle school awkwardness, the anguish of his crush on Patti Mayonnaise and just how good it felt to rock out to your favorite band (The Beets, of course! “Aw-wee-oo! Killer tofuuuuu!”). We wanted Skeeter to be our best friend and a dog as cool as Porkchop. Not to mention, the opening credits and theme song are pretty iconic.

43. Pinky and the Brain

Let’s be honest here: Pinky and the Brain was repetitive. In every episode, the two main characters did “the same thing we do every night, Pinky… try to take over the world!” But it was the way that the odd couple mice played off of each other — with Pinky being the doofus assistant to the Orson Welles-inspired mastermind mouse that is The Brain — that allowed this Animaniacs episode segment to thrive as its own standalone series. It's one we still quote to this day, using many of the cast members’ favorite jokes. Like everything in Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain benefitted from an “anything goes” approach to humor, meaning that stories would involve Brain’s archnemesis (a hamster named Snowball) or a bit where Pinky gets elected President of the United States. And it all worked because the creators understood how to be intelligent while also being goofy.

42. X-Men: The Animated Series

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe revitalized how big and connected comic book adaptations could be, few film and TV examples truly brought to live what people loved about the medium. X-Men: The Animated Series was one of the first, giving audiences comic book-accurate versions of the beloved mutants that felt like they jumped right off the page. The show offered long-term serializing storytelling just like the source material, something that was essentially unheard of for a Saturday morning cartoon. But whether one was an avid reader or not, these were (and perhaps still are) the definitive versions of the X-Men. It’s no wonder that decades later, the series was revived as X-Men '97.

41. Infinity Train

Created by Regular Show writer/artist Owen Dennis, the Cartoon Network-turned-Max series Infinity Train is the crown jewel of overlooked and under-discussed animated series. A highly imaginative coming-of-age sci-fi fantasy,  not the most common sub-genre, the series centers on a different interconnected story and character set in each of its four seasons, with everything taking place on a mysterious and impossibly long train where most cars present challenges for the characters to figure out and overcome. It’s an emotionally gripping and exciting tale that never goes off the rails, with a stacked cast of familiar voices.

40. Futurama

The second mega-hit series created in part by Matt Groening, Futurama has always been far more than just The Future Simpsons, thanks to its unforgettable cast of meme-ready nutjobs, egomaniacs, and bending-proficient robots. From Fry’s dopey optimism to The Professor’s absent-minded genius to Hermes’ ability to drop everything if a limbo stick comes around, the series balances its strong personalities with tons of space-faring, paradox-thwarting, time-traveling mayhem that never stops being fun. Both one of the smartest and silliest animated series of all time, and filled with some of the nerdiest jokes possible, Futurama has remained a beloved small-screen entity in part because the Planet Express crew has managed to survive multiple cancellations at Fox and Comedy Central, reaching its third lifeform at Hulu, presumably because the Hypnotoad demanded it so.

39. Mickey Mouse (Classic Disney Shorts)

There are few animated characters more famous than Mickey Mouse, and it’s safe to say the House of Mouse wouldn’t be everything it is today without Disney’s classic Mickey Mouse animated shorts that debuted in the 1920s. Smartly written and brimming with slapstick comedy, these quick hits of quirky fun introduced us to the loveable mouse — who displayed courage and strength but in a way that was achievable for any of us — along with the equally iconic Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy. Included in this series is 1935’s “The Band Concert” — Disney’s first color cartoon, which quite literally paved the way for Disney animation for 100 years and counting. And while it may not be part of that exact era, give me Goofy bungling up ski lessons any day.

38. Dragon Ball Z

Though it wasn’t the first show in the franchise, Dragon Ball Z introduced countless kids and teenagers to iconic characters like Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Gohan throughout the ‘90s, especially after the anime series became a mainstay in Cartoon Network’s Toonami afternoon block. This intense cartoon about a group known as the Z Fighters who attempt to protect Earth (and later, other planets) from diabolical forces was something many of us ran home from school or off the bus to catch each weekday. The introduction of increasingly dangerous and destructive villains like Frieza, Cell, and Boo (each had their own saga) continued to raise the bar as the series went on, and make this still a gem worth revisiting.

37. Rocko's Modern Life

Is there a classic Nickelodeon show from the ‘90s that captures the spirit of the era more than Rocko’s Modern Life? This zany, surreal, and extraordinary animated series debuted in 1993 and quickly found an audience thanks to its unique style of humor that appealed to both children and adults. With characters like the neurotic titular wallaby, his best friends Heffer Wolfe and Filburt, and the various members of the Bighead family, there was so much to love about the show. It pushed the envelope with its humor and art direction and had a lot to say about the modern world, hence its name. The mammalian gang even returned to fans in 2019 with the special Static Cling.

36. Animaniacs

We still have no idea how Animaniacs creator Tom Ruegger got the greenlight to make everyone's childhood better with this hilarious, clever, but extremely inside-baseball showbiz comedy aimed at mature kids. Yes, on the surface, the Animaniacs works as a variety show, an evolution off The Muppet Show during which the hosts – the Warner siblings, one with a Liverpool accent – would set up individual cartoons. But in between, the banter and humor offered up in Animaniacs consisted of some of the funniest, most outrageous, and unpredictable jokes that would spoof Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe, and the idea of fingering Prince, as it were. Sometimes the show managed to be educational, but mostly it was pure lunacy, and we loved every second of it.

35. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Mysteries are the most entertaining genre of storytelling. What’s more satisfying than a tidy reveal at the end of a whodunit, and a villain exclaiming how they would have gotten away with it, if not for those meddling kids? Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? followed a very popular “monster of the week” format, but wasn’t afraid to push the envelope to freak out little kids who tuned into a cartoon and were terrified by haunted suits of armor, killer clowns, and more. From its unforgettable theme song to the vocal contributions of radio icon Casey Kasem as Shaggy, Scooby-Doo Where Are You? walked so that Goosebumps and Gravity Falls could run.

34. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated is a breath of fresh air within the long-running franchise birthed by Hanna-Barbera. For this particular production, the typical case-of-the-week format isn’t in play, as serialized storytelling is utilized. It’s a great approach that really fleshes out the meddling kids and the titular canine in a way that past incarnations don’t. The humor associated with this entertainment property is definitely employed in this iteration. However, what’s also exciting is how the writers and artists aim to deliver some truly scary monsters, all seemingly tied to the antagonist Mr. E. While it’s admirable that the show sticks to its predecessors’ roots in many ways, its goal to shake up the classic formula results in an overarching mystery that’s both compelling and creepy.

33. Archer

Creator Adam Reed’s singular vision and undying creativity turned Archer from a ribald spin on James Bond into one of the most well-rounded pieces of spy fiction in existence. H. Jon Benjamin’s unmistakable voice gives life to the booze-swilling agent’s snappy insults and TV-MA euphemisms alongside a downright stellar cast that also includes Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell and more. The series is a testament to the importance of characters compared to plot, with Archer’s core group shifting from years of traditional storytelling to multiple side-mission seasons such as the Miami-set Vice, the subconscious-set Dreamland, the jungle-filled Danger Island and others. On a jokes-per-minute basis, it stands next to comedy giants like The Simpsons and Airplane!, and can drink them both under the table.

32. Batman Beyond

Debuting in 1999, Batman Beyond jumps decades forward into the future and showcases the story of a now-retired Bruce Wayne who is acting as a mentor to the next generation Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, as voiced by the legend himself, Kevin Conroy. The show earned multiple award nominations, winning two Daytime Emmy Awards. Bruce and Terry have just enough similarities and frustrating differences to keep their dynamic captivating while still wholesome, which makes this particular animated series one of the most enjoyable to watch in the franchise. Terry is forced to work twice as hard in order to balance out both his personal life and his crime-fighting side persona, as he both learns from and teaches his mentor as they both work to stand up for what they both clearly believe in.

31. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

While a lot is owed to Genndy Tartakovsky’s Star Wars: Clone Wars, the animated side of George Lucas’ sci-fi universe truly took off in 2008 with the launch of Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series is, in large part, what it is due to franchise guru Dave Filoni, who thought his hiring was a prank. Filoni’s respect for Lucas’ work permeates the entire CGI show, but there are also some cool elements that he himself adds to the canon, including the now-beloved Jedi Ahsoka Tano. With incredible storylines, sweet animation and strong voice acting, this show works well on its own but also stands firmly alongside the films it builds upon.

30. Bob's Burgers

One of the many things to love about Bob’s Burgers is just how close, loving, and, well, lovingly strange the main characters at the center of the show are. The Belcher family is (mostly) committed to keeping their small, family-run burger shop up and running, but their kooky adventures usually take the whole family away from the restaurant. Exasperated pessimist Bob, his happy-go-lucky wife Linda and their kids, Tina, Gene and Louise get into a number of hilariously weird scrapes that, honestly, most of us only wish we could have to make life more intriguing. Add to that Louise’s near-constant scheming, Tina’s awkwardness, and how the whole family interacts with a town full of endearing oddballs, and you have yourself a wonderfully weird winner. Tell 'em Teddy sent ya.

29. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the perfect show for a perfect moment in time. It combined outrageous and over the top late 80s imagery with some of the first mainstream depictions of skater culture and added ninjas, an outrageous backstory and a steady stream of cheesy catchphrases. Deep in the sewer of our hearts, amidst roundhouse kicks and impossibly yellow April O’Neil jumpsuits, they carved out a place for themselves, and more than thirty years later, their ooze still remains in the form of reimagined shows, new movies and billions of dollars worth of merchandise. And despite all the success, they're still just heroes in a half-shell, and they're green. (Hey, get a grip.)

28. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)

In 1999, if you told someone a silly gap-toothed sponge would one day be as recognizable to the children of the world as Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny, they would’ve laughed. And yet, SpongeBob SquarePants continues to entertain the children of today, and has been lovingly embraced by the Millenials and Gen-Z who grew up with it as well. The internet is loaded with memes dedicated to the franchise, and there’s still plenty of debate as to what is in a Krabby Patty. With plenty of episodes and even some spinoffs, it feels like SpongeBob and friends will be entertaining children for many years to come.

27. Rugrats (1991)

Rugrats premiered in 1991 on Nickelodeon as one of the first three Nicktoons, aimed at a younger audience than Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show. It was a staple for kids throughout the ‘90s and into the early 2000s, with nine seasons about the adventures of babies Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil, with regular appearances from characters like the parents, Angelica, and (eventually) Dil. The show could swing from silly to serious, with memorable episodes that ranged from covering the grief of losing a parent to the spectacular Reptar On Ice, with a dinosaur love song that still rings in the hearts of plenty of ‘90s kids. There’s a reason why this Nicktoon show went on to inspire Rugrats movies and a 2021 reboot.

26. Harley Quinn

What happens when you blend DC Comics mythology with the kind of crass adult comedy you find in shows like Family Guy and South Park? You get Harley Quinn, which follows Kaley Cuoco’s version of The Joker’s former squeeze going on adventures with Lake Bell’s Poison Ivy, her best-friend-turned-girlfriend, and getting into hijinks with fellow supervillains and superheroes alike. One doesn’t need to be a hardcore DC fan to appreciate Harley Quinn, although that definitely helps with catching the deep-cut references and Easter eggs. As long as you're in the mood for clever writing and all the edgy, not-safe-for-kids humor you could ask for, Harley Quinn is a must-[censored]-watch.

25. Gravity Falls

With hands on our bible of beasts, baubles and bafflement — Journal 3, naturally — we can solemnly swear that Gravity Falls is the weirdest, wildest and gobblewonkiest project that’s ever come out of Disney, bursting through the castle doors like rainbows from a gnome’s mouth. Created by Alex Hirsch, the mystery-hinged funfest centers on a pair of siblings, Jason Ritter’s Dipper and Kristen Schaal’s Mabel, living with their kooky and perhaps unstable great uncle, Grunkle Stan (voiced by Hirsch). And for anyone who loves codes, hidden messages, deep lore, crytozoology, conspiracies, and everything sharing that fringe space, Gravity Falls is the holy grail of animated shows. (And that grail is filled with Pitt Cola.)

Despite nearly universal love and acclaim, Disney cut Gravity Falls’ run short at just two seasons, although the actual supplementary Journal 3 (which Hirsch co-wrote) is expansive and unique enough of an experience to at least count as a one-off special. There’s still hope that fans will one day go on more adventures in the Mystery Shack with Soos, assuming Bill Cipher doesn’t muck anything up, but even if these 40 episodes are all that ever get produced, it was perfection.

24. The Boondocks

Aaron McGruder’s adaptation of his own comic strip, The Boondocks, is a must-watch for those trying to better understand racial relations, culture, and racism in the United States. With the help of some voice acting from Regina King, Riley and his brother Huey navigate the Black experience of living in a predominantly white suburb.

The Boondocks thrived on taking hot-button issues and forcing the viewer to think about not just the issue but their own reaction and perspective of that issue. The Boondocks deserves applause for how it pushed the envelope in its four seasons and offered thoughtful commentary in a way few other animated shows can.

23. Justice League

Superheroes joining forces in the DC Animated Universe wasn’t anything new prior to 2001 thanks to special pairings in Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond’s “The Call” two-parter, but Justice League placed teamwork front and center. Viewers watched Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl vanquish terrestrial, alien and magical threats together, and it was a blast.

Justice League continues to be appreciated for its crisp animation, mature storytelling and stellar character development, as well as for transforming John Stewart from a B-list character to the definitive Green Lantern for a generation. Justice League makes an effective crash course for those wanting to dive into DC lore without having read any of the comics.

22. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Being such a well known and praised franchise for decades, die-hard fans were quite surprised when it was announced back in 2019 that the Star Trek franchise would be taking a shot at an adult comedy with a brand new animated show, Star Trek: Lower Decks. Written by Rick and Morty’s Mike McMahan, the show takes place in the 24th century and instead of focusing on the high-ranking officers on the Bridge Crew, it gives viewers a glimpse into the “lower deck” officers with the more humble jobs that keep the ship running…smoothly? The show often references the rest of the Star Trek earlier entries and breaks down sci-fi tropes, often in a very NSFW way, and should delight both seasoned and new fans alike.

21. Sailor Moon

If you’re of a certain age, Sailor Moon may be the first anime you ever saw in your entire life. It’s one of those ‘90s anime that was sandwiched between Fist of the North Star in the ‘80s, and the explosion that was Dragon Ball Z, and Pokemon in the later ‘90s. Even so, Sailor Moon still managed to stand out, and it still stands out today. It may be because Serena (or Usagi, if you prefer sub over dub) is so dang loveable. As is her relationship with Darien (AKA, Tuxedo Mask).

And of course, we can’t forget the many other Sailor Scouts, as they all have their own unique personalities and inner worlds. In truth, Sailor Moon is the kind of cartoon that appeals to both young girls, but also grown men in their ‘30s and ‘40s, and really, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

20. One Piece

Shows like One Piece don’t come along often, and really, we’re not sure there is any other show on television that’s like it. It’s one thing to have an astronomically high episode count, but quite another for that story to be serialized and tell a great story of a pirate adventure that’s been wowing viewers for over two decades. The character development and growth of the Straw Hat Pirates and the world-building it boasts makes this an easy choice for top-tier anime, and it’s great that Netflix finally took notice and made an equally enjoyable live-action series.

It’s a modern-day epic story equatable to Gilgamesh or Beowulf, and feels like a lived-in universe more than any other anime out there. It’s totally worth the time investment for those who feel overwhelmed by tackling the 1000+ episodes of this ongoing series.

19. The Critic

The Critic, which revolves around New York film critic, Jay Sherman (voiced by A League of Their Own’s Jon Lovitz) sometimes hits way too close to home. What we mean is, with many of us being critics ourselves, a lot of Jay’s fussy qualms about movies seem super spot on, such as the eye roll he gave to the made-up movie, Beverly Hills RoboCanine Cop and a Half 2 (Starring Clint Eastwood!).

But that’s just the beauty of The Critic, because even though Jay was often fed up with having to review so many mediocre movies, he still loved his job, and stayed a movie fan to his core. Which, again, hits very close to home. Plus, it didn’t hurt that the series had The Simpsons writers, Al Jean and Mike Reiss as showrunners. It stinks!...that we don’t have any new episodes of The Critic to watch these days.

18. Daria

Daria once described herself to a therapist as actively working to make people dislike her. She’s not wrong. Daria's main character is, at times, deeply unlikeable. She speaks as if she’s a detached observer into her own life, making callous observations in a dry, dispassionate voice. She’s like a real life narrator, condescendingly commenting on the world around her as everyone else plays volleyball and talks about who they’re going to prom with.

Despite all her efforts, however, it’s impossible to hate Daria because she’s really funny and also not wrong most of the time. High school is often pretty stupid and populated with try-hards who don’t know themselves or have any idea where they’re going. Listening to Daria judge them feels like therapy, even if, deep down, we know she’s just as lost as they are.

17. Over The Garden Wall

What’s most impressive about Over The Garden Wall is just how effectively it slips under your skin and rattles you. The familiar sibling dynamic between Wirt (Elijah Wood) and his little brother Greg (Collin Dean) is disarming, as are the fantasy elements and talking animals… but never forgotten is the terror that comes from the show’s central premise: two boys getting lost in the woods and trying to find their way home. Each chapter starts with a light touch, but ends up gripping you by the throat and invading your nightmares.

The episodes brim with fantastic and horrific imagination - from the shadowy beasts that lead souls astray to the disturbing Auntie Whispers (voiced brilliantly by John Cleese). There are only 10 episodes and none of them run over 12 minutes, but Over The Wall leaves a deep impression, and it’s wonderful to revisit annually during Spooky Season.

16. King of the Hill

I tell you what, it’s hard to get better than King of the Hill. The long-running hit (which has a Mike Judge-led revival coming to Hulu soon), focused on Hank, Peggy and their son Bobby Hill, and their day to day life in the small town of Arlen, Texas. This slice-of-life animated show used something a lot of people probably take for granted - the absurdities of relationships, work, growing up, marriage and other aspects of daily life - turned them up to 11 and made every episode across 13 seasons feel like we were laughing at our own friends and family.

Don’t we all know at least one person obsessed with lawn care? Or one boy who ain’t right? If not, you’ll certainly wish you knew the residents of Rainey Street and could call them neighbors, because mundane, working class life has never looked like so much looney fun.

15. Mickey Mouse (2013 shorts)

Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic characters in the history of animation. He’s been everywhere and done everything. What made the new series of shorts that began in 2013 and ended in 2023 special wasn’t that they did anything differently, (though certainly the visual style was completely new for the character) it was that they went back to the beginning and let Mickey be the Mickey he was always designed to be.

The modern run of shorts, simple called Mickey Mouse, let the big-eared protagonist be the hero, but they also let him be silly, angry, surprising, and ridiculous. They pack more gags into a five-minute short than would seem possible. The shorts were new, but also served as throwbacks to earlier Mickey eras when the character had more creative freedom before he became the icon we know. They were a breath of fresh air after decades of a stagnant and sterilized mouse.

14. The Legend Of Korra

There is sometimes debate on whether Avatar: The Last Airbender or its follow-up series, The Legend of Korra, is the better cartoon. But, when it comes to us, all we have to say is, why not both? Because honestly, you can’t lose with either series. That said, The Legend of Korra definitely is special in its own right. This is a more grown-up take on the world of Avatar, where each season introduces a new threat to our heroine, Korra (Voiced by the magnificent Janet Varney).

With each season, however, we see Korra adapt and change in ways that Aang never got to do, which is enhanced by Korra’s fantastic Team Avatar of Bolin, Mako, and of course, Asami. Oh, and speaking of Asami, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how groundbreaking this show was, as Korrasami is still one of our favorite TV couples of all time.

13. South Park

Possibly the most controversial animated show of all time, South Park. With 26 seasons under their belt, Trey Parker and Matt Stones’ on Comedy Central follows the story of four young boys and the typically pop-culture chaos that surrounds them. The show’s intro blatantly states that the show “...should not be viewed by anyone.” South Park pulls no punches and gives no f’s. T

The creators have pulled some crazy stunts in the past, like attending the 2000 Oscars while being nominated, wearing dresses, and high on LSD. They have also attempted to get their own show canceled, been banned in China, as well as hitting a television milestone by going “bleep-free” with the use of the “f-bomb” live on air. It’s a show that could not be launched today, but since it has such huge weight in the zeitgeist, expect to see some more offensive Colorado antics for some time.

12. Star Wars Rebels

Star Wars Rebels picked up the action set in the galaxy far, far away after The Clone Wars ended, and the animated series ran from 2014-2018 on Disney XD to expand on the era ahead of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with a found family of original characters. Not only did the show prove that Star Wars doesn’t need to rely on legacy characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to tell a fantastic story and deliver arguably one of the best deaths in the franchise’s history, but it set up some stellar stories that are being expanded in live-action with Ahsoka.

There was no certainty that Rebels would succeed back in the beginning despite the popularity of The Clone Wars, but the story was solid during its original run and stands the test of time for first-time watchers and re-watchers alike. And its characters, ships and plots have remained core to the universe even beyond its conclusion.

11. Invincible

Invincible was released for those with an Amazon Prime subscription during the height of superhero mania. Despite concerns about superhero fatigue, the animated series carved stands out within the genre. Namely by being the animated answer to The Boys, and being an R-rated and wildly violent cartoon show. Invincible focuses on the title character aka Mark Grayson who is a young person coming into his own as a wildly popular hero who boasts the same powers, if not the same prowess, as his father Omni- Man, who is revealed to be something quite a bit more dangerous than anyone readily expected.

Adapted rather faithfully from Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's comic book, the story is emotional, the action sequences are bloody and brutal, and Invincible’s voice cast is led by A-list talent like Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, and more. And the show is so popular that Omni-Man spawned a character in Mortal Kombat 1.

10. Justice League Unlimited

Everything that was great about Justice League got ratcheted up a notch with Justice League Unlimited. Thanks to the team’s founding heroes expanding its ranks — minus Hawkgirl, who returned later in Season 1 — this continuation allowed the DC Animated Universe to shine the spotlight on even lesser-known heroes, from Green Arrow and The Question to Booster Gold and Huntress. Like its predecessor, the show wholeheartedly embraced its printed page while also putting unique spins on its starring protagonists and antagonists.

Although there were various standalone episodes peppered throughout Justice League Unlimited, the show was at its best when delving into its serialized stories that built off plot threads from the previous DC Animated Universe shows, namely the Cadmus and Secret Society arcs. That makes Unlimited arguably feel like the most comic book-y entry in this shared continuity. While the DCAU would be revisited a handful of other times following the show’s conclusion, Unlimited definitely marked the end of an era, and it stuck the landing wonderfully.

9. Phineas and Ferb

The concept of two brothers spending their summer vacation trying to figure out a way to spend it comes with endless possibilities, and Phineas and Ferb explored them creatively and expertly. Following a formula where every episode the titular characters are always finding an over-the-top thing to do or build. Meanwhile, their sister Candace tries to bust them while their pet platypus Perry goes on a mission to stop his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his latest -enator.

Over the years, Phineas and Ferb mastered its formula and had a blast with it. Watching the brothers build a roller-coaster, create a backyard beach, get their parents' favorite band back together and oh so much more was not only fun but creatively invigorating. Not to mention, many episodes also featured incredible original music – like the Emmy-nominated song “Ain’t Got Rhythm” – meaning you’ll be humming along and thinking about this show long after the episode ends.

8. Looney Tunes

To describe Looney Tunes as a classic is completely appropriate, and yet, somehow not quite enough. This collection of animated shorts (produced from 1930 to 1969 and then revived in the late 1970s) has provided generations of audiences with wacky adventures featuring some of the most recognizable and quotable cartoon characters ever created. Even if you’ve only seen a handful of the many, many cartoons made by Warner Bros., you likely know that Bugs Bunny usually outsmarts everyone, Sylvester and Tweety are hilarious adversaries, Daffy Duck is at his funniest when he’s angry or on the losing end of anything, and that Roadrunner is way more trouble than it’s worth to Wile E. Coyote.

Looney Tunes is yet another example of how something could, technically, be pleasantly silly enough for kids, but just mature enough to get and keep the attention of adults. (Who doesn’t know what it’s like to repeatedly miss your target like Elmer Fudd?) When you watch one of these belly-laugh inducing entries, the only thing stopping you from watching another (and another) will be a power outage… That’s a joke, son!

7. Rick and Morty

A decade ago, if you asked us to name our Top Five most thoroughly inventive, consistently thrilling, amusingly thought-provoking, and deeply moving science-fiction series, we would have never guessed an Adult Swim original comedy would make the cut. Nevertheless, Rick and Morty — co-created by the now-fired Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon — has risen above its crude animation, and even cruder humor, to be widely remembered as, not just one of the funniest sci-fi TV shows, but among the genre’s all-time finest.

It is no surprise the series was bred from a Back to the Future parody short, as the pairing of alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez with his grandson, Morty Smith, feels like a more volatile Marty and Doc situation, which is also just one of the many ways the series brilliantly pokes fun at and pays homage to pop culture. However, the best Rick and Morty episodes — in addition to introducing eye-popping, otherworldly, and downright absurd concepts — honor the series’ more relatable themes, such as family and existential dread, which cleverly sneak up on you while you experience the duo's latest crazy adventure through time and space.

6. Attack On Titan

There’s a lot of great anime out there, from wholesome shows like Spy X Family to much more action-heavy series like Demon Slayer and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. But when it comes to anime that just generally rivals some of the greatest television shows of all-time, then look no further than Attack on Titan, which we once called the best under-the-radar show on television. Because no show swerved like Attack on Titan did, and it all falls upon its protagonist/antagonist, Eren Yeager, who the audience is firmly behind…until we aren’t.

That’s right, Attack on Titan initially seems very simple in premise — Titans bad, people good — but soon changes dramatically to the point where we wonder if we may have had it all wrong the entire time. Are the titans were the ones who were misunderstood, and the humans were the bad guys. Plus, this is the rare exception where the anime may be superior to the manga, and if you know anything about manga, that is no small feat. This is an anime for the ages.

5. Bluey

Bluey has simply become must-watch programming for families, and don’t be surprised when Mom and Dad find themselves just as entertained as the little ones. The infectious theme song ropes you in as it introduces Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit), little sister Bingo and big sister Bluey, but it’s the heart-filled interactions between the Blue Heelers that have kept people coming back. Some episodes are laugh-out-loud funny — “I slipped on my beans!” — and others will hit you right in the feels and cause tears to flow freely.

Parents have become endeared to Bluey because it inspires us to be better. It encourages us to play with our kids and gives us permission to act silly in public. Why care what strangers think if you can make your kids laugh, right? But Bluey also shows the harder moments. Sometimes Bandit and Chilli don’t have time to play. Sometimes they don’t know what to say or just need some peace and quiet after partying too hard on New Year’s Eve. We need permission to want those things in real life, too.

4. The Simpsons

The Simpsons is the most popular and successful animated show in history because it’s hilarious in so many different ways. No matter what your sense of humor is, there’s almost certainly a Simpsons character that’s funny in the exact way you’re looking for. From highbrow literary references thrown out as asides to people falling over and getting injured in embarrassing or gruesome ways, and everything in between, each episode is jam-packed with jokes intended to do very different things and to appeal to very different people.

If it happened in a lesser show, it might feel like pandering, but with The Simpsons, the "whatever sticks" approach always felt like layers and variance. That’s a testament to the quality of the writing. Most shows that try to do too much are overtly better at one of the things they’re trying to do, which makes the rest seem less than or out of place. Not The Simpsons. Thanks to fantastic, complicated leads and the funniest supporting network of side characters in TV history, the writers can be funny in so many unique, challenging, satirical, irreverent and sometimes prophetic ways, and they have for more than 750 delightful episodes.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender

From scathing commentary about imperialism to discussions of spirituality, trauma and extinction, Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender packs deep philosophical meaning into its animated stories. This universe, centered around people boasting the ability to bend elements, follows Avatar Aang on his journey to master the elements and defeat the Fire Lord. This series from Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko is a masterful classic, filled with fun side-quests like the trio’s journey to Omashu, as well as complex politics surrounding the Royal Fire Nation family, sassy characters (we’re of course talking about Sokka and Toph), insanely well-developed story arcs like Zuko’s, and it's all taied together with mind-boggling action,

Like the Avatar, ATLA gets stronger with time, and as Aang mastered the elements, the series grew with him. No matter how old you are, this series hits hard, and the more you watch it the better it gets. Avatar: The Last Airbender seems destined to always feel timeless, and like the Avatar’s powers, this show will likely continue to be passed down through generations for years to come.

2. BoJack Horseman

It’s understandable if you watch the first episode of BoJack Horseman and don’t quite click with it. It’s a show that throws you headfirst into its world  – providing a deep inside look at Hollywood and celebrity in a reality where humans coexist with humanoid animals. That being said, as one of the first Netflix original creations, it’s a series that greatly benefited from the streamer’s binge model, as to dig deeper into the show is to fall in love with it and everything it has to say.

All six seasons of BoJack Horseman are witty, clever, and hilarious, with countless background gags that make it incredibly rewarding on rewatch – but what makes it special is just how real it is. The aesthetic may be silly, but the characters are all ultimately broken people and there is an unflinching and powerful examination of their individual damage over the course of the show. The penultimate episode of every season manages to be as emotionally devastating as anything that Hollywood has ever produced for the small screen, and each one is both shocking and mesmerizing.

1. Batman: The Animated Series

Unquestionably one of the best examples of any animated TV show appealing to both kids and adults, Batman: The Animated Series continues to stand as perhaps the greatest triumph in the media history of DC Comics’ Caped Crusader. BTAS, and by extension The New Batman Adventures, followed in the footsteps of the Tim Burton Batman movies by bringing the character back to his darker roots and inserting viewers into an anachronistic Gotham City dripping with noir flavor. Here we have a Batman who strikes fear into the hearts of criminals just as easily as he inspires the innocent.

Anchored by the late Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne, Batman: The Animated Series effectively walked the line of honoring the source material while also putting unique spins on characters like The Joker, Mr. Freeze and Two-Face, while also launching neo-icons like Harley Quinn, Renee Montoya and a handful of others who’ve become mythos mainstays. Even ignoring that BTAS launched the beloved DC Animated Universe, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski's show serves for many as the gold(black) standard by which all other Batman adaptations are judged. 1992 may be a long time ago, but BTAS still feels wonderfully timeless.

Hopefully the next 80 years of animated series can stand up to the classic eras that have already come and gone, as well as everything happening currently. But for anyone who hasn't yet watched everything listed above, now you know the assignment, mmk?

As a show that takes place almost entirely in the next millennium, Futurama doesn’t automatically seem like the kind of show that would boast tons of cameos from modern day celebrities, athletes, politicians and scientific geniuses. Yet that’s exactly what the animated sci-fi comedy has delivered with each season that’s aired, even when occasional cancellations kept those seasons airing years apart from each other. And what’s more, quite a few of those guest stars have also popped up in co-creator legend Matt Groening’s other beloved toon series, The Simpsons.

While there are certainly far more celebrities who have only appeared on one show or the other — for instance, relatively frequent Futurama guest star Al Gore was previously tapped to host a “Treehouse of Horror” ep, but it never happened — the number of shared famous faces may be surprising to longtime fans. So let’s pop open a six-pack of Slurm and dive in, while noting right away that the aforementioned Groening isn’t on this list, despite appearing in both shows. Note that we also left out Simpsons regulars Hank Azaria and Dan Castellaneta. (Also note that The Simpsons can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription, while all eps of Futurama are available with a Hulu subscription.)

Dick Clark

• Futurama: Season 1 “Space Pilot 3000”
• The Simpsons: Season 11 "Treehouse of Horror X"

True to his real-world persona, the animated Dick Clark was also known in both animated series for hosting New Year's Eve countdowns, though he only did so as a head for Futurama. He suffered a weirder phenomenon on The Simpsons when Y2K hit and turned him into a Terminator-esque cyborg.

Leonard Nimoy

• Futurama: Season 1 “Space Pilot 3000,” Season 4 "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" 
• The Simpsons: Season 4 "Marge vs. the Monorail," Season 8 "The Springfield Files"

An icon in the world of science fiction and beyond, Leonardy Nimoy was a welcomed figure on both animated comedies. where he played himself for two episodes of each series. Arguably the best would be Futurama's "Where No Fan..." since it brought in other Star Trek vets as well.

John Goodman

• Futurama: Season 2 “XMas Story”
• The Simpsons: Season 11 "Take My Wife, Sleaze"

Longtime Futurama fans might not remember that Roseanne and The Conners lead John Goodman was the first to voice Robot Santa, with John DiMaggio taking over the role in later seasons. The Big Lebowski vet had a slightly different vibe going when portraying biker gang leader Meathook on The Simpsons.

Conan O'Brien

• Futurama: Season 2 “XMas Story”
• The Simpsons: Season 5 "Bart Gets Famous"

Having served as a writer on The Simpsons ahead of landing NBC's Late Night — he's spoken about his favorite character to write for — talk show maestro Conan O'Brien appeared as himself on both shows, interviewing Bart for his former employer, and appearing in jarheaded form for Futurama. Note that he is one of the only celebs whose head pokes out of the top, which is a joke about the comedian's larger than average dome.

Nichelle Nichols

• Futurama: Season 2 “Anthology Of Interest 1,” Season 4 "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" 
• The Simpsons: Season 15 "Simple Simpson"

A beloved member of Star Trek royalty, Nichelle Nichols portrayed herself three times across both shows, always with shows references to fall back on. (Unlike Nichols and other Trek elite, William Shatner turned down the opportunities to appear.)

Stephen Hawking

• Futurama: Season 2 “Anthology Of Interest 1,” “The Beast With A Billion Backs,” Season 6 “Reincarnation”
• The Simpsons: Season 10 "They Saved Lisa's Brain,” Season 16 "Don't Fear the Roofer," Season 18 "Stop or My Dog Will Shoot," Season 22 "Elementary School Musical"

Perhaps it's no surprise that one of TV's brainiest animated shows would repeatedly bring in one of the smartest people who ever lived. Physicist and author Stephen Hawking appeared as himself, perhaps obviously, thrice on Futurama, and is part of the four-timers club on The Simpsons.

Parker Posey

• Futurama: Season 2 “The Deep South”
• The Simpsons: Season 11 "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge"

For Futurama's mermaid-focused Season 2 episode, Parker Posey lent her voice to Umbriel, not to be confused with any other size-specific mermaids out there. Over in Springfield, Posey portrayed Otto's girlfriend Becky in a role that was initially pitched to Drew Barrymore.

Sarah Silverman

• Futurama: Season 2 “The Cryonic Woman,” “Bender’s Big Score,” Season 7 “Game of Tones”
• The Simpsons: Season 21 "Stealing First Base," Season 24 "Moonshine River," Season 26 "Clown in the Dumps," Season 28 "Treehouse of Horror XXVII"

Comedian Sarah Silverman joined the world of Futurama as the recast voice of Fry's not-so-wonderful girlfriend Michelle from the '90s, with three appearances to date. (Kath Soucie voiced her in the pilot.) She was also a romantic interest on The Simpsons for Bart in a pair of eps as Nikki McKenna, while also voicing herself and others in later seasons.

Jan Hooks

• Futurama: Season 3 “Bendless Love”
• The Simpsons: Season 9 "The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons," Season 10 "I'm With Cupid," Season 11 "Eight Misbehavin'," "Take My Wife, Sleaze," Season 12 "Bye Bye Nerdie," Season 14 "Large Marge"

Saturday Night Live vet Jan Hooks brought her comedic skills to Futurama as the criminal-loving fembot Angleyne, and while she may have wooed Bender, Hooks technically has had a larger impact on The Simpsons, where she played Apu's wife Manjula across a half-dozen appearances.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu was part of a Futurama cameo like few others, in that she voiced various bot-cloned versions of herself, with Fry dating one of them, as well as the "real" Lucy Liu's head in a jar. (Her second episode utilized excess dialogue she'd recorded the previous season.) Over on The Simpsons, she played the adoption agent tasked with deciding whether or not Selma is worthy of parenting a Chinese baby.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk tapped into both Saul Goodman and some of his Mr. Show characters to bring the ego-driven Chaz to Futurama as Leela's temporary romantic interest. And in an episode penned by his brother Bill Odenkirk, the Breaking Bad vet portrayed Fat Tony's lawyer (whose character went by that very moniker) for a Simpsons ep.

George Takei

One of the most seasoned guest stars of any Matt Groening series is Star Trek vet George Takei, who portrayed himself mostly in jar-head form for Futurama. While he did play himself for one Simpsons episode, he also voiced Happy Sumo waiter Akira, an unnamed Chinese restaurant waiter, and game show host Wink.

Mark Hamill

Having played one of cinema's most beloved heroes, Star Wars vet Mark Hamill took on voicing a somewhat equally important character for Futurama, at least to a certain segment of the population: holiday mascot Chanukah Zombie. For his single Simpsons ep, Hamill voiced himself at as sci-fi con and the bodyguard-training specialist Leavelle.

Penn & Teller

The most celebrated magical duo in history, Penn Jillette and his largely silent partner Teller appeared on Futurama in their entertainment hub of Las Vegas, or rather New Mars Vegas. (I guess it's up for debate whether Teller actually appeared, considering the state of his head.) On The Simpsons, Homer attempted to create a viral moment by interrupting one of their specials, and returned for a later episode centered on Lisa diving into the world of magic, with fellow illusionists David Copperfield and Ricky Jay also appearing.

Snoop Dogg

Rapper, actor and pop culture mainstay Snoop Dogg achieved his highest ranking yet within Futurama, with his head serving as a Chief Justice alongside the heads of Paula Abdul and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. He also played himself on The Simpsons as part of an all-star rap group Hate Squad alongside Common and Rza.

Patton Oswalt

Comedian Patton Oswalt is no stranger to self-deprecating humor, so perhaps it's fitting that his guest spot on Futurama was as Giant Unattractive Monster, who did not take kindly to Fry's insinuation that his mother's looks were to blame. He was the offspring of Portlandia vets Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's characters' on The Simpsons, voicing their son T-Rex. He returned in a later episode to voice the slime-covered entitye that served as Bart Simpson's Guilt.

Buzz Aldrin

The second person to ever set foot on the moon, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin can also boast a guest spot as a science fair judge on Futurama, in which he delivered an unexpectedly funny joke for someone of such real-life stature. Aldrin also appeared, perhaps unsurprisingly, in the Simpsons episode in which Homer goes to space, and the family's patriarch is actually dubbed a "hero" by Aldrin.

Wanda Sykes

Comedian extraordinaire Wanda Sykes delivered the robotic goods as the soda-dispensing vending machine Bev, who has a love-hate relationship with Bender while also heping to get Fry hooked on Slurm Loco. Sykes' SImpsons spot had her portraying a nameless Springfield Elementary counselor who loses her job in the middle of dispensing advice, and then calls out Milhouse for being boring. Mic drop.

Patrick Stewart

For all his years portraying Jean Luc Picard across the Star Trek universe, Patrick Stewart opted for something slightly less sci-fi for his Futurama appearance as the master of a fox-hunting club that Bender joins, complete with fancy mustache. For The Simpsons, he also went old school as the Stonecutters leader Number One, and later appeared as a bald-but-virile power plant worker whose confidence inspires Homer. (An amusing story for an actor who was initially advised to wear a wig for his Next Generation audition.)

Robert Wagner

Two and a Half Men and NCIS recurrer Robert Wagner's fame is definitely still intact in the 3000s, at least per his guest spot on Futurama, where Calculon's Walk of Fame star is replaced by a second star for Wagner, who shares a few words as an appreciative head in a jar. His Simpsons appearance seemed tailor-made for Troy McClure, as he introduced himself as an "actor, smooth customer and women's health advocate" during an instructional video teaching aging women about menopause. (Barely.)

Adam West & Burt Ward

'60s Batman stars Adam West and Burt Ward paid tribute to their respective roles during a Futurama scene parodying the comic book show's wall-climing cameo sequences, for which West voiced an actual bat-man-thing. He also appeared on The Simpsons as a car show celeb, and later teamed up with Ward for an installment featuring a faux Batman episode with Krusty as the guest star.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy are often jokingly portrayed as rivals of Matt Groening and The Simpsons universe, but he's appeared twice on Futurama - once to lay his dulcet tones down for Vegas-esque theme, and once as the dream sequence voice of Fry's dog Seymour, whose martini in hand was a tip of the wet nose to FG's Brian. He also appeared on The Simpsons as a man Marge secretly befriended during a temporary marital rut.

Kathy Griffin

As a celeb who'd previously been "canceled" over controversial photos in 2017, Kathy Griffin was an understandable choice to guest star as one of several ship captains who were sidelined for their behavior, including the titular Zapp Brannigan. She also played something of a problematic character on The Simpsons as the bully Francine, who inspired Lisa to pinpoint the phereomon that causes bullies to antagonize nerds.

With more episodes of The Simpsons and Futurama still to come in the future, the possibility for more shared guest stars is a big one.

Conventional wisdom says that “when one door closes, another door opens.” In the case of the 32 TV shows we’re about to discuss, that saying isn’t just blowing smoke. Rather, when these titles saw change or cancellation staring them down, shows like Futurama and Buffy The Vampire Slayer jumped ships -- and kept on sailing. Behold, these conquering heroes. 

Futurama

Starting life as a Fox network original, Futurama’s shiny metal lifespan was initially cut short due to being canceled after four seasons. Years down the road, Comedy Central would revive Matt Groening’s irreverent fan favorite, and Hulu would later save it from cancelation as well. As a result, Planet Express’ doors were kept open… with some gaps of time, and a couple of direct to DVD movies in between. 

The Great British Baking Show

The cozy comfort that is The Great British Baking Show switched channels in both the UK and the US, though not as often as its swapped co-hosts. In its home nation (where it’s still allowed to be called The Great British Bake Off), the program started at the BBC in 2010 and eventually moved to Channel 4 after seven seasons. Meanwhile, the rights to that show in the US were first with PBS in 2014 but are now scattered between The Roku Channel and Netflix. 

Gilmore Girls

A show like Gilmore Girls doesn't always make a switch because of being canceled. Rather, in the final season of Amy Sherman-Palladino’s pop culture touchstone, The WB became The CW, after merging with fellow defunct network UPN. As for the miniseries Gilmore Girls: A Year in the LIfe, it did originate at Netflix but eventually received a homecoming of sorts when it aired on The CW in 2020.

Arrested Development

One of, if not the first network series revived through the powers of streaming, Arrested Development seemed to constantly struggle through its three seasons at Fox. And then, the good folks at Netflix revived what seemed to be one of the Internet’s favorite shows for two additional seasons. They were even nice enough to recut Season 4 into traditional episodes, once the initial character-centric installments were met with a less than stellar reception.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

The story of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s broadcast history is rather interesting to follow. Starting out as The WB’s big Tuesday night hit in 1997, it transferred to fellow upstart network UPN in 2001. After two more seasons, Buffy would go off the air…just a couple years shy of the merger that turned The WB and UPN into what we now know as The CW.

Cobra Kai

Hey folks: remember when YouTube had original series? That’s exactly how Cobra Kai started, as YouTube Red/Premium was where the Karate Kid legacy-quel first got its legs. After two seasons aired, and with YouTube apparently not interested in anything past season 4 (according to Deadline), Netflix opened its doors and let Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) bring his dojo over to its streaming paradise. 

Last Man Standing

As Last Man Standing was sitting at six seasons, ABC canceled Tim Allen’s sitcom in 2017. That decision was supposedly due to some disputes between the network and the series’ production company, 20th Television. Which made it all the more interesting when Fox revived the series that it was already producing, for two more seasons. 

Supernatural

Just how long was Supernatural on TV? Well… it started in 2006, as a show on The WB; and then became a flagship title of its next parent, The CW, once WB merged with fellow fledgling network UPN. So while you’d know the Winchester brothers’ adventures for playing on The CW for 14 of its 15 seasons, that first aired under the house that Michigan J. Frog built. How’s that for magic?

A.P. Bio

For its brief lifespan of four seasons, A.P. Bio kicked things off at NBC and was revived as a potential Peacock subscription driver and aired two more seasons as such. Alas, the streaming reaper came for the series in 2021, ending Whitlock High’s time on our screens all too early. And what’s even sadder is we never did learn about what happened to Devin (Jacob McCarthy) after he mysteriously disappeared following Season 1? 

Family Matters

TGIF had a bit of an interesting shakeup in its later years, thanks to series like Family Matters and Step by Step defecting from its original home. Jumping from ABC after providing eight seasons of Urkel (Jaleel White) and his antics with the Winslow family, the former wrapped up on the CBS network with one final season. And depending on who you talk to, Season 9 is probably best forgotten by the world.

Archer

Archer’s 14-season run was both a hilarious parody of the James Bond movies, while also being funny and bittersweet in its own ways. While it was never canceled, and blew past the original plans to end in Season 10, a network shift did come after Season 7 aired in 2016. And that was thanks to FX Networks creating a new imprint for comedy and soccer programming, FXX. 

Babylon 5

In the beginning, Babylon 5 was a syndicated TV show that, much like Star Trek: The Next Generation before it, had no singular network home. Distributed through the Prime Time Entertainment Network for its first four seasons, creator J. Michael Strazynski didn’t think the show would get a fifth season. With a series finale already filmed, TNT stepped in to grant one last round of episodes (and a new Season 4 finale), for 1998. And according to Strazynski’s blog post from when it all happened, “Sleeping In Light” would have played just as fine at the end of Season 4. 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Here’s a fun scenario to ponder: what do you do when a series like Brooklyn Nine-Nine wants to keep existing, but home network Fox doesn’t want to go past Season 5? Well, you send the series to its true home: NBC! As the Andy Samberg-led ensemble was one of several shows saved from cancellation in 2018, the final three seasons could be chalked up to production company Universal Television saving one of its own.

Manifest

After Manifest’s wild Season 3 cliffhanger, the series’ cancellation by NBC left creator Jeff Rake, as well as the show’s fandom, all hoping for closure. While it wasn’t the full second half that Rake took to Twitter to mourn in 2021, streaming provider Netflix did step in for one final season, after finding great success with past seasons being available on its platform. 

Columbo

Detective Colombo (Peter Falk) ran through two pilots and seven seasons on NBC, between 1968 and 1978, looking to solve his cases with “just one more thing” he needed to ask about. But when it came to his eponymous series’ own fate, it received “just” three more seasons on ABC, from 1989 to 2003. 

Community

If it was up to NBC, Dan Harmon’s Community would have never gotten to the six seasons it called out for in its own universe. With that final, prophecy-fulfilling season airing on the now defunct Yahoo! Screen platform, part of a prophecy, that involves "a movie," has been fulfilled.

Everybody Hates Chris

With Chris Rock’s semi-autobiographical sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, the network shift came from a natural place: a merger. Beginning its life in 2005 on UPN, the sitcom Rock co-created with Ali LeRoi would become an original series on The CW in the 2006-2007 TV season. It would continue to air until 2009, as it would then be canceled after its fourth season. 

The Expanse

The Expanse came to an end after six seasons, with the first three airing on Syfy and the last batch going to Amazon’s Prime Video platform. But apparently, in an interview with Polygon, authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (collectively known as James S.A. Corey),said  they don’t even see the show as cancelled, but rather “paused” after Season 6. If a show can be renewed after a fan campaign draws in the likes of Wil Wheaton, George R.R. Martin, and Patton Oswalt, who are we to doubt there’s still gas in the tank? 

American Dad!

Fox ran Seth MacFarlane’s topically inclined animated comedy, American Dad!, for 11 seasons, before pulling the plug on the Family Guy originator’s co-creation with Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman in 2013. However, it didn’t take long for cable station TBS, which had been airing reruns for some time, to snag itself a new original program. So just under a month after the series “ended” on Fox, it came roaring back to life in its second healthy home. 

Friday Night Lights

Most people probably remember Friday Night LIghts as an NBC series, and considering its first two seasons aired there, that would make sense. However, if we’re going by season count, you’d technically call Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton’s ensemble drama a 101 Network series; thanks to the last three of its five seasons airing on that platform between 2008 and 2011.

The Critic

For a two-season wonder like The Critic, you’d think it would have been easy to keep it in one place for the whole run. That couldn’t have been further from the truth, as the first season aired on ABC in 1994, followed by the second season going to Fox in 1995. It’s something that would be joked about in the Jon Lovitz’ comedy’s third and final revival, as a series of webisodes on AtomFilms/Shockwave distributed between 2000 and 2001.

Matlock

Lawyer Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith) broke a lot of cases over six seasons on NBC, between 1986 and 1992. And before anyone could ask if we’d see Ben again, the fall of that very last year saw Matlock jumping over to ABC, for its final three seasons. While cast members may have changed, the iconic theme song and the public’s love for this series did not.

JAG

Here’s something fun to consider: JAG technically has two network shifts. The major one saw David James Elliott’s Lt. Harmon Rabb, Jr. go from NBC to CBS, right after Season 1’s conclusion in 1996. At its second home, the series would run for nine more seasons and spawn the hit spinoff NCIS; which is basically the procedural world’s version of Cheers and Frasier. However, the 22nd episode of Season 1, the true season finale “Skeleton Crew,” wouldn’t air on TV until 1999 on the USA Network. 

Longmire

Neo-noir/western detective series Longmire began its life as a pretty popular title on the A&E Network back in 2014.. Three seasons in, despite being a strong performer, the cable channel axed the Robert Taylor-starring series, with no rhyme or reason. Of course, that didn’t stop Netflix from reviving the series, giving it another three seasons that ran from 2015 until its second and final cancellation in 2017. 

Lucifer

After three seasons, and a finale that was specifically designed to keep the show running, Lucifer was canceled due to a “pretty narrow” audience. That, and the series was made by an outside studio, which only made the decision apparently clearer. It was Fox’s loss though, as Netflix not only brought Tom Ellis’ demonically good time back from the grave,but  the streamer gave it three more seasons to finish up. 

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Was it ever important for Mystery Science Theater 3000 to stay at one network? Not totally, though there were some hiccups in how films were chosen in later seasons because of such switches. Starting life in 1988 as a public access show for KTMA-TV, MST3K would move to Comedy Central for the bulk of its run between 1989 and 1996. One last broadcast move would happen in 1997, giving this show its final TV-bound home… before it went to Netflix for two seasons between 2017 and 2018, and then to its own indie platform, The Gizmoplex, in 2022. 

One Day At A Time

The reboot of Whitney Blake and Allan Manings’ sitcom, One Day at a Time, gave the world a new perspective on a very familiar formula. This Latinx-flavored version only lasted for four seasons sadly, with three of those seasons streaming on Netflix. After being canceled by the big red streamer in 2019, the series would be revived by Pop TV for one final abbreviated season, which aired in 2020.

Girls5Eva

Girls5Eva was a series that had a pedigree that seemed destined to last more than two seasons at Peacock. Yet the Tina Fey co-created/Sara Barellies-led ensemble found itself out the door after Season 2 ended. Though that’s not where the music stopped, as Netflix resurrected the show, proving that the cancellation reaper doesn’t always have the last word.

Doug

Most people remember Doug as a four-season Nicktoon that delved into the inner mind of Doug Funnie (Billy West) as he navigated his teenage years of crushes and bullies. But if you’re a true die-hard, then you, of course, remember Disney’s Doug…It was Doug but an ABC-tweaked incarnation that ran as part of the One Saturday Morning block. 

Cougar Town

Over four seasons of Courteney Cox’s ensemble sitcom Cougar Town, there were things that could change and things that couldn’t. While co-creator Bill Lawrence’s Twitter crusade to rename the show never came to be, the former ABC series eventually became a TBS original in the back half of its life span. And no, the network change didn’t help the case to rename the series at all.

Damages

Through 2007 to 2011, FX had a hit legal drama on its hand with Damages, starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne. When it came to the end of the third season, EW reported that the costs of the series weren’t worth the viewership to the network. Which lead The 101 Network to enter talks and eventually pick up the series, for its final two seasons. 

Clueless

Can one network alone hold the charisma of Cher Horowitz (Rachel Blanchard)? As if! While original network ABC wasn’t sold on Clueless until reruns had proven them wrong, UPN kept the series adaptation of the ‘90s movie classic going for another two seasons. If only ABC had taken a little more time to feel things out. 

Whether it’s because of cost issues, audience demand, or just good old-fashioned mergers, sometimes you’ve got to move to another network to keep the party going. These series did just that, and for better or worse, fans got more time to hang out with some of their favorite TV characters as a result. 

There are lots of things that one can do to enjoy their free time in the summer months, and a very popular diversion as of late has (somewhat surprisingly) been using one’s Netflix subscription to stream the bejesus outta Suits. The series, which aired nine seasons from 2011 through 2019, hit the service on June 23 and pretty much became an instant streaming success. It’s still crushing on Netflix, but now a reboot of another beloved franchise is starting to make its mark on the streaming charts.

How Well Has Suits Done While Streaming On Netflix So Far?

As Deadline reports, the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 was still dominated by Suits in the week of July 24-July 30, even though it didn’t manage to break its record for viewing minutes, as it had for each week prior. However, the show that’s saving Meghan Markle’s Netflix reputation still brought in 3.6 billion viewing minutes, with fans watching on the granddaddy of streaming services and Peacock (where the final season can be found).

It sounds like some of you have possibly responded well to star Gabriel Macht’s challenge to watch the whole series at least 17 times, because the legal drama has now amassed a positively whopping 20 billion viewing minutes on streaming in the first six weeks since it debuted on Netflix. This now makes it second overall in total viewing minutes, with only Stranger Things’ behemoth of a Season 4 topping it, and by only 7 billion viewing minutes. That Suits revival fans have been clamoring for might still be a longshot, but it’s never looked like more of a possibility, OK?

What Rebooted Popular Show Is Now Making Its Mark On Streaming?

After a decade without new episodic entries (though there’d been a podcast and easter eggs a-plenty in Disenchantment), the same week saw the triumphant return of Futurama, this time on Hulu (which became its streaming home in 2018), with the July 24 premiere episode bringing in 506 million viewing minutes. That doesn’t land it in the Top 10 just yet, but no one can doubt that Fry, Leela, Bender, and the rest of the gang don’t have a dedicated following who might soon change that.

Futurama, in case you’re unaware, comes from The Simpsons mastermind Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and first landed on Fox back in 1999. The series saw the adventures of pizza delivery guy Fry after he accidentally cryogenically freezes himself and wakes up in 2999, and joins the crew of an interplanetary delivery service. Plenty of fans have rallied around the show for years, especially after its initial cancellation in 2003. It was then revived by Comedy Central from 2008-2013, but those 10 total seasons simply weren’t enough for fans, and Hulu managed to give us what we wanted, with the original cast returning to voice all our faves.

If anything, the popularity of Suits and Futurama proves that when people love a show, they’ll dive right into it when they finally have the chance and barely come up for air. 

When I’m not in a theme park, I spend my time wishing I was in a theme park. While that usually means getting a look at somebody on social media at Disneyland and wishing I was there as well, the feeling isn’t limited to real theme parks. When I see a fictional theme park in a movie or TV series I feel largely the same way. And, perhaps the feeling is worse because that’s a place I’ll never even be able to go.

Sometimes, when a movie needs a theme park or amusement park for the story, they visit someplace real, even Disneyland has played itself in a couple of films. Sometimes a real park becomes a stand-in for something invented. Other times the fictional theme park is entirely invented, and thus has no restraints in its creation, which of course, makes it seem like the greatest theme park ever.

Walley World (National Lampoon's Vacation)

The greatest of all fictional theme parks has to be National Lampoon’s Vacation’s Walley World. It’s the ultimate destination vacation, as the movie is entirely about the attempts to simply get there. Of course, when they do, they discover the park is closed. Imagine getting to Orlando to discover not only closed Disney World attractions but a closed park.

Walley World is very literally inspired by Disneyland. However, Six Flags Magic Mountain was the park used to create Walley World in the original Vacation, and Magic Mountain is an excellent park, especially if you’re a serious roller coaster enthusiast. But, there’s something about the anticipation that builds up in the movie for Walley World that even the real Magic Mountain couldn’t possibly provide. Also, Magic Mountain doesn’t have a ridiculous Moose mascot.

Spooky Island (Scooby-Doo)

If there’s anything that Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights have taught us, it’s that horror and theme parks go great together. Universal is going so far as to build a permanent Horror Nights’ inspired spot in Las Vegas, but wouldn’t it be great if there was an entire, full-sized, theme park dedicated to horror? This is why Spooky Island from the Scooby-Doo movie would be so great to visit.

Entire attractions dedicated to horror themes, and even a Spooky Hotel, would have made Spooky Island a great place for horror fans to go, assuming there wasn’t somebody trying to steal your actual soul while you were on vacation. 

Luna Park (Futurama)

There are several reasons that Futurama’s Luna Park is a theme park we’re desperate to visit. First off, it’s on the freaking moon. Maybe people in the future will find a theme park on the moon so common as to be dull, but we’re with Fry. It’s a theme park… on the moon. How could you not want to go? Also, Whalers on the Moon looks like fun.

Luna Park is also a fantastic park because, for all its futuristic elements, it’s also a total throwback. Luna Park was one of the first American amusement parks, built on Coney Island in the early 1900s. It also, perhaps not coincidently, included a “trip to the Moon” attraction. The symmetry is too good to pass up. 

WonderWorld (Beverly Hills Cop III)

In a lot of ways, the theme park in Beverly Hills Cop III could be just any park. It was primarily shot at Northern California’s Paramount’s (now California’s) Great America, which (though it has seen better days more recently) was a nice enough place at the time. However, the film goes hard to make WonderWorld a true rival to Disneyland, making it a place that would be worth checking out.

WonderWorld has a full cast of original animal mascot characters like Mickey Mouse and his friends, and the park even has its own theme song, which was brilliantly written by Richard and Bob Sherman, the same duo responsible for some of the most popular Disneyland music, like the iconic “It’s a Small World” and the music of the Enchanted Tiki Room. That elevates WonderWorld beyond a simple theme park and into something quite special. 

Pacific Playland (Zombieland)

If I found myself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, I wouldn’t even need to be told there was a theme park or amusement park free of the undead before I headed there. I honestly can’t think of a place I’d rather spend the end of my days. Even if the rides aren’t actually working it would still be a lot of fun to hang out. 

Pacific Playland is the destination for our band of heroes in Zombieland, and somewhat surprisingly, it actually is the zombie-free haven they believed it would be. They get inside and get to hang out and have some fun while zombies simply look on from outside the fence. Living in a theme park is literally the dream. It's why Disney is now building planned communities. It doesn’t work out in the movie, but now that you’ve seen it, if the zombies do come you know what not to do.

Action Point (Action Point)

Action Point, from the movie of the same name, is a bit of a cheat when it comes to fictional theme parks because, while it was filmed in South Africa, Action Point is based on a very real place, New Jersey’s Action Park, which became infamous for its attractions that were deemed so thrilling that many were legitimately dangerous.

Still, there was a reason that so many flocked to Action Park. There was truly nothing else quite like it, and the fact that the park no longer exists, in reality, makes the fictional version from Action Point that much more enticing. How bad could it be? After all our Action Point review said the movie version was quite good.

Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park/Jurassic World)

Is there a greater movie theme park than Jurassic Park? Yes, when the dinosaurs get loose people get eaten and that’s terrible. But other than that I mean? In Jurassic World, it’s clear that the park has been running for years without incident and that is the park that we need to actually exist. 

The park looks massive, and the attractions are incredible. Oh, and also, it’s full of freaking dinosaurs. Who could possibly pass that up, even if there’s a slight chance you might get eaten?

When theme parks do their job, they make you feel like you've been transported to another place. The same is true of a great movie. So, theme parks in movies, when done well, must have even more magic to make us want to visit them.

Mostly good news, everyone! Futurama and the Planet Express crew are back for more sci-fi shenanigans via a new season on Hulu, and it’s like the Matt Groening creation never left our screens. The beloved series came closer than one might have expected to sounding very different, however, by way of shiny, metal ass-haver Bender, with longtime voice acting genius John DiMaggio initially holding out due to pay-related disputes with the studio. Thankfully for the fandom, the actor agreed to return as Bender a couple of weeks after the initial announcement, though it was only later when he revealed that his efforts went unrewarded by a pay boost. Ahead of Season 11’s streaming arrival amidst a pair of industry strikes, DiMaggio reflected on why he still chose to return.

John DiMaggio, who also reached deity-esque heights among fandoms for his work as Adventure Time’s Jake, spoke to Variety prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike about Bender being back (baby!), and candidly shared what influenced his decision when it was clear Hulu’s execs weren’t relenting during the back-and-forth negotiations. In his words:

Following the initial announcement that the Futurama cast was returning for more episodes sans DiMaggio, fans were quick to angrily react to even the idea of someone else voicing Bender, considering how inseparable the actor and character have become in the 24 years since the animated series first debuted on Fox. Which was followed by its eventual network cancellation, its first return via DVD features, its second return on Comedy Central, and then its second cancellation. To recast any of these characters at this point would be ridiculous (save for Billy West stepping down as Amy’s father). 

So even beyond his own inherent love of playing Bender and bringing the egotistical bot to life opposite Fry, Leela and others, John DiMaggio was inspired to return as not to turn so many fans against the show that they otherwise would continue to love, while also no doubt avoiding years of having to answer questions about whoever Hulu had in line to replace him. Let’s all agree New Bender would have been about as successful as New Coke, even though the Futurama character has a better can. Hey-oooo!

DiMaggio was the only holdout at the time, with co-star Katey Sagal telling CinemaBlend it was the “easiest” decision to return. Though his efforts went unrewarded by way of financial compensation, he said he’s felt a lot of personal vindication from fan reactions and responses he’s heard in the months since it all went down. And with his complaints at the time now part of what’s fueling the streaming-related arguments for the WGA writers strike and the actors strike, he said he feels like he made his point known, saying:

Anyone who hasn't heard John DiMaggio back in action as Bender should definitely check out the Season 11 trailer below!

Futurama fans can check out all the new episodes with a Hulu subscription, but make sure you keep all your magnets away from Bender when he’s on the screen. 

How To Watch Futurama Season 11

Watch Futurama Season 11: Synopsis

After nearly 10 years of reminiscing over Futurama reruns, Planet Express Delivery is back in business (again), and slinging out at least 20 all-new episodes. And unlike you sat reading this at home, Fry, Leela and the rest of the crew haven’t aged one bit, they have the time and energy for new adventures, and they still have all of their own teeth, especially Bender. Read our guide so you know exactly how to watch Futurama Season 11 online with new episodes landing now.

No matter how many times Futurama is canceled, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen simply scout out a new home planet and pick up where they left off, only with fresh tales of behind-the-scenes woe ripe for harvesting. This time the show's been revived by Hulu – known as 'Fulu' in the Futurama Season 11 trailer (embedded below) – and we're expecting plenty of allusions to the intervening years.

If you're new to the madcap world of Futurama, we're told that the new season can stand on its own, though dyed in the wool fans can look forward to the tying of many a long-loose thread, including a peek inside Nibbler’s litter box, the roots of evil Robot Santa, and the eventual fate of Kif and Amy’s tadpoles. 

Not only is practically the entire Futurama original cast back, but even the late Coolio will make one final appearance as KwanzaaBot. Not to be missed, we explain below how to watch Futurama Season 11 online where you are.

How to watch Futurama Season 11 in the US

Futurama Season 11 is the latest Hulu Original to drop directly onto the streaming service, with the premiere set for Monday, July 24 and new episodes scheduled for release at the same time every week at approximately 12.01am PT / 3.01am ET.

There are a number of Hulu subscription plans available. Opt for one of its on-demand plans only and get a 30-day free trial. After that, you can pay $7.99 a month for its ad-supported plan, or $14.99 a month to go commercial free.

If you want to benefit from its 85+ live channels, the Hulu + Live TV plan starts from $68.99 a month, but no longer has a free trial period.

Those in the US can get an even better value for money by subscribing to the Disney Plus bundle plan. Bringing together Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ under one subscription, there are now even more packages depending on exactly what you want to watch with all the info you need below:

Watch Futurama Season 11 online with the Disney Plus bundle

Watch Futurama Season 11 online in the UK

International audiences can watch Futurama Season 11 on Disney Plus. Futurama Season 11 began arriving on Disney Plus on July 24, the same day as in the US. That means you'll get new episodes weekly on a Monday.

If you're not already subscribed, you have the choice of two Disney Plus price points.

Opt for its £7.99 a month rate. Alternatively, save as much as 16% by paying £79.90 for a year upfront.

Watch Futurama Season 11 online in Canada

North of the border in Canada, Futurama Season 11 episodes began streaming from July 24 through Disney Plus.

In Canada, Disney Plus costs either $11.99 a month or $119.99 annually.

Watch Futurama Season 11 in Australia

Down Under you can watch Futurama Season 11 with a Disney Plus subscription. Much like the rest of the world, episodes began arriving on Monday, July 24.

Opt between its monthly rate of $11.99, or pay for a year upfront and pay $119.99, getting 12 months for the price of 10.

Futurama Season 11 Trailer

Somehow, through the magic of streaming services and a devoted fandom, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s animated sci-fi comedy fave Futurama has found itself revived for the third time. “Magic” feels like an appropriate term to use for such a phenomenon, as the full cast is returning to bring the Planet Express back to life yet again, including current The Conners star Katey Sagal as the one-eyed heroine Leela.  

You’d think that the ever-busy TV legend Katey Sagal might have been a bit tied up when this offer came in, even before the animated Married with Children revival talks hit, but not only did Sagal know she'd make it work, the decision to return was one of “the easiest” she could have ever made. During CinemaBlend's interview with the estemed actress for Blumhouse/Epix’s country music horror film Torn Hearts, it felt like the right time to eventually dig into the subject of Futurama’s revival. Much as Katey Sagal dealt with gushing currents of blood, she couldn’t help but feel flooded with love for the series she helped make famous. As such, here’s what she told us about her decision to jump back into the Planet Express:

Now in production via its third platform, after its previous cancellation on both Fox and Comedy Central — fourth if you count the direct-to-DVD features — Futurama is ready to embrace a new era of storytelling for the streaming era. It’s enough to send any Hulu subscriber back to watch the entire seven-season run+ in preparation, though fans have likely been revisiting the series consistently for years as a source of comfort TV. Said comfort sounds like it's once again part of Katey Sagal's life, as even roles on series like The Connors and Netflix's Dead To Me couldn't stop her from slipping back into Leela's persona.

Futurama loyalists are probably wondering what to expect from this new Hulu run of episodes, which is currently set at an initial order of 20 new episodes that almost saw Bender's return happening through a regular panel of guest voices. With that sort of thinking in play, who knows what other changes might have befallen the writer’s room, or any other aspect of production?  Thankfully, the negotiations that initially had John DiMaggio sitting out this Futurama revival were resolved, ensuring the same old shiny metal ass would be wreaking havoc among our favorite meatbags. 

And honestly, that just makes Katey Sagal’s remarks about what to expect in Season 8 comforting as ever: 

Futurama picking up roundabouts where it left off is a comforting notion, even if it carries some minor apprehension. Continuing to live up to its reputation of being resurrected after what feels like a perfect ending, the show is now ready to march towards yet another premiere and eventual finale with an unspecified future. Which is pretty daunting, considering this reel of every previous Futurama finale really can’t be beat.

To be perfectly honest, even though an eventual revival was kind of set up with the ending to the most recent series finale, Season 7’s “Meanwhile,” it still feels like Futurama is tempting fate. Then again, that’s what Fry, Leela, and the rest of the show’s memorable cast of characters have always done best. So why should a new Hulu revival be treated any differently than those other times? As I always say, follow the Hypnotoad unendingly. Wait, where did that come from?

We don’t know exactly when Futurama will be returning with its new Hulu episodes. However, if Katey Sagal’s outlook is any indication, that day will be worthy of celebration no matter when it happens. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for a premiere date as always, but you can see what’s already slated on the 2022 TV schedule whenever it’s convenient. Last, but not least, you can see sinister singing and seduction in Torn Hearts, which is available for rental and purchase on VOD.  

Futurama fans rejoiced when it was announced in February that the long-running series was being revived for a new season over at Hulu. However, many were disappointed when it was revealed that veteran voice actor John DiMaggio would not return to voice fan-favorite character Bender. Since then, viewers and DiMaggio himself have been campaigning for his inclusion in the show. Well, following the drama, the streamer has now confirmed who’ll be voicing the crude, beer-loving robot, and the show’s devotees are sure to be pleased. 

Hulu has officially reached a deal with John DiMaggio to reprise his role as Bender Bending Rodríguez for the new season of Futurama. With this, the so-called #Bendergate now comes to a close. Upon the announcement, DiMaggio released a statement to Variety, and he honestly couldn’t have chosen a more perfect way to confirm his return as the cantankerous, but lovable robot: 

It was originally reported that the voice actor, who has worked on various shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Samurai Jack, held out during negotiations. He later took to social media to spill the tea and explain that compensation was indeed his reason for sitting out. However, he also stressed that he believed that the entire cast deserved to be paid more. The Adventure Time alum later declared that Bender “is part of my soul” and that the goal of his sitting out was not to be “disrespectful.”

With his casting, he'll join the rest of the OG cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille and David Herman. To me, the group definitely feels complete, and the minds behind the show seem to feel the same. In his own statement, executive producer David X. Cohen praised DiMaggio, calling him not only a “great robot” but a “great human being.” Series creator Matt Groening also shared some kind words:

I honestly don’t know what’s more amazing: the fact that John DiMaggio is back as Bender or that we’re getting more of the futuristic comedy in the first place. The acclaimed series has been cancelled more than a few times over the years. Nevertheless, it arguably stayed alive due to its presence in the streaming sphere, an audio podcast and the sly references featured in shows like Disenchantment (another Matt Groening creation). Here’s to more hilarious and heartfelt adventures with the Planet Express crew and even more iconic lines from DiMaggio’s Bender!

Futurama will debut its eighth season sometime in 2023, so be sure you have a Hulu subscription if you plan to tune in. At present, you can check out CinemaBlend’s list of the new shows heading your way this year.

The impending reboot of Futurama is a mixed blessing for the fans, as it looks like the world might be getting a new Bender with the Hulu series. With voice actor John DiMaggio currently missing from the revival cast, fans were questioning why this awesome announcement would come with such a sucky sidenote. DiMaggio himself has now officially addressed the situation, spilling some tea on why he’s not part of the streaming revival, and it sounds like pay negotiations are indeed the major culprit. 

After some time had passed since the initial announcement, the legacy cast member has written about the situation. As the rest of the core cast was announced as returning, including Billy West and Katey Sagal, DiMaggio's hold out was particularly noticeable. The actor had not previously offered further details, as negotiations seemed to be pending. However, John DiMaggio has now revealed that compensation is the reason he's sitting out, thanks to the first part of his overall statement on Twitter:  

Futurama’s big revival comes several years after the show was canceled yet again after its last revival on Comedy Central. Much as it has after every series finale it’s landed, the Matt Groening creation lived a healthy afterlife through direct-to-video movies, internet memes, and countless reruns. It’s the perfect case for why Hulu would want to bring a brand back, much as it did with its cleverly-modern reboot of Animaniacs, but it’s also why John DiMaggio’s negotiations are so notable.

Through every other era of the show’s production, the entire core cast has returned to turn the lights back on. Even the ever-busy Katey Sagal, who most recently became a really important part of ABC’s The Connors, has found her way back to voice Leela once more. Continuing to explain his position on the matter, Mr. DiMaggio throws no shade towards any of his former co-stars for accepting their posts. Lovingly explaining what the character means to him, he offered some more business-oriented hang ups: 

There may be a new Bender in this next age of Futurama, but there's been no news on that front yet. Should the world be presented with that reality, all we can hope is that John DiMaggio somehow approves of his successor as Mark Hamill once approved of DiMaggio's portrayal of The Joker. Even with all of the goodwill and endorsements in the world, this is a situation that still bites shiny metal ass if I do say so myself. 

There are currently no other updates on Hulu’s Futurama reboot, so we’re not sure when to expect the finished product. In the meantime, you can check out the 2022 TV premiere dates, which reveals when all of the winter/spring arrivals will blossom.

Boy, I hope I don't wake up a short while from now only to realize that I'm just a head in a jar, because I'd rather be celebrating. The long-dormant animated comedy Futurama, which has been cancelled twice at this point, is now making a newly established comeback. It'll be via streaming this time, as Hulu has stepped in to revive the influential and endlessly hilarious series. But at the moment, it's missing one of its core stars.

At this point, almost the entire main cast is set to return for a 20-episode new season, with that list including Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman. There’s a pretty obvious name missing from that lineup, with John DiMaggio currently not having yet signed on to reprise the beloved role of Bender, he with the kissable shiny metal ass, and others. While there is active hopes from both sides for the actor to join the new episodes when they premiere in 2023, according to Deadline, he apparently held out during contract negotiations, forcing 20th Television Animation to go forward without him. 

At this point, the role is being recast ahead of Futurama’s first table read, set to take place on Monday, February 14. We can hopefully expect a positive update before that happens, or soon afterward. John DiMaggio can currently be heard on Netflix's Disenchantment Season 4, which is another creation from Matt Groening.

Speaking of the legendary animation giant, Matt Groening and fellow co-creator David X. Cohen will also be returning, with Groening offering the pitch-perfect statement below:

Hopefully that won't happen after this first 20-episode stretch, though obviously stranger things have happened to beloved TV shows. Futurama was first cancelled on Fox after its initial four-season run, and was then revived for a set of direct-to-DVD features before officially returning in episodic form to Comedy Central in 2010, where it lasted for another 52 episodes that concluded in fine form in 2013. Not that it was completely dead at that point, either. 

In 2017, the Futurama cast and creative team reunited for an audio podcast, which seemed at the time like it might be fans' last chances to catch up with Fry, Leela, and obviously Calculon and Hedonism-Bot, the true stars of the show. Even after that, though, some of the characters appeared as an easter egg within the aforementioned Disenchantment, where other Futurama easter eggs can also be found. 

Futurama made Hulu its official streaming home back in 2018, following its exit from Netflix, and apparently that was a successful enough acquisition to inspire the execs to order up some brand new episodes. And for it to come together seemingly as quickly as it did, since production is already going into effect this month. Considering Hulu also became the official home for Seth MacFarlane’s sci-fi dramedy The Orville going into its third season, which also once called Fox its home, it’s only natural for it to also be behind new Futurama installments. 

Until we know more about when to expect new episodes of Futurama, be sure to stay up to date with our 2022 TV premiere schedule to see what other hilarious and/or space-faring series are on the way. 

Netflix has been coming out with some awesome originals, and one of those is the amazing sci-fi drama, Lost in Space. A remake of the classic sci-fi TV show from the 1960s, this Netflix original tells the story of humans who are, as you would guess, lost in space, and struggle with a strange alien universe as they try to overcome issues as they arise. 

With fun effects, a great story, cool-makeup and much more, Lost in Space was one of Netflix’s best shows, in my opinion. But, with all these episodes coming out all at once, one might wonder what to watch once they’re done binging the latest season. Look no further, because we have some awesome shows that are like Lost in Space that you just might want to see next. 

Firefly (Hulu)

In this one-season sci-fi show, Firefly tells the story of a group of humans who are a part of a crew aboard a Firefly-class ship, showing their adventures in a different solar system, far away from the world we know now. 

Firefly is one of those shows where I will never forgive the network for cancelling it. While I was too young at the time of its original airing, watching it now makes me so mad because this could have been great. Firefly could have been the Star Wars saga of television for its effects, the Firefly cast, and more. For fans of Lost in Space, this show is perfect, as it not only has the space adventures you would expect, but a great cast as well. I want it to come back so badly. 

Stream Firefly on Hulu.

The Mandalorian (Disney+)

Disney+ has a runaway hit with this one. The Mandalorian, taking place after Return of the Jedi, follows Din Djarin, a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter, whose life is turned upside down when he encounters a strange alien creature (who looks like a little baby Yoda), and takes it upon himself to try and return it to its home. 

The Mandalorian has become immensely popular for a reason. Jon Favreau created a masterpiece with this show, with not only a talented cast but an essential story that feels like it’s ripped right out of the Star Wars movies. For fans of Lost in Space, you’ll love the story of Din Djarin and his space travels, but what really makes this show so good is the relationship he has with Grogu - otherwise known as baby Yoda. With plenty of jaw-dropping moments, this is one you can’t miss.

Stream The Mandalorian on Disney+.

Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)

Another classic sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica is a re-imagining of the '70s series of the same name. In this world, humanity is in another star system, where humans are settled on planets, called colonies. However, their homes are attacked by Cylons, humanoid machines that wish to take over. The last of humanity escape and are led by the Battlestar Galactica, one of the last battleships, as they try to survive constant attacks, while looking for a new home. This is their story of survival.

For a long time, I only ever really knew this show from that The Office quote (“Bears, beats, Battlestar Galactica”), but after actually giving it a watch, it’s such an entertaining series. For fans of Lost in Space, you’ll love the human connections that are formed here. It’s all about survival and trying to make sure that their loved ones are okay, something that fans of the Netflix series can relate to. Plus, the visual effects are really cool. There just might be a new series coming soon, so keep an eye out for it. 

Stream Battlestar Galactica on Peacock.

The First (Hulu)

Ever wondered what it will be like when humans make it to Mars? The First explores that, telling the story of how humans are trying to settle the planet, and the trials and tribulations it takes to do it. 

To me, The First feels like a much more grounded look into space travel. It’s not the most edgy or action-filled show, like Lost in Space is, as it focuses on that human connection at a more naturalistic level. It shows the stresses of trying to do what is best for humanity, while moving forward with innovation rather than letting setbacks continuously stop them. Sean Penn gives a great performance as the lead character, along with the rest of the cast. It’s a shame it only last for one season. 

Stream The First on Hulu.

The Expanse (Amazon Prime)

One of my favorites on the list. The Expanse is an Amazon Prime original series, telling the story of humans hundreds years in the future, where we've colonized our solar system. But, as a strange disappearance arises and unlikely allies have to come together to solve the issue, the threat of interplanetary civil war rises, exposing more dark secrets that could threaten everyone's very lives. 

This is one of those shows I don’t want to say too much about before you watch it. For fans of Lost in Space, The Expanse has plenty of awesome space travel, cool set designs, and everything else you would expect, but what I really love about it is the story. From the first episode on, there’s so much to love, and you’ll want to watch the next episode every time. 

Stream The Expanse on Amazon Prime. 

Futurama (Hulu)

You gotta love Futurama. In this hilarious sci-fi sitcom, Futurama tells the story of Fry, a normal pizza delivery boy who is accidentally frozen, and then reawakens in the year 2999. Now, he must adapt to working in a new place, living in a new world, and having new friends. 

When I think of adult animated shows, Futurama is one of the first that comes to mind. It’s so funny and features such fun stories that you can’t help but love it. For fans of Lost in Space, there are plenty of great moments that scream sci-fi that you’ll enjoy, but it’s all about that human connection again, and creating valuable relationships that you’ll want to root for until the very end. I mean, you even learn to love a wise-cracking robot. It’s such a fun show. 

Stream Futurama on Hulu.

For All Mankind (Apple TV+)

If you ever wanted a cool alternate-reality show, For All Mankind is the way to go. This Apple TV+ original series asks this question: what if the Soviet Union had beaten the U.S. to the moon in the 1960s? But, instead of the space race dying down, the discovery of water leads to it being more high stakes than ever. 

Apple TV+ has been knocking it out of the park with their original series, from the beloved Ted Lasso, to its animated shows like Central Park. However, For All Mankind is such an interesting one to watch. I’ve always been a huge fan of alternative histories and this one takes it to another level with the amount of detail, lore, and effects it uses. For fans of Lost in Space, I think you’ll enjoy the exploration and the stories about the missions to the moon. But, you should watch it regardless. Such a cool, interesting take. 

Stream For All Mankind on Apple TV+.

Steven Universe (HBO Max)

This popular cartoon is always a hit. Steven Universe tells the story of Steven, a young boy who is also half-Gem. The Gems are alien fighters who are tasked with keeping humanity safe from threats of terror and monsters. Steven looks to these Gems to learn how to understand his powers, growing as a person while doing so. 

Steve Universe is a masterclass in animation. For fans of Lost in Space, there isn’t much space exploration, but you’ll love the stories that are told, often with special powers, cool graphics, and beautiful animation. Not only that, but Steven Universe teaches valuable lessons about love and family (like Lost in Space) and learning to accept yourself for who you are. The series is such a great watch for both kids and adults alike.

Stream Steven Universe on HBO Max.

Away (Netflix)

In this Netflix original series, Away tells the story of a group of astronauts, led by Emma Green. Their main goal is to become the first crewed spaceflight to Mars after years of trying to make it happen, but in order to do so, they have to commit to being away from their loved ones for three years.

Away is the perfect one-season binge for fans of Lost in Space. Not only does it deal with space travel, it also shows the effects of being away from the ones that we care about, and what we’re willing to do to protect them. Something I also adore about Away is its cast. Led by the talented Hilary Swank, the cast has wonderful chemistry, compelling story arcs and plenty of interesting character moments that will keep you entertained. It’s a shame the series didn’t last long.

Stream Away on Netflix.

Star Trek: Voyager (Hulu)

You can’t have a sci-fi list like this and not include Star Trek: Voyager. This popular sci-fi series is a part of the Star Trek franchise, follows the Starfleet vessel, aptly called “Voyager,” as it tries to return home after being stranded for many, many years. But of course, as every Star Trek crew does, they run into problems along the way. 

Star Trek is just one of those franchises that I’m sure most sci-fi fans have watched. For viewers of Lost in Space, this series has a lot of the same beats and character moments you would expect, with several different storylines and relationships for you to root for. And, when it comes to Star Trek, you know there’s always going to be some ridiculously campy villain at some point, but they’re so much fun to watch and see our protagonists fight against. Starring Kate Mulgrew, Star Trek: Voyager is a ton of fun. 

Stream Star Trek: Voyager on Hulu.

Raised By Wolves (HBO Max)

Last but not least, we have Raised by Wolves. This HBO Max original series follows two robots who look human, named Father and Mother. Together, they are programmed to raise young human children after Earth was completely destroyed by war, alongside a human colony. Soon, the robots learn that the older humans are volatile, and it’s not easy to keep them from harming each other, whether because of religious differences, or more.

Raised by Wolves is such an interesting concept for a sci-fi show. For fans of Lost in Space, this also shows humans in a completely different environment, trying to adapt, but it’s so much more than just that. Famed director Ridley Scott serves as an executive producer, and even directed the first two episodes, so you know it’s really good. Both Amanda Collin and Abubakar Salim give amazing performances as Mother and Father, and with a second season on the way, now is the perfect time to watch. 

Stream Raised by Wolves on HBO Max.

There are truly so many amazing sci-fi shows out there for you to watch if you’re feeling up to the challenge after finishing Lost in Space. Maybe you just might have found a new TV series to love. Regardless, you’ll have a fun time watching no matter what you pick.  

Big Mouth has just come back for a fifth season - you heard me right, fifth. The iconic adult animated series on Netflix, which has been around since 2017, has returned with more stories about teens trying to come to terms with who they are, and who they’re becoming, alongside the infamous Hormone Monsters. 

But, even with the comedy's return, I, for one, binged through those episodes so quickly that I’m looking for other shows like Big Mouth now to scratch that same itch. Luckily, there are plenty of great options out there, both animated and live-action, that fans can enjoy just as much (if not more) than the acclaimed series. Here are some awesome TV series that are streaming right now, that I believe you, as a Big Mouth fan, would enjoy.  

South Park (HBO Max)

You want to talk about the ultimate adult animated comedy? Check out South Park. This iconic series follows the journey of elementary school friends Kyle, Stan, Kenny, and Cartman, as they encounter strange people, the confusing world, weird adults, and many other ridiculous moments. 

There’s a reason why South Park has gone on for so long, with 24 seasons. While the Big Mouth kids are all aged up and talking about puberty, these young ones have been stuck in the fourth grade for years, and yet, the constant tribulations that they go through never seem to get old. From hilarious political side-gigs for characters, to some truly disturbing situations, South Park is hilarious and has plenty of mature comedy for anyone to enjoy. 

Stream South Park on HBO Max. 

Pen15 (Hulu)

In this Hulu original series, Pen15, tells the comedic story of what middle school is like, through the eyes of two 7th grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of growing up and becoming a teenager. 

Pen15 is exactly what I think Big Mouth would be if it was a live-action show. The two stars (who also write and co-created the series), Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, are both in their thirties and perfectly capture the everyday trauma of what it’s like to be an insecure tween girl, slumping their shoulders and rolling their eyes. What really makes this show hilarious is that while they are clearly older, every kid around them is actually middle-school age, making their awkwardness even better. You just have to give it a shot if you like Big Mouth.

Stream Pen15 on Hulu. 

Rick And Morty (HBO Max)

Next up is Rick and Morty, the Dan Harmon-created animated series starring everyone’s favorite grandpa and grandson duo. In this popular show, the titular characters travel through the space and time as partners, getting into intergalactic fights, meeting strange creatures, and learning more about each other along the way, often while diving right into life-threatening situations.

I feel like for fans of Big Mouth, this show is one of the better ones you could watch. The humor reminds me a lot of Big Mouth because there are so many bizarre moments, but at the same time, these weird storylines and funny instances often turn into very carefully curated storylines that plenty of fans theorize about. I mean, that Season 5 finale alone is enough to spawn several articles about what might be next for the show. If you haven’t watched Rick and Morty yet, give it a shot.

Stream Rick and Morty on HBO Max. 

Freaks And Geeks (Paramount+)

I will never forgive NBC for cancelling Freaks and Geeks after only one season. Set in the early 1980s, it follows the normal, hilarious, unfair life of teenage outcasts, showing their tribulations and their traumas through hilarious moments and touching ones, as well. 

Freaks and Geeks didn’t succeed as much when it first aired, but has since become a cult classic TV series. For fans of Big Mouth, this show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that will make you snort whatever drink you’re having, while pulling at your heartstrings the next minute. Judd Apatow, now a legendary comedy director, created Freaks and Geeks, and stars like Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segal and more starred in this short-lived series. It’s only one season, but well worth the watch. 

Stream Freaks and Geeks on Paramount+.

Bob’s Burgers (Hulu)

Fox has another animated TV hit with Bob’s Burgers. This show chronicles the lives of the Belcher family, who all work at their family-owned burger shop (aptly named, Bob’s Burgers), and follows not only the kids with their own issues at school and in life, but the relationship between parents, Bob and Linda. 

Bob’s Burgers is honestly amazing. I’ve loved it since Season 1 (it's on Season 12 now) and it's only grown in popularity. From some of its wacky songs, to its heartwarming moments, there’s always something to love about it. And, if you’re a fan of Big Mouth, one character in particular will remind you of the awkwardness that those teens go through - that’s right, I’m talking about the hilariously funny, yet weirdo, young teen, Tina. 

Stream Bob’s Burgers on Hulu. 

Sex Education (Netflix)

The popular Netflix original series, Sex Education, tells the story of Otis, a socially awkward teen whose mother is a sex therapist. When his classmates learn about his mother’s occupation, they begin coming to him for sex advice - even though he’s never had sex himself. 

I mean, from the name alone I feel like Big Mouth fans would like this show. However, what really makes Sex Education such a great dramedy is that while it is hilarious, it also has true moments of education. They take a look at sex through an open-minded perspective and talk about how sexuality is on a spectrum, how we all like different things, how it’s okay to not want sex - it’s truly a great way to find laughs while also educating yourself on sexuality, romance, and even teenage life. The Sex Education cast is brilliant, and the stories are heartfelt and hysterical.

Stream Sex Education on Netflix. 

The Boondocks (HBO Max)

In this animated series, The Boondocks follows the Freemans, a black family who end up settling in the fictional, friendly - and mostly white - neighborhood of Woodcrest,  in the suburbs of where they originally grew up. 

While the show ran its course for four seasons, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for The Boondocks. Not only is its satire and comedy funny and it has plenty of moments that will have you holding your side from laughing so much, it’s not afraid to dig deep into real-life issues. Big Mouth, as funny as it is, focuses on the shame some people feel about talking about sexuality and embraces it. The Boondocks looks at issues such as stereotypes, social classes, the mixing of cultures and so much more, creating not only a funny show, but a meaningful one as well. 

Stream The Boondocks on HBO Max. 

Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Up next we have Never Have I Ever. Created by Mindy Kaling, this coming of age comedy documents the life of Devi Vishwakumar, who has recently lost her father, and wants to erase the mistakes of her freshman year of high school by losing her virginity and upping her social status. 

For fans of Big Mouth, this show also shows how weird it can be to grow up in modern times, from the demands of social media, to sexting, to friendships and everything in-between, with a wonderfully talented Never Have I Ever cast. This series is also partially based on Mindy Kaling’s life growing up outside of Boston, while Big Mouth is inspired by creators Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg’s lives in New York. 

Stream Never Have I Ever on Netflix. 

Futurama (Hulu)

After Matt Groening created the family-oriented The Simpsons, he went on to create the more mature cartoon, Futurama. In this series, we follow a pizza delivery boy named Fry, who is accidentally frozen and wakes up 999 years in the future. 

Futurama is hilarious in every way. What I think fans of Big Mouth will enjoy is the relationships that Fry builds between the new people he meets in the future. While a part of him still wants to return to his old world, the other part - one that only grows over time - wants to stay with this new family that he has made. It’s all about the loving connections people form with one another, mixed in with some futuristic hijinks and hilarious moments. 

Stream Futurama on Hulu. 

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (Hulu)

Lastly, we have It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This long-lasting sitcom shows the lives of the “gang,” otherwise known as sibling duo Dennis and Dee, their friends Charlie and Mac, and their “father,” Frank. Together, we watch their daily lives in the city of brotherly love, and the messed up situations they get themselves into. 

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is perfect for fans of Big Mouth if you like raunchy comedy. Seriously. I don’t personally believe there is another live-action sitcom that is as raunchy as some of the moments in this one. With It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 15 coming out soon, and three more already ordered, this is the longest running live-action comedy in history. And honestly, it’s well-deserved. It’s so funny. 

Stream It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu.

There are plenty of upcoming Netflix shows to get excited about besides Big Mouth, but until then, I think it’s worth the time to sit back on the couch, relax, and watch some hilarious comedies. No matter what you pick from this list, you won’t regret it, and just might find a new favorite show.

It was sad to see Conan O’Brien end his 28-year run on late night TV with plans to host a weekly variety show on HBO Max. On the bright side, the extra time does give the 58-year-old, four-time Emmy winner and podcaster more time to hone his acting skills, which he has presented before with cameos in several movies, TV shows, and even video games (namely Halo 4 and Death Stranding, to name a few). Of course, he plays himself in a lot of these appearances, like on 30 Rock, The Office, Family Guy, and his acting debut, which was also his first animated voice acting role.

The Simpsons (Conan O’Brien)

One of Conan O’Brien’s earliest gigs was writing for The Simpsons, which makes his cameo on the long-running animated series (just a year after he took over Late Night on NBC) all the more special. In a Season 5 episode in which Bart (Nancy Cartwright) becomes famous by uttering “I didn’t do it” on Krusty the Clown’s show, he lands a spot as Conan’s guest and prepares for it by studying some intelligent, anecdotal information. However, all Conan wants to hear is Bart’s famous line.

Futurama (Conan O’Brien)

Years later, Conan O’Brien would re-team with The Simpsons co-creator Matt Groening on his second most popular animated series, Futurama, for another vocal cameo as himself. However, as per tradition with the 31st-set Century comedy, only O’Brien’s head (and the head of Max Weinberg) appear in this Season 2 holiday episode because, as he explains to Bender during a set at the Catskill’s Lodge, he lost his “freakishly long legs in the war of 2012.”

Andy Richter Controls The Universe (Freddy Pickering)

One of Conan O’Brien’s first collaborations with Andy Richter after his sidekick left Late Night (before coming back for Conan’s Tonight Show and TBS stints) was on Season 2 of the comedian’s own sitcom, Andy Richter Controls the Universe. In one of his rare TV appearances as someone other than himself, the talk show host turns up the crazy to play the overly narcissistic Freddy Pickering - the wealthy heir to Andy’s company who makes work a nightmare for his colleagues and tempts Andy with the exaggeratedly luxurious life of a manager’s position.

30 Rock (Conan O’Brien)

Before Conan O’Brien wrote for The Simpsons, he wrote (and even appeared in a few sketches) for Saturday Night Live, which makes his dual cameos on 30 Rock - a parody of the behind-the-scenes antics of an SNL-style show starring and created by an SNL alum - all the more special. Both of his appearances (and anytime he is even mentioned on the irreverent NBC sitcom) reference a recurring joke suggesting that O’Brien and Tina Fey’s character Liz Lemon were once romantically involved.

Bewitched (Conan O’Brien)

Conan O’Brien also made a notable cameo as himself alongside another beloved former Saturday Night Live cast member in Bewitched - the 2005 comedy about a disgraced actor (Will Ferrell) who unwittingly casts an actual witch (Nicole Kidman) as his wife on a reboot of the magical sitcom from the 1960s. Spooked to learn he has fallen in love with a real sorceress, Ferrell’s character, Jack Wyatt, later dreams that he makes an appearance on Late Night completely nude (as seen from a green room monitor), much to O’Brien’s horrified surprise.

The Office (Conan O’Brien)

Also appearing in that Bewitched scene as a meta take on the Uncle Arthur character is Steve Carell, whose better known role from The Office cast, Michael Scott, once missed out on an opportunity to meet Conan O’Brien during a visit to Rockefeller Center in Season 2. Michael chases after someone he wrongfully assumes is Tina Fey, only to learn from the documentary crew that O’Brien was walking right the past cameras at that exact moment.

How I Met Your Mother (Bar Patron)

Conan O’Brien also made a blink-and-you-miss-it sitcom cameo on How I Met Your Mother in the Season 7 episode “No Pressure,” as a random guy at MacLaren’s Pub. The host had previously mentioned, when HIMYM cast member Neil Patrick Harris was on his TBS program, that he won a walk-on role on the show at a charity benefit and opted for an uncredited background appearance instead of the chance to formally interact with the main characters. It’s actually much funnier that way, in retrospect.

The LEGO Batman Movie (The Riddler)

You also might not have noticed when Conan O’Brien lent his voice to The LEGO Batman Movie in 2017. He does a pretty good job altering his voice (and laugh) in an especially goofy fashion to play one of the more enigmatic (and red-haired) Batman villains, The Riddler. This would not be O’Brien’s only visit to Gotham City, however.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (David Endochrine)

Before voicing The Ridder in The LEGO Batman Movie and voicing himself in the video game LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, in 2013, Conan O’Brien voiced a character in the second-half of the animated adaptation of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns that could not be more perfect for him: a late night talk show host. Even though Frank Miller obviously modeled David Endochrine (who makes the mistake of inviting the seemingly reformed Joker onto his show) after David Letterman in his original 1986 graphic novel, it is fun and fitting to see his Late Night successor fill the role.

The Mitchells Vs The Machines (Glaxxon 5000)

Conan O’Brien got to play more on the side of villainy in the Netflix original comedy The Mitchells vs the Machines, in which he gives one of his most recent vocal performances as Glaxxon 5000 in 2021. The well-dressed robot makes for a very personable (yet foreboding) host of an informative video the titular family sees as they unwittingly board one of many rockets that intend to eliminate humans from the face of the Earth.

Sharktopus Vs. Pteracuda (Conan O’Brien)

I believe that we have saved the absolute best for last on our list of hilarious Conan O’Brien cameos with his much celebrated role in Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda - a Syfy B-movie of the week from 2014. At first it seems that the host is playing some random rich, ascot-wearing douchebag until his enjoyment of the beach is interrupted by some volleyball players whom he then scolds, using his real name and referring to himself as an icon. His tirade is interrupted by Sharktopus, which shoves its tentacle up O’Brien’s rear-end and out his mouth before taking his head clean off, which the volleyball players then use to finish their game.

As some who faithfully keeps tracks of any and all upcoming Conan O’Brien TV shows, I really hope we have not seen the last of the talk show host’s acting career, whether he is playing some eccentric character in the Batman movies or some eccentric version of himself on TV.

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Adult animation.

It is a form of TV entertainment that has taken over our screens in the last twenty or so years. From that takeover, we have experienced some of the best of what television has to offer in terms of comedy, wackiness, and fun. One of those shows that took off in this genre was none other than the show about the Belcher family on Bob’s Burgers.

While each of the characters has their own interesting stories and quirky character traits, they still somehow all come together to form something of a beautiful show. However, just because Bob’s Burgers has some awesome episodes and is a great example of what adult animation can be like, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a million other options for fans of the genre to check out. Today, we take a look at shows like Bob’s Burgers, from some animated classics like South Park, all the way to more recent shows such as BoJack Horseman.

Central Park (Apple TV+)

I had to put this as the first option on this list because it’s literally created by the same people who do Bob’s Burgers. Central Park, an Apple TV+ musical comedy, revolves around a family living in Central Park who must face off against a greedy land developer who wants to turn Central Park into more apartments and commercial spaces for her own profit.

I know the premise sounds a bit generic, but trust me when I say there’s nothing quite like Central Park, even if you’ve watched Bob’s Burgers. The musical numbers in this show are off the charts amazing, the characters are fantastic and so funny, and there’s an all-star cast behind it, with the likes of Josh Gad from Frozen, Daveed Diggs from Hamilton, Tituss Burgess from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and so many more. It’s certainly worth a watch.

Stream Central Park on Apple TV+.

Regular Show (HBO Max)

While Cartoon Network was known for plenty of amazing cartoons like Courage the Cowardly Dog or The Powerpuff Girls, one show that I felt was highly underrated was Regular Show. This series is all about Rigby, a raccoon, and Mordecai, a blue jay, and their common daily lives as friends while working as groundskeepers at a park, spending most of their days trying to avoid work and have fun instead.

While this isn’t as raunchy as some of the other shows on this list, Regular Show has humor that can’t quite be beaten, just like Bob’s Burgers. The jokes are some of the funniest out there for a show that was on a children’s channel prior to becoming popular with adult audiences. And some of the storylines are genuinely interesting and so much fun.

Stream Regular Show on HBO Max.

Rent Regular Show on Amazon.

South Park (HBO Max)

Oh boy. You want to talk about adult animation, look no further than South Park. This classic Comedy Central television series, which now has 24 seasons, follows the daily lives of third graders (later fourth graders) Kyle, Stan, Eric, and Kenny, and their misadventures in the fictional Colorado town of South Park – where a lot of different people mix and mingle and cause trouble all the time.

The show has been under controversy for several of its episodes in the past, but that hasn’t stopped South Park from becoming a huge hit. For fans of the adult humor in Bob’s Burgers, this is the perfect show for you. Not only is it raunchy and so much fun with its comedy, it really just keeps the same basic format for most of its seasons, so you don’t need to catch up previous episodes. You can start wherever you want. I mean, it’s South Park. It's iconic.

Stream South Park on HBO Max.

Rent South Park on Amazon.

Family Guy (Hulu)

Another classic in adult animation. I’m quite sure this was the first show which introduced me to the genre in the first place. Family Guy, created by Seth MacFarlane, focuses on the Griffins, otherwise known as Peter, Louis, and their children, Meg, Chris and Stewie, along with their anthropomorphic pet dog, Brian. And oh boy, does this family and the show have their moments of craziness, from zombie apocalypses to pedophiles to everything in between, Family Guy has done it all.

There are so many moments in Family Guy that truly make you go “huh?” because it’s just such an out-there show. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there are still times in the show that have you laughing your head off. Bob’s Burgers might have a bit more of a wholesome family than the Griffins, but you’ll find yourself connecting with them just as much.

Stream Family Guy on Hulu.

Rent Family Guy on Amazon.

BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

Now, let’s take a look at a Netflix original. Since its premiere, BoJack Horseman has been a runaway success. This popular show follows an alternate world, where humans and anthropomorphic animals live side by side, taking place in “Hollywoo” (the D was stolen), and centers on BoJack Horseman, a washed-up star who wants to return to relevance once his autobiography is written.

Not only is BoJack Horseman a super comedic show, but for fans of Bob’s Burgers, the heartfelt moments will hit you the hardest. Compared to many of the series on this list, BoJack Horseman has some dark moments that really hit you and make you think about life in a certain way, connecting with the viewer on another level, just as there are moments in Bob’s Burgers that get to you. Plus, with a cast list that includes Aaron Paul, Alison Brie, Will Arnett and so many more, how can you not give it a shot?

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix.

The Simpsons (Disney+)

I feel like I don’t even need to explain what The Simpsons is about, but here I go for those who don’t know. The Simpsons is about the titular family, the Simpsons, and the adventures they have in their daily lives in Springfield, from Bart being a troublemaker, to Homer making mistakes at work, or anything else.

For Bob’s Burgers fans, this is literally the blueprint for all adult animated TV shows. Did you love the Belcher family? You’ll like the Simpsons family, who have literally been around since the 1980s. That’s a long time for America’s most popular animated family. I don’t even need to convince you to watch this – you’ve probably already seen an episode or two in your lifetime. And, while the earlier seasons do stand out a bit more, there’s no denying that no one can quite replace The Simpsons.

Stream The Simpsons on Disney+.

Rent The Simpsons on Amazon.

Futurama (Hulu)

Fox has produced a lot of great, hit shows, but nothing could quite beat Futurama once it came to Comedy Central. Created by Matt Groening, the same man behind The Simpsons, this popular adult animated show is almost like a workplace sitcom, where we are focused on the employees of Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery company.

If you want to talk about amazing animation, I always felt that Futurama was ahead of its time with some of the scenes they would produce. The family dynamic of the main group will have anyone who loves Bob’s Burgers smiling. Even though these employees aren’t related by blood, there’s no denying that they all clearly care for each other, no matter what happens. It’s a lot of fun for many reasons.

Stream Futurama on Hulu.

Rent Futurama on Amazon.

Rick and Morty (HBO Max)

Oh, Rick and Morty. I feel like there’s this preconceived notion that you have to be into science to enjoy this show, but you don’t at all. In fact, Rick and Morty is anything but super science-based, and they explain so much to you. This popular show, created by Dan Harmon, centers on the titular Rick and Morty, a brilliant scientist and his grandson, who go on crazy scientific adventures across the galaxy.

There’s a reason why this show was renewed for so many seasons all at once. Not only is the comedy top-notch, and the animation pretty cool, the side characters are even entertaining with their stories, before everything usually combines near the end to create something perfect. It’s certainly not the same family dynamic as Bob’s Burgers, but the adventures and hijinks that this family gets up to certainly feel familiar. If you’re not burping like Rick near the end of your binge-watch, you didn’t binge correctly.

Stream Rick and Morty on HBO Max.

Rent Rick and Morty on Amazon.

Big Mouth (Netflix)

Another Netflix original on here – and honestly one of the best shows on Netflix, Big Mouth centers around a group of teens based on the creators, and their upbringing in New York, exploring themes of puberty, the human body, and of course, sex.

Out of all the other adult animated shows on here, I think Big Mouth gets the closest to raunchiness in relation to South Park. However, fans of Bob’s Burgers will instantly be reminded of the awkwardness of Tina when faced with the characters of Big Mouth, and if anything, will laugh even more because uncomfortable situations regarding teens growing up are explored with a surprising amount of depth, creating a healthy and comedic conversation about what it’s like to grow up. Plus, some of the songs in this are killer and iconic in their own right.

Stream Big Mouth on Netflix.

Archer (Hulu)

Archer follows the story of eight secret agents, all with their own issues and dysfunctional in their own way, who work for the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a fictional intelligence agency.

I know, that already sounds like a riot considering that name for the company, but there is just something about Archer that reminds me of Bob’s Burgers, even though it’s not remotely the same. It’s possibly the comedy that comes from its eight main characters, or it could be the interesting animation choices that are made, or the heartfelt lessons that are learned occasionally – either way, I find myself rewatching Archer often. I think it’s worth a shot if you love Bob’s Burgers.

Stream Archer on Hulu.

Rent Archer on Amazon.

With all the 2021 Summer TV shows starting to premiere soon, I need to double-check to make sure any of these shows are having new seasons or episodes coming out. I know that, no matter what, I’ll be sitting in front of my TV, waiting anxiously for the next entry to join these awesome adult animated shows.

Comedy fans should know that the funniest TV shows on Hulu are an essential reason why it is one of the best streaming services to subscribe to today. From some of Hulu’s original TV shows to beloved classic sitcoms of the past, the following are some of the most hilarious series you can find with a Hulu subscription, in my opinion.

30 Rock (2006-2013)

Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin

What it’s about: An inside look at the uproarious antics going on behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy TV show.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Also created by former SNL star and writer Tina Fey, 30 Rock is a sharp industry satire that would slowly evolve into a wonderfully absurd workplace comedy.

• Stream 30 Rock on Hulu

English Teacher (2024-Present)

Starring: Brian Jordan Alvarez, Stephanie Koenig

What it’s about: The struggles of a modern-day high school faculty member, as seen mostly through the eyes of the openly gay Evan Marquez.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Also created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, English Teacher is more than just another funny comedy set at a school but a surprisingly profound snapshot of the most polarizing sociological topics of today, from both adult and teen viewpoints.

• Stream English Teacher on Hulu

Ramy (2019-Present)

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Amr Waked

What it’s about: The New Jersey-born son of Egyptian immigrants seeks spiritual guidance to better understand his Muslim faith.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Comedian Ramy Youssef (who also co-created Ramy) earned a Golden Globe for portraying a fictionalized version of himself in this funny and profoundly moving meditation on cultural identity.

• Stream Ramy on Hulu

Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)

Starring: D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis, Lane Factor

What it’s about: Jaded by their lives in an Oklahoma reservation community, four Indigenous teens plan to escape by turning to crime.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: From creators Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, Reservation Dogs sheds light on the life of the modern Indigenous youth through a cheekily comical guise.

• Stream Reservation Dogs on Hulu

Only Murders In The Building (2021-Present)

Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez

What it’s about: A mismatched trio becomes a sensation when they start an investigative podcast about deadly crimes in their famed Manhattan apartment complex.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: No TV show has captured the modern world’s obsession with true crime better, and in a funnier way, than the Hulu exclusive, Only Murders in the Building, which has Season 5 in the works.

• Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-Present)

Starring: Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olsen, Danny DeVito

What it’s about: The misadventures of a group of narcissistic and borderline sociopathic friends who own an Irish pub in South Philadelphia.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: If I were to give a name to this generation’s equivalent to Seinfeld, it would very likely be It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, despite the long-running (16 seasons and counting) FX original’s propensity to be a bit stranger and much, much darker than Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David’s classic ever proved to be.

• Stream It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Hulu

New Girl (2011-2018)

Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone

What it’s about: A recently heartbroken LA teacher moves in with three male strangers.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Zooey Deschanel brings her signature quirky charm to the small screen as the lead of creator Elizabeth Meriwether’s sitcom, but it’s her chemistry with the rest of the New Girl cast that makes it so irresistibly funny.

• Stream New Girl on Hulu

What We Do In The Shadows (2019-2024)

Starring: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasha Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch

What it’s about: A camera crew follows the daily routine of a group of naive vampires and their familiar.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Cross the mockumentary-style humor of The Office with the lore pioneered by Dracula author Bram Stoker and you get one of the funniest horror TV shows available on Hulu, What We Do in the Shadows – a series adaptation of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s horror-comedy movie classic of the same name.

• Stream What We Do in the Shadows on Hulu

Archer (2009-2023)

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler

What it’s about: The adventures of the selfish, absent-minded top agent at the already dysfunctional International Secret Intelligence Service.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: While there have already been countless parodies of great spy movies and TV shows for decades, no one has poked fun at espionage quite like creator Adam Reed’s Archer, and not just because it’s animated.

• Stream Archer on Hulu

Cheers (1982-1993)

Starring: Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Woody Harrelson

What it’s about: The staff and clientele of a Boston pub form strong relationships with one another.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: In a time when family sitcoms were all the rage, the long-running, multi-Emmy Award-winning hit, Cheers – which Frasier was spun off from – redefined the sitcom family as the people you see every day when you stop for a drink on your way home from work.

• Stream Cheers on Hulu

Futurama (1999-2023)

Starring: Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal

What it’s about: A 20th-century pizza deliverer is accidentally frozen and wakes up 2000 years later.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: The present-day looks funnier when shown through the lens of the futuristic society from Futurama, which – like co-creator Matt Groening’s other most famous creation, The Simpsons (which this series also referenced often) – pokes fun at pop culture mercilessly but makes it even more fun with sci-fi elements.

• Stream Futurama on Hulu

How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)

Starring: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan

What it’s about: A man tells his children his own love story… consisting mostly of anecdotes about his friends.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas and featuring a now-A-list cast, How I Met Your Mother became a widely beloved pop culture staple for its interesting comments on modern romance and surviving adulthood.

• Stream How I Met Your Mother on Hulu

Scrubs (2001-2010)

Starring: Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison

What it’s about: An underachieving doctor learns about more than just medicine while working at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Fans of medical dramas and quirky sitcoms looking for a series that combines the styles of both should look no further than creator Bill Lawrence’s Scrubs, which is surrealistically funny but can be heartwarming and even heartbreaking at times.

• Stream Scrubs on Hulu

The Great (2020-2023)

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult

What it’s about: A humorous retelling of the rise of Catherine the Great as the governess of Russia.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: By being a bit loose with the facts, The Great also succeeds in being an amusing and thought-provoking reflection of modern-day society with more old-fashioned production design and lavish costumes.

• Stream The Great on Hulu

Abbott Elementary (2021-Present)

Starring: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams

What it’s about: A camera crew follows the eccentric, diverse faculty at a Philadelphia elementary school with a low reputation.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: The documentary-style sitcom is nothing new but star and creator Quinta Brunson’s Emmy-winning Abbott Elementary is a refreshing entry for its irreverent, high-brow sense of humor.

• Stream Abbott Elementary on Hulu

Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)

Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy

What it’s about: A wealthy family is forced to live in a rural community they purchased as a joke when it becomes their sole asset after losing everything else.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Few “riches-to-rags” stories have been as uplifting, influential, and absolutely hilarious than this Canadian import, which is co-created by Schitt’s Creek cast members and real-life father and son, Eugene and Dan Levy.

• Stream Schitt’s Creek on Hulu

Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)

Starring: Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews

What it’s about: A funny, fictionalized look at the childhood of comedian Chris Rock.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: Rock co-creates and narrates Everybody Hates Chris, which is a fun, autobiographical twist on the family sitcom.

• Stream Everybody Hates Chris on Hulu

Modern Family (2009-2020)

Starring: Ed O’Neil, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet

What it’s about: A documentary crew follows an aging divorcee, his new, younger Colombian wife, his daughter and her childish spouse, her younger brother and his husband, and their respective children

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: From creators Christopher Lloyd (not that one) and Steve Levitan, this sweet, Emmy-winning mockumentary-style ABC sitcom authentically, and tastefully, defines what it means to be a Modern Family.

• Stream Modern Family on Hulu

The Golden Girls (1985-1992)

Starring: Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Betty White, Rue McClanahan

What it’s about: A quartet of single women – including the down-to-earth Dorothy, her outspoken mother, Sophia, the dim but endearing Rose, and the romantically active Blanche – learn to survive each other as roommates in Miami.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: As the title of The Golden Girls suggests, our central characters prove that, despite having entered their golden years, they have not yet lost their biting sense of humor.

• Stream The Golden Girls on Hulu

Rick And Morty (2013-Present)

Starring: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden

What it’s about: An alcoholic mad scientist drags his meek, teenage grandson on dangerous, often life-changing adventures to different worlds.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: While it is essentially an animated parody of Doc and Marty McFly’s relationship in Back to the Future, Rick and Morty (co-created by Community mastermind Dan Harmon) has become one of the most acclaimed science-fiction TV shows in recent memory.

• Stream Rick and Morty on Hulu

Atlanta (2016-2022)

Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz

What it’s about: A penniless college dropout takes on the responsibility of managing his cousin’s up-and-coming rap career.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: I might be cheating by including this Emmy-winning FX original because, as seen in many of the best Atlanta episodes, it is more than a comedy but a dystopia of surrealist mundanity that can make you laugh, cry, frighten you, or leave you ultimately bewildered by its stunning creativity and brutal honesty.

• Stream Atlanta on Hulu

Letterkenny (2016-2023)

Starring: Jared Keeso, Nathan Dales, Michelle Mylett, K. Trevor Wilson

What it’s about: An inside look at rural Canada through the eyes of the diverse, eccentric citizens of the eponymous town.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: You will never think of the Great White North in the same way again after the Letterkenny cast teaches you a whole new vocabulary, gives you a fresh perspective on a wide variety of topics (including classic pop culture moments), and has you howling with laughter, if you can keep up with the rapid-fire dialogue.

• Stream Letterkenny on Hulu

Bob’s Burgers (2011-Present)

Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal

What it’s about: Bob Belcher struggles to keep his restaurant in business and his sanity intact as he and his eccentric family endure a series of unusual, yet oddly relatable, mishaps.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: The animated culinary comedy Bob’s Burgers (easily the sweetest and most endearingly quirky of anything in Fox’s Animation Domination slot) has also inspired an acclaimed feature-length spin-off released in 2022 and an actual cookbook, too.

• Stream Bob’s Burgers on Hulu

Key & Peele (2012-2015)

Starring: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele

What it’s about: A series of irreverent short films from the minds of the titular comedy duo.

Why it is one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu: The former MADtv cast members took the world by storm with one of the best sketch comedy TV shows in recent memory, Key & Peele, which showcased hilarious bits featuring a name pronunciation-challenged substitute teacher and man hired to translate President Barack Obama’s words into furious rants.

• Stream Key & Peele on Hulu

These TV shows, old or new, are just what a Hulu subscriber needs to keep them laughing until they cry.

If you enjoy the lowbrow satirical style of Seth MacFarlane and the intergalactic adventures of Star Trek, you probably would enjoy, or have enjoyed, The Orville. The Family Guy creator’s first live action scripted series about an exploratory spaceship creep headed by the bumbling Capt. Steve Mercer (MacFarlane) and his second-in-command, and ex-wife, Commander Kelly Grayson (Adrienne Palicki) was recently picked up for a third season by Hulu after originally airing on Fox.

The Orville has received much praise as a smoothly executed crossbreed of science fiction with comedy, incorporating an earnest space opera aesthetic with an even application of a classic sitcom tone. It seems that there are not enough TV shows available that can achieve such a balancing act, unless you know where to look.

TV shows that blend comedy with sci-fi, as well as crime and even horror, are not as rare as you may think, and the best ones are available to stream on all of your favorite services. As you wait for The Orville to return, try these 10 other genre juxtapositions that are just one click away.

Ash Vs Evil Dead (Netflix)

Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy is a bit of a mixed bag of genres, starting off as “the ultimate experience in grueling terror” before growing aggressively cheesier and funnier with each forthcoming installment. In my opinion, the franchise’s most perfectly executed marriage of horror with slapstick came with this series that continues the adventures of reluctant "deadite" fighter Ashley J. Williams.

Bruce Campbell reprises his most famous role as the quippy, chainsaw-hand-bearing man-child Ash, now in his 50s, who teams up with his younger S-Mart employees Pablo (Ray Santiago) and Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) to finally put a stop to the forces of darkness, who are after him with a vengeance this time. Campbell announced his retirement of the character after Ash vs Evil Dead was cancelled in 2018, but at least he went with a bang on this cartoonishly gory, relentlessly fun, and thoroughly hilarious series that no horror fan will be able to resist. Stream it on Netflix here.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Hulu)

Clearly, we want the most competent and skilled people available patrolling our streets and bringing crime’s worst offenders to justice. But, there is just no fun in watching cops on TV who are good at their job.

Thankfully we have Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a workplace comedy disguised as a crime procedural starring Golden Globe-winning Saturday Night Live vet Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta, a childish detective who butts heads with the uptight Capt. Ray Holt (Homicide: Life on the Streets vet Andre Braugher). The hilarious ensemble cast and cleverly goofy send-ups of crime show cliches has earned this long-running sitcom much love from critics and audiences alike. Stream it on Hulu here.

Eureka (Amazon Prime)

Syfy, when it was still called the Sci-Fi Channel, must have wanted to cash in the success of dramedies centered around a small community of shady characters in the vein of Desperate Housewives, without sacrificing their science-fiction edge. I would say that they just about nailed it with this unique series that lasted five seasons.

U.S. Marshall Jack Carter (Craig Ferguson) finds himself intelligently outnumbered when he is reinstated as the sheriff of Eureka: a rural town fully inhabited by the world’s most brilliant minds, whose revolutionary experiments and inventions often lead to trouble. Even when the disaster-of-the-week plot element might get a little silly at times, Eureka’s lighthearted comedic overtones, strong ensemble cast, and character-driven, over-arching storylines will keep you invested in this show that makes you wish you paid more attention in science class. Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Futurama (Hulu)

Remember Demolition Man, the utopian action comedy in which Sylvester Stallone is brought out of cryogenic hibernation in 2032 to stop a malicious Wesley Snipes? Well, what if, instead of a hard-nosed, incriminated cop thawed out for a purpose, it was an aimless 20th-century pizza boy frozen by accident and thawed out after millennium to overwhelming effect?

Such is the case for Phillip J. Fry (Billy West), the hero of Futurama, who slowly learns to adapt to the year 3000 after joining an eclectic ensemble of space travelers as an employee of the futuristic delivery service, Planet Express. The Simpsons creator Matt Groening brings his signature style of pop culture riffing (with help of some reanimated celebrity heads to keep things relevant) to this beloved animated that aired on Fox for four seasons before Comedy Central picked it up for three more after a seven year hiatus. Stream it on Hulu here.

Future Man (Hulu)

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg proved they had a knack for genre fusing with the hilarious apocalypse epic This Is The End and bringing a unique comedic flavor to their TV series update of the irreverent comic book Preacher. However, as producers and frequent directors of the Hulu original series Future Man, they really let their freak flag fly.

This bizarre sci-fi/comedy hybrid has no shame in directly addressing its similarities to flicks like Back to the Future in the pilot, in which young janitor Josh Futterman (Josh Hutcherson) is recruited by time travelers to save humanity. In fact, the concept of Season 2 heavily pays tribute to Back to the Future Part II, but with a Mad Max aesthetic. When it is not indulging in poking fun at pop culture, Future Man makes an inventive mockery of the future, introducing dark premonitions that redefine cringe-worthy comedy. Stream it on Hulu here.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Netflix)

This cult favorite series about an average man and his goofy robot friends held hostage on the “Satellite of Love” by a mad scientist looks like a straight-forward space opera parody similar to The Orville. That is merely the framing device, used as a cleverly elaborate excuse to talk shit on some of the worst movies ever made.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is more of a parody within a parody, with each episode seeing its main characters take hilarious potshots at the aggressively mediocre B-movie of the week they are forced to watch. The show has gone through various distributors since 1988, spawned a theatrical movie in 1996, and saw a short-lived revival on Netflix in 2017, never once sacrificing its enduring gimmick of poking fun at crap cinema. Stream it on Netflix here.

One Punch Man (Netflix, Hulu)

Superhero fiction is at its most engaging when the story focuses on the hero’s more vulnerable qualities and most challenging feats. This series succeeds in the supposedly impossible task of making the adventures of a costumed vigilante whose crime fighting responsibilities are hilariously devoid of any challenge addictively entertaining.

Based on the manga by Yusuke Murata, the titular hero of One Punch Man gets his name from his ability to defeat any enemy in just a single attack, a blessing that also curses the ultra-powerful twenty-something with utter boredom, rendering the superhero lifestyle pointless i his eyes. This is a unique breed of Japanese anime that, itself, is a satire of common anime tropes by turning existential crisis into comedy gold in the most inventive way. Stream it on Netflix here or Hulu here.

Red Dwarf (Britbox)

The Orville owes a lot to this British cult classic that arguably paved the way for the rise of the science-fiction sitcom. In fact, Red Dwarf is so beloved that fan demand has allowed it to last more than 30 years, despite numerous cancellations.

Set three million years in the future, this roommate sitcom disguised as a charmingly cheap B-movie follows David Lister (Craig Charles), the last remaining human being alive, stranded in the vast stretches of deep space on the titular mining ship with a group of odd creatures he calls friends. Despite its cult status, Red Dwarf is relatively difficult to find online, but luckily, it is available to stream on Britbox, which can be subscribed to through Amazon Prime. Stream it on Britbox here.

Rick And Morty (Hulu)

When thinking of science fiction series with the most dominance over popular culture, titles such as Doctor Who, Star Trek, or Black Mirror often come to mind. The last type of show that anyone would have expected to earn a spot among those classics is an animated Adult Swim series that crudely pokes fun at such series, yet here we are.

Co-created by Community maestro Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, also the voice of the titular heroes, Rick and Morty chronicles the frequently dark, yet brilliantly satirical, dimension-hopping adventures of a grandfather-grandson duo who bare a subtle resemblance to Doc Brown and Marty McFly. It is rare for a comedy series to claim its most absurdly bizarre, low-brow episode concepts as the source of its most talked-about strokes of genius, which is why the devout worship of this hit continues to prosper four seasons in. Stream it on Hulu here.

3rd Rock From The Sun (Amazon Prime, Vudu, Crackle)

Extraterrestrials are traditionally speculated to intellectually surpass human beings. This Emmy-winning sitcom that lasted six seasons hilariously suggests the contrary.

A quartet of aliens (John Lithgow, Kristen Johnson, French Stewart, and a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt) assume human form to pose as a family as part of a mission to study life on Earth, a topic that proves to be far more challenging to understand than they may have anticipated. Lithgow and Kristen Johnson both received Emmys for their gloriously over-the-top performances in 3rd Rock from the Sun, a show that humanizes otherworldly creatures more bizarrely than any comedy before. Stream it on Amazon Prime here, on Vudu here, or on Crackle here.

The Orville may be one of the best hybrids of comedy with a deeply opposing genre today, but it is merely one of many that make such a jarring juxtaposition of genres feel so pleasantly natural. Be sure to keep an eye out for more examples of this topic and more streaming recommendations here at CinemaBlend.

After a year of waiting, the second part of Disenchantment Season 1 -- sometimes just called Disenchantment Season 2 -- has arrived. Audiences were obviously excited to find out what happened to Elfo, and how Bean would react if she found out her birth mother was actually the evil person and not her stepmother Oona. There was also some excitement over references, and how Matt Groening and crew would once again sneak in some references to The Simpsons and Futurama.

Fans were not disappointed when it came to Futurama, which had a few references throughout the season both subtle and rather obvious. With that being said, the biggest and most obvious reference of the season came when Zog was forced to save pig Prince Merkimer from a raiding party. The king was able to channel his former self temporarily, and sprung into action while screaming a very familiar line.

For those unaware, the line from Disenchantment's king is very similar to Bender's catchphrase in Futurama, "Bite my shiny metal ass." To the best of our knowledge, Zog doesn't have a shiny metal ass, so the context was changed to make the line work for the Netflix original series. A pretty masterful switch for the medieval adventure!

The reference was made even better considering that John DiMaggio is the voice of King Zog and Bender. That shouldn't surprise a ton of people considering how similar the two sound, though Zog's voice does tend to be a little less nasally than Bender. Still a great delivery, regardless, and one that certainly got a few Futurama fans all hyped up.

Here's the big question: Was this just a meta reference or is it tied to the story? Remember, Part 1 of Disenchantment had a brief scene in which the Futurama crew were seen traveling through time in the crystal ball. Have they been to Dreamland before, and that's possibly the inspiration behind Zog uttering the line years later?

There's been hope that there will be some form of crossover between Disenchantment and Futurama since the show's announcement, but after Part 2 we're no closer to finding out whether or not that will happen. In fact, there definitely seemed to be a bigger effort on Disenchantment's part to minimize connections and continue to establish its own world without being reliant on references to Groening's past works. It doesn't mean it won't happen, but the priority seems to be letting this show continue to build its own universe rather than reference other shows.

The Simpsons, Futurama And The Legendary Career Of Matt Groening

Do you think the characters of Futurama will eventually appear in Disenchantment? State your case in the comments below and be sure to catch Part 2 right now on Netflix. For a look at what all is coming to television in the coming months, be sure to visit our awesome fall premiere guide.

Late in the last century, Matt Groening emerged as a huge agent of change in the world of comedy and animation. With the development of The Simpsons, he was at the forefront of a new wave of animators and comedians who were rewriting how the world saw cartoons. Guys like Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis & Butthead, John Kricfalusi, the mind behind Ren & Stimpy and of course Trey Parker and Matt Stone from South Park all became names at similar times.

It was Matt Groening that led the way, starting modestly with his groundbreaking comic strip Life in Hell in the '80s, which led directly to his creation of The Simpsons, which begat Futurama, a show which is not quite a spinoff of The Simpsons but shares a whole lot in common with its humor.

Most recently, Matt Groening has joined the streaming world with the first season of Disenchantment on Netflix and there is reason for Groening fans to believe that his record of success will continue. He may forever be associated with that magical time in animation in the 1990s, but it all actually all started way back when bellbottoms were the highest fashion, Grand Funk Railroad ruled the Billboard charts, and Homer Simpson still had a full head of hair.

Matt Groening's Early Career

Matt Groening got his start in comic strips. He had always been a fan of newspaper comics, like Peanuts and Nancy and when he got older, he discovered the likes of the more subversive comic artists of the day, especially Robert Crumb.

With those artists as his inspiration, after college he moved to Los Angeles from his native Oregon and began drawing his first major work, the comic Life In Hell, about a weird-looking rabbit named Binky, his on-again-off-again girlfriend Sheba and his son (not with Sheba) named Bongo.

Then there are Akbar & Jeff, two gay lovers -- or is it brothers -- who are essentially identical looking and mostly seen arguing with each other. Either way, they were groundbreaking characters as openly gay men in media in the early '80s. The comic strip also featured peeks into characters he would later develop into the Simpson family, namely Bart.

At some point in the mid-eighties, legendary TV producer James L. Brooks, the creator of such iconic '70s shows as Taxi and The Mary Tyler Moore, was in the midst of developing The Tracy Ullman Show for the upstart Fox Network when he first saw one of Matt Groening’s Life In Hell comic strips. He loved and reached out to Matt Groening with an idea.

James L. Brooks approached Matt Groening about creating short, animated “bumpers” for Tracy Ullman’s sketch show, and while Groening was intrigued by the idea, he feared losing control of his beloved characters, so he decided to come up with a new idea and a new set of characters. The shorts would revolve around a dysfunctional family named The Simpsons.

The History Of The Simpsons

The first short featuring The Simpsons on The Tracy Ullman show premiered on April 19, 1987, as part of Episode 3 of Season 1. It was about two minutes long, called Good Night. The animation was rudimentary and not all that removed from Matt Groening’s style in the Life In Hell comic strips. It also occasionally featured cameos from his Life In Hell family of rabbits.

The Simpsons became a regular part of the show thereafter, and every episode of Seasons 2 and 3 featured a Simpsons short, with 48 in total. One of these shorts from Season 3, titled Family Therapy was also released theatrically as a lead-in to the Kathleen Turner/Michael Douglas black comedy, War Of The Roses.

In the wake of the popularity of the shorts on Tracy Ullman, Fox greenlighted a season of full half-hour episodes for the 1989-1990 television season and on December 17th, 1989, The Simpsons debuted. While it was no surprise the show was a hit, there was no way for Matt Groening or anyone else to predict that it would become the longest-running scripted primetime television shows in history, still producing new episodes and drawing big ratings an astonishing 30 years later, ten years more than its closest rivals.

The Simpsons took a season or two to truly find its voice, but once it did, it became a juggernaut. It was the first runaway hit for Fox and it is not a stretch to say that without it, the network wouldn’t be what it is today. Matt Groening served as the co-showrunner of the show for the first couple of seasons, but his influence on it as the creator is undeniable. Many characters are named after his own family members and the town of Springfield, meant to be Anytown, USA, is loosely based on his hometown of Portland, OR, though not specifically so.

After the huge success of The Simpsons, which including best-selling merch and commercial endorsements, notably, Butterfinger, Fox approached Matt Groening to develop another animated show. He pulled in Simpsons writer David X. Cohen and Futurama was born.

The History Of Futurama

The history of Futurama is scattered and uneven, but that is not the fault of the creators of the show, whose vision for the show and the characters was clear from the beginning. It is a history of starts and stops and fits, but it’s also the story of loving care by the creators and passion from its loyal fans.

Futurama’s story begins with the premiere episode that was written by creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, who also served as the showrunners for all of Futurama’s run, which eventually involved three networks and a series of direct-to-video movies in between a years-long break between new episodes after Fox essentially canceled it in 2003 after four seasons. It returned on Comedy Central in 2009 and ran for three more seasons, including the four feature-length straight-to-video episodes that eventually made up Season 5.

The animation is similar to The Simpsons, though the used much more CGI from the very beginning, whereas the early seasons of The Simpsons were almost entirely hand drawn. The humor is also more esoteric and…nerdier… than The Simpsons, almost as if they gave The Comic Book Store Guy his own show to write, and for the humor and writing, Groening and Cohen did extensive research into old science fiction movies and comics.

While The Simpsons, does have what could be considered a strong “cult” following by the most diehard fans, its appeal, as is evident from incredible run of more than 600 episodes to date, is far broader than Futurama, but Futurama is the very definition of a cult classic, with a smaller but just as dedicated fan base.

The History Of Disenchantment

Five long years after Futurama’s run on Comedy Central came to end, Matt Groening and Netflix announced they were teaming up for a new animated series called Disenchantment about the disenchanted and disillusioned Medieval princess, Princess Bean and her demon, Luci.

Disenchantment is the darkest of the three Matt Groening animated series by far. While his shows have always been adult-oriented, they still relied on more kid-friendly tropes, like a traditional cartoon. Disenchantment has almost none of that, save for Luci the demon and Elfo the happy go lucky elf and foil to Luci. Bean is a heavy drinker that is in constant rebellion against her family and her life.

Disenchantment’s animation is much more similar to Futurama’s as is the humor. Matt Groening has always had a undercurrent of dark humor, but in this show, he is really letting his dark flag fly and while the reviews have been mixed, it’s safe to say that like early Futurama and early Simpsons, it maybe has not fully found it’s voice yet, but that it will likely will. It is trademark Groening and Disenchantment has found its fanbase, if not its mature voice yet. Netflix, thankfully, is giving it time to breath and has already announced that it has renewed more episodes to run at least through 2021. If the past is indication, it will no doubt turn into another hit for Matt Groening.

From his humble beginnings with his simple drawings and biting, sarcastic, and dark sense of humor that formed the brilliant comic Life In Hell comic to the unsurpassed and incredible success of The Simpsons Matt Groening’s success is the stuff of legends. It’s highly unlikely that show will have the longevity or profound impact on comedy like The Simpsons has had. It’s hard to believe it's lasted this long and who knows, might not ever end. Meanwhile, Groening continues to draw on that wickedly sharp sense of humor in the modern age of streaming and binging with Disenchantment. His vision for all three shows have reshaped comedy forever.

Holiday specials are a dime a dozen on television, but there are some truly special ones available on streaming that may be lost in the rush to watch old classics and new holiday offerings. This is particularly true in the genre of adult animation, which boasts a fair amount of great holiday episodes to throw on when the old and new wear out their welcome.

Bob's Burgers- "Bob Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

Plot Synopsis: Bob and the family come into what they think is great wealth when a distant relative passes, and instead get a storage unit with a man believing he was a mannequin who came to life. The family takes him in for the holidays, which he repays by creating elaborate holiday window displays that draw a lot of business to the restaurant.

Why you should watch it- The humor of this episode is on par with some of the best Bob's Burgers has to offer, but the takeaway message has that family feel to it that's perfect to remind others to be kind during the holiday season.

Where to stream it- Hulu

Futurama- "X Mas Story"

Plot Synopsis- Fry learns about the new traditions of X-man (formerly known as Christmas) as the crew tries their best to inform him of what's changed. Unfortunately, they don't do a good enough job of warning him about Robot Santa Claus, a defective robot with unachievable standards of what qualifies as "nice." That means he strolls the streets and kills whoever he finds on his naughty list X-Mas night, which is a problem for Fry.

Why You Should Watch It- Futurama does some pretty good gags that poke fun at the holidays, although the best moments of this episode come from Professor Farnsworth's nude romps.

Where to stream it- Hulu

King Of The Hill- "Livin' On Reds, Vitamin C, And Propane"

Plot Synopsis- Hank takes the passing of his mother's friend as an excuse to rent a big rig and take it from Arlen to Arizona on a Christmas adventure with Bobby. The adventure becomes troublesome for a multitude of reasons, and Hank is discouraged when men at a diner don't view him as an actual "trucker."

Why You Should Watch It- This is probably one of the best episodes of King of the Hill period, mainly due to the hijinks of Dale, Boomhauer and Bill. Additionally, the episode also features voice work from country artists like Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt and George Strait.

Where To Stream It-Hulu

Family Guy- "Jesus, Mary, And Joseph!"

Plot synopsis: Family Guy tells the story of the birth of Jesus in a way that only the Seth McFarlane series would dare to.

Why You Should Watch It: This is definitely not one that should be watched around religious relatives who may find the multitude of jokes against Christianity sacrilegious. That said, for Monty Python fans who enjoy The Life Of Brian, this is certainly in the same vein, with a bit more raunch because that's what Family Guy does. Plus, the ending is pretty hilarious.

Where To Stream It- Hulu

Moral Orel- "The Best Christmas Ever"

Plot Synopsis: Orel's family Christmas goes awry, but the young boy is relatively oblivious to it and is more focused on the reverend's message that Jesus may return in the form of another. Morel then suspects that his younger brother Shapey is Christ resurrected.

Why You Should Watch It - Again, this probably isn't one to watch with religious relatives in earshot, but relatively funny for those who don't mind the irreverent humor. Plus, the claymation style is reminiscent of old-school Christmas specials like Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, except even more twisted. Be warned, the humor in this special is pretty damn dark!

Where To Watch It- Hulu

Bojack Horseman Christmas Special- Sabrina's Christmas Wish

Plot Synopsis- Todd shows up to force Bojack into watching a holiday episode of "Horsin Around."

Why You Should Watch It- Using "Horsin Around" for a holiday special is perfect, and allows the Netflix original to take lots of jabs at the cheesy '90s sitcom format. Plus, the episode itself only requires a base level of what Bojack Horseman is about to appreciate.

Where To Stream It-Netflix

The Cleveland Show- "Die Semi-Hard"

Plot Synopsis- Cleveland recalls the main plot of Die Hard in an adventure that includes the cast of The Cleveland Show.

Why You Should Watch It- This is one for the people who love Die Hard, but have family members with a hard-line stance that it is not a Christmas movie. This version is close enough to the film that fans will enjoy it, but offbeat and different enough that family members who hate Christmas action films won't grumble all that much if it gets switched on during the holidays.

Where To Stream It- Hulu

South Park- "Woodland Critter Christmas"

Plot Synopsis- Stan agrees to help a bunch of talking woodland creatures during the holidays, only to inadvertently create what could be a world-ending Christmas disaster.

Why You Should Watch It- This one is quite possibly the raunchiest entry on the list, and perhaps the most surprising storyline. Of course, it's not as though the twist isn't entirely unpredictable, as one has to assume a seemingly innocent scenario will always get turned on its head on South Park. As with previous raunchy entries, this probably won't be the best one to play around upright relatives or young children.

Where To Stream It- Hulu

American Dad- "Ninety North, Zero West"

Plot Synopsis- The Smith family prepares to hide from Santa this year given their past adventures, but the plot is foiled when Steve goes rogue to ride a Christmas train.

Why You Should Watch It- American Dad has had some crazy Christmas specials in the past, and this one is a great example of just how goofy these episodes can get. It may also encourage some to go through and watch the other specials related to it, which could provide a whole night's worth of entertainment.

Where To Stream It- Hulu

There are plenty of holiday specials to enjoy on streaming, but also a great deal of good stuff coming to cable television in the coming weeks. Keep up with the latest and greatest offerings via our fall and midseason premiere guides.

Critics might not have been able to find a ton to love about Matt Groening's new series Disenchantment, at least in comparison to early love for The Simpsons or Futurama, but fans have been quite celebratory. The good news (everyone) for both parties is that quite a few awesome references to both shows made their way into the medieval Netflix comedy. We've compiled the best and most blatant references spotted in Season 1 so far, and like the elves of Elfwood, we couldn't wipe the grins from our faces after seeing these moments.

Fry, Bender, and Professor Farnsworth Make An Appearance

Episode 10 of Disenchantment throws all subtle nods to Futurama out the door and literally shows Fry, Bender, and Professor Farnsworth in the rewind of the crystal ball sequence. The Planet Express trio are in Farnsworth's time machine and, based on Luci's statement to King Zøg, have passed through Dreamland sometime within the last 15 years. The moment basically confirms Futurama and Disenchantment exist in the same universe, and has inspired speculation about it meaning a crossover could happen. Well, it apparently already happened, so hopefully the show makes visual mention of this theory in future episodes, perhaps via flashback!

That Elf That Looks Like Lisa Simpson

Disenchantment viewers definitely noticed quite a few background characters in this universe who vaguely resemble popular Simpsons and Futurama characters, with this elf being one of the most distinct ones. Sure, Lisa Simpson doesn't have a green tuft of hair coming out the back of her head, but this elf's distinct yellow color, spiky hair, and orange-ish dress seem like obvious nods to the young Springfield genius. Fans will spot her a few times throughout scenes set in Elfwood, even though the actual character adds little substance to the show overall. It's a shame really, as I imagine she'd be a decent saxophone player if given the spotlight!

A Wig That Looks Just Like Fry's Hair

Fry and the gang's trip to the past appear to have had an impact on fashion in Dreamland, as a wig resembling the character's hair is spotted in Episode 2. Here, Disenchantment fans were given a breadcrumb hinting at these two shows being connected, with the possible twist that this Netflix show exists after the second Big Bang referenced in the Futurama episode "The Late Phillip J. Fry." We didn't see the 31st century time-travelers having any specific or influential visits to Dreamland in Futurama, but perhaps we'll witness at some point how Fry's hair made such an impact on society. As well as who would ever buy that wig.

A Three-Eyed Owl, Possibly Named Blinky

Disenchantment's nods to The Simpsons are a bit more subtle than the Futurama easter eggs, but there are still some good connections hidden in the series. For example, the emergence of a three-eyed owl in Episode 1 is almost certainly a reference to Blinky, the tri-eyed species of fish that have been a staple of Springfield wildlife for years, and was thought to have been mutated by the toxic waste output from the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, although this easter egg could suggest otherwise. Either that or this multi-eyed bird is a sign that things could get way more like Game of Thrones in future episodes!

A Medieval Planet Express Ship, Sorta

If the Planet Express team hadn't made a noteworthy stop off in Dreamland, then why does Disenchantment's premiere feature a flying, medieval-looking ship that resembles Futurama's iconic vehicle? Granted, the view of the ship is from very far away, and one would imagine most flying ships prior to planes have a somewhat similar blimp-ish shape. Hell, for all we know, that could be Kang and Kodos' ancestors hanging out in the sky up there. In either case, it appears flying transportation is indeed a thing in Disenchantment. Whether our central characters know about them or not is another question. Are there any Harlem Globetrotters in Dreamland to help us out?

A Classic Simpsons Quote With A Twist

In Episode 1, Bean's servant Bunty preps her for her wedding using leeches because, as the saying goes, "Whores rouge, ladies leech." The Disenchantment quote is a unique twist on a somewhat deep-cut reference The Simpsons' second season, where Marge's mom gives similar advice but uses cheek pinching as the more ladylike behavior. The quotes aren't exactly the same, but the similarities between the moments are both so blatant that there's no mistaking this was an intentional reference to The Simpsons episode "The Way We Was." There's perhaps a deeper nod to be found there, considering both women have a difficult night following their given advice.

Disenchantment fans can list any nods we missed in the comments, and binge all of Season 1 on Netflix right now. For a look at what else is headed to the streaming service, be sure to visit our Netflix premiere guide. For a look at what's happening on cable television, visit our summer and fall premiere guides.

It's been just four years since Futurama bid us all farewell following its second TV cancellation, but it might as well have been 1,000. Fans haven't stopped clamoring for more from the animated sci-fi comedy, and we're now actually getting a brand shiny-metal-ass-spankin' new adventure from the Planet Express crew! But it won't be happening on TV, or in theaters, asthe original cast and writers returned for a Futurama audio podcast that will likely bring to mind classic radio dramas of years past. And it comes out soon!

The new Futurama episode will be available to download for free on Thursday, September 14, on Soundcloud, Nerdist and on Spotify. Let's first celebrate that the Futurama episode will actually be 42 minutes long, so it's double the length of TV episodes, and without any commercials mucking up the momentum. Second, let's celebrate this new storyline that will reunite all the beloved characters -- including Fry, Leela, Bender, Amy, Professor Farnsworth, Hermes and Zoidberg -- for a routine mission gone awry. A trip to the planet Junkleon 7 puts them in the crosshairs of Kaxxon, a most evil life form that's made completely from soundwaves of podcasts from the 21st century. And, naturally, the Earth is in danger of being destroyed by those soundwaves. Dun-dun-dunnnn! Or, perhaps more fittingly: [the opening keys to Serial's theme].

And guess what? This new episode will usher in the return of the in-show soap opera All My Circuits, which means we'll see more from its ego-dripping star Calculon, who'd already faced death and resurrection during Futurama's Comedy Central run. We'll also get to see the rock-faced Borax Kid, who was first introduced in the episode where everyone lost their genders. Both characters are voiced by Maurice LaMarche, who'll of course be joined by other cast members like Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, Phil LaMarr and Lauren Tom.

Jam City, FoxNext Games and Matt Groening are the big names behind the new adventure, which was created by Groening, David X. Cohen and the Futurama writing crew. The idea came about after the original team got together to create original content for the hilarious mobile game Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow, and its existence was previously teased by Cohen, although it was unclear what he was talking about at the time. Nerdist founder Chris Hardwick, who voices Klaxxon in the episode, was apparently the one who pitched the audio-only idea, which definitely saved everyone some time, without the animation process entering into things. It makes sense, as TV-inspired audio dramas have seen a resurgence in recent years, especially in the sci-fi realm, such as those based on Doctor Who, The X-Files and The Twilight Zone.

Here's what David X. Cohen had to say about it all.

So remember, Futurama will be back, albeit in an audio form, on Thursday, September 14. One can only hope this will lead to even more podcasts and potential animated specials, if not entire seasons. Our hopes are plentiful, considering the conspiracy-starting way that Cohen said the plural "episodes." Thankfully, the series should soon be available to stream again when it hits Hulu.

While we're waiting to see and hear more of Zoidberg's blubbering, check out the fantastic live-action Futurama fan-film, and then head to our fall premiere schedule to see everything heading to the small screen in the near future.

Good news, everyone! Matt Groening, co-creator of The Simpsons and Futurama, has a brand new TV comedy on the way, and it's got three awesome things going for it. First, it's being produced by Netflix. Second, it'll likely be a more adult animated comedy than his previous work. And finally, it's already lined up one of the funniest casts imaginable, complete with a host of Futurama voice talent. Oh, and it's called Disenchantment.

Before I start whooping like Zoidberg for the rest of the day, let's talk Disenchantment's mature-leaning plot, which will introduce audiences to the prestige-lacking medieval kingdom dubbed Dreamland. Here, viewers will follow a liquor-loving young princess named Bean, who has a pair of sidekicks in a rowdy elf named Elfo and a personal demon named Luci. While out on their adventures, the three characters will face a host of other entities, including imps, trolls, harpies, sprites, ogres walruses and, of course, human beings. For a possibly more succinct take on the tone, here's what Matt Greoning himself said in the announcement.

Matt Groening's more adult take on the world of animation features a fantastic lead trio of comedic powerhouses. Leading the pack is Broad City star and co-creator Abbi Jacobson, who will voice Bean, while Friends From College's Nat Faxon will voice Elfo, leaving Adult Swim star Eric Andre to take on the demon Luci. What's more, we'll get to hear FuturamaI greats like Billy West, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille and David Herman. Then we have a handful of Mighty Boosh vets in Noel Fielding, Rich Fulcher, Matt Berry and Lucy Montgomery. Rounding things out is Superstore story editor Jeny Batten, perhaps best known for her two-woman stage show Freak Like Tennessee.

It was first announced last year that Matt Groening and Netflix would be joining forces for what would presumably be one of the next great TV comedies, and though no details about it were given at the time, we obviously expected only the best. Which it kind of sounds like we're getting, and the whole suffering-through-everyday-duties angle hearkens to Groening's classic comic strip Life Is Hell. And if Netflix's other animated hits like BoJack Horseman and F Is for Family indicate anything, it's that Disenchantment will spare little in its attempts to make us laugh.

Though Netflix and Matt Groening are obviously having a positive time working together, the streaming giant did take some flak from some of the creator's fans when the first chunk of Futurama exited its library due to non-renewed contracts with Fox. (The sci-fi comedy already has another streaming home, though, so no more worrying is needed.) Now, is it too soon to start asking about an eventual crossover?

At this point, Netflix doesn't have a release date set in stone, but the service does have 2018 as when Disenchantment will make its way to audiences. While we're waiting to find out more information, head to our Netflix 2017 schedule and our summer TV rundown to see when all the new and returning shows are hitting primetime and beyond.

Futurama fans got some bad news back in June when Netflix revealed that Seasons 1-6 of the show would be removed from its library on July 1. While there are a few seasons still available streaming on Netflix, it was a big loss. Luckily, Netflix isn't the only streaming service out there, and another platform has struck a deal that will bring Futurama and other animated shows back. The complete library of Futurama will be available on Hulu.

Hulu managed to strike an impressive deal with 20th Century Fox, and it will ultimately have the rights to all of Futrama, all of The Cleveland Show, and all seasons of Bob's Burgers and American Dad! that have aired so far. Futurama isn't available just yet, but Hulu intends to get the entire run of the series up and ready to go in the coming weeks. These four shows expand Hulu's library of animated comedies even further, joining the likes of Rick & Morty, The Boondocks, and Adventure Time, to name just a few. This deal is also the latest to bring popular 20th Century Fox programs to Hulu, which already included NBC's smash hit This Is Us, Fox's Empire, and ABC's Fresh Off the Boat.

Basically, the deal is fantastic for folks who didn't have the time to get a final Futurama binge-watch in over at Netflix before the show was removed on July 1. Once all the seasons are up on Hulu, we can all watch at our leisure, whether that's an episode or two whenever we're in the mood or as many episodes as we are physically capable of watching before falling asleep. No need for Bender's robot army this time!

While Netflix is still king when it comes to streaming, Hulu is taking big steps with big shows that keep it on the map. In addition to the deal that brings Futurama, Bob's Burgers, and the rest to streaming, Hulu recently produced the stellar Handmaid's Tale original series. With other projects in the works like Marvel's Runaways and the Stephen King-based Castle Rock in the works, Hulu is only getting bigger and more exciting.

Interestingly, Hulu has already kept up with Netflix in one unexpected way. While Netflix undoubtedly has more subscribers than Hulu does, one report indicates that the subscriber base for Hulu actually nearly matches Netflix subscribers when it comes to average viewing hours. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the new deal for the animated comedies results in a boost in the numbers for Hulu, especially if Netflix fans find that they need to find a full Futurama fix elsewhere. We'll have to wait and see.

Check out our summer TV premiere schedule for everything you can watch now and in the coming weeks. The next big premiere for Hulu will be Difficult People Season 3 (which will include an exciting guest star) on August 8. To discover all the big reboots and revivals that are in the works for the small screen, our rundown has everything you'll need to know.