'Futurama' Canceled by Comedy Central, Offered to Other Networks
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Executive producers David X. Cohen and Matt Groening are not shocked by Comedy Central's decision since the animated show has been canceled several times before.

AceShowbiz - "Futurama" is canceled again. Comedy Central has decided not to renew the animated sci-fi series for a new season following ratings decline, bringing the show to the end of its seven-season and 140-episode run on September 4.

"That's a helluva run that few shows achieve, and especially given the fact that it came back to life, it's really an amazing story," says Comedy Central's EVP of Programming Dave Bernath. "I'm more thankful and feel a sense of gratitude toward the whole process - and that we found a way to keep going for 52 more episodes - than I really am even thinking about the ending. It's a blessing that it came back and lasted so long."

Executive producer David X. Cohen and creator Matt Groening admit the news doesn't come as a shock, considering the fact that the show has been canceled several times in the past. "I felt like we were already in the bonus round on these last couple of seasons, so I can't say I was devastated by the news," Cohen tells EW. "It was what I had expected two years earlier. At this point I keep a suitcase by my office door so I can be cancelled at a moment's notice."

"I'm very proud of the upcoming season. If this is indeed the end of 'Futurama,' it's a fantastic finish to a good, long run," Groening adds. Teasing about "a tasteful, emotional gorefest" series finale, Cohen reveals, "There's a lot of death but there's also a lot of time travel, so that makes for an interesting combination." Groening chimes in, "It's a really satisfying ending. It's an epic ending. If indeed it's the ending."

Fans still can hope to see more of "Futurama" as the producers are trying to find a new home the show, though there are no serious talks at this point. "We've been in this situation before and it's tempting when you're doing episodes that are as good or better than anything you've ever done to continue doing it," Groening shares.

"The experience of this show has been so much fun from the very beginning to now - everybody is so happy to work on this show - that it'd be a shame if we all went our separate ways... We would love to continue. We have many more stories to tell. But if we don't, this is a really great way to go out... I think these episodes are the best ones we've ever done."

"Futurama" originally aired on FOX from 1999 before the network pulled the plug on it in 2003. The critically-acclaimed series was resurrected in 2007 with a series of direct-to-DVD movies that were aired as 30-minute episodes on Comedy Central. The network then ordered a sixth season of the show which launched in 2010.

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