Rebirth (Futurama): Difference between revisions

| season = 6 <!-- Please do not change. Production order, not airing order, is used here. -->

| episode = 1 <!-- Please do not change. Production order, not airing order, is used here. -->

| writer teleplay = [[David X. Cohen]] and [[Matt Groening]] (story)<br/>David X. Cohen (teleplay)

| airdate = June{{Start date|2010|06|24, 2010}}

"'''Rebirth'''" is the premiere ofand first episode in the <!-- Please do not change. Production order, not airing order, is used here. --> ''[[Futurama season 6|sixth]]''{{'}}s [[List of Futurama (episodes|season]] 6)|sixthof seasonthe American animated television series ''[[Futurama]]'', the 89th episode of the series overall, and the [[Futurama#Cancellation and revival|revival of the series]]. It originally aired on [[Comedy Central]] in the United States on June 24, 2010. The episode was written by [[David X. Cohen]] and [[Matt Groening]], and directed by Frank Marino.

"Rebirth" directly follows the ending of the final ''Futurama'' film ''[[Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder|Into the Wild Green Yonder]]'', in which the entire crew enter a [[wormhole]]. The episode is the first to feature the opening sequence in [[High-definition television|high definition]] format. It was also the first to feature the remix version of the theme playing in the end credits. The episode begins with the [[Planet Express ship]] crash landing on [[Earth]], killing many of the main characters. [[Hubert J. Farnsworth|Professor Farnsworth]], who survived the crash, revives the others using a "birth machine". However, a complication with [[Leela (Futurama)|Leela]]'s rebirth results in her remaining in an irreversible [[coma]]. Out of loneliness and despair, Fry creates a robotic version of Leela, containing her memories, and they attempt to resume their relationship. The episode received positive reviews from critics.

The episode opens with [[Fry (Futurama)|Fry]] walking into [[Professor Farnsworth]]'s laboratory, asking why he is covered in severe burns. The Professor explains that when the crew entered a wormhole at the end of ''[[Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder|Intoentered thea Wild Green Yonderwormhole]]'', theyto emerged near [[Earth]].escape [[Zapp Brannigan]] alsoand emerged from the wormhole aboard thehis ''Nimbus'' flagship, andthey emerged near [[Earth]], but Zapp damaged the [[Planet Express Ship]]ship, causing both ships to crash. Having survived the crash, the Professor revives everyone killed in the crash using a "birth machine" filled with [[stem cells]] by placing their remains inside of it. [[Leela (Futurama)|Leela]], however, enters an irreversible coma. Meanwhile, Bender is reborn lacking adequate power supply to function. The Professor fits him with a [[doomsday device]] to power him, but it generates excess power. Bender is forced to party endlessly to burn off the excess energy. Otherwise, he will explode.

A despairing Fry builds a robotic version of Leela, featuring her personality and memories, but this Robot Leela learns the truth almost immediately afterwards when [[Nibbler (Futurama)|Nibbler]] bites her arm, revealing robot circuitry underneath, and gets confused over her own identity. As per her final wishes, the human Leela is taken to a planet to be eaten by a cyclops-devouring monster called the Cyclophage. At the service, Bender's obnoxious partying wakes Leela, who is horrified by the existence of Robot Leela. The Cyclophage approaches, and the crew escapes in the ship. The Cyclophage accidentally attaches itself to the underside of the ship as it takes off.

A reborn Fry suddenly emerges from the birth machine. Robot Fry and Robot Leela declare their love for each other, and leave together, leaving human Fry to tell human Leela that he will wait as long as it takes for her. Bender decides he is fed up with constantly partying and begins to vibrate from the buildup of excess energy. The Cyclophage suddenly emerges and attempts to eat Leela. Bender's severe vibrations cause one of his eyes to fall out, and the Cyclophage swallows Bender, believing him to be a cyclops. The device explodes, killing the creature. Bender emerges intact and the Professor declares that Bender expended his excess energy and is now stable. The crew leave to celebrate as the Futurama theme plays, andending the episode ends with Zapp Brannigan rapidly emerging from the birth machine.

On June 9, 2009, [[20th Century Fox]] announced that [[Comedy Central]] had picked up the show for 26 new half-hour episodes to begin airing in mid-2010.<ref name="Renewal2010">{{Cite webmagazine |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=June 9, 2009 |title=It's officialOfficial: 'Futurama' isIs rebornReborn! |url=httphttps://ausiellofiles.ew.com/article/2009/06/09/its-official-futurama-returns.html/ |workmagazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-06-09 |author=Ausiello, Michael |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611192020/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/its-official-futurama-returns.html |archivedate=2009-06-11 }}</ref><ref name="PressCentral">{{Cite webpress release |title='Futurama' Returns to Production with an initialInitial orderOrder of 26 New Episodes to Premiere Mid 2010 |date=June 9, 2009 |publisher=[[ViacomCBS]] |url=httphttps://www.comedycentralparamount.com/press/press_releasesfuturama-returns-to-production-with-an-initial-order-of-26-new-episodes-to-premiere-mid-2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https:/2009/061009_futurama_returnsarchive.jhtmltoday/20230419231457/https://www.paramount.com/press/futurama-returns-to-production-with-an-initial-order-of-26-new-episodes-to-premiere-mid-2010 |archive-date=2023-04-19 |work=Press Central Comedy Central Press Release |access-date=20092022-06-10|accessdate=2009-0602-24|author=14}}</ref><ref name="Goldman, Eric">{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=June 9, 2009 |title=Futurama Return Made Official |url=httphttps://uk.tvwww.ign.com/articles/9932009/993144p1.html06/09/futurama-return-made-official |publisherurl-status=[[IGN]]|title=Futuramalive Return Made Official|authorarchive-url=Goldman,https://web.archive.org/web/20130716104443/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/09/futurama-return-made-official Eric|archive-date=20092013-0607-0916 |accessdateaccess-date=20092022-0602-1014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> A smaller writing crew returned.<ref name="Variety2009">{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=June 9, 2009 |title='Futurama' returnsReturns with newNew episodes|work=[[VarietyEpisodes (magazine)|Variety]]|dateurl=https://variety.com/2009/digital/opinion/futurama-06returns-09|accessdate=2009with-06new-14episodes-1118004722/ |authorurl-status=Schneider,live Michael|archive-url=httphttps://wwwweb.archive.org/web/20220214163834/https://variety.com/article2009/VR1118004722.html?categoryiddigital/opinion/futurama-returns-with-new-episodes-1118004722/ |archive-date=2022-02-14&cs |access-date=12022-02-14 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> It was originally announced that main voice actors [[Billy West]], [[John DiMaggio]], and [[Katey Sagal]] would return as well, but on July 17, 2009, it was announced that a casting notice was posted to replace the entire cast when [[20th Century Fox Television]] would not meet their salary demands.<ref name="recast-variety">{{citeCite news |urllast=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006123.html?categoryidSchneider |first=14&csMichael |date=1July 17, 2009 |title='Futurama' withoutWithout originalOriginal voicesVoices? |publisherwork=[[Variety (magazine)|authorVariety]] |url=Schneider,https://variety.com/2009/digital/markets-festivals/futurama-without-original-voices-1118006123/ Michael|url-status=live |access-date=20092022-0702-1714 |accessdatearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214163832/https://variety.com/2009/digital/markets-07festivals/futurama-18without-original-voices-1118006123/ |archive-date=2022-02-14}}</ref> Many fans were disheartened to see that the cast was not at the ''Futurama'' booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con International]]. According to Phil LaMarr (who voicedvoices Hermes on the show), the cast's invitation was retracted by Fox because of a dispute over the salaries.<ref>{{citeCite newsweb |last=Phipps |first=Keith |date=July 29, 2009 |title=Comic Con Day 3: Cartoon Capers (and the Ongoing Futurama Controversy) |url=httphttps://www.avclub.com/articles/comic-con-day-3-cartoon-capers-and-the-ongoing-fut,30860/futura-1798217178 | titleurl-status=Comic con day 3:cartoon capers etc.live | publisherarchive-url=Ahttps://web.Varchive.Cluborg/web/20220214163833/https://www.avclub.com/comic-con-day-3-cartoon-capers-and-the-ongoing-futura-1798217178 | firstarchive-date=Keith2022-02-14 | last=Phipps | access-date=20092022-0702-2914 | accessdatewebsite=2009-07-29[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref>

Near the end of a message from [[Maurice LaMarche]] that was sent to members of the "Save the Voices of ''Futurama''" group on Facebook, LaMarche announced that the original cast would indeed be returning for the new episodes.<ref>{{citeCite news |date=2009-07-31 |title=Save the Voices of Futurama |url=http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=216285555057 | titleurl-status=Save the Voices of Futuramalive | access-date=2009-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924153115/http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=216285555057 accessdate|archive-date=20092008-0709-3124}}</ref> The ''[[Toronto Star]]'' confirmed, announcing on their website that the original cast of ''Futurama'' have signed contracts with Fox to return for 26 more episodes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salem, |first=Rob. |date=July 31, 2009 |title=Futurama Cast Members Ink New Deal with Fox |work=[[Toronto Star]] |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2009/07/31/futurama_cast_members_ink_new_deal_with_fox.html |access-date=2022-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121041504/http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/674841 "Futurama cast members ink new deal with Fox"], TheStar.com, July 31, 2009|archive-date=2013-01-21}}</ref> Similarly, an email sent to fans from Cohen and Groening reported that West, Sagal, DiMaggio, LaMarche, MacNeille, Tom, LaMarr, and Herman would all be returning for the revival, set to air in June 2010.<ref>{{citeCite web |last=Frucci url|first=Adam |date=August 25, 2009 |title=Futurama Returning with Full Original Cast After All |url=https://gizmodo.com/5345037/futurama-returning-with-full-original-cast-after-all | title url-status= Futurama Returning with Full Original Cast After Alllive | first archive-url= Adamhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090828001239/http://gizmodo.com/5345037/futurama-returning-with-full-original-cast-after-all | last = Frucci | publisher = [[Gizmodo]] | archive-date= 2009-08-2528 | accessdate access-date= 2009-08-25 |website=[[Gizmodo]]}}</ref>

Cohen told ''[[Newsday]]'' in August 2009 that the reported 26-episode order means, "It will be up to 26. I can't guarantee it will be 26. But I think there's a pretty good chance it'll be exactly 26. Fox has been a little bit cagey about it, even internally. But nobody is too concerned. We're plunging ahead".<ref name="newsday">[[Frank{{Cite web |last=Lovece |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Lovece |date=August 28, Frank]].2009 [|title='Futurama' Finds a New Future on Comedy Central |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/futurama-finds-a-new-future-on-comedy-central-1.1402526 "'Futurama' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831180647/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/futurama-finds -a -new -future -on-comedy-central-1.1402526 Comedy|archive-date=2009-08-31 Central"],|access-date=2023-04-19 ''|website=[[Newsday]]'', August 28, 2009; posted online August 27, 2009}}</ref> Two episodes were in the process of being voice-recorded at that time, with an additional "six scripts ... in the works, ranging in scale from 'it's a crazy idea that someone's grandmother thought of' to 'it's all on paper'. ..."The first episode is tentatively titled 'Rebirth' — and in a surprisingly literal fashion, as things turn out".<ref name="newsday" />

Cohen's original concept for the return episode involved continuing directly from the end of ''Into the Wild Green Yonder''.<ref name="Rebirth">{{citeCite videoAV |media last1=Cohen| first1=David| last2=Marino | first2=Frank| last3=Groening| first3=Matt|date=2010|title=Futurama volumeVolume 5 DVD commentary for the episode "Rebirth" |date=2010 medium|last=Cohen |first=David |type=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox |last2=Marino |first2=Frank |last3=Groening |first3=Matt}}</ref> Fry and Leela would find themselves on a lush, beautiful world in a distant part of the galaxy.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Before they begin to kiss, they would discover that they were in a zoo, placed there by aliens interested in breeding more humans.<ref name="Rebirth" /> However, Matt Groening suggested that they instead write a story quickly bringing the characters back to Planet Express in order to more fully depict that the series had returned.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Cohen agreed, feeling that a quick return to the settings of the series would help viewers unfamiliar with the previous films adjust with little difficulty.<ref name="Rebirth" />

The episode also marks Frank Marino's directorial debut for ''Futurama''.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Previous to that, Marino had done some timing work on the ''Futurama'' films, ''[[Drawn Together]]'', and children's cartoons.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Bender's plot where he always needed to be partying was challenging for the production team, who attempted to make his actions diverse in different scenes to keep it interesting while simultaneously trying to avoid being too distracting.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Zapp Brannigan's return was also a last minute addition, as each draft neglected to explain how he regains his full body.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Groening suggested the last minute tag-on.<ref name="Rebirth" />

During the episode there are references to [[Huey Lewis]] and ''[[Star Trek]]'' as well as ''[[Frankenstein]]'', ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'', ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'', ''[[The Terminator]]'', [[Karma Chameleon]] and [[Studio 54]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lanther, |first=Joseph (Jon |date=June 20, 2010) |title=Futurama: Season Six |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/review/futurama/187 ''[[Slant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625080517/http://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/review/futurama/187 (magazine)|Slant]]'' Retrievedarchive-date=2010-06-25 |access-date=2010-06-24 |website=[[Slant Magazine]]}}</ref> The rebirthing process is very similar to ''The Outer Limits'' episode "[[Resurrection (The Outer Limits)|Resurrection]]" where an adult human is born in a lab. The club the crew visits is called Studio 1²2¹3³. This is a reference to Studio 54 when each number in the club name is multiplied (1² = 1, 2¹ = 2, 3³ = 27; 1 × 2 × 27 = 54).<ref name="tvsquad">{{Cite web |last=Gallagher, |first=Danny (|date=June 25, 2010 |title='Futurama' - 'Rebirth' Recap (Season Premiere) |url=http://www.tvsquadaoltv.com/2010/06/25/futurama-rebirth-recap/ ''|url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204232805/http://www.aoltv.com/2010/06/25/futurama-rebirth-recap/ |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2022 |website=[[HuffPost TV Squad]]'' Retrieved 2010-06-26}}</ref> Bender's predicament is based on the 1994 film ''[[Speed (1994 film)|Speed]]''.<ref name="Rebirth" /> Robot Leela's realization of her true identity as a robot was thematic of the trope in science fiction, such as in ''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]'' and ''[[Blade Runner]]''.<ref name="Rebirth" /> The [[Panama]] wormhole the Professor mentions is a reference to the canal that is the key conduit for international maritime trade, the [[Panama Canal]]. The Professor also calls going through the Panama wormhole being on a “comedy” central for interstellar trade, not-so-subtly referencing the change in network from Fox to [[Comedy Central]].

According to the [[Nielsen Media Research]], in its original American broadcast, "Rebirth" was viewed by an estimated 2.92 million households and received a 1.6 rating/5% share in the 18–49 demographic, tying with the highest rated shows of the night in the demographic, ''[[Burn Notice]]'' and ''[[Royal Pains]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gorman, |first=Bill (|date=June 25, 2010) |title=Updated Thursday Cable Ratings: Futurama Returns Strong; Plus Burn Notice, Royal Pains, NBA Draft & More |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/06/25/thursday-cable-ratings-futurama-returns-strong/55378 TVbythenumbers|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716234340/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/25/thursday-cable-ratings-futurama-returns-strong/55378/ Retrieved|archive-date=2012-07-16 |access-date=2010-06-25 |website=[[TV by the Numbers]]}}</ref>

Robert Canning of [[IGN]] gave the episode a 7.5 calling it "Good" and also stated "While the big laughs may be few, "Rebirth" still delivers an interesting story." He also said he noticed some jokes from previous episodes of ''[[Futurama]]'' and some jokes from [[Matt Groening]]'s other show ''[[The Simpsons]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canning, |first=Robert (|date=June 21, 2010) http|title=Futurama: "Rebirth" Review |url=https://tvwww.ign.com/articles/1102010/1100558p106/21/futurama-rebirth-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.htmlarchive.org/web/20220214163832/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/21/futurama-rebirth-review |archive-date=2022-02-14 |access-date=2022-02-14 ''|website=[[IGN]]'' Retrieved 2010-06-23}}</ref>

Zack Handlen of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the episode an A-A−, saying, "I'll save you the worry: it's good. It's not incredible, but it works, and it's proof that running time really was the biggest drawback with the movies."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Handlen, |first=Zack (|date=June 24, 2010) http|title=Futurama: "Rebirth"/"In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" |url=https://www.avclub.com/articlesfuturama-rebirth-in-a-gadda-da-leela-1798165321 |url-status=live |archive-url=https:/rebirthinagaddadaleela,42315/web.archive.org/web/20220214235106/https://www.avclub.com/futurama-rebirth-in-a-gadda-da-leela-1798165321 ''|archive-date=2022-02-14 |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=[[The A.V. Club]]'' Retrieved 2010-6-24}}</ref> Danny Gallagher of [[TV Squad]] said in his review "The story itself also felt a little too forced with it's{{sic}}its tied up ending, but it still had a great sense of surprise and shock that worked like a perfect '[[The Twilight Zone|Twilight Zone]]' parody".<ref name="tvsquad" />