HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) -- The future's not so bright for "Futurama."
Variety reports Fox Broadcasting has told the cartoon's executive producer, Matt Groening, that it can't immediately commit to ordering any additional episodes beyond those that have already been produced for this season and next. Because of the long leadtime for animated projects, Groening needed a commitment this month in order to keep the show's scribes on staff and the skein in production for the 2003-04 season.
The network could still order more episodes down the line, though that seems a long shot. The final call on whether to revive the series should Fox order more episodes would be Groening's.
Of the 72 episodes of "Futurama" in the can, only 48 have aired. The show was preempted through most of the fall and early winter due to NFL overruns; a similar air pattern will likely reduce the number of episodes that'll air next year.
Despite virtually no promotion and frequent preemptions, "Futurama" has still managed to win its 7 p.m. Sunday slot this season in teens, adults 18-34 and adults 18-49. Executives at producer 20th Century Fox TV have already had early talks about launching the show in syndication, though no deals are close.