When instant mass communication was born, it ushered in a new paradigm in life for all that basked in its glow.  Families would gather around the radio to hear news, music, and a brand new kind of entertainment.  Almost all forms of entertainment that we enjoy now can be linked back to the radio serial.  In fact, some of the most iconic still survive to this day in one way or another.  Flash Gordon, Superman, The Phantom, and quite a few more found their way to the movie screen, while others transformed into soap operas.  Some of the biggest were dramatic readings of famous works of literature, like Adolphus Huxley's "Brave New World" and Dalton Trumbo’s "Johnny Got His Gun." These would technically be one of the earliest form of audio-books, and most certainly influenced the way they are read, produced, and marketed today.

Most entertainment for the masses would move to television and the movies.  The world of radio would predominately be ruled by music and news, while serial comedy and drama would dominate the visual avenues.  It seems that one of my absolute favorites is about to buck that trend and come full circle!

Futurama is an animated comedy that was created by Matt Groening.  You may know his name from another animated series he created in the late 1980's for The Tracey Ullman Show - The Simpsons.  Futurama centers around a pizza delivery boy named Phillip J. Fry who fell into a cryogenic freezing chamber on New Year's Eve 1999.  He is awakened 1000 years later to become a delivery boy for Planet Express.

The series first aired on fox in 1999, and was cancelled in 2003.  After a tidal wave of fan support, the series was re-launched by Comedy Central.  New episodes would continue to air until 2013, with syndication and re-runs airing still.  Now the cast will bring the futuristic comedy featuring spaceships, aliens, and robots all the way around by releasing a 42 minute audio only performance via podcast with the Nerdist.

The Radio Play is titled Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow, and will feature all of the familiar voices you come to know as Fry, Leela, Bender, and the rest of the crew.  The episode is set to be released on Thursday.  Find out more by checking out Futuramanow.com.

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