Show could be axed

The future of Futurama isn't looking good.

US network Fox has decided not to order any more episodes of the animated show from Simpsons creator Matt Groening.

They have already ordered shows to keep it going into 2003, but the long lead-in time needed for cartoons means Groening needed to know this month to start work on programmes for 2003/4,

A Fox spokesman said: "We have tremendous respect for Matt, but the show's production schedule requires an advance renewal decision that we don't have the luxury to make at this time.

"We may want to order more in the future, but we could not meet this early deadline."

Futurama, shown in the UK on Sky One and Channel 4, attracts an average 6.4 million viewers in the States.

An online petition to save the show has already attracted 27,000 signatures.

Published: 13 Feb 2002