The Orville, Seth MacFarlane‘s science fiction dramedy, has been renewed for a third season.
When the show first began, many people weren’t sure it would last three episodes, let alone three seasons. However, the show has been of higher quality than expected, and done well in ratings.
When it started with a starship captain who drowned his up and coming career in a bottle after his wife cheated on him with a blue-skinned alien and then went to focus on an alien species that only urinates once a year, many viewers expected an emphasis on sex, alcohol, and scatological humor – the sort of lowbrow humor MacFarlane is infamous for. Instead, the show has examined AI rights, dysfunctional families, time travel, parallel universes, and ethical questions re religion and advanced cultures dealing with low-tech cultures.
The Orville has been described as Star Trek if the crew were ordinary people instead of heroes.
Deadline said “The renewal is not unexpected. Things were looking bright for a Season 2 renewal when the series received approval for $15.8 million in the latest round of TV tax credits for a third season, up from the $14.5 million incentive it got for Season 2. While landing a tax credit does not guarantee a pickup, it makes it more likely. The series also has strong support from the network.
The Orville has developed a devoted following and excels in delayed and on-demand viewing. In its first season, it averaged 10.7 million total viewers in multi-platform audience, up 149% from its Live+Same Day delivery. This past season-to-date. The Orville averaged 1.4 and 1.81 million viewers in adults 18-49 and 5.4 million total viewers. Its Season 2 ender drew a 0.7 rating and 2.92 million viewers in Live+Same Day.”
Firefly‘s Nathan Fillion has also had his police show The Rookie renewed for a third season.
Why Fox renewed The Orville for a third season when Firefly barely got one season is a mystery to this reporter. De gustibus non est disputandum. The comments section is below. Feel free to tell us what you think of The Orville being renewed and what you hope to see in the new season.
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
