The comedic sci-fi adventure will return next season.
November 2, 2017
Fox announced today that The Orville will be returning for a second season. Created by Family Guy's Seth MacFarlane, the hour-long space dramedy premiered in early September and is off to a strong start for the network through seven episodes.
The show got a nice push for its premiere, with its first two episodes airing in a special Sunday slot following heavily-viewed NFL games. Its subsequent move to its regular Thursday night time slot saw an inevitable drop in viewership, but it has remained a solid performer, with its last two episodes experiencing week-over-week ratings growth after hitting a season-low three weeks ago.
Taking inspiration from Star Trek, The Orville takes place 400 years in the future, when Earth is just a small part of an advanced and mostly-peaceful Planetary Union. The U.S.S. Orville is a mid-level exploratory vessel with a human and alien crew led by rookie officer Ed Mercer, who is played by MacFarlane. Determined to prove his worth despite his First Officer being his ex-wife, Ed leads his crew as they face the wonders and dangers of outer space, while also dealing with the familiar workplace problems.
The show has six episodes remaining in its 13-episode first season, with a new episode airing tonight. As for Season 2, no details are known on episode count but look for a return in 2019.
Timm
11/12/17 at 01:56pm
@Thomas. 1. NATO was the federation the USA created to counter act the Soviet Union (USSR) and its Warsaw Pact. The US is a federation of states, but it was not formed to combat Russia, and individual states did not directly participate in any actions undertaking the US (Federal Government) during that time frame or since. 2. The original Star Trek had a racially and ethnically mixed crew including a Russian, so I doubt Roddenberry would base an enemy on Russia. One of Star Trek's biggest and most common messages was that himanity needed to unite and also be ready to unite with any alien allies to protect against unfriendly alien races looking to harm Earth and its inhabitants. In Star Trak NSG, Klingons became allies under the auspices of Roddenberry.
Pete
11/12/17 at 10:59am
I wish they can bring back the Cleveland show it has 2 million viewers but the show gets cancelled yet Bob burgers and this show the Orville is still on I think it's garbage but if you people like the Orville it's find for me but fox cancel koth with 5 million viewers bring back tcs and cancel Bob burgers it's crap
Ken Moore
11/11/17 at 01:21am
I enjoy this show. Visually, it reminds me of Galaxy Quest, but with a Star Trek vibe. I also enjoy the humorous moments. It keeps the show light which separates it from the normal space shows you find on SyFy. That gives it a chance to succeed on network TV. Serious Sci-Fi shows never seem to last too long on the big networks.
JP
11/10/17 at 05:27pm
I wonder if Gene Roddenbery ever thought that the so-called tolerant left would demand diversity in everything except diversity of thought and speech. When it comes to those, the tolerant left shouts down or tries to silence anyone who doesn't agree with them and their leftist ideas. So much for tolerance huh?
JP
11/10/17 at 05:22pm
I'd whack Commander Kelly. She's hot.
Greg
11/10/17 at 05:05pm
Very happy for the season 2 renewal! As a long time fan of star trek and battlestar galactic (rev. 2) I must say those who compare this show to those of the past are missing the point... Don't waste you're energy comparing and just enjoy the fact that a smartly written, sometimes serious and occasionally slightly silly is back on network tv!
Seth isn't trying to be Kirk or Adama, he's trying to pay homage to those legends of the past while creating a new show we can enjoy now!
Space is space, downtown LA is downtown LA, 1776 America is 1776 America. Logically most basics will be similar in any stories in similar settings. Stop focusing on comparing this to other shows at other times in TV history and just enjoy the ride!
Congratulations on season 2 Orville and even though season 1 isn't finished yet I'm looking forward to next year!
Tomas
11/10/17 at 08:53am
I was saying that "United States of America" was not about ripping off but the social issues. It was "look this ship is part of the united federation (the USA) and everything it does represents the federation (USA)" sure some (less then 10%) episodes were not about social issues, but it most were in there. If you think that Orville is using to many social issues and Star Trek TOS did not use them as much you were watching lost in space not TOS. As Gene Roddenbery said "Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms."
Really.....
11/10/17 at 01:42am
@Tomas first.. uhm.. DUH! But substituting "United Federation of Planets" for "United States of America" is FAR CRY from ripping off that concept entirely. It was ORIGINAL when Roddenberry came up with it.. swapping a few words to circumvent legal issue.. is hardly original. The CLEAR parallel "oops change that so it's not infringement" issues in The Orville are abundant. ABUNDANT! Imagine Family Guy about a family of 5... Peter works in an Uranium Processing Plant... Lois is a homemaker with an odd hairdo... Meg is a bohemian musician that plays the French Horn ... Chris is an ornery, troublesome, upstart ... Stewie doesn't talk and only makes grunting noises... I guess for McFarlane that'd be fine.. it's different right? Not a rip off at all?? That is what the Orville is the Star Trek.. a CLEAR rip off. An no, the original Star Trek series was groundbreaking for how it presented social issues, but it did it in only a few SELECT episodes, not every single airing. If you don't see that then I think YOU never actually watched the series and are only recalling a few episodes which may have been memorable to you. You can't steal something, paint with a new color and call it "original".. that is what McFarlane is doing with The Orville. And I agree.. he's using his F-U money to ensure it airs (on Fox, his "fluffer") and gets renewed.
Jay D
11/09/17 at 05:38am
I love that this show is annoying some trekkies and driving the over analytical critics into overdrive.
I love the show! The first couple of eps, it seemed like they were trying to decide whether they were a sci fi show or a sitcom. From ep 3 on, I think they found their niche. This is a funny show with some pretty decent sci fi stories. And when its funny, its hilarious! That practical joke by Isaac!? Classic!
My only fault is that the Krill are a bit of a weak big bad.
Jacks
11/09/17 at 00:40am
Funny, one way this show is so similar to the original Trek is how much some people seem to dislike it. That's usually a good sign that a show is going to become a cult classic. The program is heavily steeped in very, very clever writing and is structured perfectly to deliver the material. Everything from the prank/revenge where the robot steals the helmsman's leg to the set design, for example: the ship's mess (cafeteria) with the cheapo looking laminated wood tables - it's clear they deliberately wanted to remove the sci-fi veneer just a little bit and more accurately show that a government owned ship will go with cheap and functional every chance they get.
Just like the Trek of days long gone, there's a LOT that sails over the average viewer's head (at least on first viewing) usually because most viewers aren't tuning in to hunt for Easter eggs and to remember to always be ready to read between the lines. No, most people are watching for entertainment purposes only, which is fine but it's something that 'Orville' writers need to remember if they hope to surpass the original Trek's 70ish episode early termination. I'm loving the show for a lot of different reasons, but that's because I choose to look deeper, like many other fans. But, to survive in a network tv, non cable/streaming platform world they have to be really, really careful not to fall down the rabbit hole of nuance.
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