When the writers developed the language, they also had to decide just what kind of sales pitches an E.T. “We only gave out five letters, and yet the fans decoded the whole alphabet themselves, within one day, based on context and letter frequency,” says Cohen. It turned out not to be so cryptic after all: Even at that early date in the series, loyal viewers had already taught themselves to be bilingual and translated the sign to “Tasty Human Burgers.” In the premiere, the writers had given an introductory clue to the language by showing a sign that read “Drink Slurm” and later was shown with “Drink” switched to Alienese.

In the first season’s second episode, Bender stands next to a billboard cryptically written in Alienese – one of three alien languages featured on Futurama. But they’ll be easier to spot than the following moments were. Also on the way: guest stars Stephen Hawking, Buzz Aldrin, and Patton Oswalt. in alien language studies, or Exolinguistics - returns and the gang visits a head museum. And some will come into play again in the plots for the new episodes, like when Bender’s brain goes from microprocessor to macroprocessor Leela’s mother - who holds a Ph.D. “But don’t worry, there’s no requirement to notice these things.” Before setting fans free to search the new season for hidden gags and references, Cohen has revealed to Vulture six clandestine geeky in-jokes and well-cloaked bits of foreshadowing from past seasons that only the most dedicated Futuramites might have spotted.

“Unlike Easter eggs, which you stumble upon by accident, we sneak in things in the background that you have to look for more actively, and if you find them, it’s a bonus,” Cohen said. Central), there will be even more freeze-frame gags to obsess about, promises head writer and executive producer David X. With new episodes beginning tonight on Comedy Central (10 p.m., 9 p.m. For fans of Futurama, the hunt is back on.

Futurama alien language font