The wait for new episodes of Rick and Morty will “never be this long again”

Rick and Morty fans are famously passionate about their favorite show, an animated comedy about a self-loathing super-genius and his hapless grandson…maybe too passionate, in some cases. Still, the show has earned their love with sharp writing, quirky characters, and a willingness to keep pushing forward until it breaks new ground.

But that process takes time. There was a two-year break between seasons 2 and 3, a break that drove some fans stir-crazy. Happily, after some extended contract negotiations with Adult Swim, the fourth season is a go…plus a few more after that. In fact, that network has ordered 70 new episodes — with the upcoming season clocking in at just 10, that means fans should be set for a while. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, creator Dan Harmon said that “the gap between seasons 3 and 4 will be the longest and last time that it’s ever so long that it’s ridiculous.”

"I don’t know how fast we can do it, but I know it will never be this long again. There were so many things that had to be settled before we even started season 4, and it’s really safe to say — as [co-creator Justin Roiland] says — we’re literally writing season 5 while finishing season 4 just to force ourselves to commit to a certain schedule. Not to get anyone’s hopes up, but it is structured into our deal that if we’re going strong and fast there are options to deliver more episodes at a time. Adult Swim can say, “These are on time and great. Do you want to do more instead of taking a break?” And we can then do more. I’d like to see that day. Just knowing it’s possible makes me eager for it. I feel like a naughty boy when I’m late."

That’s definitely good news for the long-term sanity of fans. As for what they can expect in the immediate future, Roiland is “pretty excited” about season 4. “Without giving anything away, we have serialized stuff we check in on now and then that’s sprinkled over the top of strong episodic episodes. To fans of the show, they’re going to want to watch them in order.”

Rick and Morty started as a mainly standalone and it is still basically is that, but like a lot of shows before it, it’s dipped its toes in the warm waters of serialization more and more as it’s gone on. I’m sure there are plenty of fans interested in seeing what Evil Morty is up to about now.

There’ll be some impressive guest stars, too, including Paul Giamatti, Sam Neil and Taika Waititi. And they’re earnestly trying to get Kanye West, too. The mind reels at the possibilities.

UPDATE: The team showed off some of Waititi’s character in a clip at the Comic-Con panel:

I’m in.

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There’s a Rick and Morty panel going down at San Diego Comic-Con this Friday. Apparently, Harmon is pushing to show an animatic for a rejected episode there, but it’s unclear whether it’ll happen. Expect a trailer and a hard release date; right now all we know is that the new episodes start in November.

Finally, as a parting shot, EW  challenged Roiland to name the Rick and Morty reference he’s most sick of hearing. He named Rick’s “wubba lubba dub dub” catchphrase.

"Only because we were making fun of the idea of stupid catchphrases. [At first] it wasn’t at all that and then it was funny because it was a dumb catchphrase, and then we subverted it by making it mean something really depressing. The hardcore fans get the irony behind it. But I think some fans maybe don’t? I hate to sh— on anything because I don’t want to bum anybody out. I don’t want somebody to be like, “I love that!” And then for them to read that Justin hates it. I don’t hate it… You set me up, man!"

Don’t worry, Mr. Roiland; the internet is legendary for being easy-going and understanding.

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