Credit: Adult Swim

Please raise your index and middle fingers in a moment of silence.

For the last seventeen years, one of the most enduring staples of Cartoon Network’s late-night animation block, Adult Swim, has been Jackson Publick’s The Venture Bros. I distinctly recall multiple instances growing up where I wake up in the middle of the night, turn on the TV out of curiosity, and spot this hilarious, occasionally brutal parody of Johnny Quest. The most recent season, season seven, ended on something of a cliffhanger, with Hank Venture disappearing into a crowd to find himself (while wearing a Batman mask). Sadly, it seems we’ll never know what became of Hank, nor the rest of the Venture family and their friends and enemies.

Jackson Publick (real name Christopher McCulloch) officially announced Monday night that Adult Swim has decided to pull the plug on The Venture Bros., apparently in the middle of production for season 8. Publick used the announcement to thank fans for seventeen wonderful years of entertainment.

Unfortunately, it’s true: #VentureBros has been canceled. We got the highly disappointing news a few months ago, while we were writing what would have been season 8. We thank you, our amazing fans, for 17 years of your kind (and patient) attention. And, as always, We Love You.

— Jackson Publick (@jacksonpublick) September 7, 2020

James Urbaniak, the voice of Dr. Thaddeus “Rusty” Venture, chimed in with a tweet of his own, saying that the role of Dr. Venture was one of the “great gifts of my life and career.”

So, as it must to all, cancellation has come for The Venture Bros. The pilot aired 17 years ago, which means the show was almost old enough to vote. It was one of the great gifts of my life & career. The fans were, quite simply, the best. Thank you, everybody. Go. Team. Venture! pic.twitter.com/MPMAvWS6Z4

— James Urbaniak (@JamesUrbaniak) September 8, 2020

However, while the show as we know it is most definitely over, we may at least still have a shot at closure. In a statement on their official Twitter, Adult Swim said that “We also want more Venture Bros. and have been working with Jackson and Doc to find another way to continue the Venture Bros. story.”

Credit: Adult Swim

For the time being, fans have tweeted in droves to show their love for a show that’s been on the air since 2003, and express their hopes that some kind of agreement can be struck to either keep it going or at least give it the ending it deserves.

Pouring one out for #VentureBros tonight. Hoping someone rescues this weird and frequently hilarious show that rewarded faithful viewers in spades https://t.co/tQ8vxSKdEV pic.twitter.com/q2lGCVg2FF

— Chris #BLM Carroll MD 🇺🇸 (@ChrisCarrollMD) September 8, 2020

Until someone makes a decision, though, the show is done, so for what may be the very last time, everyone please say it with me: Go Team Venture.