A row between 20th Century Fox Television and six key voice actors on The Simpsons could cause the long-running cartoon to end.
The two parties are arguing over a proposed pay cut, meaning production on the world's most-famous animated series could stop after the current 23rd series ends next spring.
Dan Castellaneta (Homer, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and others), Julie Kavner (Marge and others), Nancy Cartwright (Bart and others), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon), and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, and others) currently each earn aroundt $8 million a year for 22 weeks’ work.
Fox bosses, however, are reportedly tabling a 45 per cent pay-cut for the six stars, an offer which has gone down like a kiss from Aunt Selma.
Although negotiations in the past have come to an agreeable end - Fox studio execs have threatened to replace cast members with sound-alike actors on a number of occasions - this time it seems the executives are adamant they'll get their way.
The actors responded to their bosses demands by offering to take a 30 per cent pay-cut in exchange for a slice of the show's profits from syndication and merchandising around the world.
As reported by The Beast, Fox turned down the deal, but declined to make an official statement on the matter.
An insider did, however, suggest bosses want to cut costs dramatically or they will shut down The Simpsons for good.
"The show has made billions in profits over the years and will continue to do so as far as the eye can see down the road," said the source. "The actors are willing to take a pay cut of roughly a third, but that’s not good enough for Fox."
If this falls through, it will be a sad day when the Simpsons reaches its final episode. A bummer too, as this current season is starting out pretty good.
Oh well, I guess nothing good lasts forever, and nothing could beat the older episodes anyways.
If the Simpsons has taught me nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that Fox Broadcasting is the pinnacle of all things evil. It's sad to see things end so poorly for the show, but it was a fun ride while it lasted, and the classic seasons will remain proudly in my DVD collection.
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my reaction: voice actors who actually get paid EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS don't have anything to complain unless they would end up getting like 80+% less. They have no idea how many VAs would kill for that type of money.
It was probably going to be cancelled anyway for Seth MacFarlane's remake of the Flintstones when that airs in the next year or two...No, this is not a joke, he is remaking the Flintstones, if you haven't heard, for FOX.
Meh. I thought the Simpsons was great, but then I started watching Futurama and realized just how superior the latter is. The Simpsons is indeed quite funny, but it just can't come close to its somewhat newly reincarnated brother. So really I couldn't care less, I don't even bother watching it anymore. But if it dies and ends up on Netflix, I'll probably binge the whole series anyway.
It was probably going to be cancelled anyway for Seth MacFarlane's remake of the Flintstones when that airs in the next year or two...No, this is not a joke, he is remaking the Flintstones, if you haven't heard, for FOX.
Oh no.
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It was probably going to be cancelled anyway for Seth MacFarlane's remake of the Flintstones when that airs in the next year or two...No, this is not a joke, he is remaking the Flintstones, if you haven't heard, for FOX.
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I don't understand people's hatred for the later seasons of the show. Really the only thing I have hated, and it's nothing new for the Simpsons, or any adult animation for that matter, is excessive use of celebrity guests and pop culture references. My god does Seth McFarlene do that too much. And projecting his hate for pretty much everything through his characters. Douche.
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It would be a shame to end it now. I've been a fan of the series since it started back in 89. I have all the current seasons on DVD too. I'm betting this will all turn out fine. Matt Groening will probably keep the show going until he's ready to finish it. I'm sure they can make a deal that will work out for everybody.
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It was probably going to be cancelled anyway for Seth MacFarlane's remake of the Flintstones when that airs in the next year or two...No, this is not a joke, he is remaking the Flintstones, if you haven't heard, for FOX.
Why does he have to wreck a classic series.
Oh well I guess if Simpsons gets cancelled that will leave Matt Groening more time to work on Futurama.
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Wasn't Futurama cancelled once before? I know Family Guy was a while back but they revived it after fan outrage.
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I honestly hope it doesn't because I like the show but if it does I will just sit and watch the old episodes over and over. Plus more then likely some channel may pick up the simpsons if it did end on fox.
Also I get why they are upset they don't want to lose most their pay. I mean think about we complained when the 3ds only had an $80 price cut. Imaging losing as much as they would. Don't get me wrong they have a lot but still that's a big loss.
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