It seems like every time that the contracts are up for the voices of The Simpsons, there is always an issue to get them to sign on the dotted line. This time the negotiations were relativity quiet, until their was a Tweet that was heard around the world. Harry Shearer Tweeted, “from James L. Brooks’ lawyer: ‘show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.'” Then he added, “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best.”
While in the past the holdup for getting the cast to re-sign was money, he says that is not why he decided to leave the show after 26 years, he says it was because of scheduling. He wants to do other things. Things, I don’t think anyone cares about but him. So best of luck to him and good riddance.
The good thing about The Simpsons is that he is voice actor, and he can easily be replaced. How many people have been practicing their best Simpsons voices since they were kids. Now one of them might get the chance to do just that.
Executive Produce Al Jean reassured fans on Twitter, “The show will go on, made by people who love it and see in it the most wonderful vehicle for satire ever.”
So how will they handle the loss of the Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Mr Burns, Walter Smithers, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr Hibbert, Scratchy and Kent Brockman? Jean said that there will be no yellow wedding, so don’t expect his character’s to be killed off. They will just be voiced by someone new.
Hopefully the remaining four actors will see that they are easily replaceable and not be so greedy when their contracts come up in the future. That has always been a sore point for me. They want more money to talk into a microphone (I know it is not easy work, I’ve tried it) but you never hear them giving any of their earnings to charity. If they did, then maybe I would be more on their side.
How do you feel about Harry Shearer leaving the show?
UPDATE: James L Brooks broke his silence on Twitter about the situation and said, “Hey, we tried. We’re still trying. Harry, no kidding, let’s talk.”
I say move on. If he gets more than the $17 million the others are making, than those four will be upset and that will cause more problems and possibly delays. You see, the five of them up until now have worked as a team when it came to negotiations. Plus, why should he get more than them, he isn’t even a Simpson!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW563UHQQsQ
Tonight at 8p on Fox, The Simpsons go to DizNeeLand and take a ride that is out of this world. When the rides at the park turn out to be a huge disappointment, they discover a secret one. What they don’t know is that ride is a spaceship piloted by Kang & Kodos who then takes them back to their home planet.
Is this the end of their Earthly journey? You have to tune into an episode that has a lot of smart jokes for you to enjoy to find out!
This Sunday at 8p on Fox, Christmas is coming early to Springfield and The Simpsons’ couch gag is getting the holiday treatment. The whole opening has been changed for the season and there are some really cute surprises you don’t want to miss out on. And yes, there is a Frozen reference because it is mandatory by everyone this season.
So get your holiday cheer on with The Simpsons opening from Sunday, since the show had been around as long as Christmas itself has been part of the calendar. At least it feels that way!
Futurama is back for one night only on Fox at 8p and they are traveling back in time to do it on The Simpsons.
The town of Springfield is burying a time capsule that won’t be open for 1,000 years and Bart Simpson left a little bit of himself in it. When the Mayor digs up the hole, some of Mr Burns’ goo is in it. Will that effect the contents in the capsule?
Fast forward 1,000 years and New New York has been taken over by these strange creatures that keep evolving. So they send Bender back in time to kill the person whose DNA is responsible for them. That DNA belongs to Homer Simpson and Bender’s mission is to kill him? Will he do it?
You just have to tune in for this great crossover episode to find out and to see the Planet Express gang together again. Maybe if tonight’s show does well, Fox will consider bringing them back?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twMDJ2n6dr4
Tonight at 8p, The Simpsons Treehouse of Horrors turns 25 and the Halloween episode is freakishly good.
In the first segment, Bart finally finds a school where he excels. Where is this heavenly school? It is in hell!
Then our favorite yellow family takes on Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange and orange you happy to see their version on the classic. Too bad the director is not around to see it.
On that note, the last segment is parody of the movie The Others. This time the family is one we know well. It is The Simpsons as they looked and sounded 25 years ago. To see how far they’ve come, is enough to get you to tune into this special. The fact that it might be their best Treehouse of Horrors to date is even a bigger one.
