'Simpsons' voice actors reach deal - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-02-2008, 08:34 PM

The standoff between "The Simpsons" voice cast and series producer 20th Century Fox TV is over.

After months of negotiations, the cast of Fox's long-running animated series reached a new four-year deal with the studio during the weekend.

Under the pact, the top actors will be paid nearly $400,000 per episode. While this is lower than the reported $500,000 the cast originally sought, it remains a significant increase from their current paychecks of about $300,000 an episode.

Additionally, Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson and has penned several "Simpsons" episodes over the years, is being named a consulting producer.

Castellaneta and most of the other key "Simpsons" voice players -- Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa) and Hank Azaria (Moe) -- are slated to begin work on the upcoming 20th season today with a table read.

As of Monday, the status of Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, among other characters, was unclear. Because of a last-minute snag, his deal did not close with the other cast members', and it was not clear if he would show up for today's table read.

As a result from the drawn-out contract negotiations, the upcoming season of "The Simpsons" has been reduced from 22 to 20 episodes. While the deal makes the voice cast available for four more seasons, Fox has yet to order the animated comedy beyond season No. 20.

The "Simpsons" cast and 20th TV have been down this road before. Most recently in 2004, the actors held up production of the 16th season by skipping two table reads during the renegotiations that ultimately resulted in the cast members more than doubling their previous salary.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...d27c478d6c7963

80sTrivia · 06-03-2008, 04:54 PM

I'm delighted that most of the cast has reached a lucrative deal, but I hope Harry Shearer signs up as well...

MrCleveland · 06-03-2008, 06:22 PM

Looks like the Simpsons will be cancelled when Cleveland wins a Championship. Dammit!

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-04-2008, 01:28 AM

I did not know that they were trying to get a new Contract

comedyfreak · 06-04-2008, 04:24 AM

I guess the show will never come to an end.

friendlydude · 06-11-2008, 02:07 PM

I'm really happy the show is returning for a 20th season. You know, for the last six or seven years, I was hoping the Simpsons would reach 20 years, and I'm glad it's going to happen. Whether or not the show goes beyond that is still early apparently. I'm very thankful we have over 400 episodes to watch, and counting.

06-02-2008, 08:34 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Simpsons' voice actors reach deal The standoff between "The Simpsons" voice cast and series producer 20th Century Fox TV is over. After months of negotiations, the cast of Fox's long-running animated series reached a new four-year deal with the studio during the weekend. Under the pact, the top actors will be paid nearly $400,000 per episode. While this is lower than the reported $500,000 the cast originally sought, it remains a significant increase from their current paychecks of about $300,000 an episode. Additionally, Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson and has penned several "Simpsons" episodes over the years, is being named a consulting producer. Castellaneta and most of the other key "Simpsons" voice players -- Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa) and Hank Azaria (Moe) -- are slated to begin work on the upcoming 20th season today with a table read. As of Monday, the status of Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, among other characters, was unclear. Because of a last-minute snag, his deal did not close with the other cast members', and it was not clear if he would show up for today's table read. As a result from the drawn-out contract negotiations, the upcoming season of "The Simpsons" has been reduced from 22 to 20 episodes. While the deal makes the voice cast available for four more seasons, Fox has yet to order the animated comedy beyond season No. 20. The "Simpsons" cast and 20th TV have been down this road before. Most recently in 2004, the actors held up production of the 16th season by skipping two table reads during the renegotiations that ultimately resulted in the cast members more than doubling their previous salary. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...d27c478d6c7963
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06-03-2008, 04:54 PM	#2
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I'm delighted that most of the cast has reached a lucrative deal, but I hope Harry Shearer signs up as well...
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06-03-2008, 06:22 PM	#3
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,237	Looks like the Simpsons will be cancelled when Cleveland wins a Championship. Dammit!
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06-04-2008, 01:28 AM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I did not know that they were trying to get a new Contract
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06-04-2008, 04:24 AM	#5
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Star Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I guess the show will never come to an end.
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06-11-2008, 02:07 PM	#6
friendlydude Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 11, 2008 Location: oxford pennsylvania Posts: 20	I'm really happy the show is returning for a 20th season. You know, for the last six or seven years, I was hoping the Simpsons would reach 20 years, and I'm glad it's going to happen. Whether or not the show goes beyond that is still early apparently. I'm very thankful we have over 400 episodes to watch, and counting.