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“The Simpsons” Are Back
3-Jun-2008
Written by: Desiree Browne
After several months of salary negotiations, the voices of everyone’s favorite Springfield residents go on to continue taping the latest season.
Faithful fans of The Simpsons can rest easy now that the actors who bring the characters to life recently received the pay raise they wanted. According to E! Online, 20th Century Fox also agreed to extend the actors’ contract for another four years, making it the longest-running show in television’s history, next to Gunsmoke.
Going into production on its 20th season, Simpsons' actors voiced their concerns about their $300,000-per episode and requested an increase to $500,000 per episode. Negotiations didn’t yield the desired $200,000 increase but actors’ salaries were upped to an undisclosed amount. The conflict between the show’s executives and the actors brought production to a halt, causing The Simpsons to have a shorter season with 20 episodes instead of the usual 22.
In addition to the brand new paychecks, Dan Castellaneta, voice of the illustrious Homer Simpson, has been added to the roster as consulting producer after years of writing many Simpsons episodes.
Familiar faces (or voices) Julie Kavner as Marge, Nancy Cartwright as Bart, Yeardley Smith as Lisa, Hank Azaria as Moe, Apu, and others, and Castellaneta are expected back at work. However, Harry Shearer may not return, possibly silencing Mr. Burns for season 20 and beyond.
While fans, producers, and actors alike are satisfied with the compromises, no one can be sure how long the show will last. Though the actors have a new four-year contract, the show has not been renewed past the 2008-09 season. But for now, don’t have a cow, man.
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