Harry Shearer signs on with The Simpsons

“Excellennnnnt…”

All is in order with the universe once more.

Harry Shearer has agreed to return to The Simpsons after quitting the show when contract negotiations broke down.

He joins the 5 other permanent cast for the 27th and 28th seasons.

Shearer, who voices characters including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner and many more, was reportedly insisting on getting a piece of the lucrative back-end, whose value flexed its muscles in a big way with the $1 billion off-network syndication deal at FX in 2013.

The deal is the same as his fellow voice cast — a two-year deal with an option for another two seasons (so a potential four-year pact) and an estimated $300,000 per episode.

“Following the announcement of The Simpsons’ renewal for an unprecedented 27th and 28th seasons, FOX is proud to confirm that each and every member of the iconic series’ voice cast will be returning in the roles they’ve brought to life since the show’s beginnings as a series of animated shorts nearly 30 years ago,” FOX said in a statement.

“The critically acclaimed The Simpsons voice cast has been recognized with countless awards over the series’ 26 seasons, including 11 Emmys. In fact, every main cast member – Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer – has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance at some point in the show’s run, which, with the recent two-season pick-up, will extend to an astounding 625 episodes…and counting.”

Showrunner Al Jean also issued the following statement via Twitter: “I would like to clear up a misunderstanding. I have recently been told that during a period where Harry Shearer believed he had a five-week free period from The Simpsons, I was unaware of this fact, and did in fact request material from him. If so, my bad. I am truly glad he is returning to the show.”

Source: Deadline, Hollywood Reporter