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Simpsons face axe under rising costs

20th Century Fox Television has told The Simpsons cast they have to take a pay cut due to rising costs.

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Aye Carumba….

A salary dispute is threatening to end The Simpsons, with 20th Century Fox Television seeking to dramatically cut the salaries of key actors who voice the show including Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe the bartender, Chief Wiggum and Apu) and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders).

In a statement, 20th Century Fox Television said it “cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model.”

The Simpsons has generated billions of dollars in rerun and DVD sales, as well as merchandise, video games and a feature film but its ratings have tumbled over the last few years.

In the US this season has averaged 7.1 million viewers, a drop of nearly 19% from five years ago, when the show averaged 8.7 million viewers. In the 18 to 49 demo, ratings have fallen 17%. Meanwhile in Australia, its numbers are a far cry from its glory days since it has shifted to ELEVEN.

Each episode is said to cost around $5 million with its cast on mid-six-figure pay per episode.

“We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows The Simpsons to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come,” the studio said.

The show is in its 23rd season and is the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program, and in 2009 it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running American primetime, scripted television series.

Source: LA Times

37 Responses

  1. I am so sick of hearing people talk about how much they dislike this show now. This is one of the best and funniest shows of all time. A show like this should never end. What would people rather watch? Mindless reality shows? Violent drama? Cop shows? Law and Order? CSI? Well I am not a fan of any of those type of shows but I don’t go to a website just to complain about them (well not until people start knocking a show that I like, that is). And to tell you the truth, there are not many shows left that I actually still like. The Simpsons is like a diamond in the rough now.

  4. Longest running animated show in history that means something, and that is its the Best Show!!! If FOX don’t want it Their Lose!! because im definately sure another Channel is waiting to get their Hands on the Greatest Show Of All Time!!! The Simpsons!!!
    This Show is never ever going to End!!! and no ones going to beat their Record I Mean No One!!!

  7. @? Man, simpsons is made by Fox, cant move networks. shows can only be ‘saved’ by another network if the show is made by 2 or more production companies and only one of the respective networks wants it gone. ie scrubs aired on NBC and was made by NBCuniversal and ABC studios, NBC didn’t want it anymore so ABC had the option to pick it up.

  10. It’s not just a salary dispute that put this show on cancellation row. Analysts have pointed out that ending the show and opening up syndication opportunities for the 500+ episodes can net Fox mega-millions rather than continuing the economic (and creative) black hole the Simpsons currently is.

    On a personal note, I stopped watching during Season 8. The writing, characters and tone changed dramatically and lost me as a fan. The earlier seasons are still brilliant.

  12. Some situations that could happen

    Best case situration for all
    Fox and the cast compromise at a 25% cut with more benefits and more flexible hours

    Best case for fox and fans
    The cast take the 50% cut realizing it’s all about the fans who love then and they voices

    Best case for cast
    They don’t take the cut , but fox cancel the show but gets picked up by another network and the new network gives cast all they want and more

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