The Simpsons' Next Season Will Be Its Last

goodm0urning · 2011-10-08T00:00:21.000Z

Nando:

so much hate in here and for the simpsons in general.
I’ve loved all the epoisode, yeah some of the eps were slow but its fuckin gay how it became “cool” to hate on the simpsons for shows like south park and family guy.
People just went on auto hate and didn’t even watch the eps for the longest time

Keep thinking that, buddy.

Part of the problem with The Simpsons is that it began to seem more like Family Guy, which has always been retarded.

fishjie · 2011-10-08T00:15:35.000Z

Simpsons has given me many great memories over the years, and the golden year episodes helped shape my sense of humor as a child, as i suspect it has for many others. I remember in high school I’d say shit like “DOH” all the time. Sadly, I now imitate Peter Griffin’s annoying laugh instead. But I digress.

There comes a point in a man’s life when his dog has lived a long and fulfilling life, but is now suffering from the ravages of time. The man must make the difficult decision of putting his beloved friend down. It is a wrenching decision, but it is the right thing to do. Let’s end the suffering. The Simpsons is like an old mutt that has heart disease, two types of cancer, arthritis, and muscular dystrophy. Time to let go.

CTG · 2011-10-08T00:22:49.000Z

Granpa Simpson was the best

Spoiler

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/3204840swsw.gif

CTG · 2011-10-08T00:49:56.000Z

Public statement from Smithers, Mr. Burns, Flanders and Skinner!!

IGN

Flanders Fury! The Simpsons' Harry Shearer Speaks Out on Contract Negotiations -...

As the tense situation -- which could end the series -- continues, cast member Shearer says it's about profits.

For many years now, the cast of “The Simpsons” has been trying to get Fox to agree that, like so many other people who’ve contributed significantly to the show’s success, we be allowed a tiny share of the billions of dollars in profits the show has earned. Fox has consistently refused to even consider the matter. Instead, it’s paid us salaries that, while ridiculous by any normal standard, pale in comparison to what the show’s profit participants have been taking home.

Now, as the show enters its twenty-third season, we are engaged in what will probably be our last contract negotiation with Fox. As you may have heard, the network has taken the position that “The Simpsons” no longer makes enough money and that unless we in the cast accept a 45% pay cut, they are not going to bring the show back for a twenty-fourth season.

Obviously, there are a lot more important things going on in the world right now, in the streets of New York and elsewhere. But given how many people seem to care about what happens to our show – and how much misinformation has been flying around – I thought it might make sense for at least one member of the cast to speak out directly. I should note that I am speaking only for myself, and not for any of the other actors on the show.

Fox wants to cut our salaries in half because it says it can’t afford to continue making the show under what it calls the existing business model. Fox hasn’t explained what kind of new business model it has formulated to keep the show on the air, but clearly the less money they have to pay us in salary, the more they’re able to afford to continue broadcasting the show. And to this I say, fine – if pay cuts are what it will take to keep the show on the air, then cut my pay. In fact, to make it as easy as possible for Fox to keep new episodes of “The Simpsons” coming, I’m willing to let them cut my salary not just 45% but more than 70% – down to half of what they said they would be willing to pay us. All I would ask in return is that I be allowed a small share of the eventual profits.

My representatives broached this idea to Fox yesterday, asking the network how low a salary number I would have to accept to make a profit participation feasible. My representatives were told there was no such number. There were, the Fox people said, simply no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the show’s success.

As a member of the “Simpsons” cast for 23 years, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve had a great run and no one should feel sorry for any of us. But given how much joy the show has given so many people over the years – and given how many billions of dollars in profits News Corp. has earned and will earn from it – I find it hard to believe that this is Fox’s final word on the subject. At least I certainly hope it isn’t, because the alternative is to cancel the show or fire me for having the gall to try to save the show by helping Fox with its new business model. Neither would be a fair result – either to those of us who have committed so many years to the show or to its loyal fans who make our effort worthwhile.

australopitecus · 2011-10-08T00:53:11.000Z

Ok, wait… weren’t news exactly like this been published every year in the last 5 or so?

Geese_Pants · 2011-10-08T00:55:12.000Z

Harry Shearer awesome again…

Louiscipher · 2011-10-08T01:02:32.000Z

Well then. I have respect for the cast and support them in their effort. It’s no exaggeration that Fox is making Billions off of the Simpsons and it’s sad that they’re fucking over the cast over just a fraction of that money.

BUT, Fox would have to be insane to not milk a final season or movie or something. Can you imagine the number of viewers for a finale? Holy shit. Hopefully the cast can get a huge payout to do a finale for the very least.

Spirit_Juice · 2011-10-08T01:25:37.000Z

MacFarlane was a writer for Johnny Bravo. Looked it up.

M.D · 2011-10-08T02:04:32.000Z

white_shadow:

Cow & Chicken was created by David Feiss, a real weirdo and voice of Cow, Chicken, and The Red Guy.

Sugar Frosted Weenies and Chicken Milk for breakfast.

Not to mention an unhealthy obsession with butts.

Rhio2k · 2011-10-08T02:12:58.000Z

“Fox wants to cut our salaries in half because it says it can’t afford to continue making the show under what it calls the existing business model.”

That was Fox’s way of telling you your shit’s boring, and they don’t feel you’re justified getting that good pay for half-ass play anymore. Maybe you guys should have stuck with the writers from your earlier, interesting and entertaining seasons rather than just hiring a crop of newbies every season.

white_shadow · 2011-10-08T02:53:33.000Z

Rhio2k:

“Fox wants to cut our salaries in half because it says it can’t afford to continue making the show under what it calls the existing business model.”

That was Fox’s way of telling you your shit’s boring, and they don’t feel you’re justified getting that good pay for half-ass play anymore. Maybe you guys should have stuck with the writers from your earlier, interesting and entertaining seasons rather than just hiring a crop of newbies every season.

I don’t think the voice actors have much sway in hiring writers or much creative control past their characters’ voices.

Drfatality · 2011-10-08T03:17:41.000Z

My fav episode of the simpsons was when Bart stole Bone Storm(Mortal Kombat II) from the store…classic

Stuart_Hayden · 2011-10-08T03:52:59.000Z

Spirit_Juice:

MacFarlane was a writer for Johnny Bravo. Looked it up.

Yup. It’s funny how people give him credit for making the show when all he ever was on that show was a lowely staff writer. He may have directed an episode or two, I’m not totally sure. But that’s like saying Conan O’Brien created the Simpsons because he was on their writing staff at one point.

Regarding the situation. Fox wants to cancel them there is no doubt about that. But they don’t want the backlash of a cancel. So they want the staff to quit so they [Fox] can save face. Simple corporate bullshit.

Pertho · 2011-10-08T03:54:30.000Z

First episode I ever saw was the bullying episode where grandpa takes Bart to the veteran and they ambush nelson with water balloons. From that to “I’m gay for moleman.” Ah simpsons, what a ride.

Sheng-Long · 2011-10-08T04:05:26.000Z

There should just be a Simpsons channel with reruns 24/7. It’ll probably get better ratings than NBC.

Stuart_Hayden · 2011-10-08T04:06:56.000Z

Sheng-Long:

There should just be a Simpsons channel with reruns 24/7. It’ll probably get better ratings than NBC.

you make that sound like a hard thing.

Sexperienced · 2011-10-08T04:11:38.000Z

Is it really that expensive to have every episode animated in Korea?

just_prime · 2011-10-08T04:15:24.000Z

Seasons 1-7 is all I will ever care about. The rest is forgettable guttertrash. It’s crazy realizing that crappy* Yvan Eht Nioj *episode was aired over 10 years ago.

Homer Badman is a personal favorite.

Sw-sw-sw-sw-sw-sw-sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttt caaaaaaaaaandy.

No Mr.Simpson noooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lemres · 2011-10-08T04:21:25.000Z

This was my childhood! My whole family would get snacks together in preparation for The Simpsons’ new episode. Although I have to admit that the later seasons have been not as funny as I remember. We still watch it, but it felt different to me. Either way, I’m watching The Simpsons till it’s cancellation. Yes, I’m that dedicated.

Sexperienced · 2011-10-08T04:24:40.000Z

I still prefer the Simpsons to South Park and Family Guy… the only mainstream cartoons i enjoy right now are Futurama and American dad.