Must the Show Really Go On?
Posted by Leah on
5/25/2015 10:56:47 AM
You may think I’m posting this late, but really I’m not. It’s just that I was waiting to gather all facts possible. Since no more seem to have surfaced, I decided that now is the time.
Word broke on May 14, 2015 that after a mind-boggling 26 seasons with long running animated sitcom The Simpsons, Harry Shearer, voice actor of not only the most beloved characters on the show, but a total of over 100, will be leaving. Although nothing concrete has come out, it’s been rumored that Shearer has decided to leave due to contract disputes with Fox.
I know! I know! You’re all wondering why I’m writing anything about a TV show when this site is supposed to be about movies. Well, I’ll tell you. There are a few reasons. #1: The Simpsons Movie did come out in 2007, which I believe in itself totally justifies this post. #2: Since the show began in 1989 in a way it’s been my religion for the past 26 years. I mean every Sunday, without fail, I’m at home by 8 pm, my husband and I gather around the TV and watch “Homer’s Sermon of the Week”. (I’m not trying to poke fun at any church-goers out there, just saying that this is how I‘ve spent the past 26 years of Sundays in my life). And #3: Without The Simpsons I’m not entirely sure that my husband and I would’ve gotten married. Extreme I know, but true. The first things we found out we had in common were watching The Simpsons and quoting The Simpsons. Do we have every piece of merchandise ever put out by them? No. Do we have our fair share? Of course! Anyhow, that’s my justification. Moving on…
As I said before, Shearer, who is now 71, has voiced over 100 Simpsons characters over the years. His most notable include Ned Flanders, Rev. Lovejoy, Otto, Kent Brockman, Jasper Beardly, Mr. Burns, Smithers, Sanjay Nahasapeemapetilon, Scratchy, Principal Skinner, Mr. Largo, Legs and Louie, Ranier Wolfcastle and many, many more. Fox has said “The show will go on without him”, but how can it? I mean, over half the characters are leaving all in one man!
The alleged contract dispute erupted over Fox’s refusal to pay the voice actors for licensing and merchandising. The same sort of issue arose in 2011 when Fox picked up the show for seasons 24 and 25. At that time the actors ended up taking a pay cut to keep the show going, with Shearer being the most vocal. At that time Shearer wrote in The Daily Beast: “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 (the voice actors) be allowed a tiny share of the billions of dollars in profits the show has earned. Instead,” he said, “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.”
I understand Shearer’s point of view, and would probably not have put up with it nearly as long if I were in his shoes. I am devastated to see him leave the show, but what’s more outrageous to me is that Fox is going to attempt to recast the myriad of characters Shearer voiced. The Simpsons has been a very important part of my life for a very long time, but I think it’s time to let it die, rather than destroy it!
I guess only time will tell what the other die-hard fans think.