Image Credit: Fox
Before we get into a discussion about the news that after 23 years on the air, the future of The Simpsons is up in the air, let me tell you with full disclosure: I’m on a classic Simpsons trivia team. (Go Team Bake ‘Em Away, Toys!… Go Apple! Go Orange! Go Banana!) Yes, I’m one of those kind of Simpsons nerds. I have special place in my heart for the ’90′s era of The Simpsons, and a place in my brain where basic knowledge should reside, but Simpsons trivia does instead. (Or maybe that’s just a crayon?)
That said, The Simpsons could soon become a part of the past, for all of us. As reported earlier today, 20th Century Fox TV has asked The Simpsons voice actors to take a 45 percent pay cut, in order to renew their contracts and ensure more seasons. The studio says that in order for the show’s survival, the actors must oblige. “We cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model,” 20th Century Fox said in statement. “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.”
It’s hard to know how to feel about this news. Since nothing is set in stone yet (for all we know this whole thing could be settled soon enough and we’ll continue to watch this until the end of time when Kang and Kodos take over the planet), I can’t imagine saying goodbye to The Simpsons. Then again, like so many other purist Simpsons nerds such as myself, we bid the series adieu — at least the obsessive, pick-up-on-every-small-detail aspect of it — a few years ago.
Sure, the golden era of The Simpsons is long gone (“In those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on them!”). But the longest running show on television has still has its moments of being the funny, star-filled (this season alone has featured guest stars like Lady Gaga, Bryan Cranston, and Kiefer Sutherland) and unconventional (how about that Banksy opener?) show we’ve all loved — and quoted — for the past 23 years of our lives. Me get through life without The Simpsons? That’s unpossible!
But how do you feel about the possibility of The Simpsons ending because of financial reasons? Is the burden falling too heavily on the show’s voice actors to keep the series alive for fans? (There’s no way even the most occasional of Simpsons fans could watch the show if they chose to replace the iconic, recognizable voices from the current actors.) Or have the most devoted fans already put the show in the past? Is it time to make way for other animated series to surpass them or could The Simpsons go on forever? You don’t share your thoughts in the comments section below? That’s a paddlin’.
Read more:
‘The Simpsons’ studio says show cannot continue without cutting costs
10 things we learned about ‘The Simpsons’ at Comic-Con
The Best ‘Simpsons’ Episodes
The golden age of the Simpsons is long over. Let it rest.
I don’t watch the show any longer, but I don’t understand how Fox cannot afford production any longer…doesn’t the show make millions of dollars in merchandising and such things?
The show has been garbage for some time now, watched only out of nostalgia. Its well past its expiration date of being relevant circa 1996
Pretty obvious a lot of the posters here have not watched Simpsons for some time now. The people who have, however, most likely have noticed that last season, as well as the first few episodes of the current season, have been as good, if not better, than the show’s heyday. If you haven’t watched it lately, give it a chance, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
The show still has its water cooler moments (like the Banksy opening last year). While not as hysterical as the older seasons, it is still funnier than roughly 43% of the “comedies” on tv right now. I am looking forward to seeing Flanders spoof Dexter on the Treehouse of Horrors episode. It sounds like a negotiating tactic that Twentieth Century Fox would announce to the media that the voice cast needs to take such drastic pay costs in order to continue producing the show. The cast does make a LOT of money but it hardly seems fair that they are tasked with shouldering the responsibility of saving the show. I hope they all can figure out some way to resolve this and continue.
this show is still on the air? people still watch this stupid show?
The jokes most likley go over your head! it’s ok. As Homer Simpson would say. ” You are Gay” lol
Believe it or not, lots of people watch shows you don’t watch. I know, I can’t believe it either.
….and I can finally stop watching tv.
I got every episode reference in this article. I too saw the golden age pass with season 10, but last year my favorite quote was ” sooner or later, everybody meets their Homer.” I can’t imagine a world without the Simpsons
Believe it or not, I have never seen The Simpsons. I still lived with my parents when it started, and they didn’t let me watch it, so I just never did. Obviously, I won’t miss it when it’s gone.
And I’ve never watched Lost or Glee. Obviously I never felt the need to click on an article about either one of them much less leave a comment, what was your point?
I was a kid during its heyday, and my parents let me watch it. I’m glad they did; while others of my generation apparently had Nickelodean and Cartoon Network, this was the show of my childhood.
A 45% pay cut is ridiculous, especially if you consider that most voice actors don’t make much in the grand tv/Hollywood scheme. Maybe the networks would have more money if the suits took a 45% pay cut!
Most of the Simpson’s current voice actors make half a million per episode for pretty much an 8-10 hour day’s work per episode (sometimes less). I think they are doing pretty good…
If the alternative is to cancel the series, what choice does the cast have? Half a paycheck or no paycheck? Hank Azaria can get more work, and Harry Shearer can write his own checks, but I dunno what Nancy Cartwright will do.. NASCAR?
The Beatles, REM and Seinfeld knew when to call it quits. I think it’s time for the Simpsons to make the same move.
jumped the shark so long ago that the shark was killed for his fins
while i agree that the best of “the simpsons” were the first 10 years, there have been great shows since. “the father, the son, and the holy guest star” was in season 16 and is my favorite episode! let’s hope there is more to come.
The Simpsons is such an irreplaceable part of the tv landscape now. Yes, its not as funny as it was 14 years ago, but I still laugh. The last few seasons have been really consistent. Aside from the quality, a world without the simpsons seems impossible. I was born into a world with the Simpsons, and I want them to continue making me laugh for years
20th Century Fox TV needs to weed out all the overpaid executive dinosaurs.
The studio’s excuse is pathetic. What a bunch of jerks.
Taking a 45% paycut down from $500k/episode seems more than reasonable. Voice acting. $500k per episode. If they take the paycut and negotiate back end profits there’s no reason not to keep going. Even if the Simpsons are stale compared to more relevant shows such as Family Guy.
Actually, the cast already offered to take a thirty percent pay cut in exchange for a small percentage of the profits from merchandising and syndication. Fox turned ‘em down flat. Given how much they continue to make off retailing and syndication, they show will continue to be very profitable for a long time, with or without new episodes.
Please make it to season 25. And have a true ending that will make life long fans happy.
Face it to some the Simpsons are like family.
If the Simpsons end like this I will Never watch Fox again.
I would love for the show to hit the 30 year mark just so it can hold the honor of being on teh air for such a ling time but I’d be just as fine with a 25 year mark