‘The Simpsons’: Harry Shearer leaving series amidst contract dispute
Is the end really here for one of the longtime voice talents on “The Simpsons“? Crazy as it may be to say that, it seems to be when it comes to Harry Shearer, who voiced Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, and many others.
It was confirmed across the board that Shearer has opted to not return to the series after a dispute over his contract. He seems to suggest on his Twitter that it has more to do with creative freedom than many, but in a statement to TV Guide alongside James L. Brooks and Matt Groening, executive producer Al Jean claims that the deal offered to the actor was no different than the one given to the other members of the cast:
“Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed … The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard. We do not plan to kill off characters like Burns and Flanders but will recast with the finest voiceover talent available.”
We cannot speak to what the creative limitations are to working on the show, if there are that many in the first place. We would assume superficially that this is a cushy gig, mostly because you get paid rather handsomely for voice recording, which means that as long as your voice remains intact, you will always continue to have a job. Many of the cast members even took sizable pay cuts years ago to remain on the show. The implication in Shearer’s tweets is that there is something more restrictive in the new contract than previous wants he signed. He made it clear in another reply on social media that his exit has nothing to do with money.
What this news does tell us is that the show may view itself ultimately as bigger than any particular cast member. Therefore, it could continue on if any of the other longtime actors also decides to depart.
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