Rypro 525

from the huffington post
Whether the stars take a salary cut or not, there won't be many more new adventures in the town of Springfield.

Fox executives told The Wrap on Wednesday that even if the voice actors behind the iconic animated show "The Simpsons" take a massive pay cut, the show is no longer profitable as a first-run series and will end after next season. If the actors don't agree to a cut, this season, the show's 23rd, will be its final batch of new episodes.

The Daily Beast reported Monday that the actors were facing a 45% cut from their $440,000 per episode salary, which would take them down from $8 million to just over $4 million; they countered with an offer of a 30% cut but with a small slice of the show's backend, which includes merchandise, syndication and DVD sales. The executive told The Wrap that any agreement would only be for one more season.

Producers for the show have already taken a pay cut to keep the show going. Fox released a statement about the show's tenuous financial situation on Monday.

23 seasons in, The Simpsons is as creatively vibrant as ever and beloved by millions around the world. We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model. 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 stars re-upped their contracts in 2008, receiving significant raises; it was reported that they went from $360,000 to $500,000 an episode.




I think deep down, Fox will cave and let the show do a 25th season and then be done and over with

windom

I'm surprised there's no talk of recasting the voices this time. Hopefully, they've realized what a bad idea that would be. Although, didn't they threaten that with Futurama recently?

This would suck because my kids have just gotten into The Simpsons in the past year and we all watch new episodes together now.

islandclaws

I think 25 seasons would be a good point to stop. I love the show, and I still like to watch new episodes, but they're generally hit-or-miss. The glory days are behind it, and we've got an endless amount of good episodes that will air in syndication until doomsday.

I do, however, think Fox are a bunch of greedy pigs. The money they make on the show is outrageous, and the voice actors are 50% of that.

SpanishTechno

So is Fox just bluffing about the financial situation to get the voice actors to agree to a pay cut?

Supermallet

I think the money they make on an individual new episodes of The Simpsons may not be very much anymore, but the money they make on The Simpsons as an entity must still be massive.

PhantomStranger

All the articles on this subject are hogwash, mostly fed directly to the press from the opposing camps on both sides. This is all about Fox taking a hardline on the show's voice actors to cut costs and increase profits. The show and brand is a virtual license to print money. I expect to see many more new seasons of Simpsons. These "leaks" to the press by Fox executives are negotiating hardball, nothing more.

Mike86

Yeah the first run episodes probably aren't the most profitable but who does Fox think they are kidding? The amount this show makes in syndication, DVD sales, toys, and whatever else has to be more than enough to line their pockets with money. I will agree that the show ending is probably for the best however it will be sad seeing it go. Hopefully they can go out with a grand finale as this show deserves it and is one of the shows that built Fox as a television network.

kstublen

I agree with KillerCannibal; 25 Seasons sounds like a good stopping point, although I doubt FOX will ever be able to let this show go

Double_Oh_7

The Simpsons is actually worth more cancelled. Syndication rights are tied to local TV only-as long as it is on FOX. When it ends its broadcast run, that deal ends and the studio can do whatever it wants with the show... online, a Simpsons cable channel, etc.

RichC2

I recently read it'll be worth $750m once its cancelled.

Rypro 525

I've always kinda wondered why The Simpsons has never been on like FX or Adult Swim. i guess its been around so long that syndicating shows to basic cable wasn't the norm

madcougar

"The Simpsons is as creatively vibrant as ever"

Bluelitespecial

I think Fox must really want to start the Simpsons cable channel. That other thread from about a week ago said the Simpsons channel would only happen once the show is done making new episodes.

Deftones

It'll be a sad day when this show is canceled. It's been on TV since I was 9. It's a shell of it's former self, but it still has moments of greatness.

windom

I think they need to keep it going until they have as many seasons in HD as they have in SD. How long would that be?

Jeremy517

Aren't they just arguing over the salaries to produce the new episodes though? I assume the voice actors already get a piece of the DVD sales + syndication money and that that isn't in question.

jacob_b

Nope, the actors get NO backdoor cut from DVD sales or anything like that. They get the money for doing an episode and that's it. They agreed to take a pay cut IF they start getting the backdoor money, which Fox will never give them.

Deftones

maybe not DVDs, but they definitely get syndication money. it's the gift that keeps on giving.

jacob_b

You know, I believe in their contracts, they give up that right so they can get that huge salary they got. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe I read that.

Matto1020

Their Facebook page is now stating they just renewed through Season 25

windom

Deadline.com confirms it. http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/fox-...-more-seasons/

Now will viewership rise since there may only be 3 seasons left? I'm sure Bob's Burgers or Allen Gregory will be able to anchor the night for 20 years or so.

ChrisHicks

They should just go for broke and run it for 30 seasons.

Deftones

i'll get to watch this into my mid 30's.

Arthur Dent

They do not get syndication money.

Deftones

i was pretty sure i read that was a part of their last contract negotiations, but maybe I'm wrong. they have to get residuals, though.