Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
#1
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
Well, it seems that TMZ was correct. Someone from the cast had not been signed for the upcoming seasons...
Harry Shearer will no longer be on The Simpsons.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/...ns#.tezjMbn1AP
Harry Shearer will no longer be on The Simpsons.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/...ns#.tezjMbn1AP
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Well, it seems that TMZ was correct. Someone from the cast had not been signed for the upcoming seasons...
Harry Shearer will no longer be on The Simpsons.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/...ns#.tezjMbn1AP
Harry Shearer will no longer be on The Simpsons.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/...ns#.tezjMbn1AP
#3
Member
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Massive news indeed. You would think there are too many major characters for them to just write out of the show. I'm sure there'll be people who can get close to pulling off those characters, but will that be enough.
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Fuck. This is huge news and aside from a sound alike I'm not sure how the show will proceed losing the voice of so many characters.
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Mr. Burns
Waylon Smithers
Ned Flanders
Principal Skinner
Otto
Reverend Lovejoy
Dr Hibbert
Kent Brockman
Jasper
Lenny
Eddie (the cop)
Rainier Wolfcastle (McBain)
Scratchy
Kang
Mr. Bouvier (Marge's father)
Dr. Marvin Monroe
Herman
Mr. Largo
Marty (from KBBL)
Dr Loren J. Pryor
Jebediah Springfield
Judge Snyder
Sanjay (Apu's brother)
edit: I'm sure there's little to no chance that they find one voice actor to take over all these roles. Many of Shearer's characters can probably be dropped from the show, but I don't think it would be that difficult to find a couple people to team up and do the voices for Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, etc that sound alike.
Most of Phil Hartman's characters were retired from the show, but that probably was just out of respect to Hartman. If Phil Hartman had just quit the show and wasn't murdered, they could have found another voice actor to keep Troy McClure and/or Lionel Hutz going.
Waylon Smithers
Ned Flanders
Principal Skinner
Otto
Reverend Lovejoy
Dr Hibbert
Kent Brockman
Jasper
Lenny
Eddie (the cop)
Rainier Wolfcastle (McBain)
Scratchy
Kang
Mr. Bouvier (Marge's father)
Dr. Marvin Monroe
Herman
Mr. Largo
Marty (from KBBL)
Dr Loren J. Pryor
Jebediah Springfield
Judge Snyder
Sanjay (Apu's brother)
edit: I'm sure there's little to no chance that they find one voice actor to take over all these roles. Many of Shearer's characters can probably be dropped from the show, but I don't think it would be that difficult to find a couple people to team up and do the voices for Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, etc that sound alike.
Most of Phil Hartman's characters were retired from the show, but that probably was just out of respect to Hartman. If Phil Hartman had just quit the show and wasn't murdered, they could have found another voice actor to keep Troy McClure and/or Lionel Hutz going.
Last edited by RoyalTea; 05-14-15 at 06:20 AM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Stupid Sexy Flanders
They almost have to recast those characters. It's one thing to lose Edna Krabapple, but to lose so many of your supporting cast all at once? Unless you have the Simpsons leave Springfield, there is no valid explanation for all of these characters to suddenly disappear.
They almost have to recast those characters. It's one thing to lose Edna Krabapple, but to lose so many of your supporting cast all at once? Unless you have the Simpsons leave Springfield, there is no valid explanation for all of these characters to suddenly disappear.
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Formerly known as Groucho AND Bandoman/Death Moans, Iowa
Posts: 18,282
Received 369 Likes
on
263 Posts
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
I have to think Dan Castelenetta and Hank Azaria could probably do pretty reasonable versions of many of those characters, but this might be the thing that kills the show for me. I've been watching since day one.
#9
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Let the greedy bastard go. He wasn't getting paid enough for working a couple hours a week??? That gave him plenty of time to do other things (if that's what he really wanted).
#10
DVD Talk God
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
I get that Fox has made billions off this show, but really Harry? Easiest gig in all of acting and he is probably the highest paid voice actor in show business (along with other Simpsons talent). Why not ride that gravy train until the show is dead or you are dead? Terrible
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
I get that Fox has made billions off this show, but really Harry? Easiest gig in all of acting and he is probably the highest paid voice actor in show business (along with other Simpsons talent). Why not ride that gravy train until the show is dead or you are dead? Terrible
On the bright side, Rick and Morty are on next weeks couch gag.
#12
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Unless they are able to get some amazing sound-a-likes, I'm not sure how this will work out. They failed miserably when Maggie Roswell left and Shearer is so distinctive that I just can't imagine it not being painfully noticeable. Heck, I can barely watch current episodes just based on how much the voices of the original actors have changed over 20+ years.
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
Now it looks like Shearer is backing away from that tweet, saying that he's open to staying on if allowed more freedom to do other projects. I'm sure they'll work something out.
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Vichy America
Posts: 13,533
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
So next season begins with a massive plane crash at Springfield airport.
Really, after a quarter century we should expect more and more of the actors to retire. They should just call it quits now.
Really, after a quarter century we should expect more and more of the actors to retire. They should just call it quits now.
#15
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
The radio this morning said he left because FOX wouldn't let him work on other projects which seems strange. It's not like he couldn't phone in his performance (literally) from somewhere. Why not let him do other stuff?
Unless maybe they are trying to get reasons to let him go. Maybe they hope other actors will follow suit and they can end the show.
Unless maybe they are trying to get reasons to let him go. Maybe they hope other actors will follow suit and they can end the show.
#16
Re: The Simpsons (S26E21)- "Bull-E"- 5/10/2015
They would have to work something out, right? I just can't see how this show goes on without any of the main cast.
#17
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
This would have been horrible news for me... 16 years ago. The show has survived being a sad, shadow of its former glorious self for years. It will survive this.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
The radio this morning said he left because FOX wouldn't let him work on other projects which seems strange. It's not like he couldn't phone in his performance (literally) from somewhere. Why not let him do other stuff?
Unless maybe they are trying to get reasons to let him go. Maybe they hope other actors will follow suit and they can end the show.
Unless maybe they are trying to get reasons to let him go. Maybe they hope other actors will follow suit and they can end the show.
#19
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
I would love to sit at home and make that much money. Hell, I would do it for 1% of the money he makes. Sometimes it boggles my mind how good these people have it.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Vichy America
Posts: 13,533
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
The money he makes is a small chunk of the revenue the show rakes in. If he hadn't secured that chunk for himself, it'd be going into the Newscorp coffers.
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
Let's say you take the job for 1% of what he makes, and you start getting national attention for being great at the voices. Chances are, you're going to start looking at what your co-workers make and want more. That's just the way we're all wired.
#22
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
Now imagine you have all the money you need, and something in the contract says you can't help your nephew out with his show because it's on CBS or something stupid.
#23
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
I hear you, but it always comes down to how much a company (Fox) will pay someone.
Let's say you take the job for 1% of what he makes, and you start getting national attention for being great at the voices. Chances are, you're going to start looking at what your co-workers make and want more. That's just the way we're all wired.
Let's say you take the job for 1% of what he makes, and you start getting national attention for being great at the voices. Chances are, you're going to start looking at what your co-workers make and want more. That's just the way we're all wired.
#24
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
By now, you’ve likely heard the stupid, not-so-sexy news that the great Harry Shearer has departed The Simpsons after two-plus decades of voicing Principal Skinner, Mr. Burns, and the adult Bort from “Itchy & Scratchy Land.” Shearer says it’s because he wants “freedom to do other work,” which he could’ve had even if he signed back on. According to Alan Sepinwall, “He could do virtually the whole job by phone.” Shearer still declined.
So, what happens to The Simpsons, specifically Shearer’s clown car of characters, now?
When asked whether Burns, Flanders, Otto, and other Shearer characters would continue, [showrunner Al] Jean said, “Yes, Burns and Flanders will not die. They are great characters and will continue.” (Via)
They’ll continue, with someone else’s voice. This isn’t Mila Kunis replacing Lacey Chabert after one season of Family Guy, though. These are some of the most iconic characters in TV history, and it’ll be interesting/maddening to see who Jean and the producers pick. (It’s going to be Billy West, isn’t it? It’s always Billy West.)
So, what happens to The Simpsons, specifically Shearer’s clown car of characters, now?
When asked whether Burns, Flanders, Otto, and other Shearer characters would continue, [showrunner Al] Jean said, “Yes, Burns and Flanders will not die. They are great characters and will continue.” (Via)
They’ll continue, with someone else’s voice. This isn’t Mila Kunis replacing Lacey Chabert after one season of Family Guy, though. These are some of the most iconic characters in TV history, and it’ll be interesting/maddening to see who Jean and the producers pick. (It’s going to be Billy West, isn’t it? It’s always Billy West.)
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Harry Shearer Tweeted That He’s Been Fired From “The Simpsons”
Here's an idea: Instead of recasting they should take opportunity to change the show up, bring in some fresh talent/new characters.