'The Simpsons' Renewed For Two Seasons: Cast, Producers Strike Deal

"The Simpsons" will live on, after all.

On the verge of cancellation after producer 20th Century Fox TV demanded that the voice cast of the seminal animated series take a 45% pay cut, the producers and talent came to a last minute agreement on Friday that will extend the show for two more seasons. It was thought that the show would last only one more season after this, its 23rd, even if an agreement was reached, but the groundbreaking series will reach a record-setting 25 years on television.

The cast had agreed to lower their salaries, but asked in exchange for a cut of the backend profits, including DVD, syndication and merchandise sales. Star Harry Shearer released a statement earlier on Friday, saying that he was willing to take up to an up to 70% cut in pay in exchange for the back end. Fox balked at the offer, though terms of the new agreement have not been released.

Here's the official announcement from Fox:

FOX has renewed THE SIMPSONS, the longest-running comedy in television history, for an incredible 24th and 25th season, bringing the series total to an astonishing 559 episodes. THE SIMPSONS airs Sundays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In the words of Homer Simpson, “Woo Hoo! I outlasted Andy Rooney!”

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Matt Groening created the iconic family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. In February 2012, THE SIMPSONS will celebrate its historic 500th episode. The series has won 27 Emmy Awards, been the subject of a hit feature film, created “Krustyland” and a revolutionary virtual coaster – The Simpsons Ride – at Universal Studios, received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, been honored with five U.S. postal stamps personally designed by Matt Groening, and named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine.

Comments

[JustinP213]

10:38 AM on 10/10/2011

Congrats

[TomStewart]

06:41 PM on 10/09/2011

First of all, don't believe what Fox leaks about actors salary. they have a huge piece of a huge pie, and now they want more. The way to get that is to pressure everyone one else on the show to give up their piece. You do that by leaking private info to the press to make everyone else look like the greedy jerk instead of yourself. Don't kid yourself Fox is making billion off the Simpsons worldwide, and is not about to give up a cent of it.
The actors are a big part of the show. They aren't 'voice actors' they're actors, period, and they are a huge part of the success of the show, it wouldn't be the same show with different people in those roles. Fox knows this, as they've tried to find replacements in the past. They failed. The actors deserve to get whatever they can from the success for the show.
A deal was going to be made, as no one whats to kill a success.

[Hockeyfan74]

07:54 AM on 10/09/2011

It saddens me that someone can make $4-500k+ PER episode of an ANIMATED show just by lending their voices for what an hour or 2 per show? They read a script in front of a mic then they go home. Regardless they have talent and Fox is STILL making money off of the show and merchandise. I would like to see the network, cast and producers donate 100% of their earnings for the final 25th season to an American Charity like the Red Cross, homeless shelters, ASPCA or something. You guys made buccos of money for an EASY job. Spread the love to those less fortunate. Karma can be a good thing.

[J Billz]

02:43 PM on 10/09/2011

How do you know that the actors do not already give or donate to those charities? Its funny how people assume to know what people in the world are or are not doing!!!!!!

[comcc]

03:27 PM on 10/09/2011

Hockey not only said the actors, but also the network and the producers. And, even if everyone is giving, I think it's save to say it's not at the 100% mark.

[marred]

04:36 PM on 10/09/2011

And why should they do this exactly?

[jlab]

07:21 AM on 10/09/2011

Whatever happened to "leave them wanting more"? They seem hellbent on building up to the biggest sigh of relief in history.

[jagrmeister721]

11:44 PM on 10/09/2011

The newest episodes leave me wanting a lot LESS

[Goingsince1961]

05:11 AM on 10/09/2011

Thank God. I started watching on Tracy Ullman. I've grown up with The Simpsons, besides, I've patterned my Life after Krusty's teachings.

[jagrmeister721]

11:45 PM on 10/09/2011

I've watched everything from the Ullman shorts to Season 1 and on.  In 1999, the warnings signs were there.  In 2000, the show took a dive.  It's been bottom-feeding for a long time now.

[Omeezee]

03:27 AM on 10/09/2011

CEO's will never cease to amaze me. The show makes money cause shows that don't are cancelled. Yet they asked the staff, the talent, to take a 45% pay cut!?!?!? Just imagine, no matter what your pay is, your boss asking you to do the same work, but for 45% less money? That would only make sense if the network was charging advertisers 45% less for running commercials. The world is simply going mad

[airmax1227]

04:32 AM on 10/09/2011

The show is not as profitable as it once was. Lower ratings means less advertising revenue. The actors here understand that their services no longer provide their employers with the same revenue as it once did. The actors therefore have done the prudent thing by taking a pay cut, the alternative is for the show to be canceled.

It's hard for me to feel sorry for the actors here, they negotiated very good deals for themselves when the show was at its pinnacle. They had to know this (or outright cancellation) was inevitable.

[Guy Incognito]

02:26 AM on 10/09/2011

Yes, the Simpsons have come a long way since an old drunk made humans out of his rabbit characters to pay off his gambling debts. Who knows what adventures they'll have between now and the time the show becomes unprofitable?

I'm Troy McClure, and I'll leave you with what we all came here to see: hardcore nudity!

[Keenan Dobson]

01:33 PM on 10/09/2011

o god... i was watching this exact episode, and reading this right as he said that :P

[Aleks Hunter]

12:41 AM on 10/09/2011

I still remember the episode where Bart got sent ot a psychologist and confessed a nightmmare about his family being animated characters whose success funded a propaganda empire. Its been downhill ever since.

[FMC651]

11:55 PM on 10/08/2011

Come on we as a nation need to raise the bar. With TV programing and Movies. These days the stupider the movie the better. I have had enough. Yes at times we laugh at this but Hollywood is stuck putting out just stupid comedies since Dumb and Dumber..

[kapalabhati]

06:24 AM on 10/10/2011

Come on. The Simpsons provide(d) some of the best social commentary and satire out there. What The Simpson was able to do with animated characters would never have flown with live action.

Say what you will about the dumbing down of America, and this proud elitist will agree; however, leave out this program.

[GirlInNYC]

11:17 PM on 10/08/2011

They're set for life. I'm a hater.

[Me163]

10:21 PM on 10/08/2011

This show hasn't been funny since the Clinton administration.

[gtx281]

06:14 AM on 10/09/2011

Seriously. Can't believe it's still on.

[blissfully zen]

09:25 PM on 10/08/2011

Very good for the cast; so glad to hear it.

Regardless of the reduced cut in pay, the back-end deal is the absolute best deal for these voice actors to get. It would have been a shame if the cast had failed to reach an equitable negotiations deal. These voices are absolute classics, and each characters voice is priceless.

Definitely one of the best cartoons ever.

[Viceroy Fizzlebottom]

09:14 PM on 10/08/2011

When The Simpsons producer Al Jean was asked about the terms of the negotiation, he said, "I can't get into the specifics, I'm just glad the talks are over. But let's just say the new deal moved me................................................................................TO A BIGGER HOUSE!!! oops, I said the quiet part loud and the loud part quiet..."

[Quote]

08:20 PM on 10/08/2011

Hurray!

[trweste144]

07:25 PM on 10/08/2011

The last time I hear that theme song and it's not followed by something new will sadden me greatly. That show could go on forever.