Harry Shearer quits The Simpsons
Updated: The voice of Mr Burns, Smithers and Ned Flanders quits after 26 seasons.
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Ridiculous.
Harry Shearer, the voice of such characters as Mr Burns, Smithers, Principal Skinner and Ned Flanders in The Simpsons has quit the series after 26 seasons.
from James L. Brooks' lawyer: "show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.". (1/2)
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work.
Of course, I wish him the very best. (2/2)— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
Earlier reports suggested all members of the cast make the same amount per episode, but TMZ claimed Shearer still has issues with back-end and merchandising and Fox does not have his signature.
The FOX comedy was recently renewed for two more seasons -but without Shearer on board it will not be the same, with the news already sending fans into a flurry on social media.
Updated: Showrunner Al Jean told the NY Times, “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.”
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12 Responses
honestly this could be a good thing for the show. If they decide to retire the characters rather than have someone else do the voices, it will force the writers to think of new characters with new situations. A new set of neighbours, a new boss of the power plant (maybe bring Hank Scorpio in as the new boss?), maybe a female reverend. Could breathe some new life into the show.
they have 26 seasons of soundbytes to cut and paste (like what South Park with Chef)
They should just cancel the show now, it’s terrible these days with no jokes or even half decent stories. I don’t watch reruns past season 17 because they are a waste fo time. I know they have renewed for two seasons, but surely they can wrap up with the episodes they have outstanding and leave it at that.
What the f?
What can I say……I’m speechless.
Even Mel Blanc was eventually replaced, but really it won’t be the same-RIP half the Simpson’s characters.
Impossible! Say it isn’t so! Doom.
Retiring one main character could easily be done,like they did with Mrs Krabapple,but when he does a few main voices it’s going to be hard to do.
Interesting in his first tweet he refers to James L Brooks “lawyer”.Doesn’t sound like things ended on a happy note.
Wow. It’ll never be the same… 🙁
He voices so many major and minor characters!
Why can’t they do other work if working on the show?
Why would FOX announce a renewal when it had yet to secure Harry Shearer?
It will be interesting to see how the show handles this. Will Shearer’s characters be retired or will The Simpsons simply hire new voice artists? The latter is more likely, although I wouldn’t entirely rule out an retirement of his characters.
They could just find someone off Youtube