blogs
Not Ready To Lose "The Simpsons"
Yeah, The Simpsons is perhaps hit or miss (there's always some jewel of dialogue & some laughs) and it's still one of the few TV shows I watch and it's still better than most network programming. I'm always vocal about dinosaur bands who need to quit but Springfield hasn't worn out its welcome for me. The satire, and all those great characters... I"m just not clear on how the show is no longer profitable given the zillions made in merchandising (and the inevitable syndication). And since the voice talent has never seen a slice of the merch, it seems muffed up that Fox wants them to take a 45% pay cut. From HuffPo:
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.
Comments
On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 3:16 PM, inkboy200x said:
"they'll never stop the simpsons! Have no fear we've got stories for years!"
oh man, it's sad to know the simpsons is about to die. Like most everyone else i grew up watching this stuff.
On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 2:15 PM, slyd said:
I love "The Simpsons" and grew up with that show. I think it was best from seasons 4 through 11 but I love it and watch it whenever I get a chance. There are a few people in my friends where I can say on word and they know the joke cause we all grew up that show in the background.
"Not many people will ever get to enjoy the simple pleasures of a monkey knife fight."
On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM, cheezyball said:
i still like the show too. everyone always says... i havent watched it since...blah blah blah... show still works for me though. hope it stays on a good long while more. :)