The Simpsons Are Staying, For One More Year
Earlier this week we learned that The Simpsons was facing cancellation once again due to Fox claiming money woes. The show has been on for twenty-three years and is arguably one of the most influential shows in animation and the medium of television. Fox has come to the conclusion that The Simpsons will continue to generate money for a long time with or without new shows, and so paying high salaries to actors and producers may no longer make sense.
The core cast members (Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer), each make about $8m per year, they were asked to take a smaller paycheck. Now unnamed members of the top producing team (Al Jean, John Frink, James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Matt Selman and Sam Simon) say they’ve cut their fees to keep the show on the air. And even if contracts are inked for a twenty-fourth season, it will likely be the last.
The Wrap says that Fox “wants The Simpsons for one more season at most,” and that season will only happen if the show costs 25-30% less than it does now.
So where do we stand? Producers on the show have cut their fees, and the six core actors have until noon tomorrow (Friday, Oct 7th) to decide whether or not they’ll take a 45% pay cut. Earlier this week the cast put on the table a 30% pay cut offer, contingent upon also receiving back end points, but Fox rejected that offer.
One unnamed exec told the Wrap: The cuts proposed to actors are in line with cuts proposed to others involved in the show. The object here is not for the actors to pay personally for the reduction. The cost is that the cast is a component of the show, all of which is being downsized to do a final season.
Wow, this just got real. One more season, TV is losing something special that’s for sure. Sure syndication will live on forever, but to me there is still nothing like seeing those clouds open up on Sunday with a brand new episode of The Simpsons. I’m sad already.
Loading ...
its very sad to see there is one more season wow been a fan of the simpsons since i was little wow
I haven’t been on this site for more than 3 years. But finally the end is near. They had the perfect opportunity to end it during season 20 but they kept milking it.
Well this is very sad, but if next season will be its last then at least the writers will have time to make a true series finale (I really didn’t want it to end with Lady Gaga guest starring). I just wonder what they would do for the final season. I wonder if there will still be a second movie
Haha Gaga. Yeah, I don’t want some celebrity filled final season or final episode for that matter. It would be nice to have some episodes with heart and story. No A,B,and C stories that don’t wrap up or say anything. Ugh, I hope they work hard to say a proper goodbye.
Actually I was thinking the same thing. This sort of monumental achievement of entertainment can’t just be.. cut off like some bad movie with no ending. If it had to end, it’s good that the team at least gets a whole two season heads-up so they have time to craft a fitting finale. Here’s hoping seasons 23 and 24 feature some great work.. though I have no doubts about that!
As far as another movie.. that would be great as long as it happened BEFORE the end of the show, or was used AS the grand finale.
no its the best show ever!!!!!!!!
“Who knows what adventures they will have between now and the time the show becomes unprofitable” is it just me or did Troy McClure predict this would happen?
This news is interesting to me because just last night I wrote The Fox Network And The simpsons casting director and I pleaded that they give the voice actors and the creators of the show the respect they deserve. I also pleaded with them to give The Simpsons at least one more season and a proper finale. I wonder if my letter may have gotten through to some bone headed executive? Let us not forget the Simpsons did great at the box office with there movie and the voice actors are all signed on for two more theatrical movies the Simpsons will live on despite not being on every Sunday. Although I am sad to see the show end I am glad to see it will be getting a proper send off…..
I think I will wait for the official announcement before I die of grief.
why does the simpsons have to finish i thought they were finishing at season 25!?
I want a season 25.
I love the simpsons, always will. Hope it’s not true!
I know it just breaks my heart:(
This is not an official announcement.
This is just rumor. There is no word yet that this deal would be for a final season.
It’s True Fox has The Flinstones coming back under the helm of Seth MacFarlane in 2013… but the source of your article is faulty and relying on gossip.
Some of the show’s top producers have said they will take a pay-cut to help the show stay afloat.
The Bottom Line – no official word has come out saying there will only be 1 more season. That’s gossip at this point. There isn’t even an official name to “The Wrap”‘s source they quote and FOX hasn’t confirmed those statements quoted in the article either.
The actors haven’t even agreed to a cut yet.
You are right, But being a fan of many forms of entertainment such as THE YANKEES, STAR WARS, and many others I have noticed that most major stories break out on message board’s on the net one or two days before the major media outlets.
They show have stopped The Simpsons after season 11. Every year after that is pathetic compared to the first 11 seasons. About time they cancel the new crappy episodes, The Simpsons legacy will just be the amount of episodes made not the quality. They should have gone out like Seinfeld in its prime with all great episodes. I love the season 1-10, but since then they have been terrible. About time they end it!!!!
You forgot IMO….
they had some rough years but season 20 was the best they’ve done since season 9- and the show has been pretty good since.
I think the show has always been good. I have never been disappointed in 23 years! Are some episodes better then others, YES but you could say that about any show let alone a show that has been on the air for 23 years….
All good shows have to die.
The Simpsons was a good show that lasted for 24 years, longer than most sitcoms and TV shows out there. It had a great time, and now it has to go.
Wait… I’m confused. Simpsons will continue for a year at least, but what if the actors agree to the 45% pay cut? Will the show go beyond the 24th season, or is the 24th already gonna be the last?
We have to play the waiting game to find out FOR SURE what is happening.
The time has finally come
Words cannot describe the way I feel- the Simpsons played a gigantic roll in who I am today… I’m a cartoonist because of the Simpsons, I learned a lot about the world we live in because of the Simpsons. It’s weird to have such a deep love for a cartoon but I can’t help it- tears are running down my face. I hope they get at least one more season- the Simpsons deserve a grans finale.
This doesn’t mean the shows is ending. Most likely if Fox cancels The Simpsons, some other network will pick it up.
Tell FOX what it is you think.
E-mail them at askfox@fox.com
Write them a letter and send to:
FOX Broadcasting Co.
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213
Believe it or not – they DO – go through e-mails and letters (especially when fans scream out together). And when fans of shows speak out – things can happen. It’s happened to South Park (they re-arranged their schedule after fans complained). Even Simpsons creators and writers have acknowledged when fans speak out in number and if you think it hasn’t influenced the show before… think again!
BTW – you can also use the above address to contact the actors (address it to The Simpsons and the actor’s name) and even get your coveted Homer Simpson autograph from Dan.
Surprisingly, some of them do respond…. Dan mostly.
THIS IS VERY SAD…
WE NEED TO SIGN A PETITION SO THAT ”THE SIMPSONS” CAN LAST MORE THAN JUST 1 MORE SEASON…