Simpsons Channel » harry shearer

Harry Shearer Defends Mel Gibson

Adam — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:00:00 +0000

Harry Shearer, voice of Mr. Burns among a cast of hundreds on The Simpsons is getting serious in an effort to defend Mel Gibson, as the movie star faces ongoing criticism for an ill-advised, drunken rant against Jews. Shearer insists he doesn’t want to come across as a staunch defender of the ‘ Mad Max’ star following his controversial remarks – but he insists Gibson is one of the good guys in Hollywood. Shearer says, “In my slight dealings with him, I’ve found him more pleasant and less upsetting than certain persons on the other side of this discussion.”

Gibson has apologised for the anti-Semitic comments he made during a police arrest last month and is now calling on Jewish leaders in Los Angeles to help him make amends. Shearer isn’t the only Hollywood star to come to Gibson’s defence – Jodie Foster and Patrick Swayze have also offered public support for the disgraced actor.

SOURCE: Contact Music

Harry Shearer Launches Label

Adam — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 04:18:17 +0000

Harry Shearer has put his stamp on such iconic roles as Spinal Tap bass player Derek Smalls and the Simpsons’ nosy neighbor Ned Flanders, but he’s about to add record label owner to his resume. Along with his singer/pianist wife Judith Owen and her manager Bambi Moe, Shearer has founded Courgette Records, which will be distributed by Warner Music Group’s Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA).

SOURCE: Billboard.com

Al Jean Responds To Shearer

Adam — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 07:31:59 +0000

Simpsons producer Al Jean has responded to Harry Shearer’s comments exclusively at No Homers Club. Here’s what the he had to say at our partner site:

“I am responding to recent comments by Harry Shearer regarding the current quality of the Simpsons.” writes Jean. “He complains that his parts have shrunk–the reason for that is, as showrunner, I am never sure if he will show up for the table reads for which he is so handsomely paid. More than once, in the past, I have had a show set for a Thursday read featuring Harry’s characters and been told on the Wednesday before that he is not coming. Hence, I have learned not to give him too much to do in any episode. Mr. Shearer also describes how he was happier with season four of the show. Well, I ran seasons three and four and he didn’t seem very happy to me then. I can particularly remember how he repeatedly complained to me and others about how much he disliked the episode “Homer at the Bat”, which is now viewed as a classic.

I am personally offended by his comment that he feels “totally screwed” by the show financially. He is set this year to make over 5.5 million dollars for what can generously be described as a few hours work a week. When I consider how much firefighters and teachers in this country earn, Mr. Shearer’s remarks make me want to throw up.”

Strong words and interesting developments behind the scenes. The issue can be discussed further here.

Shearer Slams The Simpsons

Adam — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 12:36:46 +0000

The actor behind Mr. Burns, and Ned Flanders has slammed The Simpsons, claiming the last three seasons of the show have been the “worst”. Harry Shearer believes the 15-year-old show is beginning to run out of ideas and he is getting bored providing the speech for Flanders, Burns and his assistant Waylon Smithers, Reverend Lovejoy, and Principal Skinner. Shearer says, “I rate the last three seasons as among the worst. It makes me sad. They used to have whole scenes. Season four looks very good to me now. I’d rather not be there right now. Fortunately I’m doing a lot of other things.” Shearer has also angrily denied reports the cast threatened to strike over a pay dispute earlier this year. “We were never on strike. The day those stories appeared, I was at FOX doing vocal services for that week’s show. What I can say is that’s possible to make a very nice living and still get totally screwed.”

Interview With Harry Shearer

Adam — Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:29:19 +0000

Brokennewz.com has scored an interview with Harry Shearer, who provides the voice of Mr Burns, Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner just to name a few. “Harry Shearer first caught my attention in the 80’s during his days on SNL. His writing talents and on air appeal kept me captivated, which in turn inadvertently kept me following his career. Spinal Tap, Godzilla, Wayne’s World 2, are just a few of the films you have seen him shine. The 90s launched him to further cult status with the many voices that he uses to bring the Simpsons to life. It is a great privilege for us at Broken Newz to steal a few moments of Mr. Shearer’s time to talk, and worship.” Read The Interview >>>

Signed Simpsons Art Expo

Adam — Mon, 04 Aug 2003 18:31:32 +0000

The Comic Mint Australia is currently running an exclusive on-line Simpsons animation art exhibition with a superb collection of original production cels and drawings for sale, with specially signed cards by the extraordinary voice artist from The Simpsons, Harry Shearer. Harry is the voice of Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner & many others! Harry has signed a limited number of the official FOX signature cards for any Simpsons cel or drawing purchased from this on-line exhibition. This offer is only valid for a short time, so order on-line to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The offer is also open to residents outisde of Australia. Harry recently appeared at the Comic Mint to meet and sign fans Simpsons items. Visit the website for further details.

From Spinal Tap To Simpsons

Adam — Mon, 04 Aug 2003 10:00:00 +0000

“Harry Shearer has an interesting level of fame. Half of the performer’s public working life is spent hidden as a radio broadcaster or voice artist on The Simpsons. He says it’s one of his favourite things about the career that he’s “stumbled into”. It’s quite hard hearing such deadly serious talk from a voice that keeps reminding you of The Simpsons. Shearer’s natural tones sound more than a little like Principal Skinner’s. So what’s it like working on The Simpsons? “It’s the most fun you can have working in weekly television. It’s much more fun for me than being in a normal sitcom could ever be. I’ve turned down a lot of sitcoms because I never wanted to play the same part all the time, so this is perfect for me because I get to play like a dozen characters a week. Matt (Groening) is a great friend and I admire him tremendously and I think he’s done a great job of trying to keep the show on course.” Read More >>>

Shearer Chats About Burns

Adam — Fri, 18 Apr 2003 05:12:47 +0000

Just because Homer Simpson’s evil boss, Mr. Burns, is a cartoon character, you can’t assume he hasn’t changed over the years, says Harry Shearer. Shearer does the voice of Burns and says Burns has changed ever so slightly in the show’s 300-plus episodes. “I watch the show, but I can’t say it compares to the religiosity with which some of the fans watch it,” Shearer says. “So when we returned for seasons two and three, I didn’t have what I had done” previously as a habit yet. “So I went to doing Burns as I remembered him, and that caused (the voice) to evolve a bit. Read More >>>

The Many Faces Of Harry Shearer

Adam — Mon, 13 Jan 2003 02:18:38 +0000

“The voices – and the peerless ability to poke and pull at the masks of public figures, exposing the insatiable egos beneath — are all Harry Shearer, on his radio program, ‘Le Show.’ For a cadre of listeners around the world, Mr. Shearer’s cutting wit, broad musical tastes and unfailingly subversive approach have made ‘Le Show’ a weekly ritual for 20 years. ‘He’s not only the best political satirist around,’ said the writer, publisher and veteran pundit Paul Krassner, who has performed with and known Mr. Shearer since the mid-80′s, ‘but there hasn’t been anyone since Lenny Bruce producing these little theater pieces and playing all the parts.” Read More >>>

Shearer Vision Of Future

Adam — Fri, 06 Dec 2002 10:00:00 +0000

As an actor, author, director, comedian, musician, political satirist, multimedia artist and radio personality, Harry Shearer has explored topics as diverse as the American judicial process, and what happens when “England’s loudest band” tours the U.S. (This is Spinal Tap). He may be most commonly known as the voice of Mr. Burns, Smithers, and Ned Flanders, amongst others, on The Simpsons. An early adaptor of the Internet, Shearer is always vocal about content and technology. In this interview with Online Journalism Review, he sounds off about digital television, the disappearance of local radio, and record companies “bloviating”. Read The Interview >>>