Xixax Film Forum

What do you guys think of this rumor?

I would guess a lot of you are fans, do you think that it would somehow hurt the show? I can name hundreds of movies based on T.V. shows, and well you know...for the most part they're bad. I suppose South Park may be the only one to note as being good.

Quote from: i/oWhat do you guys think of this rumor?

i think that it's been around for 10 years and it won't happen until the show finishes and no one knows anything but i don't think it would be as great as seasons 4 to 8, and that's the only way ppl will be happy with it.

it's inevitable, i'll like it tho, they wouldn't eff it up.

They should've done one AGES ago. There's a South Park movie, a few Rugrats movies (among others) but no Simpsons flick?!

Thats just wrong.

Apparently, Groening and co. dont want to do one until the show starts rating badly/loses popularity etc so that they have a back-up plan to revive it with a movie. Bring a movie out when its not as popular? Thats pretty retarded. I can't see the show losing mass audiences for a long, long time anyway, so I'm not holding my breath for a movie...........

I always heard that the movie was going to be like the 'final episode.' who knows. I actually just read something about it when i was looking for my mr. burns avatar. i'm not sure when this article was dated, but it said something to the effect of "the producers have discussed the possibilites of doing a movie but are still having too much fun with the series. Any of the episodes could be drawn out to a feature-length movie. That is not the problem. It's coming up with the movie, that's where it gets tricky."

Groening's quote half-way down:
http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=508&start=30

I am against both a live action and animated movie. I just for some reason dont want to think about it, it doesnt seem right. Im going to think about it and get back to you later

They would never do a live action movie. That would be suicidal.

I remember when Paramount wanted to make a Beavis And Butthead live action movie, with Stephen Baldwin playing Butthead.

I don't know how well a Simpsons movie would work.  It just doesn't make any sense.

With South Park the movie made sense because the humor is more vulgar and the R rating allowed them to do some stuff that would never be allowed on tv and was very funny.  But the Simpsons humor is more "civil".  Just about any idea they could come up with could be done on television, so ultimately the movie wouldn't be at all remarkable, just an extended episode.  What's teh point??

i would laugh my ass off if they got ron howard to direct james gandolfini as homer simpson in a live action movie. with shia labeouf as bart, the little girl from i am sam as lisa, and who could play marge? they would have all the characters wearing yellow paint and prosthetic caps for their heads. and the cherry on top would be the valuable lesson everybody learns at the end.

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAH Gandolfini as Homer: genius. But I'd still prefer a cartoon flick. 'Flinstones' is fine for a live-action movie (whether or not the film itself was good is debatable) but 'Simpsons' wouldn't be the same without the animation.

(On a personal note, I liked 'The Flinstones Movie'.........)

live action films never work because cartoons get away with shit that no actor could do

what kid could play bart simpson the right way

now stuff like groundskeeper willie and moe, you can do that it could be played in a SNL Kinda way


but can you see a actor playing homer ?? they will focus on the dumb factor and miss what makes him great

at this point i should add that the show has being going down hill since 1998 , they have turned homer into a big dumb ape

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
but can you see a actor playing homer ??

i hear john goodman is being considered.

Quote from: cowboykurtis

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
but can you see a actor playing homer ??

i hear john goodman is being considered.

ohhh he's good

John Goodman? Why the hell not? He already destroyed my feelings for Fred Flintstone. I always saw Flintstone as being more of a bigot than he played him...

"I hate blacks and queers. YABBA DABBA DOOOO!"
-Fred Flintstone.

i guess it's unfair to use that quote though, as it is being taken out of context.

in all fairness fred and barney were once mugged by rupaul so you can see why he is so hostile towards both groups

A simpsons movie would be stupid and ruin the whole show. Peace


I eat ass
-Gwenyth Paltrow

Quote from: shnorff
I eat ass
-Gwenyth Paltrow

what a lucky gal

I think the reason the recent episodes are subpar is that they are saving all their best jokes for the movie. :(

[quote="shnorff

I eat ass
-Gwenyth Paltrow[/quote]

she does ??? wow , you have to admire such honesty

Everyone's mentioned how much a Live Action movie would suck, but what about a CGI movie? I definitely wouldn't like that, but there's a trend to make everything computer animated these days. I've heard there is a Garfield CGI movie coming out.

It would ruin the show forever. It would never work. And a live action seems even worse. For some reason i keep having nightmares that it would turn out like the Super Mario Brothers movie. Don't ask me why






//www.thestate22.com

Would that be this meatwad?:

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zilberhere.com%2Fblog%2Fmeatwad_dancing.gif&hash=9ce749e88d31d5f6398dc35ea372de5f216f2202)

A Simpsons movie could and will work.  It can't possibly ruin the show, it won't be made until the show's over and it will leave a good taste in the mouth because more thought will be put into than the current episodes.

live action is a terrible idea though.

I'm not sure what The Simpsons even could do for a movie. All ideas lately have seemed half ass by way of the quality of their shows recently when compared to their best and their best came a long time ago before a show like South Park surpassed the show by miles in edge. The movie would have to be really well written and imaginative to be pulled off. I'm not sure if the writers have that in them though. The Simpsons may be the best show ever, but I think its time of impact may have past.

~rougerum

Quote from: RegularKarateWould that be this meatwad?:

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zilberhere.com%2Fblog%2Fmeatwad_dancing.gif&hash=9ce749e88d31d5f6398dc35ea372de5f216f2202)



yes, you are correct. That is a picture of myself. Dancing





//www.thestate22.com

If it must be done, they should keep it animated.

If they made a movie, I think it would be best to parady something.  Similar to how the Halloween specials are structured like Tales from the Darkside, and don't actually have anything to do with the show's usual reality.

But seriously, the quality would have to surpass all previous episodes ever, and I think that'd be tough.  They've had some very good episodes.  Maybe they should bring Conan back to write the movie?  I think it'd be hilarious.

Whatever they do, they better have Dr. Nick in it a whole fucking bunch.  "Hi, everybody!"

Quote from: markums2kWhatever they do, they better have Dr. Nick in it a whole fucking bunch.  "Hi, everybody!"

and then everyone in the theatre will go "hi, dr. nick!"

Quote from: cowboykurtis

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
but can you see a actor playing homer ??

i hear john goodman is being considered.

John Goodman...? That's so obvious. Homer should be played by Gary Oldman.

Quote from: BrainSushiJohn Goodman...? That's so obvious. Homer should be played by Gary Oldman.

That would be so in line with teh randomness the show has taken on lately.  A live action movie where teh actors are just completely wrong for the part might work.  I'm thinking Haley Joel Osment as Bart.

If we're going down that line of thought, then I'm thinking Haley Joel Osmet as Homer...

Quote from: DanTMcGovern

Quote from: BrainSushiJohn Goodman...? That's so obvious. Homer should be played by Gary Oldman.

That would be so in line with teh randomness the show has taken on lately.  A live action movie where teh actors are just completely wrong for the part might work.  I'm thinking Haley Joel Osment as Bart.

Well, those words come straight from the mouth of Homer Simpson hisself, and if he says it should be Gary Oldman, I gotta take his word for it. Nobody knows Homer better than himself.

Just announced from Fox Home Entertainment: On September 2nd comes The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, which includes a bonus montage of "Kang and Kodo's finest moments." Retail is $14.95

Quote from: MacGuffinJust announced from Fox Home Entertainment: On September 2nd comes The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, which includes a bonus montage of "Kang and Kodo's finest moments." Retail is $14.95

I wonder if those episodes will be included as they release the seasons, though...?? I guess they will be, if they're "complete" seasons. The price is right on this, but it seems sort of unnecessary. I'd rather they released an additional season of the series, including that season's treehouse, then just a compilation.

Ya, putting out that Treehouse of Horror DVD is kinda bullshit.  All those episodes will be on the Season DVDs sooner or later anyway (well later, years later).  

Also, The Simpsons movie won't come out till the series is over, if ever.  And it will be the same animation, not CGI or live action.  

And it will be funny, and at the end we'll all come out with wet sleeves from wiping our goddamned eyes and knowing we will not see any new Simpsons episodes ever again...

aw

I don't even think Matt Groening (damn, I had to look that up to get it right...) would even be allowed to make a Simpsons movie.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't even own it anymore.  So basically, Fox would have to make it, and if they wanted to make it right, they would have to sign Groening to the project...  Who probobly wouldn't do it because it was taken away from him in the first place.  But really, I have no idea.

The only person that would really fit the simpsons live action movie character would be William H Macy as Flanders.

good choice

Producer Mike Reiss talks "Simpsons" DVD and Movie!

DVDFanatic.com was able to chat with one of the producers and veteran writers of “The Simpsons,” Mike Reiss, and he gave us a scoop on the next “Simpsons” DVD and confirmed rumors about “The Simpsons” movie. We even have a speculated release date! Read below for some great news on one of the best shows on the networks and be sure to check out Part 2 tomorrow where we talk about the recently released "The Critic" DVD, which has been selling extremely well.

DVDFanatic.com (Tom Chau): Are you currently working on the next season’s “Simpsons” DVD?

Mike Reiss: Yes I am. In fact, it’s funny, I’m going in, in a couple hours to do more commentary and Jon Lovitz will be there. We could not get Jon Lovitz, he just wasn’t available to do “The Critic” commentary and he’s in town so he’ll be doing some “Simpsons” commentary on the episodes he appeared in.

Tom: Is there anything new on “The Simpsons” DVD this time around that you can let us in on?

Mike: You know, I own these DVDs, I comment on them but I never watch any of them! I don’t know what bonus material they have but they always seem to deliver. They take these DVDs very seriously so there is certainly a lot of commentary. There is commentary on every episode and we’re getting the cast in more to do commentary so that’s something.

Tom: How involved with “The Simpsons” are you nowadays? Have you started working on "The Simpsons" movie yet?

Mike: My partner, Al Jean is running the show. He’s the boss and I just come in a day a week as a consultant. I come in every Tuesday and just help and put in my two cents. Al and I and five other veteran writers of the show are currently writing “The Simpsons” movie.

Tom: What can you tell us about the movie? We’ve heard that there was supposed to be a "Simpsons" movie for the past several years but you don’t want to just simply put three episodes together, so how are you creating something new that’s not been done before?

Mike: That’s been the biggest challenge. They’ve wanted to do this since season two. It’s been 13 years of wanting to do “The Simpsons” Movie. Finally FOX said, “Let’s just do it!” We never had the greatest idea that was compelling but FOX said, “Maybe if we start paying you, you’ll get inspired.” And sure enough it worked! We’ve got a very good and interesting idea and it’s different from the show. You know, it’s like the “South Park” movie where it’s just a bigger, longer, amplified version of the show. I can’t tell you anything specific about it. My wife doesn’t even know the secret.

Tom: When do you think “The Simpsons” movie will come out?

Mike: I will say two years from this summer. I think it’s going to be Summer 2006 or maybe Christmas 2006. It’s a reality after being just sort of this phantom idea. I think it is really gonna happen.

Tom: How long do you think “The Simpsons” will run for on T.V.?

Mike: I think there’s no end in sight. I have to give credit to Al who went back to the show. I feel he rejuvenated it. It might have gotten a little tired but there’s a lot of fresh blood in the show. We’re writing next year’s episodes already and it looks good. There’s plenty of juice left in it. I think “The Simpsons” conceivably, if they run it right, could run like SNL, where it just runs and runs and runs and keeps refreshing and rejuvenating itself.

Mac always brings happiness to this place :)

I hope this is really true... I would love to see that.. I dont even watch the Simpsons anymore now on TV... I was watching everyday for 10 years but I dont even have time... plus the new stuff is not as good as it was... I would love to see this movie though!

Quote from: MacGuffinAl and I and five other veteran writers of the show are currently writing "The Simpsons" movie.

if i knew the other 5 writers we could deduce a basic plot or at the very least, an idea. Al Jean and Mike Reiss are a fairly solid pair, so it looks promising. the last thing they did together was the Shary Bobbins episode in season 8. but jean's solo contribution since season 12 has been  :yabbse-undecided:

it looks like shoe-ins for the other spots would hav to meet the criteria of being around in the good ole days, and to hav returned/still be interested in the show..
- John Swartzwelder is the obvious choice,. if he's not involved at a major level something is wrong.
- jon vitti, seasoned veteran of classics like Mr Plow, Cape Feare, and  Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily.. recently returned to contribute sum of the most decent episodes of season 14. he could be in.
- sam simon used to collaborate with jean and reiss.
- David X. Cohen.

my wishlist for the others would have to include Greg Daniels & Dan McGrath, who are responsible for 5 of the best high-concept episodes in the show's history (Bart Sells His Soul, Treehouse of Horror V - Time & Punishment, Homer Bad Man, Lisa's Wedding (!!!), etc). but they hav been uninvolved for a long time, so nuts to that idea.  more likely would be..

Ken Keeler, one of the most consistently great writers they've ever had and he could return after having done such a great job on Futurama in such episodes as:
- Godfellas, pure genius, we learn that "when God does something right, u won't be sure he's done anything at all".
- Time Keeps on Slipping, time.. keeps on slipping.  
- The Devils Hands are Idle Playthings, series finale.
and his simps work is among the best of all time
- A Star is Burns, the film festival and Critic crossover episode
- El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer, mexican chilli and johnny cash as coyote.
- Two Bad Neighbours, george bush sr. moves in across the road.

anyway, along with Jim Reardon to direct, if these ppl came together the movie could not fail.. expect zany new characters, and pray for a return to form. yep i've thought about this before. and i'm excited.

i couldn't be happier that Riess and Jean are going to head up this operation.  along with James L. Brooks, they pretty much created what we know as the simpsons (of course you all knew that already).  Personally, Riess is one of, if not my favorite show business person.  He came to my school a few years back to speak, and it was the funniest and informative 120 minutes (yes, 2 hours!) that i have ever witnessed live.  ANd then after he finished his speech, he volunteered to answer questions for as long as we asked them, and then he signed whatever we wanted (his sig on my Simpsons episode guide is one of my prized jewels).  He actually was told to leave by the people who ran the auditorium where he was at because they had to shut down for the night.  Also, it seems that him and Al Jean really poured themselves into the episodes that they co-ran, as is evident my the audio commentaries for the first couple of seasons.  Whereas Groening comes off as either uninterested or he focuses on the really unimportant detail (how many comments on "pupil size" can one man make?)  Anyway, hooray for Mike Riess and hooray for a Simpsons flick finally confirmed.

I think Mike Reiss is coming to speak in a class of Tom Whedon's, my screenwriting professor.  Tom Whedon is the father of Joss Whedon, who created Buffy, and wrote Alien: Resurrection (not that that's anything to be proud of, but still... (he claims it was because of Jeunet that it sucked)).  Tom has done a lot of television writing in his own right.  Anyway, should I try to attend, and if so, should I ask anything of Reiss?

suggestions:
*what does he thinks about Pixar separating from Disney and the current state of Disney.
*if there are plans of resurrecting The Critic.
*what does he thinks about what happened to Futurama.

Thanks.  All good questions.  ...who are you?  :-D  (You must've just changed your name, right?)

chuckhimselfo.with a beard.

Quote from: Mike ReissWe've got a very good and interesting idea and it's different from the show. You know, it's like the "South Park" movie where it's just a bigger, longer, amplified version of the show. I can't tell you anything specific about it. My wife doesn't even know the secret.

I don't like the way this is sounding.  Amplified?  The Simpsons amplified?  I think that's part of why I stopped watching it a long time ago.

Quote from: SlorgI don't like the way this is sounding.  Amplified?  The Simpsons amplified?  I think that's part of why I stopped watching it a long time ago.

i know, that part bothered me. south park worked cos they had sumthing to expand on (swearing). the simpsons might try to do musical shit but it'll come off shit cos they havn't been able to do good musical numbers in years. they did an OK attempt in The President Wore Pearls recently, but that was just stolen anyways.

i hope by amplified they mean "better".

VARIETY FOLLOWS UP ON THE SIMPSONS MOVIE DEVELOPMENT

After one of the scribes involved in the Simpsons movie spilled the beans to DVDFanatic.com in an interview released yesterday.

Variety today, reports that "Simpsons" gurus Matt Groening and James L. Brooks are indeed leading a team of writers in actively developing an animated bigscreen feature based on the long-running Fox hit.

Active work on a concept for the pic began a few months ago, after 20th Century Fox's film division hammered out deals with key writers. "This is our idea of how to whip up enthusiasm for an idea that hasn't been formed yet," Brooks said in a statement issued by 20th. Chris Meledandri, studio's animation chief, said the studio was "very excited about the possibility of making a 'Simpsons' movie."

"However, we are in the very early stages of developing an idea for the movie," he added. At least seven past and present writers of "The Simpsons" are said to be involved. A studio spokesman didn't return a call seeking comment, but industry insiders believe Al Jean, Mike Scully, Mike Reiss, David Mirkin and George Meyer are all on board, in addition to Brooks and Groening.

Reiss is certainly involved: He's the scribe who talked about the project. "They've wanted to do this since season two. It's been 13 years of wanting to do 'The Simpsons' movie," he said in an interview with DVDFanatic.com. "Finally Fox said, 'Let's just do it!' We never had the greatest idea that was compelling but Fox said, 'Maybe if we start paying you, you'll get inspired.' And sure enough, it worked!"
While Brooks said there's no final decision on an idea, Reiss said there is concept that seems to be hot.

There's no timetable yet as to a release date on the project, though with Groening's quality control and animation lead time, it's likely at least two years off.

I hope Ian Maxtone-Graham comes nowhere near this project.

I remember a Matt Groening quote when he was asked about when would be the movie have a release date :  " When hell freezes".

Simpsons Movie Confirmed

At long last the wait is over
11 February 2004

The jaundiced inhabitants of Springfield are currently producing a fifteenth series, but, after more than a decade and countless rumours, we've still not seen any sign of a Simpsons movie. Until now.

After one of the writers let the cat out of the bag on a DVD site yesterday, the creators of The Simpsons have officially confirmed that a big screen version is on its way. According to James L Brooks, the film is still in the very early stages but pieces are already falling into place. "We've got a very good and interesting idea, and it's different from the show," he told Variety. "You know, it's like the South Park movie where it's just a bigger, longer, amplified version of the show. I can't tell you anything specific about it. My wife doesn't even know the secret."

"They've wanted to do this since season two," said writer Mike Reiss. "It's been 13 years of wanting to do The Simpsons movie. Finally Fox said, 'Let's just do it!' We never had the greatest idea that was compelling but Fox said, 'Maybe if we start paying you, you'll get inspired.' And sure enough, it worked!"

So no hints as to what we can expect but all of the show's talent are likely to sign on for the film. No one attached to the project was able to provide a timeline for the release but, taking into account the scale of the project and the animation process, it's thought that we're still a good two years from Homer and the gang's cinematic debut.

More proof nobody reads what I post.

Quote from: MacGuffinMore proof nobody reads what I post.

Welcome ,newbie!
Your DVD collection must be very small.  :twisted:  :twisted:

At least this newbie can work the Search engine.

oooh snap.  newbie fires and hits a bullseye.

hey MacGuffin, you just passed your 5500th  post, Congrats.

Quote from: MacGuffinMore proof nobody reads what I post.

Crap...ah well...

Quote from: kotteFinally Fox said, 'Let's just do it!'

:-D  :-D  :-D  :-D  :-D  :-D yes lets do by golly!!! :-D  :-D  :-D  :-D ........lets......lets.......lets make it real big!!!!......lets...make it pretty......and lets have lots......i mean LOTS!! of laughs..........oh won't it be so swell!!!!

Writers Working on 'The Simpsons' Movie

NEW YORK (AP) - Lisa Simpson will still be 8 when "The Simpsons" movie comes out — but we'll be a lot older.

Writers are working now, but the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith, said the film won't be made until the series is over, and it still has at least two seasons to go. Smith said it will then take three years to make the movie because "animation takes forever."

Despite the lengthy process, Smith says she's glad to hear about the movie. "My wish for the show is that it go out with a bang and not a pimple," Smith told AP Radio. "And if we can do a movie and it can be as good as our best episodes, I'm thrilled. I think that would be wonderful."

Smith said she hopes the writers will keep Lisa's childlike sense of humor in the movie.

"If they just make her too esoteric, too philosophical, too bright, too much the voice of reason then she really becomes insufferable," she said. "You have to always, always, always remember that she's 8 and that she's a huge Itchy and Scratchy fan, that she loves Krusty the Clown. And that in spite of her beliefs and her issues, she's a kid."

Quote from: MacGuffin"If they just make her too esoteric, too philosophical, too bright, too much the voice of reason then she really becomes insufferable," she said. "You have to always, always, always remember that she's 8 and that she's a huge Itchy and Scratchy fan, that she loves Krusty the Clown. And that in spite of her beliefs and her issues, she's a kid."

that's funny how even the actors are aware of what the show is missing these days. and her reference to "best episodes", oh snap. i don't envy the position the writers are in right now. making this movie good is officially the Hardest Thing Ever.

They can't write good episodes most of the time these days, so I'm not looking forward to the movie.

Quote from: RaviThey can't write good episodes most of the time these days, so I'm not looking forward to the movie.

yeah but they're not using the current writers for the movie, they are apparently bringing back old school writers in the hopes of sum original spark. refer to page 3 of this thread.

i dont like that article because it implies that the simpsons will end oneday and that can never happen.

Quote from: themodernage02i dont like that article because it implies that the simpsons will end oneday and that can never happen.

Will Fox Silence "The Simpsons"?
Source: E! Online

No more d'oh?!

That may be the fate for the voice actors of The Simpsons and for fans of the long-running animated sitcom if the most recent contract dispute between the show's actors and Simpsons network Fox continues to simmer.

Six actors who provide the voices for dozens of Simpsons characters--Hank Azaria (Moe, Apu and Comic Book Guy), Nancy Cartwright (Bart and Nelson), Dan Castellaneta (Homer and Krusty), Julie Kavner (Marge), Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns and Smithers) and Yeardley Smith (Lisa)--are asking the network for more d'oh, er, dough. Currently, the stars make $125,000 per episode, and they're looking for the powers that be to nearly triple that figure, to $360,000 per episode or almost $8 million a year for a 22-episode season.

Their other demand: profit participation, which is especially lucrative considering The Simpsons' potential merchandising, syndication and DVD profits.

Mmm...DVD profits.

The group, which has banded together in the past to hit their bosses up for salary increases, kicked off the current brouhaha when they recently failed to show up for table readings for the show's 16th season. Six episodes for the 2004-05 season, set to kick off post-baseball in November, are in the can, but the actors haven't gone to the office for tapings in a month.

Fox's response so far: no more dough. And, with negotiations still at an impasse earlier this week, Fox announced it would be forced to shorten the episode order for next season--which would definitely give fans a cow.

According to Yeardley Smith's agent, John Kelly, however, Fox's refusal to play ball with the actors is not just about money but is tantamount to a lack of acknowledgement of the actors' contributions to the wildly successful franchise. Fox claims the figure is high, but the actors' reps have estimated that Springfieldian saga has earned Fox and the show's executive producers more than $2.5 billion since it debuted in 1989.

"The issue is twofold," Kelly told the New York Times. "The personalities that the audience identifies with for each of these characters don't come from the drawings but from the personalities of the characters, which are provided by the actors. The second thing is there are 40-some regular characters on the show. They're all voiced by these six actors."

Says David Weber, attorney for Hank Azaria: "In contrast to numerous other successful shows, [none of the syndication and other ancillary profits] is being distributed to the actors. There's no back-end position at all.

"[And] the upfront fees have not been significantly raised as a recognition of past contributions to the financial success of the show," Weber told the Times. "What we're really asking for is what's customary in the television business for actors on successful shows. We're not getting it."

Fox's reasons for wanting to avoid the money and profit-sharing renegotiations...Duh, dough.

"We can't saddle the show with costs that make it uneconomical to produce," an unnamed Fox exec told the Times.

TV execs have also pointed out that animated shows are usually produced with a fixed budget in mind and that messing with that formula could endanger the future of the genre on the tube.

And, though The Simpsons actors' reps argue that their clients should receive the same level of compensations that actors on live-action hits like Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond enjoy, the argument against that comparison is that actors on live-action shows work full time on their series, and often, because of time commitments, to the exclusion of outside projects. The Simpsons voice talent, on the other hand, typically works two half days for each episode.

Mmm...half days.

Fans of the show, of course, just want the show to continue, and ultimately, despite the feet-dragging on the contract issue, so does Fox.

The Simpsons, the longest-running animated series in TV history, has averaged 11.5 million viewers this season. And, though that marks a drop of almost 2 million viewers from last season's average, it's still enough to make the series the cornerstone of Fox's Sunday-night lineup.

Still, with the May upfront season right around the corner--that's when the networks announce their schedules for next fall and begin to sell advertising time--the network will have to make a decision on the show's status and the voice actors' status on the show fairly soon. Fox is scheduled to present its fall schedule on May 20.

The last time the six actors went on strike for a salary increase, Fox hired a casting agent to audition replacements.

But the talented group proved to be irreplaceable: No suitable subs were found, and eventually the actors and Fox worked out a new contract.

Let's hope such an okily-dokily ending is in store this time around.

I see both sides here.  Really, when you break it down, how fair is it that these actors get paid what amounts to tens of thousands of dollars an hour?  Then again, they are the essence of the show, without them there is no show, so they definitely deserve their share of the benefits of success.

WIGGUM: Now say "d'oh."
HOMER (sadly): D'oh...

Quote from: MacGuffinThe last time the six actors went on strike for a salary increase, Fox hired a casting agent to audition replacements.

wow, so THIS is the evil that men do.  that is disgusting.

Quote from: OnomatopaellaI see both sides here.  Really, when you break it down, how fair is it that these actors get paid what amounts to tens of thousands of dollars an hour?  Then again, they are the essence of the show, without them there is no show, so they definitely deserve their share of the benefits of success.

WIGGUM: Now say "d'oh."
HOMER (sadly): D'oh...

Fernando was telling me the other day that the people who dub the voices of the characters in Spanish earn  around 30 dollars per episode...

Quote from: cronopio l'inrockuptible
Fernando was telling me the other day that the people who dub the voices of the characters in Spanish earn  around 30 dollars per episode...

And they have to also make the Simpsons t-shirts.