Posted on 01/13/2005 2:18:51 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
MEXICO CITY — ¡Ay Caramba! Actors who do Spanish-language voiceovers for "The Simpsons" animated television show — from Homero to Señor Burns — are in a labor dispute.
The trouble stems from a local company's decision not to renew contracts with the longtime performers so that it can pursue nonunion actors.
"I hope we can reach some kind of agreement; this has been a big loss of time," said Claudia Mota, the voice of Bart, the skateboarding fourth-grader known for shouting "¡Ay Caramba!" —loosely translated in English as "Oh brother!"
Mota, who has portrayed Bart for eight years, said Wednesday the show can't switch the characters' well-known voices and expect to keep its audience happy.
Angel García, 40, a musician and longtime "Simpsons" fan, agreed.
"There is no way they can change it now. We've heard the same voices for years," he said. "It is like going home and hearing your wife speaking with a different voice — no way."
The dispute isn't about more dough for the "D'oh!" — although Mexican actors make $60 each per episode, compared with the $250,000 per episode their U.S. counterparts earn after a salary dispute with Twentieth Century Fox last year.
"We are working people, we are artists. All of this is taking a huge toll on our lives," Humberto Vélez, the voice of Homero — the devoted and goofy husband — said of the attention generated by the dispute.
He said he has been flooded with phone calls and e-mails of support since the dispute became public.
"We are not asking for a raise or an increase in benefits, just that our union is recognized," he said, noting that with such a low salary, his family needs medical benefits and other union protection.
The recording company, Grabaciones y Doblajes Internacionales, released a statement Wednesday saying it wants the freedom to hire actors regardless of whether they are in the actors union, which is known as ANDA and controls most voiceover productions here.
The company, which declined an interview, stated that, especially in shows with the talent demands of "The Simpsons," it needs the flexibility to hire the best talent available.
Raymundo Capetillo, labor dispute secretary for the union, said it remains a mystery why the recording company broke with the union.
"We do not have any idea why the company would adopt such a bad strategy," he said.
"The Simpsons," which portrays happenings in the make-believe town of Springfield, draws millions of viewers throughout Latin America.
It has aired in Mexico for 15 years.
The affection seems to be mutual. A Homer Simpson doll, complete with sombrero, is said to be perched in the office of "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dschiller@express-news.net Mexico City Bureau Assistant Minea Nieto contributed to this report.
Seriously, I wonder how well "The Simpsons" translates into any non-American culture. So much of its humor is tied to wild and wacky culture of the USA. I guess we truly have taken over the world.
No..it's "come mi pantamedias!"
El alcohol! La causa de, y la solución para, todas las problemas en la vida!
does this guy speak English?
This just kind of strikes me as funny...
More than 4000 to 1 ratio...
Excellente!
I wonder if Senor Spielbergo directs the episodes?
I suppose Apu isn't funny in Russia, unless most of Russia's 7-11s are run by east Indians.
What's the Spanish word for "DOH!"?
I have an idea for them. Lose the Union, and then get the job back and keep it on their own.
I'm so surprised taht a thread about The Simpsons only has less then 20 responses!
¡D'oh!
"No, they are saying, 'Boo-urns! Boo-urns!'"
It ain't over 'til it's over!
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