Fox Renews ‘The Simpsons’ For Two More Seasons After Actors Sign New Deals (Big pay cuts)

deadline.com ^ | October 7, 2011 | Nellie Andreeva

[tlb]

It’s over: the cast members of The Simpsons have agreed to new two-year deals with series producer 20th Century Fox TV and, with them locked in, Fox has renewed the veteran series for two more seasons.

Both sides reportedly made concessions from their original demands, with the cast abandoning their quest for a piece of the series’ lucrative back-end and the studio upping their previous final offer for a 45% salary reduction. (The number I had heard and reported earlier in the day was for a cut in the range of 30% from the actors’ current paychecks of $440,000).

The license fee for the show paid by Fox was also reportedly trimmed as The Simpsons has been sliding in the ratings.

[tlb]

So they'll somehow have to get by with a little over $300,000 each week for an afternoon's work. Times are tough.

The Church of Scientology probably isn't happy their contributions from Yeardley Smith will diminish.

On the other hand, the good news is Jennifer Tilly's cut of the show's profits should be unimpaired.

[goat granny]

Thats why they are all liberals, they know in their heart that they are not worth the money they get, can we say TV and movie stars all know they aren’t worth it and have guilt about it, so we all know why they are leftys....

[Revolting cat!]

Cartoon characters have contracts? Who knew?!

[dfwgator]

the cast abandoning their quest for a piece of the series’ lucrative back-end and the studio upping their previous final offer for a 45% salary reduction.

[Polybius]

Cartoon characters have contracts? Who knew?!

Well, their voice actors do, soooo ...

Why not have a "Simpson's Voice Impersonation Contest" and hire the winners for $5,000 per episode?

"D'OH! I coulda saved millions!"

[Chode]

excellent analysis Granny...

[Vince Ferrer]

I stopped watching shortly after Phil Hartman died, because it seemed to take the joy out of the series. Before it was sarcastic social commentary, but always ended up positive sarcastic social commentary. Afterwards it just turned bitter. I hope the series recovered, it certainly lasted long after I stopped watching.

Psst, take the money. Other people in Hollywood make more than you, but it is a rare thing that anyone can make that much money so regularly for so long. Just take the money and be happy.

[boop]

I knew Nancy Cartwright was a Scientologist. I had no idea that Yeardly Smith was also. Might explain why the Simpsons doesn’t EVER satirize the C of S. Neither does Family Guy. But they both make fun of Christianity on a regular basis.