.
Feedback

Poll: "The Simpsons" In Danger of Cancellation?

The animated show that helped make FOX a network heavyweight may be ending over a money dispute.

The Simpson family and Springfield have faced the potential of annihilation many times before in episodes of the show. Now, they face their biggest challenge of all: cancellation.

According to The Daily Beast, FOX executives have issued an ultimatum of sorts on "The Simpsons," a mainstay in FOX's lineup since 1990. If the voice actors do not comply to a significant pay decrease, the network will reportedly pull the plug on TV's longest-running prime-time sitcom, spelling the end for Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and the rest of Springfield's characters.

The publication reports that network executives are demanding that the actors who voice The Simpsons' characters must take a pay cut of 45 percent from the $8 million they earn per season if a 24th season of the sitcom will begin production. The voice actors were reportedly willing to cut their salaries by one-third in exchange for some of the show's profits.

The premiere episode of "The Simpsons" was a Christmas special in 1989. Since then, the show has morphed into a multi-billion dollar worldwide revenue stream for its creators and the network, stretching from clothing apparel to video games to a successful big-screen adaptation in 2007. The show was also notable in helping to launch the career of late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien, who was the show's head writer before getting the NBC "Late Night" job in 1993.

The show's ratings are significantly lower than they were at the show's peak, but the show still occupies the same 8 p.m. time slot on Sunday nights it's run in since 1994. 

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Levittown Patch? Find your Local Patch »

John Cocchiola October 5, 2011 at 03:47 pm
When I get a hankerin' for cartoons, I never touch "The Simpsons"; I'm strictly a "South Park" man. If they took the South Park comedy away from me, that would be a tragedy.
Matthew Hogan (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 04:01 pm
@John: Same. I've been a "South Park" guy before they even signed with Comedy Central -- even though that hasn't even been as good in the last few seasons.
But still, "The Simpsons" paved the way for other animated shows like "South Park," "Family Guy" and "Drawn Together." "South Park" even had an episode dedicated to "The Simpsons" entitled "The Simpsons Already Did It" because there were several times when the creators came up with an idea and some said, "The Simpsons already did it."
Steven Nicastro (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 04:08 pm
Looking forward to the South Park mid-season premiere tonight @ 10 p.m.
Steven Nicastro (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 04:11 pm
@Matt: It certainly hasn't been as good, especially this season. A certain musical they recently created, however, blows everything they've ever done away. It's that good.
Matthew Hogan (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 04:42 pm
@Steve: Haven't gotten a chance to see it yet, but I haven't heard anything but great reviews. I'm going to try and go soon if I can get tickets.
Sean McCalmont October 5, 2011 at 04:52 pm
rumor has it that South Park will be coming to an end because the creators Broadway show is gaining in popularity and they want to focus on that
Jason Molinet (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 05:18 pm
Simpsons is like comfort food. Whenever I do tune in it is timeless and fun.
Steven Nicastro (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 05:19 pm
@ Sean, well I heard the same but they are under contract for at least 3 more seasons and recently said on the Daily Show that they aren't going anywhere. @ Matt, good luck getting tickets!
John Cocchiola October 5, 2011 at 08:22 pm
I prefer the later South Parks to the very early ones. When I browse my DVRd reruns, I usually don't watch them pre 2001. In my opinion, "South Park" is one of the only television shows worth watching, at least since "Ren and Stimpy" was taken off the air.
Matthew Hogan (Editor) October 5, 2011 at 08:57 pm
Seasons 8-11 were the best in my opinion -- circa 2004 through 2007. Seasons 8 and 10 in particular.
icarumba October 5, 2011 at 10:41 pm
i liked seasons 3- y7 the best.
yes, i will miss it but it'll do very well in syndication. ps. dont certain people in lynbrook come straight out of the simpsons? hendrick- barney gumble hillary- mr burns hawxhurst- homer simpson neve-chief wiggum healey- ray patterson, sanitation commissioner atkinson and ledwith- lionel hutz and troy mcclure. :):):)
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Michael Ganci (Editor) May 31, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for sharing! We have reposted in top news and shared on Facebook. Let us know how things go!Read More MG
United States Marine
Mickey June 13, 2013 at 09:56 am
God Bless you for your upcoming service PVt. Montalvo!! Levittown is proud of you and theRead More sacrifices you are making. I too am a DAHS grad... way back in '63! Semper Fi Blue Dragon!
Nina Marie Arnold-Orlando June 11, 2013 at 09:10 am
is this the one Susan Lucci promotes? Ir so i want it
Robin Boyce June 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Yes, this is the one that Susan Lucci promotes...it was originally bought from HSN. Asking price isRead More $175