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Rolling in the D'Oh, Simpsons Cast Returns to Work

080603simpsons.jpg
TM & (c)2006 The Simpsons and TCFFC all rights reserved/Fox
The voice cast of Fox's long-running The Simpsons — Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer — have inked a new four-year deal that elevates their pay to about $400,000 an episode, marking a raise of some $50K per.

The months-long negotiations between the actors and 20th Century Fox TV delayed production on Season 20, which as a result will deliver just 20 (versus 22) episodes. The gang reported for their first table read on Monday.

As part of his deal, Castellaneta has been named consulting producer and will serve as a writer in addition to voicing Homer and others. — MWM

Related:
• D'oh! Contract Disputes Cut Simpsons' Episode Count
• Simpsons Takes Kelsey Grammer, Others for a Ride

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Posted by TV Guide News
Jun 3, 2008 7:06 AM
Good for them. Of course in the light of this episode does this contract really mean four years, or will they "strike" again to get that half a mil before then?
Posted by BOZMAN54
Jun 3, 2008 7:27 AM
$8,000,000 a year for voicing a cartoon character. *Sigh* Must be nice. Not that I could do it, of course, but what a payday for a few days in the studio per year. What an awesome job.
Posted by findmebaby.com
Jun 3, 2008 9:35 AM
You know, I am surprised that the actors only make that much money. Considering the amount of money the Simpsons franchise has made FOX (including launching the network as a whole) I really am surprised.

Here's hoping that should any of the voice actors decide to leave, Matt Groening will have the ability to pull the plug on the whole show. It just wouldn't be the same without the original cast.
Posted by imaguestage
Jun 3, 2008 10:02 AM
I think shortening the seasons for the Simpsons is fine. There is already enough episodes in syndication to play everyday for a year and not have the same episode played twice - that's an accomplishment.

It does sound like a sweet gig too. They all know that, but they also know that Fox makes a ton of money off of this franchise.
Posted by ems823
Jun 3, 2008 10:55 AM
Good for them! It sounds like a lot of money for what they do, but they deserve their share of the money being made off of this franchise.
As with other long running shows like Friends and Seinfeld, it is the network and the producers taking the financial risks early on. Now that the franchise has been established it is time for the actors to get their share. These shows would not be the same with out them.
Posted by HomeVideoGuy
Jun 3, 2008 11:57 AM
Good for them! It sounds like a lot of money for what they do, but they deserve their share of the money being made off of this franchise.

As with other long running shows like Friends and Seinfeld, it is the network and the producers taking the financial risks early on. Now that the franchise has been established it is time for the actors to get their share. These shows would not be the same with out them.
Posted by HomeVideoGuy
Jun 3, 2008 11:57 AM
What people forget to think about is that they aren't just being paid for the work they do in the studio. They are being paid to keep a whole chunk of time free--time when they can't be with their families, can't do something in their personal life, can't audition for other projects, can't make money doing other projects, etc. The pay is most certainly not just for the work.
Posted by TripLangley
Jun 3, 2008 12:39 PM
You know, I am surprised that the actors only make that much money. Considering the amount of money the Simpsons franchise has made FOX (including launching the network as a whole) I really am surprised.

I was thinking the same thing. It's one thing to be part of a machine (like most other successful shows, i.e CSI), but it's another to actually help put a network on the map. It's still a lot of money, but relatively speaking, it's very little of the overall pie.

But that’s typical for any business, as the stakeholders who initially invest in a project are the ones who usually profit the most.
Posted by fx772k1
Jun 3, 2008 4:24 PM
Can't think of any cast that deserves it more.
Posted by DaMess
Jun 4, 2008 2:47 AM
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