The Simpsons extended for two series (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

US TV network Fox has announced that animated show The Simpsons will run for a further two series after a contract dispute with the cast was settled.

The terms of a new deal with voice actors has not been disclosed, but The Hollywood Reporter said they had accepted a 30% pay cut.

Producers warned earlier this week that the show could no longer be produced "under its current financial model".

Actors had demanded a share of merchandising and syndication profits.

The voice artists, who reportedly earn $8m (£5.2m) each per series, were prepared to accept a deep cut in pay in order to gain a small share of the show's wider revenues.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15231778

[DJ13]

1. Seasons?

[Poll_Blind]

4. They call it "series" in the UK but it means "seasons" in the US.

PB

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Probably meaning a run of 13 episodes -- or maybe 22.

I think animated series generally do 22, but this is NMAOE.

[msongs]

2. $8m for talking? 1%ers for sure nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. They sell soap. Arguably "job creators". Just sayin'. n/t

[MADem]

6. I KNEW there had to be a residual clause in the new contract.

I was kind of surprised to learn they were taking all the money up front like that for all these years.

You never know where the stock market will go--if you're an artist/entertainer, go for the residuals, to at least some extent, even if you're working in a total turkey. You never know when Mystery Science Theater or the serendipity of working with someone who turns out to be super-famous might turn a piece of crap into a moneymaking cult classic!

The Simpsons is a proven ratings-grabber--it'll be in syndication for decades, yet.

[frylock]

7. woohoo!

[iris27]

8. It looks like the actors didn't get a piece of the residuals like they were wanting?

One of the show's cast, Harry Shearer, said he had been told that there were "simply no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the show's success".

While he conceded that their salaries were "ridiculous by any normal standard", Shearer added he found it "hard to believe that this is Fox's final word on the subject" of profit-sharing.

The show's makers declined to respond to his comments.


???

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. "Excell"

That's "Excellent" after the pay cut.