There are some things in life, that you just cannot kill. Things such as Parktown Prawns, the Highlander, Nick’s body odour and The Simpsons. The animated series has been running for way, way too many years, having long out-stayed its welcome and refusing to move on. But now, a major part of the show has indeed offed itself, as one of the major voices in the series has just been ditched.
Harry Shearer, the voice behind roughly most of the supporting characters in The Simpsons, has left the show. For over 25 years, Shearer has voiced a number of characters, including:
- Ned Flanders
- Mr Burns
- Smithers
- Dr Hibbert
- Reverend Lovejoy
- Kent Brockman
- Lenny
- Seymour Skinner
- Otto Mann
- Kang
Shearer announced his departure on Twitter, citing an impasse in contract negotiations over his desire to do more work elsewhere.
from James L. Brooks’ lawyer: “show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.”. (1/2)
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best. (2/2)
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
Which is a damn shame, as the man was pulling in a reported $300 000 per episode for his work. It’s unclear how The Simpsons will move on from here. Shearer was the voice behind several of the more popular side-characters who can’t exactly be easily replaced or simply written off without there being some hostile feedback from the fans.
Still, the show will go on. Into a chuffing 27th season already.
Last Updated: May 15, 2015
James Francis
May 15, 2015 at 12:04
Yeah, not too sure how they will get around this one…
Hammersteyn
May 15, 2015 at 16:26
Simpsons needs to maybe give it a rest?