Harry Shearer leaves The Simpsons

[palitoy]

This is a pretty big hole the series has to fill

http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/14/8604495/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons-no-mr-burns-flanders

[Nostalgiabuff]

i had just heard the other day that he was the only one holding off on signing the new contract. oh well, does anyone even watch the Simpsons anymore? I have not watched it in years

[palitoy]

I still watch it, it can still make me laugh. Which is more than I can say for Family Guy.

[Mikey]

Been watching Simpsons a lot more since it's become a staple of one of the FX channels... It's a good nothing better is on show.

For the most part I only watch the first 10-ish seasons.

I did watch a few newer ones --- funny how their history changes throughout the years ... Bart's been born in the 80's, 90's and 2000's

[LonnieFisher]

Bart should be around 35 years old.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I haven't watched The Simpsons much in years. I fell over during the early to mid 2000s. The few new ones I've watched haven't been bad. Sunday night just isn't a good time for me to stop and watch TV, and I never think to DVR it.

Maybe it's time to put it to rest, if the main cast is starting to move on.

Chris

[huedell]

The Family Guy crossover got me interested in the Simpsons again.

When I saw that Shearer was the only hold-out on the Family Guy crossover, I told my friends there was something more political going on than "he wasn't available because he was on a movie shoot" or whatever bull Shearer gave.

Well, this news shows I was more right than I even wanted to admit to myself.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I still watch it, it can still make me laugh. Which is more than I can say for Family Guy.

yeah, family guy has been stale for years now. same old jokes

[huedell]

I still watch it, it can still make me laugh. Which is more than I can say for Family Guy.

ehhh.... okay...

yeah, family guy has been stale for years now. same old jokes

Moreso for the Simpsons than Family Guy IMHO, but that's what was so great about the Family Guy crossover---it basically had an underlying message of "Hey FG nerds and Simpsons nerds---nobody has to be right about which show is better now, or in the past... it's okay to agree to disagree."

That said, the crossover WAS written by the Family Guy guys---and, quite brilliantly, may I add.

[palitoy]

yeah, family guy has been stale for years now. same old jokes

It's more "same old plots" for me, I get about eight minutes in and move on to absolutely anything else.

[Fitski]

If I were the producers of the Simpsons I would have let the contracts expire and then hold youtube auditions for sound-a-likes and hire them for fraction of what these guys were asking for.

[Hedji]

Fun Fact: Harry Shearer was in the original Star Wars. His voice was dubbed over the Imperial Officer who tells Vader "There’s no one on board, sir. According to the log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff”

[jwyblejr]

Fine by me if they get rid of it. I'll watch Bob's Burgers instead.

[ODBJBG]

If I were the producers of the Simpsons I would have let the contracts expire and then hold youtube auditions for sound-a-likes and hire them for fraction of what these guys were asking for.

And alienate 90% of the fanbase and kill the show in an episode or two. One person opting to leave is different than executives firing the talent to cut costs on a show that largely survives on it being a part of the "America family" of television viewing.

I'm always amazed how many people say how unfunny the Simpsons is. It's become the popular show to hate, even if it's still a rating juggernaut. Frankly, while I rarely watch it, I still enjoy the occasional episode. I don't see the problem in continuing the show forever long as they can. I suspect Shearer will get back on board before this ever comes to pass, but if not, then replace him as need be I suppose.

[thunderbolt]

Guess the 14 million a year he was offered just didn't help him make ends meet?