Although FOX has already included The Simpsons in its fall lineup as part of its usual Sunday night timeslot, the 20th season of the award-winning animated series remains at risk seeing that no deal has been struck yet with the show's voice actors.

According to Variety, production on the show's 20th season has been on hold for months, which hints that the studio will most likely produce just 20 installments, rather than 22 episodes next season.  Despite of this, sources close to both the voice actors and 20th Century Fox TV are optimistic that they're on the road to a new deal. On the other hand, if a deal is not reached anytime soon, the number of episodes in the upcoming season could further be reduced.

At present, The Simpsons' principle ensemble include Dan Castellaneta, who provides the voice of overweight, clumsy and borderline alcoholic patriarch Homer Simpson, Julie Kavner, who gives voice to Homer's patient wife Marge Simpson, Nancy Cartwright, who provides the voice of mischievous Bart Simpson, Yeardley Smith, who lends her voice to smart 8-year-old Lisa Simpson, Hank Azaria, who gives life to bartender Moe, and Harry Shearer, who provides the voice of Springfield Nuclear Power Plant owner Mr. Burns.  These key cast members are believed to make around $360,000 an episode.  A new deal could strike a little closer to $500,000, including various bonuses, which is already in line with the salaries of many live-action sitcom stars.

Meanwhile, the increased salaries could also be the reason why there isn't much aggravation in recent negotiations between voice actors of The Simpsons and 20th Century Fox TV.

"Unlike the last negotiations, there hasn't been a lot of anger or frustration," a show insider said.

A decade ago, the network went as far as hiring casting directors in five cities to search for replacements when the show's voice actors asked for a big raise.  This time, the voice actors are hoping for a "healthy bump," given the show's history as a money-making machine.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Variety
(Image courtesy of FOX)