Simpsons Voice Actor Says He'd Like To Leave

Simpsons Voice Actor Says He'd Like To Leave

Humorist Harry Shearer, whose disgruntled attitude in real life (and exhibited on his public radio program Le Show) is often transposed into brilliant comedy in the characters he portrays, has indicated that he is so dissatisfied with the course of The Simpsons that he'd "rather not be there now." Shearer, who voices numerous characters on the animated series, including Mr. Burns, Smithers, and Ned Flanders, also complained in an interview with the Irish Examiner that he has been relegated to essentially walk-on parts on the series. Referring to the fact that he reportedly earns $250,000 an episode for recording only a few lines of dialogue per episode, Shearer remarked, "It's possible to make a very nice living and still get totally screwed." His remarks outraged The Simpsons producer, Al Jean, who told the New York Post: "He's a guy who's been a malcontent, in my view. ... For someone earning millions off the show this year ... I just think it's unfathomable for him to take a shot at us."

Just as they leave Moe's voice alone- it makes the character brilliant

c" "Jack" <I am Jack's raging Bile Duct> wrote in message news:[email]...

so

there

essentially

earns

episode,

it was written:

He should stfu or quit. You can't tell me they couldn't get someone who could do all the voices he does.

if that's true, explain what happened to maude's voice.

JQM

Jack wrote:

I would like to replace him please k thx.

According to the SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE history LIVE FROM NEW YORK, Harry Shearer was notoriously unhappy on SNL and took out his frustrations on most of his co-stars. He's a thoroughly decent guy with a circle of close friends and associates, from what I understand, but he's never been one to suffer in silence.

Personally, I have a finite amount of sympathy for someone pulling down about $6 million a year for what amounts to four hours a week in a studio recording each episode (thus allowing you to spend 40+ hours a week working on a film or TV show) who claims to be "totally screwed." I suppose we should tell the prisoners in Abu Ghraib to stop their sniveling...

-- andrew

"Jack" <I am Jack's raging Bile Duct> wrote in message news:[email]...

so

there

I do a pretty decent Monty Burns, and I would be happy to offer my services to the producers, for say, 10% of what they were paying Harry.

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 19:52:15 -0400, "Uniblab" wrote:

Burns was in fact first voiced by Chris Latta (as "Christopher Collins"). [7G03 only].

He ain't no Phil Hartman...he can easily be replaced

Exxxxxcelent!

sinistersteve wrote:

Isn't that what they said about Maggie Roswell? Yet, look what happened. This isn't Nickelodeon, where you can have four different people do the same voice in the span of five years and pretend that nobody can tell them apart.

-- Don (who has enough off-topic posts in rec.sport.pro-wrestling, thank you very much)

In alt.tv.simpsons, on the "Re: Simpsons Voice Actor Says He'd Like To Leave" thread, sinistersteve wrote:

Ironically, Mr. Shearer is himself something of a replacement actor. Christopher Collins was the first man to play Mr. Burns (In "Homer's Odyssey (7G03)"). He didn't want the hassle of a regular part in a TV series, though, so Shearer took over the role.

It looks like Shearer always played Smithers, Flanders, and so on, though.

Personally, I think it's good that someone other than the "beetle-browed people of the internet" is expressing dissatisfaction over the show. But hell, I don't blame him for not walking away from it. I sure wouldn't.

And by the way, as for the person who claimed that any college kid could replace the voice actors, I find it nearly undeniable that the performers are basically the last good thing about The Simpsons that remains and, for me, the only thing that makes it remotely worthwhile at this point.

n.

Phil Hartman could be replaced. They just don't want to because he died.

Listen to Billy West's Zap Brannagin on "Futurama". That part was meant for Hartman, and West does it very Hartman-like. I think he could do the Simpson's parts that Hartman did quite well.

Steve D. Perkins wrote:

But live actors normally only perform one character at a time and can rely upon body language and other physical actions they may take. Voice actors, on the other hand, often perform multiple characters and must convey their entire performance through speech alone. In the case of "The Simpsons", the voice actors are an important part of what makes the show popular and they are compensated for that.

You lack sufficient imagination. Voice Actors usually perform the same role for a number of years, even if someone could replace them for much less money.

Because they know the characters and how to perform the voices best.

Five (not five hundred, just five) according to IMDB, you can tell that they're different, and replacements for a voice are usually only sought when an actor dies or decides not to perfrom the role any longer.

They may be able to parrot lines from the show, but few of them can actually act, let alone sing, using those voices.

Which is why they can command so much money.

"Steve D. Perkins" wrote in message news:[email]...

I liked the way the studio handled those two losers from CSI who were holding out for more cash even though their contracts weren't up yet. Tired of the precedent established by the cast of Friends, the studio just decided to cite them for breach of contract and threatened termination... just like any other reasonable employer would have done. Of course, the actors in question came back with their collective tails between their legs and alleged that the whole thing was a "misunderstanding".

"Steve D. Perkins" wrote in message news:[email]...

I agree.

The excessive demands of actors are also the reason why the networks are so anxious to put out those cheapo reality TV shows. No contract renewals or diva problems on the set to worry about.

I think another problematic issue is when an actor who plays an established character begins to think he know more about the show than the writers.

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 15:03:34 -0400, "SawDust" wrote:

And no SAG or AFTRA to worry with, either.

Steve D. Perkins wrote:

It's not tradition, but rather respect. Performing a voice, especially one that isn't your natural speaking voice, is not easy work and it's a big pain to replace a voice in a long running series. Warner Brothers actually went to the trouble of hiring Casey Kasem to voice Shaggy again because fans complained about his replacement. Fox threatened to replace the main cast of "The Simpsons" once before and couldn't even get people to audition because other actors respected the original cast's right to strike.

I suggest you watch some episode of "The Simpsons" for once then, particularly the early seasons. The main characters and many secondary characters are complex and three dimensional. Most of the classic episodes have members of the Simpson family grappling with hard decisions, like Homer giving up stolen cable in "Homer vs. the 8th Commandment", Lisa realizing that she can't force vegetarianism on others in "Lisa the Vegetarian", Patty deciding that she can't continue a relationship with Skinner due to her bond with Selma, Bart bonding with Principal Skinner after getting him fired, and Marge conceding that she can't be against letting children watch Itchy & Scratchy and be in favor of letting them see Michaelangelo's David. Writers are only one part of what makes a character, the rest is up to how the actor interprets the role.

Tell that to people like Frank Welker, who are very busy and sometimes expensive voice actors because their talents are unique.

And more people are interested in hearing Harry Shearer than someone dragged in off the streets to perform his roles.

No, there aren't millions of people who can supply the voice. That's why people like Harry Shearer can command so much money for their roles. Everyone else is just doing impressions of voices Harry created. Few of them possess all of the vocal qualities that make Mr. Burns sound like Mr. Burns and even fewer can also act.

"Exatron" wrote in message news:[email]...

What bullshit. If that indeed happened I'm sure there were thousands of actors willing to do the job.

Jesus H. Murphy... that was lame. Sorry, no real retort from me. I'm just getting a vibe that some people consider TV a wee bit too important.

SawDust wrote:

Willing maybe, but not qualified. The acting community tends to stick together when striking actors are threatened with replacement, and you usually can't get a job as something like a regular voice on "The Simpsons" without SAG membership.

http://www.snpp.com/other/articles/backontrack.html

<< It's the frigging SIMPSONS, for chrissakes... this isn't multi-faceted drama here, all the characters are one-dimensional characitures. >>

That's the problem. They never USED to be caricatures or one-dimensional, they were well-written and multilayered and interesting. Back when it looked like the show required talent to make.

I have respect for Al Jean, and of course I'm intensely skeptical of anyone who's wealthy and complains about their position, but I'm closer to Shearer's side of this argument than I am to Jean's, if only because I'm appalled by the fact that the "longest running animated show in history" IMO abandoned everything that made it great almost a decade ago.

n.

You forget just how long this show has been on the air, how much it means to the Fox network...(If it wasn't for the simpsons the network could have eaisly tanked... just think how many ppl remember hermans head, get a life, or some of the other early fox programs) and just how much everyone ever involved, even the voice actors have put into this series. If you had been involved with something as sucessful as the simspns from the ground floor up, wouldn't you like to get paid.

The RcP Homer: Looks like the bear patrol is working perfectly Lisa: Thats fairly specious reasoning dad Homer: Why thank you honey Lisa: For that matter i could say this rock keeps away tigers Homer: How does it work? Lisa: It dosn't work, its just a stupid rock but you don't see any tigers do you? Homer (after looking around for tigers) Lisa, I'd like to buy your rock

"rcp2527" wrote in message news:[email]...

America needs the wisdom of Herman's Head now more than ever.

What a dick.

For $250,000 an episode, he can grin and bear it a little bit, without being an ungrateful SOB. I'd also like to hear him explain in detail exactly how he's being 'screwed'.

But hey, maybe Spinal Tap will make a comeback, then he won't be forced to slave away for two hours a week working near-minimum wage on the Simpsons.

"Jack" <I am Jack's raging Bile Duct> wrote in message news:[email]...

so

there

essentially

earns

episode,

i think they will have a little "accident" with all his charcters and a plane plus the neclea plant :)

"Jack" <I am Jack's raging Bile Duct> wrote in message news:[email]...

so

there

essentially

earns

episode,

Shearer is a whiney bitch boy like Mottola2 is! heh!

Let's establish this: Harry Shearer isn't the locus of all evil. It's just that after doing the same characters for 15 years (and there aren't very many people in showbiz today who have, apart from a few soap opera stars), he sounds REALLY burned out. And maybe he's entitled to vent a little.

Lisa opened the door and ran up the stairs, crying, and slammed the door to her room. Bart came in right after.

"What's with her?" asked Homer.

"I don't know but she was crying all the way on the school bus. I tried to ask her but she wouldn't tell. She didn't look like she was physically hurt though."

Bart went up and knocked on Lisa's door. He only heard muffed sobbing on the other side. He slowly opened the door. Lisa was on her bed with her pillow over her head.

"Lis', what's wrong?"

"My life is ruined."

"Why so?"

She took a sheet of paper and gave it to Bart. It was a report card and she had an F in history.

"Oh Lisa, I'm sorry. But you know, your life isn't finished because of that. You'll have other grades and I'm sure you'll have an A+ on your next history test, an A++ even."

Lisa sobbed softer now, but still kept her head hidden. Bart then approached her slowly and put his hand on her red dress.

"I know what would cheer you up."

He moved his hand downward and under her dress to her private parts. Lisa jumped but did not protest. He started rubbing through the softness of her panties. Even from under the pillow, he could hear her moans. He rubbed softly, sensually, until he felt wetness. Bart then proceeded to remove the panties, to which Lisa didn't object. He slowly pulled, making the silky undergarments slide, which made Lisa giggle a bit. Bart then took the pillow and lifted it from her head.

"I want to see your face."

She was still face down, but she turned her face to her brother and smiled.

"I've wanted this for so long Bart." She said, leaning up and kissing him on the lips. "I've always been in love with you. Please don't stop" Without a word Bart returned to her love lips and entered a finger between them, probing the wetness with tenderness. He entered a second and started pumping rhythmically in and out of her. He moved on the bed and added a breast massage from under her dress to the finger fuck. Lisa had her eyes closed, mouth slightly opened, panting and moaning with each thrust and rub.

"No more Bart. I want YOU!"

Bart removed his hand and removed his shirt, shoes, socks, pants and underwear in a few seconds, leaving only a nude golden boy to be admired by his sibling.

Bart then helped Lisa remove her clothing.

Lisa rapped her arms around Bart's neck and kissed Him again. When she broke off she started drawing little circles on his chest with her finger.

"Bart, there's, something I've always wanted to do with you" she said blushing.

Bart smiled, "Really Lis'" he said sarcastically.

"How do you fell about, a baby?"

Bart was stunned. That wasn't exactly what he had expected her to say, although it did turn him on no end.

"Don't worry Lis' I'll pull out if you want me to"

"No Bart I mean." she looked him in the face and smiled "I WANT to have your baby"

"Why? And think about what mom would say!"

"Because I love you Bart! You're the only one I want to be with. If there was some way I could marry you I would do it in a flash! And don't worry about mom, I can handle her! I don't care what she says or does, she'll never stop me loving you"

"Oh Lisa, You're the best sister ever"

She smiled and kissed him again.

"If your sure this is what you want Lis'"

"It is Bart"

Lisa opened her legs and put Bart's erect member at her pussy.

"Fertilise me Bart!" He smiled and thrust completely in.

Bart started pumping in his sister. The sensation was all new and highly exciting for both of them. Lisa had never felt such passion, the love for her brother never greater. She rapped her legs around Bart.

Bart let out a shout as he let his warm sperm flow into Lisa's belly and Lisa moaned in sheer delight, drenching their sex organs with each other's sweet juice. Bart let Lisa hug and kiss him, while still spurting into her.

"I love you Lis'."

"I love you Bart, so much. Thanks for cheering me up."

She hugged him hard and kissed his cheek. She gently pulled the bed covers over them so that Bart's softening member wouldn't fall out of her.

Embracing him in a hug she snuggled down beside him.

"Bart"

"Hmmm?"

"Boy or Girl?"

Then they slept, Bart's penis still safely tucked all the way up inside his little sister Lisa's soon pregnant vagina.

Lisa slowly opened her eyes. Beside her lay Bart. She had been sleeping with him for a while now. Ever since they had last shared a moment of pleasure together. She looked at the clock. `Time for school' she thought. She slowly shook Bart awake. "Bart honey, we've got to get up," she whispered into his ear.

Bart moaned as he slowly woke from his peaceful sleep. Lisa kissed him on the cheek and then the lips.

It had been over 2 months since Lisa had last fucked Bart. Bart had tried to do it since but Lisa hadn't let him. It was hard for her to keep making up excuses but she didn't want to tell Bart the real reason. She wanted to keep it her little secret for now.

Bart kissed Lisa and then climbed out of the bed and went to the bathroom. He was lucky to get in before Lisa. For the past few weeks she had been in there being sick.

Bart had asked her if she was ok but she had just said she had eaten something bad.

He started brushing his teeth while thinking about Lisa. He really wanted to fuck her but she kept making excuses. He was annoyed with masturbating all the time and although Lisa sucking him did help, it wasn't as nice as her warm wet pussy.

Then Bart thought about Maggie. She was really good at sucking him. Maybe he should. With his thoughts causing him to get a big boner he left the bathroom and walked into Maggie's room. She was sat up in her crib and smiled when Bart walked in. Bart picked her up and returned with her to his room. He went into his room and locked the door behind him. Lisa was lying on his bed asleep nude. The site of his naked sister made his boner get even harder. He climbed onto the bed with Maggie.

He took his clothes off and placed Maggie between his legs. Before he could even get her to start sucking she had grabbed his penis and spat out her pacifier. Precum emerged from the top as he felt his sister's soft hands fondling him. Before long Maggie had taken it into her mouth and began sucking hard. Bart moaned with every suck, each moan getting louder as the pleasure increased. He pulled Maggie's clothes off and started rubbing her tiny silky slit.

Lisa began to stir; she could hear Bart's soft moans. She opened her eyes, and saw Maggie between his legs, sucking hard on his cock.

"Bart!" she moaned in a jealous tone. "You promised to stop with Maggie."

"But you wouldn't do anything with me!" Bart replied. "And Maggie's so good at sucking" Bart moaned.

"Oh yeah! We'll just see about that" replied Lisa in an even more jealous tone. "I want to be the one to swallow your sperm!"

With that she got up and pulled Maggie off. Maggie let out a loud cry in protest and tried to force Lisa away. Lisa took Bart's cock into her mouth, first tasting Maggie's delicious saliva, the Bart's even more delicious cum. She sucked hard as Bart began to moan even louder.

"Oh Lis' I'm close!" he moaned out loud. He began to buck his hips as he shot his first load into Lisa's mouth. Lisa closed her eyes lazily as Bart's sperm entered her mouth. She swirled it around her tongue for a while tasting the same juices that had impregnated her womb, before she swallowed. She had to constantly fight Maggie off, who was trying to suck him again. Bart lay back on the bed. The sight of his two sisters both fighting for his spunk turned him on no end and he shot another load into Lisa's mouth. When Lisa had finished she pulled off. Maggie immediately grabbed Bart's cock and began sucking again, hoping to get some left over juices that Lisa had missed.

"How was that my love?" Lisa asked.

Bart simply smiled as she lay down beside him. Bart and Lisa slowly drifted off back to sleep. As Maggie continued sucking.

"Cheer Up " <Cheer [email]> wrote in message news:...

I need to check my tv reception.

/I don't remember this one.

I never accepted that second guy who did Fred Flintstone's voice. Or when Billy West started doing Ren's voice.

so

there

essentially

earns

episode,

a slightly different take on this, for anyone who cares . . . arranged into nice neat sections.

a) shearer is making more money than he deserves, but so are most actors and athletes etc.

b) being stinking rich does not mean he can't be unhappy at his job. that's not a logical judgement.

c) shearer is, actually, only showing that HE is an asshole in his statement. he admits he doesn't like his job, doesn't like the way his characters are treated, and feels like he'd rather not be doing it. however, he does it willingly because he likes the money. so, rather than taking a shot at the simpsons or at al jean, all he's done is announced that he's an already fabulously rich individual who is doing something he hates just to get even more money, and somehow made himself a victim. who sounds like the jerk there?

d) no-one likes anyone who bitches about anything that it is under their power to resolve when they just don't want to.

JQM

On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 00:53:17 +0000 (UTC), "James Q. Morrissey" wrote:

I think I'll print that statement up in big bold letters and hand it to my mother next time she complains about how her big (completely paid for) house is too big and she wants to find a smaller house but "can't afford it".