At 26 seasons and 573 episodes, The Simpsons is the longest-running scripted primetime television show to come out of the United States. And while it was recently confirmed for two more seasons, it'll be losing a major piece of its voice cast with the departure of Harry Shearer.
Shearer announced that he was leaving the program on Twitter, offering up a series of tweets explaining that he couldn't arrive at an agreeable contract.
Shearer voiced some of Springfield's most beloved and integral characters, including Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr. Hibbert, Lenny Leonard, Otto Mann, Rainier Wolfcastle and many, many others.
Showrunner Al Jean confirmed the departure and added that they plan to recast Shearer's roles. Speaking to the New York Times, he said, "Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard. We do not plan to kill off characters like Burns and Flanders but will recast with the finest voiceover talent available."
Jean also offered the following tweet:
UPDATE: Al Jean has responded to the situation further in a lengthy new interview.
Shearer announced that he was leaving the program on Twitter, offering up a series of tweets explaining that he couldn't arrive at an agreeable contract.
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, 2015This 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, 2015Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015Shearer voiced some of Springfield's most beloved and integral characters, including Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Dr. Hibbert, Lenny Leonard, Otto Mann, Rainier Wolfcastle and many, many others.
Showrunner Al Jean confirmed the departure and added that they plan to recast Shearer's roles. Speaking to the New York Times, he said, "Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard. We do not plan to kill off characters like Burns and Flanders but will recast with the finest voiceover talent available."
Jean also offered the following tweet:
.@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever The show will go on, made by people who love it and see in it the most wonderful vehicle for satire ever.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) May 14, 2015UPDATE: Al Jean has responded to the situation further in a lengthy new interview.