The Simpsons actors refuse to give up 45% of their salary for Season 24
"23 seasons in, The Simpsons is as creatively vibrant as ever and beloved by millions around the world. We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows The Simpsons to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come."
It is said that the studio rejected the actors' offer of a 30% pay cut. The actors currently make an estimated $8 million a year for 22 weeks of work. However, billions of dollars are made by The Simpsons through merchandising, DVD sales, and other ancillary markets. The actors have long argued for a cut of these revenues, although they have been declined. Production is scheduled to start next spring on Season 24 of The Simpsons, although if a deal isn't met, the longest-running sitcom in TV history may finally come to an end.
Showtime is currently in a similar situation with its own hit series Dexter, since talks have broken down between the network and series star Michael C. Hall. The actor's contract is up after this current season, which premiered on Sunday night with a record 2.2 million viewers tuning in. That figure is up 24% from the Season 5 premiere. It is said that Showtime is offering Michael C. Hall $20 million for two more seasons of Dexter. The actor is asking for $24 million for two seasons. Negotiations are still ongoing, but it seems there is a big gap to overcome.
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Monkeyiron 2.0
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5 months agoby @monkeyiron2-0Flag
Garret
First off, I can understand with the Simpsons cast are coming from, FOX is reeling it in big time and just plain greedy. I do hope Fox copts on and gives in or it's the end of The Simpsons.
As for Dexter, I don't think Michael needs that extra 4 mill, thats just plain greedy, so lets see what happens there.
As for the other shows, TV boss's don't care what shows are good, how people it and all that, they only care about money, and if the greedy ones don't get rediclous amounts of money then it's bye bye favourite shows.
8 months agoby @garretbyrneFlag
moviegeek
Guess this got resolved :P
8 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
Smitty-werbenjagermanjensen
my stomach dropped the second i saw dexter bein cancelled, jus give him the extra 4mil or mch stop being greedy, idc jus dont cancel it!
8 months agoby @Smitty-werbenjagermanjensenFlag
Gina39
which show will go next?
i think they will get rid of terra nova or unforgettable both great shows but unforgettable will probably go first.
8 months agoby @gina39Flag
Gina39
hey guys read this net article
Death watch 2011: Fall TV survival status report
Sure, it's only been two weeks. But sometimes, that's all it takes for a new show to either earn a full-season order (congrats, Fox's New Girl) or get the ax (time to start packing, Playboy Club?). Here's how the new shows are faring so far among the ever-crucial adults 18-49 rating and our thoughts about which will still be alive come spring:
2 Broke Girls (CBS): 5.9 rating
Status: If this comedy were on other networks, it would have already earned a pickup. CBS tends to be conservative about giving early endorsements (and when it comes to its Monday night block, there's a high bar for admission.) But a couple more strong performances by the gals should help seal the deal.
UPDATE: Full season pickup
New Girl (Fox): 4.7
Status: Fox got to be the first network to pick up a new show for a full season. (Traditionally, the networks only order the first 13 and wait to pick up the back nine after seeing the ratings). Given the Zooey Deschanel show's super-strong audience retention for its second episode and improving on its Glee lead-in, the move will likely pay off.
X Factor (Fox): 4.2
Status: It's not exactly performing at the levels Simon Cowell expected it would. (He was out there saying anything less than 20 million would be a "disappointment.") But the show has given Fox some unprecedented bragging rights - like how for the first time in Fox history has the net won the first two Wednesdays of a TV season. This show isn't going anywhere.
Suburgatory (ABC) 3.3
Status: The comedy had a surprisingly good bow, in spite of its dreadful title and lead-in from ABC's modestly rated comedy The Middle. Does it help being so close to Modern Family? Its definitely a good fit. If viewers return for Week 2, it's unlikely the network will give up on this Jeremy Sisto comedy anytime soon.
Terra Nova (Fox): 3.1
Status: This would be a solid number - for just about any other show. The bar is set high for the expensive and heavily-hyped dino drama, and the premiere rating didn't leave a lot of wiggle room. Terra Nova will not get a full season (Fox executives have confirmed that's out of the cards); the question is whether the show will get a second season. Expect Fox to air all 12 weeks no matter what.
Pan Am (ABC): 3.1
Status: The period drama fell 19 percent from its premiere but reviews have been mostly favorable. And there are all those billboards! Unless this bird crashes in the coming weeks, we expect the gals to fly for a full season, at least.
Revenge (ABC): 3.0
Status: ABC has struggled to launch dramas at 10 p.m. and the network was hoping this modern day riff on The Count of Monte Cristo would be a break-out this fall. Emily VanCamp is a TV star and it's great to see Madeleine Stowe on the small screen but this soap is not lathering up fans as much as ABC probably wanted. But it would be sacrilege to rip a soap off before the mystery is at least halfway unraveled so its seems likely the network will stick with this for a full season.
Person of Interest (CBS): 2.9
Status: The combination of Jim Cavaziel and Michael Emerson is just too good. Though the drama still has some kinks to work out, this one will likely go the distance until May.
Whitney (NBC): 2.9
Status: Has the highest average rating of NBC's new comedies, but is not the best liked. UPDATE: Sorry haters, full season pick up
Up All Night (NBC): 2.7
Status: The Christina Applegate starrer has lost some of its 18-49 following across three weeks, but has had to self-start on Wednesday nights. Don't expect to Peac*ck to give up on the latest laugher from uber-producer Lorne Michaels without a fight. UPDATE: Full season pick up
Unforgettable (CBS): 2.7
Status: A show that nobody talks about that did better than expected. Too early too tell.
8 months agoby @gina39Flag
Gina39
I hope and pray that they don't cancel FRINGE. season 4 is starting off very good and i hope peter bishop comes back very soon
FOX DON'T CANCEL FRINGE DAMN IT!!!!
sorry you guys i had to get that off my chest lol
8 months agoby @gina39Flag
Gina39
this new show HOMELAND is really good. i saw that last night and that looks very promising. i do agree with ROFL that homeland is a surprise hit and as for the simpsons well i stop watching it after the first maybe 4 seasons. i never saw the movie of the simpsons is that a good one or don't waste my time?
8 months agoby @gina39Flag
Gina39
wow cell is right...they got rid of the playboy club after 3 shows. amber heard is super duper hot. so she can still do movies or other tv shows. i hate to say this but i am not surprise with dexter. i think after season 4 the show got very weak i love dexter season 1,2, and 4 those will always be the greatest seasons ever. now that dexter is trying to be human or try to find a partner in crime to help kill murderers it just seems like dexter lost his way. i do agree with a lot of you that dexter is a very popular show and the ratings for episode one in the new season were very high. but as much as i love dexter i think that this might be their last season . they have to make this season the darkest yet.
sorry amber heard for your show but you are super hot. :) no homo on that lol
8 months agoby @gina39Flag
The Boondock Saint
@2movieguys oh is that canceled?......i didn't even know that it came on.......lol
8 months agoby @combatmadness360Flag
ROFLitschristian
@dan1 Oh no no no. I don't wanna look like I'm being shallow about it. Homeland looks great (didn't get to catch it yet), The Big C's a goldmine, Nurse Jackie looks like it's a fun time, and Shameless is pretty decent (never really sucked me in). I'm just saying that Dexter and Weeds are vastly popular, but you never really hear anything outside of those two and that's what I think sucks about the peoples' television choices.
8 months agoby @ROFLitschristianFlag
Err
@shuabert
i agree
8 months agoby @err2005Flag
CelluloidDreams
....I guess $$ is the big issue.... Sad that NBC Cancels 'The Playboy Club'‎ only after 3 shows..!
8 months agoby @2movieguysFlag
Lord McLovin of MovieWeb
As long as they don't cancel it mid-season (like other shows) They can keep The Simpsons running until it's 30th season. I'd rather not have it cancelled just because 'pay cuts got in the way'.
8 months agoby @ghostmanFlag
Josh
"It is said that the studio rejected the actors' offer of a 30% pay cut." Wow, really? That's a pretty sizeable cut the actors are willing to take. If that account is true, then the studio is indeed playing "hardball", as @ejk1 said, and they aren't recognizing a good opportunity.
8 months agoby @shuabertFlag
Dan
@ROFLitschristian Homeland's premiere episode was good. Lots of potential there. Don't write Showtime off just yet.
8 months agoby @dan1Flag
Dan
@ChiRep-1 I mean, in our worlds, 4 million is serious dough of course, I'm not diminishing that number. But if it's a matter of losing out on 20, at the end of the day I'd prob take my 20, buy myself a yacht and stock it, and call it a day.
8 months agoby @dan1Flag
ChiRep_1
@dan1 Good point, it's only $4 Million dollars right?
All good things must come to an end, the Simpsons fell off my radar over the years but it's still a show that's a hell of a lot more entertaining than most comedies on t.v these days.
8 months agoby @ChiRep-1Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
Never watched Simpsons so don't care as much.
8 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Err
i still look forward to seeing the simpsons every sunday night but people are right it isn't the show it once was.
still though I'll be a little sad when it inevitably ends.
8 months agoby @err2005Flag
ROFLitschristian
Oh my God. Don't freak me out like this, Moviewb! I almost had a heart attack. As much as I don't want Dexter to drag out and become stale, that's really the only thing Showtime has going for them. I mean Weeds is nearing the end, if it hasn't supposedly hit that already. Don't get me wrong, I love most Showtime series, but this will take them off the map. Also, Michael C. Hall deserves any amount he asks for. Is that really what's holding them back?
8 months agoby @ROFLitschristianFlag
obi1geoffrey
25 seasons would be nice, but I think sooner or later The Simpsons need to close shop. I think the show is ok, but it's not as funny as it used to be, it was more classic back in the early years. Either way, I still don't see the big deal on the $4mil, there are people who would replace those voices for $400,000.
8 months agoby @ob1geoffreyFlag
slysnide
@dan1: That's good to hear. I like the earlier Dexter compared to the newer one. Can't wait to see it. Hopefully tomorrow or Thursday. I know Showtime allows each premiere to be watched for free on their website, but buffering bugs me too much.
8 months agoby @slysnideFlag
Dan
@slysnide It was great. Old school Dexter. Masuka still cracks me up.
8 months agoby @dan1Flag
Julián Dylan
The Simpson face cancellation?? Finally!!
8 months agoby @Julin-DylanFlag
slysnide
@ejk1: Right on. If Fox makes as much off the merchandizing as the article claims, then they shouldn't have a problem satisfying an eight million dollar per-season contract for just six stars. $48mil aint much in comparison to billions.
MCH on the other hand isn't asking for much more. Just an extra $4mil. They can probably work through that. Hey @dan1, you watch "Dexter" right? How was the premiere?
8 months agoby @slysnideFlag
Dan
Stopped watching The Simpsons quite a long time ago. However, I don't get the deal between Hall and Showtime. They're really gonna argue over 4 million bucks? What is Hall gonna miss out on buying if he didn't get that 4 million?
8 months agoby @dan1Flag
ejk1
If a show is cancelled because of weak ratings or creative weakening, that's one thing. But for The Simpsons, still creatively viable with good ratings as it nears its 500 episodes, goes out because Fox decides to play NBA lockout style hardball, it would literally be a travesty of epic proportions. This show deserves a great yearlong sendoff, much like Smallville received from CW. It does not deserve to be used as a negotiating tool, which is what Fox has made the show with these statements.
8 months agoby @ejk1Flag