Simpsons saved as walkout over pay ends in 100% rise

by Staff,, Brand Republic 04-May-04, 12:30

LONDON - The threat of 'The Simpsons' going off air has been averted after Fox settled a pay dispute that sees the actors who voice the show picking up a 100% pay rise.

The cast of 'The Simpsons' have been on strike for than a month after staging a walkout demanding more cash.

The actors who provide the voices for Homer, Bart, Lisa and Marge are to see their pay rise from $125,000 (£69,915) to a reported $250,000 an episode, giving them $5.5m for each 22-episode season.

Last month, the PR firm Sitrick & Co was been hired by cast members to help them during the contract dispute with Fox.

The six main actors, who provide voices for dozens of characters on the highly successful animated series, had been asking for as much as $8m for a season with a profit share package as well.

Fox had been unwilling to meet the demands of the cast and their representatives. It suspended talks and cut short this season of 'The Simpsons' after production was delayed when the actors refused to work.

The actors involved in the negotiations were Hank Azaria (Apu, Mo), Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Julie Kavner (Marge), Harry Shearer (Mr Burns, Waylon Smithers) and Yeardley Smith (Lisa).

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