Voiceover row threatens new Simpsons series

The new series of The Simpsons was under threat today because of a pay revolt among the actors who give voices to the classic TV cartoon’s stars.

The six actors, who between them play Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and the rest of the cast, have reportedly asked for about €6.4m a year – a leap from the €2.3m they get now.

According to Hollywood trade magazine Variety, the actors have refused to turn up for the last two recording sessions.

The walkout came when Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Hank Azaria (Moe, Apu and others), Harry Shearer (Mr Burns and others), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Julie Kavner (Marge) and Nancy Cartwright (Bart) reached an impasse with Fox network bosses.

They two sides were negotiating new contracts for the actors for the 22 episodes of the 16th series, which is now being delayed by the dispute.

Fox seems to be showing no sign of backing down.

One executive told the magazine that the actors “already have the deal of a lifetime”.

A single episode takes about six to seven hours to voice. The actors’ new pay demands would mean they get about £194,000 (€291,500) for a day’s work – more than even the highest-paid American sitcom stars.

But the six actors argue they are simply demanding what they deserve – the global success of The Simpsons means it is worth well over a billion dollars.

Twentieth Century Fox TV and James L Brooks’s Gracie Films, which produce the show, declined to comment.

The dispute mirrors a similar row in 1998 when each of the actors, except Kavner, pressed for higher salaries.

Back then, each made just over €24,000 per episode. As the row intensified, Fox began seeking replacement voiceover actors, but a deal was struck and the original team returned to work.

This latest pay row comes as plans for a Simpsons feature film are under way.

It is not clear whether the movie is threatened by the row or, indeed, if it has formed any part of the pay negotiations.