'The Simpsons' coming to an end

[Valigarmander]

Another 'Simpsons' Season Would Likely Be Last, Executive Says (Exclusive) | Reuters

Fox wants "The Simpsons" for one more season at most -- and only if it can pay 25 to 30 percent less for it, an executive close to the show told TheWrap. The disclosure comes as producers have agreed to salary cuts to keep the show going, and the show's six voice actors have been asked to decide by Friday whether they will agree to have their payment cut almost in half.

TheWrap reported Wednesday that, as ammunition in their salary dispute, the actors have commissioned a study estimating the show has made $1 billion in profits over its 23-season run. The study projected that the studio will eventually make about $2.9 billion from the show.

If no deal can be reached between the actors and 20th Century Fox TV, then the current, twenty-third season will be the show's last. But the executive said Fox, the network "The Simpsons" helped establish, wants only one additional season even if the actors and studio can come to terms.

The actors have been asked to decide by noon Friday whether they will accept cuts to their salaries from the current $440,000 to $250,000 if the show continues past its current season, according to people familiar with the talks.

The actors offered last week to accept cuts to $300,000 per episode, in exchange for back-end payments they don't currently receive, but the studio rejected the offer.

Also read: 'The Simpsons' No More? Studio, Voice Actors Have a Cow Over Salaries

The studio declined to comment Wednesday. But the executive told TheWrap that the show is no longer profitable for the network, and that Fox wants to pay 25 to 30 percent less for new episodes. The executive said many on the show have been asked to accept salary cuts, and that producers have already agreed to them, as they try to reduce the licensing fee that Fox pays to air the show.

"The cuts proposed to actors are in line with cuts proposed to others involved in the show. The object here is not for the actors to pay personally for the reduction," the executive said. "The cost is that the cast is a component of the show, all of which is being downsized to do a final season."

The executive and others familiar with the talks spoke to TheWrap on condition of anonymity. Variety first reported that the producers agreed to pay cuts.

Earlier this week, Fox issued a statement saying it "cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model," and that it hoped for "an agreement with the voice cast that allows 'The Simpsons' to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come."

Ending the series this season -- or after even one more season -- would deny TV's longest-running scripted, primetime show the chance to hit a landmark 25 seasons. Fox was a distant competitor to ABC, CBS and NBC when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series in 1989. It was Fox's first show to crack the top 30 -- and quickly became a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

The report commissioned by the actors estimated that the show has earned $3.95 billion in revenue -- including from network advertising, syndication payments, international airings, merchandising, and home video -- and has cost about $3.07 billion to produce.

The study estimated that the show would earn another $2 billion in cable and syndication deals, among other revenue sources, once it stops producing new episodes. A person familiar with the talks provided details of the study to TheWrap.

Under their current four-year contract, which ends this season, the actors earn around $9 million for a minimum of 20 episodes. They are being asked to cut their salaries to $5 million.

The actors being asked to take cuts are voice the show's major characters: Dan Castellaneta (Homer, Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and others), Julie Kavner (Marge and others), Nancy Cartwright (Bart and others), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe, Chief Wiggum and Apu), and Harry Shearer (the voice of Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, and Ned Flanders, among others).

The golden years of The Simpsons ended a long time ago. Nevertheless, it'll be kind of sad when they finally go off the air. I hope they can at least do a nice finale.

[Greenmarioman]

their legacy will live on as being the longest running animated sitcom

but many say it's about time since it's not as good anymore

[X-3]

I never thought I'd see the day.

[Ace Mercury]

Wow, I never saw this coming. I just assumed that The Simpsons was a cash cow.

[Marilink]

Unfortunately, this should have been a headline 5+ years ago...

[Deku Tree]

I stopped watching years ago, but it will be weird to finally see the end of what has been a cultural constant for most of my life.

[Bomby]

Who wants to take bets on how many people will watch the series finale?

[DarkZero]

I would, but I don't know anything about TV ratings, so I'd probably be way off. 20 million, just off the top of my head.

[Red]

'bout time

[Jere]

Hmm this could actually rival MASH's last episode airing it still holds the record of most views of a series finale.

[Deepfake]

It's easily one of the most monetized and popular franchises in Australian television. I wonder what they'll do here when it's finished.

Probably more Futurama reruns. And whatever latest heap McFarlane has dressed Family Guy up as.

[Calamity Panfan]

I've been rewatching early seasons little by little inbetween Buffy episodes.

Some of the best comedy of the past two decades has come from this show, but it's probably for the best that they let it die.

[Calamity Panfan]

UPDATE: The Simpsons renewed for two more years, as everyone involved agrees to less and/or more money | TV | Newswire | The A.V. Club

well then

[Tyler]

UPDATE:Â*The SimpsonsÂ*renewed for two more years, as everyone involved agrees to less and/or more money | TV | Newswire | The A.V. Club

well then

Nice. Once they hit 25, they can stop. But, I am a hardcore Simpsons fan.

[Kargath]

It's easily one of the most monetized and popular franchises in Australian television. I wonder what they'll do here when it's finished.

Probably more Futurama reruns. And whatever latest heap McFarlane has dressed Family Guy up as.

Isn't it mostly repeats on now anyway? No-one would notice a difference.

[Rubber Band Man]

25 seasons would be a nice number to end on. Knowing they have two more seasons gives them a chance to just wrap everything up nice and neat

[SephirothKirby]

Like, I literally thought the Simpsons already ended.

[Ace Mercury]

Nope! It's just Chuck Testa.

[VG_Addict]

Declining quality or not, I think we can all agree that the Simpsons ending would be the end of an era.

[Wicked Witch of the Crest]

Finally. I loved it back then, but it's just too long. It's not like it's a continuous story like most Soap Operas where being a long runner is actually key to the series(and keeps the quality consistent).

Jokes get old after a long time.

I liked it back then, but it just feels meh now. I got no problem with Reruns, but there's not much more to do with new stuff. Family Guy is closer to this status, and South Park hit that status around the end of Season 3, if not Season 2.