According to Entertainment Weekly, contract disputes could finally spell the end for The Simpsons. 20th Century Fox Television is asking the voice actors to take a 45% pay cut, stating that without the cuts, the show will be financially unable to continue. At 23 seasons, The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom in TV history.
In all honesty, it’s probably past time. Granted, The Simpsons is still the best show on Fox’s Sunday night line-up, but that’s not really saying much. At this point, we’ve probably seen everything that can be done with the characters in a half-hour format; let it die with what dignity it has left, and go to the occasional movie for longer-format stories. That’s really the only place I can see for them now. And Fox has to know that asking for a 45% pay cut is doomed to failure; nobody is going to do the same job for (about) half the pay. Even “it’s better than nothing” doesn’t really work as an argument, because it’s not like these guys are going to have trouble finding work afterwards. “OK, we’re voice casting for our new animated show. What’s your experience?” “Oh, I was just one of the major characters on a show that’s been around as long as your entire target audience.”
Morgan on Media 
The Simpson’s is way past due. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the Simpson’s Movie, which completely surpassed my expectations, but the show really needs to end. My favorite seasons are seasons 3-8, and after that, it’s just.. not the same. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it’s just lost its touch. The actors will definitely not take the pay cut, so I my hope is that they bow out gracefully and with a fantastic episode.
I think it’s just inevitable; any show that goes on that long is going to lose its edge and start running out of new ideas. So yeah, here’s hoping for a solid finale.
I agree, time has come… But I’m 25, I don’t really know TV without The Simpsons! I don’t think I’m ready for this.
I know, it’s become such a fixture it’s strange to think of it going to re-runs.
Ahh, Simpsons… You gotta learn when to say whoa.
…Besides, Family Guy totally has it beat. 😉
Oof. We’ll have to agree to disagree there. 😉 While I may have lost interest in the Simpsons years ago, I tuned out of Family Guy after the first few episodes. (Friends occasionally try to get me into it again, it never takes.)
Haha, yeah, it definitely isn’t for everyone. It has a… strange sort of humour.
Very strange. 😀