The Simpsons to lose Mr Burns, Smithers, Flanders and more?
By Nick Bond
Fans of The Simpsons may have to get used to a life without popular characters including Mr Burns, Ned Flanders and everyone’s favourite confirmed bachelor, Waylon Smithers.
Veteran actor Harry Shearer, who voices a plethora of roles on the long-running show, has taken to social media today to suggest he won’t be returning for the program’s upcoming 27th season. The reason? Disagreements caused by his wish for “what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work.”
Shearer quotes a lawyer for Simpsons co-creator James L. Brooks as saying the show will continue in his absence:
from James L. Brooks' lawyer: "show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.". (1/2)
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work.
Of course, I wish him the very best. (2/2)— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
It’s unclear whether the show’s producers will attempt to replace Shearer, but should they decide to retire the characters he voiced instead, they’ll have quite a task on their hands – Shearer is the man behind literally dozens of characters in the Simpsons universe:
https://twitter.com/ravatal/status/598711802675920896
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