This is definitely not “excellent” news for “Simpsons” fans.
Harry Shearer, the comic and actor who provides the voices for numerous iconic characters, including Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, is leaving the show. Shearer tweeted a message late Wednesday that he said came from an attorney for James L. Brooks, one of the show’s executive producers:
Brooks, who is also active on Twitter, has not yet responded.
“The Simpsons” was recently renewed for two more seasons. However, over the weekend, TMZ reported that Shearer had not yet signed a new contract and was negotiating over back-end and merchandising.
On Twitter, Shearer indicated that the reason for the apparent impasse was something else entirely:
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
Along with the characters of Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, Shearer provided the voices of Principal Seymour Skinner, Smithers, news anchor Kent Brockman, the Schwarzenegger-esque action hero Rainier Wolfcastle and more. His role in 2013’s “Four Regrettings and a Funeral” episode even won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voiceover Performance.
Shearer has had a prolific career beyond his work on “The Simpsons.” He was a cast member twice on “Saturday Night Live,” and portrayed Derek Smalls in “This Is Spinal Tap” and other “Spinal Tap” projects. He also frequently collaborates with fellow “Spinal Tap” bandmate Christopher Guest, appearing in the films “For Your Consideration” and “A Mighty Wind.”
Shearer, who blogs for The Huffington Post, recently portrayed President Richard M. Nixon in the “Nixon’s the One” series.
By Ed Mazza