Chavez Bans Simpsons, Brings in Baywatch Babes

Fox renews show for two more seasons after contract dispute

(NEWSER) - The Simpsons will live to a quarter-century: Fox TV announced yesterday it would renew the show for two more seasons after a louder-than-usual contract fight with the actors who provide the voices, reports Entertainment Weekly . That means Homer and crew will be around for a record 24th and 25th seasons. No word on specifics, but the Hollywood Reporter says the actors agreed to a 30% cut in pay per episode, to a mere $300,000 or so. That would still get them nearly $7 million a season. More»

Some producers agree to pay cuts; no word yet from actors

(NEWSER) - Don't say sayonara to the Simpsons just yet: Sources say several top-level producers will take pay cuts in order to keep the show on the air. Not all of the producers are on board, and cast members have not yet agreed to any terms. Variety notes that any money saved from a producer pay cut likely does not come close to the amount that would be saved if the actors agreed to the 45% reduction demand. But, as Entertainment Weekly points out, all sides believe something will be worked out, because no one wants to see the 23-season-long series end without a real finale. A final decision is expected tomorrow. More»

Network wants voice actors to take 45% pay cut

(NEWSER) - Has Moe polished his last glass? Has Homer slammed his last Duff’s? Has Krusty made his last small child cry? It’s all possible. Fox is threatening to pull the plug on history’s longest-running sitcom after the current season—its 23rd—if its core voice actors won’t accept a whopping 45% paycut, sources tell the Daily Beast . The cast had offered to take a 30% cut in exchange for some of the show’s massive backend profits, but Fox demurred. More»

Chavez looks healthy in new video and pictures

(NEWSER) - Rumors of Hugo Chavez's pending death have been greatly exaggerated—or at least somewhat exaggerated—as new video aired on Cuban television yesterday shows a healthy looking Chavez talking with Fidel Castro, reports the BBC . Reports have swirled that the Venezuelan president is in critical condition in a Cuban hospital, possibly with prostate cancer, although officially he is getting minor surgery for a "pelvic abscess." "To those of you who are speculating over the president's health, there he is... fine, recovering well," said a spokesman for the Venezuelan government. More»

Hands down, 1989: 11Points blog

(NEWSER) - It's a wonder Americans got anything done in 1989 because it was clearly the best year in TV history, observes Sam Greenspan at his 11Points blog . We met Homer, Kramer, and even Urkel. He runs down the list of notable premieres that year:

1. The Simpsons: Simply put, the "best show ever."
2. Seinfeld: It's still interesting today, and the jokes stand up, making it the "best traditional sitcom ever."