April 30, 2001
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- The voices behind Fox's long-running hit comedy "The Simpsons" are closing new deals that will hike their annual salaries by almost 43 percent to $2.2 million, Variety reports.
Each cast member will receive $100,000 an episode for seasons 13 and 14, up from $70,000 currently, with an option for a 15th season that will pay them $125,000. (Each season is 22 episodes.)
In addition, Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner and Nancy Cartwright will each be paid a bonus of $1 million. It was part of their last contract but wasn't supposed to be paid until 2005.
Castellaneta (who voices Homer Simpson), will also receive a production/development deal with Fox. With writing partner Deb Lacusta, he has written several "Simpsons" episodes.
This negotiation has been far less acrimonious than in 1998, when talent got vocal about being underpaid for voicing a show that has been a cash cow for producers 20th Century Fox Television and Gracie Films, the production company of James L. Brooks.
At the time, they were each getting $25,000 per episode and threatened to walk unless they received big raises. After a few tense weeks, a compromise was reached, doubling cast salaries to $50,000 an episode for the show's 10th season, $60,000 for season 11 and $70,000 for season 12.
The series remains Fox's top-rated comedy and does better than any comedy among adults 18-49, with ratings up 9 percent in the current season in that coveted demographic. The show also helped the Fox network launch "King of the Hill" and "Malcolm in the Middle."
Fox declined to comment on "Simpson" salaries.
****!
Silly Ralph!