‘The Simpsons’ Safe for Two More Seasons

Don't have a cow, man! Life in Springfield for "The Simpsons" will go on, at least for a 24th and 25th season. After a particularly heated and very public battle, the Fox network and 20th Century Fox have come to an agreement with the series' voice actors.

Earlier reports have indicated that the series could end after this, its 23rd season, as each of the six principal voice actors was being asked to take a 45% pay cut. Fox later stated publicly that the current financial model under which the show operates was no longer viable, and TV's longest-running scripted comedy would be doomed after no more than 24 seasons.

Although not specific about the final negotiations, Fox announced late Friday that they had reached an agreement with the actors, who have accepted a roughly 30% salary cut, taking them from approximately $440,000, to just over $300,000 per episode.

In a statement, Harry Shearer said, “We’ve had a great run and no one should feel sorry for any of us.” He also conceded that his salary was “ridiculous by any normal standard.”

The Hollywood Reporter says negotiations between the principal voice actors and Fox have been a regular event, occurring every couple of years since 1998, and that "The Simpsons" will return on Oct. 30 with new episodes, beginning with the "Treehouse of Horrors XXII.”

Okily Dokily!!