[rabenson]

In its 23rd year on TV, "The Simpsons" could be on the endangered species list.
The show's producer said Tuesday the show can't continue under its current financial model, following a report that big pay cuts are being sought for the actors who provide voices for Homer, Marge and Bart Simpson and other characters.
"We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model," said Chris Alexander, spokesman for 20th Century Fox Television. He said producers hope a deal can be reached.

The animated series is a fixture on Fox's Sunday night schedule, and critics consider it one of the best shows in the medium. But like many programs that have been on the air for a long time, the cost of making it has become prohibitive.
The Fox network reportedly loses money each year on new episodes, even as all the old episodes run in perpetuity in reruns and are a cash cow for producers and creators.
The Daily Beast reported Tuesday that producers are demanding a 45 percent pay cut from the six voice actors, who reportedly make nearly $8 million each for a season. The website said the voice actors have offered to take a 30 percent pay in return for a portion of the show's syndication and merchandise revenue.
Allan Mayer, a spokesman for one of the show's voice actors, Harry Shearer, said he had no comment on the talks. The manager for Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, told The Associated Press she didn't know about the negotiations, and creator Matt Groening didn't immediately return a phone call.
"The Simpsons" is averaging 7.1 million viewers for its new episodes this fall, down 14 percent from last year. Back in the 1991-92 season, an average of 21.7 million people watched it every week, Nielsen said.
The median age of the show's viewers back two decades ago was 23, and this season it is still very young for a TV show -- 32, Nielsen said. That's an indication of how the show has regenerated its audiences as the years go by.
"It's still a very young and male audience, which is difficult to reach on broadcast TV," said Brad Adgate, a researcher for Horizon Media. "Its longevity is due to that. They can charge a premium to reach that audience, and they do."

Dexter star Michael C. Hall’s contract with Showtime runs through this year, closing out the sixth season of the popular drama. A seventh may not be forthcoming, as Hall and Showtime have been unable to reach an agreement on his future earnings.

The contract negotiations have broken down over a $4 million discrepancy in terms. Reportedly, Hall and his representatives want $24 million for another two seasons of Dexter, while the cable network is only willing to pay $20 million. Rumor has it that Showtime is willing to renegotiate for a single season extension, making season 7 the last for the serial killer drama.

Even at the lower $20 million figure, Hall would be one of the highest-paid actors on television at over $800,000 an episode. The salary that he requested would give him a cool $1 million per episode over two years. According to Deadline the actor is tired of working in television after ten years on Dexter and Six Feet Under, and wants to pursue work in film and Broadway. Hall is currently set to play General Ulysses S. Grant in To Appomattox, HBO’s Civil War miniseries slated for 2013.

Despite a lukewarm reception last year, Dexter is still Showtime’s highest-rated show. The Sunday season premiere scored 2.2 million viewers, a record for a Dexter debut and Showtime’s best in more than a decade. Critical and audience reaction seems generally positive following the airing, which featured this year’s guest stars Edward James Olmos and Colin Hanks. This season Dexter has a new showrunner in Scott Buck, who previously served alongside Hall as an executive producer.

It’s tough for any series to stay consistently good year after year, and Dexter is still coming off the high of Season 4, one of the most impressive dramatic runs in recent memory. It’s rare that a show can stay fresh for six years or more, though Dexter is certainly making an effort. Will the sixth season be Dexter Morgan’s last run around Miami? We’ll be keeping a close eye on the proceedings.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...ntial-pay-cut/
http://screenrant.com/dexter-season-...-mcrid-134700/

[Phobophile]

Noooo!

[bloodgasm]

I fucking love Dexter.

[collaredgirl65]

It's a bummer that good television is dependent on a small group of people earning astronomical amounts of money.

[SuceMaTub]

Anyone even watch the Simpson's nowadays? I could live...

23 years is a good run.

[meeb]

I remember watching the Simpsons every night it was on with my grandma back in the 1990's. Back then it was a great show. Now everyone's used to South Park and Family Guy. And Dexter!? No!!

[slapchoppa]

simpsons is past it's 'best before date'.. dexter, on the other hand, nooooooo!!!

[BigFoot]

Dexter is one show I religiously watch. And Sons of Anarchy.

[**butterflylove**]

Originally Posted by slapchoppa ↗

simpsons is past it's 'best before date'.. dexter, on the other hand, nooooooo!!!

Agree... They should have ended The Simpsons on a high note like Seinfeld did

[fredstones]

I feel old. Raise your hand if you were born after 1987.



Thank you Tracey Ullman for making this what it is.