Amazingly The Simpsons is still on TV and people are still watching it and new episodes are still being made, but it looks like it could be in trouble because one of its key voice actors is refusing to be a part of its 27th and 28th seasons.

The saga has been running on for a while now. As I doubt anyone reading this follows The Simpsons’ cast negotiations, I’ll quickly fill you in. The show was recently renewed by Fox for a 27th and 28th season and the principal cast – Yeardley Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria – all signed up, but there was no mention of Harry Shearer in any press releases. For those not in the know, Shearer voices several characters on the show including Ned Flanders, Mr Burns, Smithers, Principal Skinner, Otto, Kent Brockman, Lenny and Dr Hibbert.

Obviously this was a serious problem for the future of The Simspson as he voices several key characters, but despite this production of the 27th series of the show began without him amid more rumours that he might not be signing on as they didn’t want to be running behind. Producers secretly hoped that Shearer might be able to come to terms with them over a new deal, but he announced via his Twitter last night that he was off the show:

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Well, that’s that then. It seems unthinkable that The Simpsons can exist for two seasons without characters like Mr Burns, Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner, so you would probably bet on the creators finding other voice actors who sound similar to voice those characters. Obviously this would completely suck and would only serve to painfully remind everyone what they already know: that The Simpsons is a pale imitation of what it once was.

Hopefully they’ll finally end it after these two seasons. For a reminder of the good times though, check out this super cut of movie references in old episodes.