Is nothing sacred? Rupert Murdoch’s Fox TV wants the voice actors on The Simpsons to take a 45% pay cut, which has put a question mark over the future of the series, which started in 1988. Plus other media news.
The Simpsons
Flanders 4 Krabappel? The Simpsons let the audience decide
In its 486th episode, recently aired in the US, The Simpsons creators had something a different in mind: the audience have been asked to vote online whether they want two of the characters to become romantically entangled, writes Matt Smith.
Following the news, Simpsons style
Over the years a litany of newspaper headlines have appeared in The Simpsons. Funny or Die lists 55 of the best, including ‘Incontinent old man wins Miss Teen America.’
The Simpsons: the torchbearers of liberalism at Fox
Who says the forces of liberalism are completely dead at the Fox network? The Simpsons are still carrying on the fight, with with a recent opening credits scene that prompted shock jock Bill O’Reilly to declare the producers his pinheads of the day, writes Richard Farmer.
Ay caramba! The Simpsons to hit 23 series, 500 episodes
Producers of The Simpsons have good reason to yell “woo-hoo!” — the show, still America’s longest running sitcom, has been given a green light for a 23rd season. The 500th episode is expected to be broadcast in February 2012.
Crikey Says: Baron Black on Rupert Murdoch. Meow.
Please enjoy former newspaper magnate Conrad Black’s delightfully bitchy commentary on Rupert Murdoch.
Political snippets: When does the spin stop?
When the five mainland capital city Murdoch Sunday newspapers run their own state based version of the same story it’s fair enough to call it a fair dinkum News Limited campaign.
Neighbours’ move next door takes Ten’s drama quota with it
Ten’s new digital channel raises questions about an issue the Government appeared to want to put off until 2012: the local content quota.
Design the next Simpsons character
Oh, how epically wrong this could go: The Simpsons is holding a contest for fans to create a new character for the show. Can anyone say ‘Cousin Oliver’ (or perhaps ‘Poochie’)?
The Simpsons laid bare
John Ortved wrote an unauthorised history of The Simpson, dishing the dirt on all the goings-on behind the scenes of America’s favourite family. The show’s creators weren’t happy. He tells the whole sordid tale.
Marge Simpson: Playboy bunny
The next cover-star of Playboy magazine will be… Marge Simpson? Yup, the cover will feature TV’s favourite cartoon mum in the buff. Kiss your childhood goodbye.
Simpsons producer: “all other animated shows ever are crap”
“I say this with the greatest respect, but all other animated shows ever are crap!” says executive producer of The Simpsons, David Mirkin, who may want to watch from about season 10 onwards before casting too many stones.
“No end in sight” for The Simpsons
Television’s longest-running show is set to run even longer, with creator Matt Groening saying there’s “no end in sight” for the cartoon that has already racked up 20 seasons and 441 episodes.
“Research” finds The Simpsons “may” encourage smoking
Oh man. Some jackass eggheads took notes while watching every episode of The Simpsons and they came to the conclusion that the show may cause children to start smoking.
Media briefs: Sam the Koala’s popularity has yet to wane
Sam the Koala, symbol of hope from Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires, is still as popular as ever, while the Bendigo Advertiser has an interesting editorial.
Axing The Simpsons would be commercial suicide for Ten
Last night’s solid ratings performance by the Ten Network was overshadowed by a erroneous online report claiming it would soon axe The Simpsons.
Media briefs: Albrechtsen tells the left to lighten up
Guy Rundle responds to Janet Albrechtsen’s comments about lefties; WSJ maps newspapers’ deaths and Ten stops doing the Bartman.
Pictures of The Simpsons having it off isn’t a threat to society
Do the images of fictional cartoon characters who only resemble real life humans in a tenuous way represent a threat to society? Asks Greg Barns.
