D'Oh!

   Long time Simpsons voice actor Harry Shearer is leaving the show, apparently after a contract dispute. He was the last hold-out in a new contract that saw the rest of the cast sign on for seasons 27 and 28. As you can see, he was responsible for the voices of some very major characters including Mr. Burns, Mr. Smithers, Principal Skinner and Ned Flanders, and in fact was one of the originals when they show started in December, 1989.
   Producers say the show will go on without him, but exactly how remains to be seen. All the voice actors do multiple characters, and the loss of someone like Shearer may well be the death-blow to the Simpsons, even if they find a replacement. I also can't see the folks who put it out doing a mass purge of his characters, since losing them altogether would certainly mean the end of the show.
   It'll be interesting to say the least to see how this all shakes down.

TTFN