# Harry Shearer Leaves The Simpsons **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 14, 2015, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017 "2015-05-14T11:09:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/61 "2015-05-17T16:37:57Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Shearer has been publicly complaining about the scripts for years and years. He was particularly vocal about “The Principal and the Pauper,” an episode from **1997**. I remember when that episode first aired and I remember the fanboys and critics alike all complaining about it. I thought they missed the point. Besides being a funny episode, it was deliberately messing with the fans in regards to things being ‘canon’ or not. By 1997 The Simpsons had become such an established franchise (daily syndication etc.) that it was starting to become the things it liked to mock. So the writers deliberately went a little too far in this episode, and then ended it by simply having the whole town agree to never speak of it again,\* “Under penalty of catapult!”\* It was a nod/rib at people who took the show too seriously. Doubly ironic in that the show long ago \*\*\*did \*\*\*totally become a stodgy, uncreative, non-canonical mess of single-episode, forgettable gags… ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/62 "2015-05-17T20:57:47Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > Yeah, I really don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Actors don’t own their parts, and roles are recast all the time. This isn’t like Dick Sargent replacing Dick York on _Bewitched_, where the new actor doesn’t look or sound anything like the old one; there are probably hundreds of voice actors out there who can do spot-on Burns, Smithers, and Flanders voices. > > Shearer is past 70, has all the money he needs, and is tired of the job. His motives for bailing aren’t particularly mysterious or unusual. Hell, I could probably do an acceptable version of these three and no one would notice. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/63 "2015-05-17T21:39:39Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > So the writers deliberately went a little too far in this episode, and then ended it by simply having the whole town agree to never speak of it again,\* “Under penalty of catapult!”\* It was a nod/rib at people who took the show too seriously. Not that I’m one of those people, but the penalty in that episode was “torture”. Being exiled via catapult was the penalty for violating the town’s prohibition law. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/64 "2015-05-18T01:32:05Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Not that I’m one of those people, but the penalty in that episode was “torture”. Being exiled via catapult was the penalty for violating the town’s prohibition law. That’s right! They catapulted Rex Banner (Dave Thomas) at the end of the prohibition one. Skinner/Martin Sheen they tied up and put on a train I believe, and the judge said not to speak of it _“Under penalty of torture!”_. I don’t think replacing Shearer would work. He does too many famous characters, and it’s rare for someone to be able to mimic even one famous character’s voice perfectly. It least to me it is. I can only think of a couple examples in which I can’t tell the difference: [ul] [li]Seth McFarlane’s Tim the Bear from _The Cleveland Show_. Whoever replaced him does it perfectly.[/li] [\*]Probably the biggest- From _Ren & Stimpy_, Billy West’s Ren vs. John Kricfalusi’s original Ren are indistinguishable to me.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/65 "2015-05-18T01:43:59Z")
I disagree. I worked with a guy 15 years ago and the two of us would do our impersonations and crack up the lunch crowd. And we’re just average Joes. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/66 "2015-05-18T02:45:13Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I disagree. I worked with a guy 15 years ago and the two of us would do our impersonations and crack up the lunch crowd. And we’re just average Joes. Come on man. Making the lunch room laugh doesn’t get you on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/67 "2015-05-18T02:46:40Z")
[quote=“Hail\_Ants, post:64, topic:720017”] [li]Seth McFarlane’s Tim the Bear from _The Cleveland Show_. Whoever replaced him does it perfectly.[/li][/QUOTE] Why would they recast a Seth McFarlane character on his own show? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/68 "2015-05-18T03:00:59Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Come on man. Making the lunch room laugh doesn’t get you on TV. Of course not. But there are plenty of talented voice actors out there capable of filling in seamlessly. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/69 "2015-05-18T03:06:01Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Of course not. But there are plenty of talented voice actors out there capable of filling in seamlessly. Probably. Maybe not every one of his characters by one person. But you making people laugh in the lunch room at the height of the shows popularity is not an indication of that. Like all the people getting lol’s quoting Monty Python doesn’t mean they could write comedy. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/70 "2015-05-18T03:11:56Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Why would they recast a Seth McFarlane character on his own show? Cuz he does 2 other shows and has made some movies. He probably had to drop something from his schedule. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/71 "2015-05-18T05:13:30Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Not that I’m one of those people, but the penalty in that episode was “torture”. Being exiled via catapult was the penalty for violating the town’s prohibition law. Boy, I really hope **Hail Ants** got fired for that blunder. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/72 "2015-05-18T06:04:03Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Probably. Maybe not every one of his characters by one person. But you making people laugh in the lunch room at the height of the shows popularity is not an indication of that. Like all the people getting lol’s quoting Monty Python doesn’t mean they could write comedy. The ability to write comedy isn’t a factor here. Shearer has never written any _Simpsons_ episodes. He’s a voice actor on the show, albeit a very talented one. Whoever replaces him (and I agree that it won’t be just one person) probably won’t be writing episodes either. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/73 "2015-05-18T07:50:21Z")
I didn’t say that. I was doing a A is to B as C is to D thing. Maybe I was off-base but I didn’t mean B does D. Where: A = getting laughs doing imitations in the lunchroom B = getting a tv contract doing comedy voicework C = quoting Monty Python on the internet D = writing comedy [meant to imply professionally] On reflection it’s not great. I withdraw it. Anywho, so many key characters. Crazy. Might they kill off some and only refill some of his slots? ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/74 "2015-05-18T08:11:41Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I was doing a A is to B as C is to D thing. Maybe I was off-base but I didn’t mean B does D. > > Where: > A = getting laughs doing imitations in the lunchroom > B = getting a tv contract doing comedy voicework > C = quoting Monty Python on the internet > D = writing comedy [meant to imply professionally] > > On reflection it’s not great. I withdraw it. And no one shall mention it again, under penalty of torture. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/75 "2015-05-18T14:00:55Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > So he quits, effectively having them tell him what to do. > > And I’m glad his character will be recast–ever since I learned he refused the Simpson’s ride, which was supposed to be about the Nuclear Plant originally, I’ve been hoping he would be recast. > > Not that they’ll likely put his characters in now. I didn’t know this. Do you know why? What’s so bad about an amusement park ride? It’s not like the Simpsons haven’t sold merch/specials/out before ya know? That’s just dumb ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/76 "2015-05-18T14:49:02Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > And no one shall mention it again, under penalty of torture. Catapulting is a form of torture, right? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/77 "2015-05-18T16:15:14Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Catapulting is a form of torture, right? Nope, it’s a perfectly cromulent means of enhanced interrogation. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/78 "2015-05-18T16:16:36Z")
Seems crazy to walk away from such easy money. He’s not seen on camera. That means no makeup, no costumes, no hassle. Show up in jeans and a T shirt and unshaven if he wants. Say his lines from a script in a recording booth. No need to memorize anything. For that he receives a ridiculously huge paycheck. Its one of the sweetest jobs an actor can possibly get. I guess he’s rich enough and could care less about his other cast members. This is a gravy train for everybody. A train that will end if too many fat cat, selfish cast members jump off. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/79 "2015-05-18T16:22:57Z")
Mentioned above was that he didn’t even need to show up lately. He was literally phoning it in. Personally I find it bizarre people are even suggesting a 71 year old guy should keep plugging away after 25 years for the sake of his millionaire workmates. They aren’t curing cancer here. Their unified front got them all sweet contracts in the past, now he’s moving on. He doesn’t owe them the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017/80 "2015-05-18T17:20:50Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Personally I find it bizarre people are even suggesting a 71 year old guy should keep plugging away after 25 years for the sake of his millionaire workmates. They aren’t curing cancer here. Their unified front got them all sweet contracts in the past, now he’s moving on. He doesn’t owe them the rest of his life. Yeah, I kinda have to agree with this. Shearer has always struck me as a quite talented, very smart, pretentious ass. I tried listening to _Le Show_ a few times and found it a little painful. But everybody on the show is already uber-rich. They’ve been doing it for decades and he is an old man ( sorry, folks - 70+ qualifies ). Fans may want a few more episodes, the mega-rich may want to be richer. But this is the least painful walk away ever in Hollywood terms - _nobody_ is really getting all that screwed here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-shearer-leaves-the-simpsons/720017.md?page=5)