Two months after announcing that he was leaving The Simpsons, Entertainment Weekly reports that actor Harry Shearer will officially be rejoining the cast of the long-running FOX comedy.
Shearer, the voice of many of the show’s most popular characters, including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Seymour Skinner, Smithers and Kent Brockman, originally left because he felt the show’s schedule didn’t give him enough freedom to work on other projects. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding between him and executive producer Al Jean, in which Jean wanted Shearer to work during time he believed he had off. Jean recently posted about the incident on Twitter.
I would like to clear up a misunderstanding. I have recently been told that during a period where Harry Shearer believed he had a (MORE)
— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 7, 2015
five week free period from the Simpsons, I was unaware of this fact, and did in fact request material from him. If so, my bad. I am (MORE)
— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 7, 2015
truly glad he is returning to the show.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 7, 2015
The Simpsons twitter account also tweeted about the full cast coming back next season.
We are extremely pleased to announce that all principal cast members of #TheSimpsons have now been signed. Woo Hoo! pic.twitter.com/pRHW8WJ2oY
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) July 7, 2015
The actor has signed the same deal his co-stars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria received to return to the show. The deal, which goes for four seasons, would give Shearer more than $300,000 per episode.
The Simpsons finished its 26th season just this past May, and will be coming back for a 27th season on September 27, 2015.
https://youtu.be/IWWtOQOZSTI?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 7, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
