Harry Shearer, the voice of Mr. Burns, Smithers, Ned Flanders and others, would take a bigger pay cut in exchange for a share of The Simpsons profits. No, says Fox.

Harry Shearer, one of the cast of The Simpsons, took the unusual step of releasing a statement today in which he explains what he and his cast mates hope to get from Fox Television in the way of compensation, now that the network has told them to accept a 45 per cent pay cut or see the show cancelled. All they are looking for, he says, is "a tiny share of the billions of dollars in profits the show has earned." But Fox, he says, "has consistently refused to even consider the matter."

But don't feel sorry for him. The salaries they earn are "ridiculous by any normal standard." However, crazy as the money is, the actors' share "pales in comparison to what the show's profit participants have been taking home." 

Shearer is sensitive to the fact that salary disputes between overpaid actors and stinking rich networks are not the most important issues going on in the world right now, in the streets of New York and elsewhere.

Still, he wanted to set the record straight: if cuts must be made, cuts must be made. In fact, he says, "to make it as easy as possible for Fox to keep new episodes of The Simpsons coming, I'm willing to let them cut my salary not just 45 per cent but more than 70 per cent– down to half of what they said they would be willing to pay us. All I would ask in return is that I be allowed a small share of the eventual profits." 

Fox's response to Shearer's offer to take a much lower salary, in exchange for a share of The Simpsons' profits? In a word, no. Shearer says they would not consider the offer. There were "no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the show's success."

Yet he holds out hope. "I find it hard to believe that this is Fox's final word on the subject. At least I certainly hope it isn't, because the alternative is to cancel the show or fire me for having the gall to try to save the show by helping Fox with its new business model. Neither would be a fair result – either to those of us who have committed so many years to the show or to its loyal fans who make our effort worthwhile."