A Message from Al Jean Regarding Harry Shearer

[Dances In Underwear]

This is... different.

Like most people have said, I think that
a) Al has a point
and b) this was an odd way of expressing said point.

I don't want Harry to leave, but if his parts are going to turn into one-liners, delivered by someone who'd rather be anywhere but there, is there really much point in him staying? I'm not saying he should leave, infact, I think he should defiantely stay, but still....

[Unbelievable_Truth]

These complications have advanced further than it was necessary. Personal quarrels belong elsewhere, not on some insignificant Simpsons discussion community. Sending it here doesn't solve anything. Do you assume we know the answer or do you just want to bring forth your emotions regarding the Shearer issue? Petting you on the back might contribute some sort of sympathy, but honestly, will it help restore anything meaningful at all? Give it a rest.

Well, if you're still here:

Kill Sober barney: Bring back the ''maybe your standards are too high'', the lovable drunk.

What's with the lousy sex jokes? Lisa trying to develop her own penis? The indefensible ''thing'' who pitched this must be castrated!

Humor, humor, humor, humor, humor...humor! The past season it felt like I was watching a funeral.

Put some crayons in Ralph's holes so he's unable to breathe for another show! It resembles a very unfunny geography teacher who might say something like, ''And this is your anus!''

And most important of all, your over paid voice actors need to do something about their character's specific voices. It sounds unbelievably gross sometimes( ''Who loves you baby'' comes to mind). Perhaps it's by the cause of aging, I don't really know, but I do know that I find it very embarassing!

I do believe you guys are trying very hard to restore clasic rank; it's just not working very well.

Greetings,

Some guy you don't care about.

ps: 50 Cent? What were you guys thinking? Scared to get beaten up by a black guy?

[Cole]

Unbelievable_Truth, please stop whining. Seriously. Al Jean can make all the public statements he wants. And saying “add more humor” isn’t exactly constructive criticism.

Let’s not make this a thread where members throw out ideas towards Al Jean on the off chance that he may view this particular thread.

[Roger Myers III]

Well, this has definitely caused a stir at Gracie and Fox. There are quite a few folks with migraines this morning. And there's still 3 weeks to go in the hiatus - so it will be a mite chilly when everyone gets back to work.

More than a few people I've talked to are truly shocked at the length to which Al lashed out, and (as others have noted,) where he chose to do so.

The few comments from Harry, especially the comments regarding the characterization in the media of a "strike", were not unexpected. What I really didn't expect was hearing so much negativity towards Al, in making some dirty laudry public, and making more dirty laundry. "Bitter" and "old grudges" were used a few times in describing him. Also, Harry is apparrently no 'worse' in not making table reads than other cast members - they all have been readily accommodated many, many times over the last 8 years because they're all so busy (Harry more than most) - its making the recording sessions that really matters.

Its certainly no excuse for cutting back on Harry's many characters, but Al 'admits' in his letter that this has been a conscious effort on his part. Personal grudges shouldn't shape the the content of the show itself. I also hear agreement that (especially for an OFF producer) the citation of awards is hardly a good offense/defense of the show's quality, and that the 'money issue', coming from Al, is like Bush criticizing Kerry over being an 'out-of-touch' millionaire.

(EDIT: Not that, IMO, Al hasn't gotten the show 'back on track' as showrunner - I definitely think that he has. That's not the point. Also, Strider, challenging Harry to write a script is outside the point, too. Harry's very much the capable comedy-writer, more so for admitting that the type of collaborative, extensively rewritten style of OFF writing is not one he favors. He knows that his role in the show is a "performer", not a writer, and its a 'good thing' that he doesn't attempt to step over these boundaries in production.)

In any event, this won't be the last fallout from the virtual exchange, though it may be the last side aired via Internet fan message boards.

I feel that I have to ask - was this post of Al's 'solicited' in any way by the mods, or did it come in out of the blue? (Not that I wouldn't have posted it too, as important news.)

[DotheBartman]

Would you say that perhaps Jean exxagerated his "admission" of using less of Shearer's characters (due to his immediate anger)? Just curious.

Also: Are you suggesting that Fox and Gracie are fully aware of Jean's post here (which wouldn't suprise me so much, again just wondering)? If so, wow....

[Sloppy Jimbo XOX]

If Harry's being so difficult, just hand him a pen and pad and tell him to go write his own episode. At the very least, it'll shut him up.

Funny you should mention that, StrideR. I just found out that Al Jean did in fact license Shearer to write an episode, and I have the script right here. Though I should warn you, Harry Shearer couldn’t write his way out of a u-turn...

Mr. Burns is proudly seated at his office desk, a giant ray-gun blaring behind him.

Mr. Burns: Ah, now that my super-mute ray has silenced this town's incessant chatter and various annoyed-grunts, I can finally catch up on my reading... in silence. [Begins reading People Magazine] Ah, an interview with the delightful, witty and handsome Harry Shearer.
Smithers: Whose new movie opens August 16.
Mr. Burns: Yes. Everyone should see this movie, it says here, as many times as possible. [Reads] Oh and what’s this? A much smaller article on cartoon producer Al Jean.
Smithers: More like Smell Jean.

Mr. Burns and Smithers share a chuckle together. Their laughter is interrupted by a loud crash as Otto, Principal Skinner, Dr Hibbert, Reverend Lovejoy, Ned Flanders, Kent Brockman and Marvin Monroe burst through the door.

Mr. Burns: What are you people doing in my office?
Smithers: You better not have an answer for him!
Principal Skinner: We told your secretary we had a meeting.
Mr. Burns: Gasp! You can speak! My mute ray, it was a failure. A failure equivalent to a certain show’s last three seasons, which I’m not at liberty to declare.
Marvin Monroe: Not quite. You see Monty, what happened was--
Principal Skinner: Alright, that's enough from you.
Dr Hibbert: What my fellow practitioner was about to say is--
Lovejoy: We were miraculously blessed with immunity to your godlike ray of light and gamma-radiation.
Flanders: But no points off for trying. I give an A-diddly-plus for effort.

Ned’s mustache falls onto the floor. Kent Brockman approaches Mr. Burns with a microphone.

Brockman: Can you comment on your decision to silence the rest of the town, Mr. Burns?
Burns: I...I'm, err, I'm....
Brockman: Speechless? You heard it here first folks, in an ironic twist of fate only a genius could formulate, old man Burns, the man who unsuccessfully silenced the town earlier today, is speechless.
Otto: Who are you talking to?
Smithers: What exactly do you people want?
Lovejoy: For you to undo this evil swathe of silence that has forsaken our fair town, thus reinstating verbal sin.
Flanders: Reverend?
Lovejoy: It’s half my job security, Ned.
Smithers: You people don’t understand. We can’t reverse the power.

Suddenly, somebody kicks open the door. It is... Scratchy the cat?

Scratchy: Enough talk! Let me pull the lever!
Smithers: Itchy or Scratchy, no! The reverse effect of the mute-ray will kill everyone in this room!
Brockman: My contract! I signed on for two more seasons!

Officer Eddie, one-armed Herman, Rainer Wolfcastle, Lenny, Jasper and Kang inexplicably arrive on the scene.

Lenny: Hey, what’s with Carl? He’s been giving me the silent treatment all morning.
Kang: Is everyone aware there's a cartoon cat in here?
Otto: Aw man, I thought I was trippin'.
Wolfcastle: Look out!!!

Scratchy gleefully pulls the reverse lever on the mute-ray. Everybody screams in terror as we fade to white. CUT TO: The Simpsons watching a news report hosted by Scott Christian.

Christian: Several residents and a cartoon cat were killed earlier today when Mr. Burns’ reverse mute-ray suddenly exploded.

Homer: Haha, take that, Flanders! Wait, it isn't Halloween, is it?
Bart: No.
Homer: Haha, take that, Flanders!

Christian: It is to be assumed that these residents will remain dead, and in the odd chance they return, they will sound slightly different. In Kent Brockman’s news chair, this is Scott Christian, signing off.

It goes on further, but do we really want to read anymore? No, of course we don’t. What we’ve learnt here is that voice actors should stick to voice acting. Now, as for cartoon message board geeks…

[Roger Myers III]

I would hope that a lot of it was exaggerated, lashing out strongly & reflexively at Harry's negativity while being interrupted on hiatus, but it's not for me to say. That's the 'dirty laundry' part.

The post itself, rather than a 'link' or NHC url, was fairly widely circulated as far as I can tell - its extremely rare for such an angry, personal critique of a cast member by a showrunner to be expressed in such a public forum as a fan bulletin board, and H'wd is filled with gossips. But I don't think the NHC has seen any sort of spike in "visitors", if that's what you mean. (I'm sure the mods can comment on that.)

[DotheBartman]

Sorta...in a way I was actually more concerned that perhaps it being posted on the board (or Simpsons Channel) might somehow ignite this whole thing much more then it needs to be. But I guess if its already been widely circulated elsewhere whatever damage that could be done by it would be done regardless. Not to mention there was already that Post article.

And Sloppy Jimbo's "discovery" is certainly interesting to say the least.

[HoyvinGlavin64]

As for the rest, Tress MacNeille really doesn't have much of a range (it's either Lindsay or Agnes/Cat Lady) and I agree with you there, but the same applies for her Futurama work.

Tress does have a range when comparing all of her work from various shows. But as for doing characters with similar personalities, she can't do much differentiation. Thus, if you got rid of their shows' credits, you could never tell that Dot Warner and Agnes Skinner were voiced by the same person, but you could tell in a second that Agnes and Mom were the same person, and the same thing when comparing Dot and Babs.

As for Jean vs. Shearer, I predicted this right from the start. I'll be very sad if I'm not able to see Burns, Smithers, Flanders, Hilbert, and tons of other great characters on the show just because Jean is EP. On the other hand, if they did stay, it wouldn't be the same hearing my favorite characters while knowing that the man voicing them was an asshole. I hope things clear up soon or else...

[Roger Myers III]

Yeah - what was with the gratuitous, OT Tress-bashing? Lindsey sounds nothing like Brandine who sounds nothing like Dolph who sounds nothing like Agnes, who sounds sort of like Crazy Cat lady, except that CC Lady only yells in gibberish. Vox?

[Adam]

Sorta...in a way I was actually more concerned that perhaps it being posted on the board (or Simpsons Channel) might somehow ignite this whole thing much more then it needs to be.

Al Jean made it public by allowing the comments to be posted here. Any extra fuelling on my site's part is purely because the channel is there to inform, and I believe this to be a big issue that people should hear about. If any media got ahold of the story it certainly wouldn't be my fault, or Tino's fault.

[DotheBartman]

Yeah, agreed with that. Just was temporarily concerned is all. But you're right, even if the sites contributed to it in any way (not saying they even would), it was Jean's choice to make it public in this way.

[Roger Myers III]

The perfect example of the extreme damage done by 'twisting' is the "getting screwed" part of the Teletext interview. Here are the original quotes:

He says reports that the actors went on strike over pay were untrue: "We were never on strike. The day that story appeared in Variety newspaper, I was at Fox doing vocal services for that week's show. That [edit: the "Strike news",] was planted by Fox or a double agent doing Fox's bidding. From there, things got nastier. What I can say is that it's possible to make a very nice living and still get totally screwed."

Harry very much admitted that he was "mak[ing] a very nice living" - a fairly sly, humble way of acknowledging that the actors are very well-paid. On the other hand, they were still "getting screwed" reputationally, because Fox, the corporation, tactically decided to paint the actors as 'greedy' and 'going on strike' by putting the negotiations into the public eye, and - wrongly - calling it a "strike". This was something that Fox decided to do - Jean and/or the producers had absolutely no role in it, and none was implied by Shearer. That is how they were "getting screwed" - by the painting of them by Fox as 'ungrateful strikers' in the media.

The later, second-hand ContactMusic and (Murdoch-owned) NYPost articles were anything but clear on this matter, and made it sound like Harry was griping about the money. Al certainly sounds like like this is the impression that he received as well - and his entire last paragraph, if not the whole post, is colored by reaction to that sentiment - which Harry never expressed.

Harry's not going to be fired - that would, legally, be the end to the series. I also really doubt that he'd walk away from the show. Al may decide that he's had enough of these types of headaches, and choose to concentrate on the film, and leave the show-running to someone else. After all, he's the guy that would have to direct every recording session w/ Harry in a small studio for the rest of the eps, so an air-clearing will have to come to pass.

Like I said before, I certainly don't fault the NHC - or Adam - for posting this legit, newsworthy communication. I'm just curious to see if it was solicited. I also don't envy Al's morning-after feelings. Its another lesson to always think twice before hitting that "send" button.

[Mason]

These complications have advanced further than it was necessary. Personal quarrels belong elsewhere, not on some insignificant Simpsons discussion community. Sending it here doesn't solve anything. Do you assume we know the answer or do you just want to bring forth your emotions regarding the Shearer issue? Petting you on the back might contribute some sort of sympathy, but honestly, will it help restore anything meaningful at all? Give it a rest.

Well, if you're still here:

Kill Sober barney: Bring back the ''maybe your standards are too high'', the lovable drunk.

What's with the lousy sex jokes? Lisa trying to develop her own penis? The indefensible ''thing'' who pitched this must be castrated!

Humor, humor, humor, humor, humor...humor! The past season it felt like I was watching a funeral.

Put some crayons in Ralph's holes so he's unable to breathe for another show! It resembles a very unfunny geography teacher who might say something like, ''And this is your anus!''

And most important of all, your over paid voice actors need to do something about their character's specific voices. It sounds unbelievably gross sometimes( ''Who loves you baby'' comes to mind). Perhaps it's by the cause of aging, I don't really know, but I do know that I find it very embarassing!

I do believe you guys are trying very hard to restore clasic rank; it's just not working very well.

Greetings,

Some guy you don't care about.

ps: 50 Cent? What were you guys thinking? Scared to get beaten up by a black guy?

Well sir, I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. But seriously, thank you for posting an opinion and backing it up instead of just an opinion. I may disagree with you, but when you back up your opinion and be a bit more courteous about it, then I don't care if your bashing the show.

[stevedude530]

The only sure comedy Emmy bets next year with the 3 major coemdies leaving are Everybody Loves Raymond and Arrested Development. If Curb Your Enthusiasm is back then it'll get nominated, and (deservedly) Scrubs and (undeservedly) Will & Grace will take the final spots.

[kuje]

The perfect example of the extreme damage done by 'twisting' is the "getting screwed" part of the Teletext interview. Here are the original quotes:

...

Harry very much admitted that he was "mak[ing] a very nice living" - a fairly sly, humble way of acknowledging that the actors are very well-paid. On the other hand, they were still "getting screwed" reputationally, because Fox, the corporation, tactically decided to paint the actors as 'greedy' and 'going on strike' by putting the negotiations into the public eye, and - wrongly - calling it a "strike". This was something that Fox decided to do - Jean and/or the producers had absolutely no role in it, and none was implied by Shearer. That is how they were "getting screwed" - by the painting of them by Fox as 'ungrateful strikers' in the media.

The later, second-hand ContactMusic and (Murdoch-owned) NYPost articles were anything but clear on this matter, and made it sound like Harry was griping about the money. Al certainly sounds like like this is the impression that he received as well - and his entire last paragraph, if not the whole post, is colored by reaction to that sentiment - which Harry never expressed.

Harry's not going to be fired - that would, legally, be the end to the series. I also really doubt that he'd walk away from the show. Al may decide that he's had enough of these types of headaches, and choose to concentrate on the film, and leave the show-running to someone else. After all, he's the guy that would have to direct every recording session w/ Harry in a small studio for the rest of the eps, so an air-clearing will have to come to pass.

Like I said before, I certainly don't fault the NHC - or Adam - for posting this legit, newsworthy communication. I'm just curious to see if it was solicited. I also don't envy Al's morning-after feelings. Its another lesson to always think twice before hitting that "send" button.

Thanks, there's a lot in there that I was unaware of, and also a lot that I whole-heartedly agree with. As I gather more information on this 'situation', it becomes evident that the rift certainly stems from Shearer's personal feelings toward The Simpsons as a show/brand, and the atmosphere in the workplace (be it problems with Al personally, or the way he runs the ship)- not about the money.

So as you said Rog, Al's last paragraph (showing his misinformed stance) should be disregarded, at least until he clarifies his 'motive' or evidence for saying such things.

However, I am still behind Al as I believe he has done his darndest to improve the show (a feat which has definately been an ongoing success IMO), and I know what it's like to be (wrongly) criticized by members of a team whom you are trying to guide for the good of a project (albeit, my experience is on a far smaller scale than the bohemoth task of showrunner on OFF).

*edit* Forgot to add, giving Al Jean creative control on the movie can only be a good thing (he is obviously an NHC nerd at heart!), I just hope he can work on it without sacrificing the new season(s). :thumbsup Best of luck to Al and Harry, hope they (and the others involved) can get past this.

[Tomacco]

Well, this has definitely caused a stir at Gracie and Fox. There are quite a few folks with migraines this morning. And there's still 3 weeks to go in the hiatus - so it will be a mite chilly when everyone gets back to work.

More than a few people I've talked to are truly shocked at the length to which Al lashed out, and (as others have noted,) where he chose to do so.

I've been curious for awhile - where do you work and what's your connection to The Simpsons?

[kuje]

I've been curious for awhile - where do you work and what's your connection to The Simpsons?

I am pretty sure he wants to keep that to himself, and probably doesn't like being put on the spot (although I'm sure he can respond to it himself). Just thought I'd quell this questioning before the thread goes off topic into a witch hunt (No offence intended Tomacco )

[prince jafar allah]

edit : nm

[Glumplich]

What? RMIII works for The Simpsons? I had no idea that someone who works for the show actually posts so often on this board!

[Postmaster]

I don't think Rog plans to reveal himself, although I've come to think he works in more of a technical or legal postion than a creative one.

I'm thinking Jim Brooks is going to have to step in here and tell them to stop bickering or they'll both be grounded.

[Jouni]

Harry very much admitted that he was "mak[ing] a very nice living" - a fairly sly, humble way of acknowledging that the actors are very well-paid. On the other hand, they were still "getting screwed" reputationally, because Fox, the corporation, tactically decided to paint the actors as 'greedy' and 'going on strike' by putting the negotiations into the public eye, and - wrongly - calling it a "strike". This was something that Fox decided to do - Jean and/or the producers had absolutely no role in it, and none was implied by Shearer. That is how they were "getting screwed" - by the painting of them by Fox as 'ungrateful strikers' in the media.

That's a good point (although there are those other things that aren't misquotes).

For those who have only seen the second-hand quotes, I've posted the original Teletext bit in full to http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/shearer04.html

(The author of that piece also contacted me, so I have his e-mail address if something needs to be asked)

[vox]

Yeah - what was with the gratuitous, OT Tress-bashing? Lindsey sounds nothing like Brandine who sounds nothing like Dolph who sounds nothing like Agnes, who sounds sort of like Crazy Cat lady, except that CC Lady only yells in gibberish. Vox?

I was just responding to TerrorK's post which was directed at something I said about the awards, I think. Looking back on my post, it does look kinda mean spirited, but it didn't seem that way when I was typing it. I dunno, I'm not denying that she's a very talented voice actress, but many of her characters sound the same to me (I was wrong to say the Lindsey/Agnes thing because I pretty much forgot about Dolph and Brandine (and Dot and Babs)). Like, all her old women sound the same (Agnes, Mrs. Glick (actually, I may be wrong about this one, I seem to remember her sonding the same but I'm not sure), Mom, CC Lady (she uses the exact same crazy gibberish voice for Agnes when she's disgruntled, like in "Screaming Yellow Honkers"), Hattie, or whatever her name is) and many of her middle-aged women characters sound like Lindsey (I realize that the business lady voice is intentionally the same, but the female doctor she does in HOMR and Brother's Little Helper (IIRC) sounds similar too) whereas someone like Nancy can do 4 different voices for a little boy (not counting other shows). I don't hold it against her (but it looked like I did in my previous post, sorry), like I don't hold it against Yeardley or Julie. But still, I think a lot of her voices do sound the same, and moreso than any other voice actor (excluding Julie and Yeardley who don't do quite as many character). I bet you could prove that wrong, but if you want to, PM m because I've kinda gone way off topic again with this reply.

[Roger Myers III]

That's a good point (although there are those other things that aren't misquotes).

On the contrary, there very much is.

Look, I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'll play Harry's advocate here for a bit:

There are 2 major complaints that come through from Harry's short phrases: "Screwed", which I dealt with earlier.

And then there's this first part: "I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, so Season 4 looks very good to me now." He admits he rarely watches old episodes as they outshine the undeveloped recent offerings. He explains: "It makes me sad. They used to have whole scenes."

Unless the interviewer has a completely different recollection from this mangled interview/article (featuring very bad editing) it seems obvious that he's answering a question about his own characters. That is what the "They used to have whole scenes" is blatantly about.

If Harry's roles have indeed been minimized, then why wouldn't he consider these last 3 seasons "among the worst" - for him?

Jean's response, therefore, tips his hand, and is actually far more revealing than Shearer's complaint - Jean in fact confirms that he's trimmed back Shearer's characters' presence on the show. (Let's put aside the "reasons" he's done so for now.) Many of us, I suspect, thought so already, or can see that now in retrospect. And not for the last season - but for the last 3 seasons. In fact, beginning 6 months before S13 aired, because the voice tracks are first part of production completed. It began when Jean took over.

Additionally, Shearer was asked about Season 4 specifically because he was being interviewed about the S4 DVD for publicity in conjunction with it's release. And he had high praise for this season, singling out "Streetcar" and its role in the birth of the show's great musical numbers.

If Harry wanted to 'zing' Jean out of a grudge against him, he would've had ample opportunity to insult or damn the fouth season with faint praise, because everyone knows Jean & Reiss ran that season.

However, in Jean's response, we learn that Jean still harbors an active specific grudge against Harry for voicing displeasure, 12 years ago, no less, with a single Jean-produced episode, which he says is "now considered a classic". The show was in its infancy, yet Jean still is very hurt from this single instance of Harry's lack of faith? (IMO, its an okay episode from a definitionally "classic" season, but Jean, as one can tell from his treatment on the ep's DVD commentary, seriously regards it as his personal baby and favorite ep ever.)

Now, lets get to the 'reasons': Harry hasn't missed Monday "record dates", and, in Jean's version: "more than once, in the past, I have had a show set for a Thursday read (note: Thursdays are 'table read' days) featuring Harry's characters and been told on the Wednesday before that he is not coming." But this sort of accommodation has been made for all of the voice actors since S9 - while Jean wasn't with the show. The voice actors can do their records 'in their sleep' - by many producers' various accounts. The table reads are always attended by Karl, Russi, and Pam, to fill in for anyone who can't make it. All in all, its a very light, snippy complaint.

Harry has been, per Jean, "a malcontent," (NYPost) and never "seemed happy". Yet he's been reliably performing all of his roles - he's a performer for OFF, not a writer, and he doesn't 'give notes' - for sixteen years straight. How "unhappy" is that? How miserable could you really be? The money certainly hasn't been very good for him for the vast majority of those years. And even Jean felt the need to 'stretch' and leave the show himself for the middle nine of those sixteen years. Even if anyone involved in production can't stand Harry - my lord, the guy's only there for - Jean's words - "what can generously be described as a few hours work a week."



Harry's definitely a man who doesn't mince words - he's not the company man that I'm sure Fox & Murdoch would like him to be. Most artists aren't. But this 'rebellious', 'no sacred cows' attitude is, in fact, the spirit that the show itself celebrates every week. But to have your characters shunted to the side-stage over personal grudges for 3 years - has got to wear on a performer - not to mention how much it cheats the show itself, and especially it's fans. But to be personally attacked by the show's showrunner on an Internet message board - before getting any sort of clarification of what is, at best, described as a shoddy 2-minute publicity interview - has got to be the height of "insult."

Okay - advocacy over. I love what Jean's done with the last few seasons, and think he has a great handle on the negative turns that Scully oversaw. With the exception of 'shorting' Harry. This is much, much, much ado about nothing - its a media-whipped-up firestorm over misconstrued comments. If Jean and Harry can both grow up and bury the grudges, old & new, and put their egos and attitude aside for the good of the show, (if MG & JLB need to step in, so be it,) we can look forward to at least a few more seasons of greatitude.

Yes, I made that word up.

[Stackhouse]

hallelujah

[whisman]

This guys getting paid millions to talk, and it's not like they are making him watch these episodes.

[The "Urban" Lenny]

I don't like the way this arguement is going... It sounds like the begining of the end for the Simpsons. First the strike and now this little tiff between Shearer and Jean. But I agree with Al Jean, Harry should show up on time for table reads, I mean for God's sake if I was making 5.5 million for a few weeks of work, I would show up to every fucking meeting that I had to go to. I mean come on there teachers who make 20,000 a year for dealing with some snot nosed bastards nine months out of the year, and yet show up to work everyday.

[Rowdy]

I've been curious for awhile - where do you work and what's your connection to The Simpsons?

I've wondered as well....I was even going to ask in this thread last night. But I guess if he wants to keep it to himself, it's fine.

[Radioactive Man]

This exact letter posted here from Jean may be more detailed than other sites have but there was a brief response from Al in this linkorigionally posted by Jake in the thread about Harry. http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/28782.htm.
Here is the part from Al:

"I don't know why I have to defend the quality of the show to Harry Shearer . . . he's a guy who's been a malcontent, in my view," Al Jean, "The Simpsons" long-time producer, told The Post yesterday.

"For someone earning millions off the show this year . . . I just think it's unfathomable for him to take a shot at us."

Shearer seemed to be most disturbed that his characters no longer have a lot to do on the show. Now they are just walk-on parts.

"They used to have whole scenes," he said. "Season four looks very good to me now. Fortunately, I'm doing a lot of other things."

"I ran season four and he wasn't happy then," Jean fired back. "I just think it's an insult to all of us who work so hard. Harry doesn't put in that much time [working on the show] compared to the writers and producers.

"I think this past season was great, and I'm just so shocked that he would say that."

Jean boasted that Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson, won an Emmy yesterday for Outstanding Voiceover Performance for "Today I'm a Clown," the episode in which Krusty the Clown has a Bar Mitzvah (Castellaneta also voices Krusty).

It's not much but it might mean this response could be posted other places too.

[maxwall]

EXACTLY, RMIII. I think you've got it right on. And I hope AJ & HS bury whatever minimal hatchet this is. I'm surprised at all the anti-Harry stuff on the board. He's not Fox's lapdog, and is free to have his own opinions. And, for the record, I miss HS's characters' whole scenes too.....