Harry Shearer Isn't Leaving 'The Simpsons' After All

Don't worry, "The Simpsons" fans: Flanders isn't going anywhere.

Voice actor Harry Shearer put "Simpsons" fans in a panic earlier this year when he announced that he would be leaving the show before the next season, citing contract disputes. Shearer's departure could have been a huge blow to the long-running animated sitcom considering his wealth of roles: Shearer voices Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Smithers, Mr. Burns, Reverend Lovejoy and many others.

However, it seems that Shearer was just angling for a little more leverage in negotiations, as Entertainment Weekly reports that he has signed on for the next four seasons of the show. Here's the report from EW:

"Shearer has signed the same contract as did the other five primary voice actors—Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Hank Azaria—keeping the show’s original cast fully intact, EW has learned. These deals, which run for four seasons (including a network option for seasons 29 and 30), are estimated at more than $300,000 per episode. Fox recently renewed The Simpsons for a 27th and 28th season, which will bring its episode tally to 625."

That's a big chunk of change, and a lot of episodes. It pays to be Flanders!