Dave J Hogan/Getty Images, FOXThis is far from "excellent": Harry Shearer is leaving The Simpsons. The actor, who has been with the show since it started all those years ago, will not return to voice iconic characters such as Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers and Principal Skinner.
Everybody with us now: D'oh!
Shearer took to Twitter to announce his exit. "From James L. Brooks' lawyer: 'show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best,'" he tweeted. "This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best."
The Simpsons was recently renewed for seasons 27 and 28, making it the longest-running scripted series in American TV history.
"Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support," Shearer tweeted.
The Simpsons executive producer Al Jean took to Twitter to discuss Shearer's exit. "The show will go on, made by people who love it and see in it the most wonderful vehicle for satire ever," he said. In replying to fans, Jean said "never say never" about a possible return for Shearer and that his characters will be recast.
"Recast if Harry does not return," Jean said. "No yellow wedding."
Shearer previously tried to spearhead new deals for The Simpsons voice cast a few years ago. In response to a fan, Jean said the show gave Shearer what he wanted. "I'm my view we did and he still passed. Was offered the same deal as other 5," Jean said.
Jean, Brooks and Matt Groening released a statement via Fox echoing Jean's tweets. "Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed," the executive producers said in a statement to E! News. "The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard."