Wow. I heard Friday afternoon that the voice cast of Futurama had grouped their negotiations together (a la “Friends”) and asked for a significant pay increase. The network responded by firing all of them! Sad and scary. I feel for the actors because it is hard to get the same financial respect that on-camera talent gets. And strange since production costs are usually much lower than a regular half-hour show. This qualifies as God closing a window…
Then she opens a door… So, today I get an audition to replace one of the voices (I won’t say which one). Great opportunity? Yes and no. On the one hand, if I audition for it and land the job, there will be many other VO actors who will think ill of me, not to mention helping another VO actor lose a job. If I don’t audition, I pass up another opportunity and, as the axiom goes, opportunity is the beacon of success.
Of course, this is all a negotiating tactic on the part of Fox. Yes, an industry that eats its own. Not sure if I should get in the buffet line…
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Update 7-21-09:
So, in digging around it appears this may actually be a publicity stunt. Supposedly the whole cast, creator and a Fox executive will be at ComicCon in San Diego this week. The executive will then announce whether the show will return or be gone forever… Negotiating tactic or PR stunt? I don’t know which one is more unappetizing. I step out of the buffet line.
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Update 8-7-09:
Deal has been reached. Cast is back. Why all the drama? Makes my mascara run.