The Simpsons Producer Hails 'New Beginning' After Fox Resolves Contract Disputes

Al Jean, executive producer of The Simpsons, has spoken of his joy at Fox deciding to pick up the show for at least another two seasons.

The future of The Simpsons - now in its twenty second year - had been in doubt after the show's main cast had turned down Fox's insistence that they should all take 45 per cent pay cuts.

However, the dispute was settled, with Fox announcing on Friday (Oct 7) that at least two more series would be aired.

Jean told Entertainment Weekly: "Our mood is elation. Believe me, we don't look at this as these will definitely be the last two. We just want to keep fighting and go as long as we can.

"We really feel this isn't an end but a beginning. It's cliché, but it's the truth."

The stars have agreed to a pay cut, although it isn't known how much their salary has been reduced by.

Jean said: "They understand the world we live in is different in many ways from 2007. Everybody loves this show and realises it's the greatest job in the world and they want to keep doing it."

This announcement means that the show will run until its twenty fifth season at least, with Jean remaining hopeful that The Simpsons can go on to make it to season 30 before it is brought to an end.