Variety reports (via CNN) that the voice actors of The Simpsons are in the middle of a work stoppage in an attempt to force settlement of contract disputes. Apparently Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, and Nancy Cartwright “have not shown up for two script readings in the past few weeks, holding up production on the hit satire’s upcoming 16th season”. The paper quotes “insiders as saying each cast member is asking for about $360,000 an episode, or $8 million for a 22-episode season. Each member currently earns $125,000 an episode”. During a 1998 work stoppage by the actors, who only made $30,000 an episode at the time, the show’s producer “hired casting directors in five cities to replace most of them before both sides worked out a new deal and resumed production”.