UPDATED, 2:16 p.m. ET
This is not Okily-dokily. Harry Shearer, the voice behind Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns and Seymour Skinner on The Simpsons, indicated Thursday that he might be leaving the show, and the series' executive producer said Shearer's characters would be recast if he doesn't return.
Shearer, who has voiced the inimitable characters since 1989 alongside a host of other favorites including Reverend Lovejoy, Otto, Dr. Hibbert and Kent Brockman, announced the news on Twitter early Thursday morning.
He quoted executive producer James L. Brooks' lawyer as saying: "Show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best." He then explained that he wanted to do other work.
from James L. Brooks' lawyer: "show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.". (1/2)— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best. (2/2)— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
However, he's since indicated in a message to CNN Money that he has not 100% parted ways with the show. Asked if there's a chance he'll continue with The Simpsons, he said: "I think that's a question better posed to them."
That left fans in a state of anguished suspense.
But later Thursday 20th Century Fox Television released a statement from Simpsons executive producers James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean, who said:
Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard.
Fox confirmed earlier this month that the show had been renewed for two more seasons, 27 and 28, which will bring the total number of episodes to 625.
Other cast members including Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria had already signed deals. The notoriously prickly Shearer, who's been on the show since its launch, held out. Production on the 27th season reportedly began without him.
On May 5 he tweeted a link to the press release announcing the new seasons, asking, "Doesn't this show have a cast?"
Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support.— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
Jean, a Simpsons writer, showrunner and executive producer, insisted that the show will go on, saying on Twitter that the characters would be "recast if Harry does not return."
.@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever The show will go on, made by people who love it and see in it the most wonderful vehicle for satire ever.— Al Jean (@AlJean) May 14, 2015
He reiterated the intention in a message to CNN Money, saying, "We do not plan to 'kill off' his characters, but replace them with the most talented members of the voice over community."
Or, as Jean said in response to an enquiry on Twitter: "No yellow wedding."
@simpsonswiki @TheSimpsons recast if Harry does not return. No yellow wedding.— Al Jean (@AlJean) May 14, 2015
Later Thursday, Brooks, another Simpsons executive producer, seemed to leave the door open to further negotiations.
Hey, we tried. We're still trying. Harry, no kidding, let's talk.— james l. brooks (@canyonjim) May 14, 2015
The show has dipped in popularity since its '90s heyday -- some episodes from the 26th season saw ratings drop below 3 million for the first time ever -- but it remains a fan favorite.
Back in 2011, the show's declining returns led to a very public contractual dispute between the actors and the show's studio, which asked the talent to take a significant pay cut in order to continue making the show. The proposed deal was said to have asked the actors to reduce their salaries to about $250,000 per episode from $400,000.
At the time, Shearer was the only cast member to challenge the deal, saying at one point that he would only be willing to sacrifice more upfront pay in exchange for future returns -- which, on a show like The Simpsons, is where significant money is made.
The cast -- who have had major negotiations with the studio at least three other times during the show's run -- ultimately ended up making a new deal, but the terms were not disclosed.
Additional reporting by Sandra Gonzalez and Josh Dickey.