The actors who for 15 years have provided the voices for the Latin American episodes of "The Simpsons," known in Spanish as "Los Simpson," say they are ready to take to the streets in protest after their employer, Grabaciones y Doblajes Internacionales, said it was considering replacing them.
The company's latest posture comes as part of its steadfast refusal to sign an exclusive contract with the program's actors and their union, the National Association of Actors (ANDA). For its part, ANDA says that this position violates labor laws and in response, the group has filed an appeal with the nation's Supreme Court.
Humberto Vélez, who does the voice of the show's principal character "Homero," said that he and his fellow "Simpson" actors were greatly disappointed by their employer's stance, saying that the actors and their union had been "very generous" in their dealings with the company. "We charge 60 dollars per episode," he said, "whereas our counterparts on the English versions make 300,000 dollars per episode."
"We are not difficult people to work with; we work out of love of our craft," added Vélez. "Let's hope that before we have to turn this into an ugly affair that (our employers) solve the issue. It would break my heart to have to stop doing the voice of Homero, and to turn on the television and hear someone else doing my voice."
Gabriel Chávez, best known as the voice of Homero's boss, "Seńor Burns," said that one possibility the group is exploring is asking the owners of the program, 20th Century Fox, to step into the dispute and possibly take the show to another voice-over production company that would sign a collectivebargaining contract with ANDA.
"I have received thousands of calls and e-mails from people all over Latin America saying that they do not want to hear new voices on 'Los Simpson,' " said Chávez, adding the Mexico Cityproduced episodes are seen by as many as 250 million viewers in 40 Spanish-speaking countries.
Could be the death of the show in Spanish if they do replace the actors. I mean honestly, if the major voices of the English Simpsons were changed, would it be anywhere near the same?
Though I've heard someone's done some of Apu's voice for Hank Azario while he's doing spamalot. Seems weird, but as long as it still sounds like Apu.........
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden
Last night there was someone else doing the Mrs Lovejoy's voice. It was very noticable, but she only had one or two lines the whole episode, so you culd get away with it.
But yeah, if the main characters are re-voiced, it just wouldn't be the same. It woudl be too wierd.
01-13-2005 08:45 AM
