Following several months of negotiations the voice cast of "The Simpsons" has reached a new four-year agreement with producer 20th Century Fox TV.

(File Photo)

Under the pact, the top actors will be paid nearly 400,000 U.S. dollars per episode. While this is lower than the reported 500,000 dollars the cast originally sought, it remains a significant increase from their current paychecks of about 300,000 dollars an episode.

Additionally, Dan Castellaneta, who voices Homer Simpson and has penned several "Simpsons" episodes over the years, is being named a consulting producer.

Castellaneta and most of the other key "Simpsons" voice players -- Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa) and Hank Azaria (Moe) -- are slated to begin work on the upcoming 20th season Tuesday.

As of Monday, the status of Harry Shearer, who voices Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, among other characters, was unclear. Because of a last-minute snag, his deal did not close with the other cast members', and it was not clear if he would show up for work on Tuesday.

As a result of the drawn-out contract negotiations, the upcoming season of "The Simpsons" has been reduced by two episodes to 20. While the deal makes the voice cast available for four more seasons, Fox has yet to order the animated comedy beyond season No. 20.

The "Simpsons" cast and 20th TV have been down this road before. Most recently in 2004, the actors held up production of the 16th season by skipping two table reads during negotiations. They ended up more than doubling their previous salary.

(Xinhua/Agencies June 4, 2008)