In case you haven”t heard, Harry Shearer has officially left “The Simpsons” after 26 seasons. Shearer gave a voice to Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, and Mr. Burns.
While “The Simpsons” showrunner Al Jean confirmed to Alan Sepinwall that Shearer”s exit does NOT mean the end of those characters, things will never be the same.
In honor of Shearer”s decades of work bringing billionaire jerk Charles Montgomery Burns to life, HitFix Harpy rounded up some his most painfully practical pieces of immorality.
*********
#1: More than anything, Mr. Burns understood what was needed in order to succeed in a capitalist society.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#2: Things like filial loyalty were for peasants.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#3: Mr. Burns knew America is truly the greatest country in the world. But not for any reason an optimistic person would think.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#4: He didn”t see anything wrong with going back on his word if it was said in jest and the plebeians could just deal with it.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#5: In fact, he had the bourgeois all figured out.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#6: Burns definitely lived by the Golden Rule – whoever has the gold makes the rules – and wasn”t afraid of a little humor.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#7: His burning hatred for those below him was not regulated to mere humans. Anything was prey for his swift and merciless justice.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#8: He chafed under a system that is slightly beyond his ability to bribe.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#9: But he knew there are other ways to use money to win the hearts and admiration of the gullible masses.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#10: BECAUSE ALL SHALL LOVE HIM OR PERISH.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#11: Like any good soulless billionaire, there were seeds of super-villainy in Burns” actions.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#12: And his entitlement was pure and without a trace of self-reflection.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#13: Mr. Burns distrusted the young.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#14: And cared not a wit if the planet remained in a sustainable place for the next generation. In fact, he was probably actively trying to destroy it so everyone died with him.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#15: When you combine youths AND nature, Mr. Burns wasn”t afraid to tell his truth.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#16: He always comes prepared, believing violence is always the answer (as long as it”s perpetuated BY him and his minions).
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#17: The sheer amount of spin he could generate to justify his actions was truly astonishing.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#18: But he knew what he wanted from life.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#19: And dreamed big.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
#20: And was always, always brutally honest.
https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js
Mr. Burns is truly delightfully despicable man. Good luck to his future voice actor!