It looks like Bart and Homer are finally on the same side as word crept out yesterday that most of the actors on the long-running hit The Simpsons have been withholding their labor in an effort to force a settlement of contract talks.

The actors have reportedly failed to show up for a number of script readings in recent weeks, bringing production of the animated skein to a crawl.

According to Daily Variety, the cast of The Simpsons make about $125,000 each per episode and is seeking a hike to $360,000. It might seem like a lot, but in an industry where Ray Romano takes home around $2 million a week it's far from outrageous. The FOX show is in production for its 16th year, with no end in sight, so you'd think the network and producer Twentieth Century Fox TV would be a tad more accommodating.

Ha. The last time there was a salary dispute on the show (in 1998) it was because the net balked at paying the stars more than $30,000 an episode -- starvation wages in world of TV. In that case the suits started a nationwide search for replacement actors.

Perhaps Bart should take a more pro-active role...