Simpsons producers have a cow as Bart lends his voice to Scientologists
Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, is said to have donated $10 million to the Church of Scientology
Chris Ayres in Los Angeles
Bart Simpson used to be an underachiever and proud of it. These days, it seems, hes an Operating Thetan VII in the Church of Scientology and proud of that, too.
At least, that is what Scientologists were led to believe this week when they received an automated telephone message featuring the voice of Bart inviting them to the Scientology Flag World Tour, an event being held in Hollywood tomorrow.
The message was recorded by Nancy Cartwright, the 51-year-old voice actress and high-ranking Scientologist who has played Bart in The Simpsons since the show was created in 1987. Yo, whats happenin man, begins the message. This is Bart Simpson. Haha! Just kidding, dont hang up, this is Nancy Cartwright.
Ms Cartwright moves between her own voice and that of Bart for the rest of the message. Its gonna be a blast, man, she promises of the event, urging listeners to call and confirm their attendance.
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When the message leaked out on the internet yesterday, Ms Cartwrights bosses at The Simpsons had as Bart might say a cow. Although the details of the actors contract are not known, it is thought that the copyright of Barts voice is owned by Twentieth Century Fox, part of News Corporation, parent company of The Times, and therefore cannot be used without permission.
In a public statement the shows executive producer, Al Jean, attempted to make light of it. The Simpsons does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars, he said.
Ms Cartwright, who earns an estimated $400,000 (£280,000) per episode, was recently awarded Scientologys Patron Laureate Award after reportedly donating $10 million to the organisation, founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, the science-fiction writer. As an Operating Thetan VII and therefore an individual who can operate independently of her body, according to the movements website she has attained the second-highest rank in the Church.
It is not the first time that her association with Scientology has created headlines. Two years ago it was reported that she objected to a veiled joke in the shows script about Scientology it is thought that the offending line described Mormonism as the second freakiest religion in America and that as a result the wording was changed. At the time, Ms Cartwrights publicist said: Scientology was never mentioned, and to infer that it was is to try and make a story where there isnt one.
Other shows have also had their problems with Scientologist actors. The late Isaac Hayes left South Park after objecting to an episode that mocked both Scientology and Tom Cruise, perhaps Hollywoods best-known follower of the belief system. It is thought that Cruise later put pressure on Viacom, the parent company of Comedy Central, which broadcasts South Park, to stop the episode being rerun.
The head of Viacom, Sumner Redstone, subsequently declined to renew Cruises movie production deal with Paramount Pictures. His recent conduct has not been acceptable, he said.
Critics accuse the Church of Scientology of being secretive, profit-motivated and cult-like. In the 1970s, a series of FBI raids found that Scientologists had infiltrated and wiretapped the Internal Revenue Service and other government agencies; several members, including Mary, Hubbards wife, were jailed. The organisation says that it has reformed itself.
