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Harry Shearer will return to 'The Simpsons': His top 10 characters ranked

Simpsons fans all over America were crying into their Duff beers in May when it was announced that Harry Shearer -- voice of Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns and many other characters -- would not be returning to The Simpsons because of a contract dispute.

Today, Variety is reporting that after negotiating a new deal, Shearer will be back after all. Say it with me: Exxxxcellent.

Jump below my original post for the list of Shearer's top 10 characters, ranked.

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Original post, May 14: Harry Shearer, who has been part of The Simpsons cast for its entire 26-season run, is reportedly stepping away from the show.

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Shearer voices some of the series' most iconic characters, including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner and others. He announced the news Wednesday night on Twitter.

Showrunner Al Jean confirmed to CNNMoney that Shearer will not be part of the show going forward, but the characters will live on, the voices replaced by other actors.

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Fox just renewed The Simpsons for its 27th and 28th seasons, and in light of the news about Shearer, I'm of the opinion that the 28th season needs to be the show's last. Speaking as just one hardcore fan, I don't want to see the voices gradually get replaced until the cast is a shadow of itself. The show is too iconic, too important for that. There's no indication that will happen, of course. The rest of the cast might be perfectly happy with the $14 million deal that wasn't enough for Shearer.

Enough speculation. On to the important things: The non-definitive ranking of the top 10 Harry Shearer-voiced characters, with my favorite quotes:

1. Montgomery Burns

Why No. 1? Mr. Burns has all the best lines, and Shearer delivers them deliciously.

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Money quote:

"Oh no, the Pawnee have returned. They probably want their souls back."
"Oh no, the Pawnee have returned. They probably want their souls back."

2. Ned Flanders

He's the neighborino Homer loves to hate, and we love to love.

Money quote: "I'll have a Shirley... No, a virgin... No, a children's... Oh, what the heck? You only live once. Give me a white wine spritzer! "

3. Kent Brockman

The trusted voice of Springfield. Except for that one time when he said a really bad swear on the air.

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Money quote:

"And I , for one, welcome our new insect overlords."
"And I , for one, welcome our new insect overlords."

4. Rev. Tim Lovejoy

That deep timbre of his will put you right to sleep in church. I mean that in a good way.

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Money quote: "Not the church! Jesus lives there!"

5. Principal Skinner

Poor Seymour. Shearer lends the perfect voice to this deflated dodgeball of a man.

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Money quote: "Smile more. Work that pelvis. No, too much smile. Sit down."

6. Waylon Smithers

What can you say about a man whose entire existence revolves around his boss? Whom he's in love with for some reason? He's complicated.

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Money quote: "No, they're saying 'Boo-urns, Boo-urns.' "

7. Lenny Leonard

The unassuming best friend of Carl Carlson is an unsung hero of funny Simpsons moments.

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Money quote:

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8. Otto

The bus-driving burnout is one of my personal favorite characters.

Money quote: "They call 'em 'fingers,' but I never see 'em fing. Oh wait, there they go."

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9. Dr. Hibbert

He may not be the best doctor, but he does have the best laugh.

Money quote: "You can't let a single bad experience scare you away from drugs. "

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10. Kang

So you say he's indistinguishable from fellow Rigel VII denizen Kodos and doesn't belong on this list? NONSENSE, HUMAN.

Money quote:

"Stop! We have reached the limits of what rectal probing can teach us."
"Stop! We have reached the limits of what rectal probing can teach us."