Can someone help give me a definitive answer on the Billy West situation?

[TelegramSam]

Hi, I'm a new poster (so please be gentle if there were umpteen threads about this here, as opposed to the place where you can't get a real answer). Anyway, I've been listening since 97 and never got to hear the Billy West years except for replays. That being said, I love Billy on the show and I'm a huge fan of Futurama and other shows that he has done. Billy has also appeared on Jay Thomas and a lot of other national radio shows and been a great guest.

So, I've heard the Billy special on Howard 100, read everything I could find on marksfriggin.com, and several interviews and radio appearances with Billy. What I can basically figure out is this: Billy was pissed that Howard wouldn't go to bat for him in his contract negotiation (both in terms of cash and being liable for any potential FCC fines even though Howie himself would be backed by the station). He left the show, and went on to a lot of success of course (even if he isn't a celebrity as himself now). So then, why does Howard play dumb and Billy hold such a grudge? On the special Howard reiterates that he has no idea why Billy left or is mad at him, which is total bullshit. Gary has said that Billy's agent will tell him nothing is wrong, but Billy wont speak to him.

In the interviews I mentioned, Billy told Jay Thomas (and Jackie has also mentioned) that he and Jackie are on great terms and meet for lunch when Jackie is on the west coast, and sometimes when Billy is on the east coast. Billy even went out of his way to talk about how talented he thinks Jackie is and expressed that he would like to work with him again. A caller asked Billy about Howard, and he got pissed and refused to answer. So my question is this: is Billy just that pissed over Howard not going to bat for him 20 years later? And if so, why won't Howard just say that? He's more than happy to shit all over Stuttering John and Jackie. I feel like I'm missing something here and I was hoping I could get an answer. Thanks!

[luvsimpsons]

Marbles, it all comes down to marbles

Welcome BTW

[AGT Blows]

Marbles, it all comes down to marbles

Welcome BTW

If Wiggy was a dog...

[NotMyBro]

During those years Howard was getting paid upwards of $28 million and was getting bonuses for each year of his multi-year contract. He was also getting syndication fees from all over the US.

However, his staff was barely making their ends meet. Jackie was getting peanuts, and so was Billy and Stuttering John. Every year Howard would send Tom CHEAPasano to reduce the costs because his salary was going up and everyone had to take cuts. IIRC, Jackie was getting high 5 figures, Stuttering John was getting around $30k and Billy somewhere in between.

Howard's a fucking shithead for letting all this talent leave. Money-grabbing bastard.

[Icculus]

I think he made the right decision and got the last laugh.

http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/actors/billy-west-net-worth/

[NotMyBro]

[The Snork]

Billy West: Wasn't getting paid what he was worth. Went out and got paid what he was worth.
Stuutering John: Was getting paid what he was worth. Suckered someone into paying him more than he was worth.
Jaggie Martlin: Was getting paid more than he was worth. Went out and is now getting paid what he is worth.

[Gindaloonatic]

Billy West: Wasn't getting paid what he was worth. Went out and got paid what he was worth.
Stuutering John: Was getting paid what he was worth. Suckered someone into paying him more than he was worth.
Jaggie Martlin: Was getting paid more than he was worth. Went out and is now getting paid what he is worth.

[Murcielago]

I imagine it must have irritated Billy that he was the mouthpiece for so much of the edgy material yet received no reward for his risks.

[luvsimpsons]

Ah the good ol' days...before gayness,AGT and horsefaced beards

[Snotty]

Had nothing to do with money, Hamptons ambushed Billy with John K. The creator of Ren and Stimpy.....You can find it on YouTube, Billy saw what a scumbag Hamptons could be and left....End of story.....Hamptons spews the Billy wanted more marbles as a ruse to keep his ass covered.....

[TelegramSam]

Thanks Snotty, I think that pretty much answered my question. It just seemed like it was more of a personal issue, which is why I felt like I wasn't getting it. Considering that I've heard Billy talk about hanging out with porn stars in his personal life, I can't imagine he'd fit in that well in the Hamptons!. When is the last time Howard had Tabitha Stevens over for dinner? I'm also from southern Ohio and a huge Reds fan, so that Marge Schott impression gets me every time I hear it. I wish Billy would get his own show, or at least a sidekick role on someone elses though. It just seems like a waste of talent for him to only do VO work.

[Yeahnolisten]

I also think they wanted Billy to sign a statement basically stating that if they get sued for any of the material spoken by Billy, that Billy would be on the hook for any lawsuits or FCC fines. That's the kind of scumbag Howard is.

[mrd160]

Howard is a self absorbed douchbag that can't admit that anyone has ever contributed to his success...

[Jim Lahey]

Billy made a mistake about Jungle Face Jake so Howard fired him

[Phillipmcd]

I also think they wanted Billy to sign a statement basically stating that if they get sued for any of the material spoken by Billy, that Billy would be on the hook for any lawsuits or FCC fines. That's the kind of scumbag Howard is.

I heard something similar

[Snotty]

Thanks Snotty, I think that pretty much answered my question. It just seemed like it was more of a personal issue, which is why I felt like I wasn't getting it. Considering that I've heard Billy talk about hanging out with porn stars in his personal life, I can't imagine he'd fit in that well in the Hamptons!. When is the last time Howard had Tabitha Stevens over for dinner? I'm also from southern Ohio and a huge Reds fan, so that Marge Schott impression gets me every time I hear it. I wish Billy would get his own show, or at least a sidekick role on someone elses though. It just seems like a waste of talent for him to only do VO work.

The deal......

[Mr Vengeance]

Yeah, part of the issue was about wanting Billy to be responsible for anything he said, in character or not. The fact that it was all being written for him, escaped Howie and KROC. Of course, with Howie's revisionist history, it was all KROC who wanted that agreement.

[Herc]

Howard wanted Billy's Marbles too so he aced him out like he did Jackie . . .

[Snotty]

Name one term, Word, Or expression that Hamptons himself hasn't said that BW did after he left..."Nigger", "Kike", "Jewy Jew", "Spic", "Fag", Homo"..............It's bullshit...........