Music Man

Just a personal thing - I'm a dedicated Simpsons fan, and much of its appeal to me comes from it's music. So I was shocked and saddened to hear that Alf Clausen, who has provided the music for the show for the last 27 years has been told that his services will no longer be required.  The press have all used the word "fired" but I'm not sure it's that straightforward.  It's been suggested that it is less to do with Clausen himself, and more to do with the costs involved in his using a full 35-piece orchestra. Whatever the reason, it's a shame.