Say goodbye to another beloved Springfield resident—The Simpsons has bid farewell to yet another longtime character, and this time, it’s for good. On the Sunday, November 16th episode, Alice Glick, the First Church of Springfield’s organist (voiced by Tress MacNeille), collapsed during a service, leaving fans in shock. But here’s where it gets heartwarming: Alice’s legacy lives on through a generous donation to Springfield Elementary, funding a new music program. Principal Skinner (Harry Shearer) broke the news to students, revealing the gift came from ‘a dead lady you’ve never met.’
And this is the part most people miss: Alice’s death isn’t her first. She previously perished in the season 23 episode ‘Replaceable You’ after a bizarre attack by a robotic seal, only to reappear later as both a ghost and a living character. So, could she return again? Executive producer Tim Long says no—this time, Alice is ‘dead as a doornail,’ though her music will live on.
Alice has been a Springfield staple since her debut in 1991’s ‘Three Men and a Comic Book,’ appearing in over 30 episodes. Her departure follows last year’s shocking death of Larry Dalrymple, a Moe’s Tavern regular who first appeared in the series premiere. Larry’s demise was as understated as Alice’s was dramatic—he was found slumped over at the bar, unnoticed for hours.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Marge Simpson herself ‘died’ in the season 36 finale, though only in a flash-forward. Fans were relieved when executive producer Matt Selman confirmed Marge’s death was just a future scenario, stating, ‘Marge will probably never be dead ever again.’ Still, it raises the question: Are these character deaths a clever narrative twist or a risky gamble for the show’s longevity?
What do you think? Is The Simpsons pushing the boundaries too far with these permanent goodbyes, or is it a bold move to keep the story fresh? Let us know in the comments!
New episodes of The Simpsons air Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox, with streaming available on Hulu the following day. And while you’re here, don’t miss our latest updates on SNL’s season 51 schedule or the drama surrounding Landman’s storyline.
Written by Sara Donnellan, Trending TV News Writer for NJ.com, where she dives into the hottest moments in scripted and reality TV. Follow her for more insights and hot takes on your favorite shows.
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