The Simpsons has left its dedicated fanbase scratching their heads after officially killing off a long-running character that many viewers were convinced had already died years ago.
A Second Death for Springfield's Organist
In the latest episode of Matt Groening's iconic animated series, Alice Glick, the organist at Springfield's church, passed away during a service conducted by Reverend Lovejoy. The character first appeared in season two's "Three Men and a Comic Book" back in 1991 and was originally voiced by Cloris Leachman until her death in 2021, after which Tress MacNeille took over the role.
Executive producer Tim Long confirmed the character's demise to People, stating: "In a sense, Alice the organist will live forever, through the beautiful music she made. But in another, more important sense, yep, she's dead as a doornail."
Fan Confusion Over Previous 'Death'
The confirmation has sparked widespread confusion among Simpsons enthusiasts, who distinctly remember Alice Glick apparently dying in season 23 episode "Replaceable You" after being attacked by a robotic seal. Following that incident, the character appeared as a ghost, leading many to believe she had been permanently written out of the show.
However, Glick subsequently returned in human form without explanation, causing a segment of fans to theorise that her original death scene wasn't canonical. The latest episode has reignited the debate, with viewers taking to social media to express their bewilderment.
One fan wrote on X/Twitter: "This is the second time she's died," while another questioned: "Didn't she die before in that episode where Lisa invents that robot seal toy?"
Other comments included: "So they're just pretending like robotic seals never made?" and a more detailed explanation from a viewer who noted: "She died back in season 23 with robotic seals, but then a few seasons ago she was alive again for a small speaking role. This time her second death seems to be the main focus of an episode, so this should be permanent."
Pattern of Character Departures
This isn't the first time The Simpsons has written out a beloved background character. In 2024, the show killed off Larry the Barfly, who had been a fixture since season 10. At the time, Long addressed viewer concern by saying: "I'm sorry if some fans are upset, but we really wanted to use Larry's death as a way to show that even the most peripheral people in our lives have dignity and worth, and that we really shouldn't take anyone for granted."
Other significant character departures include Bart's teacher Edna Krabappel, who was written out following the death of voice actor Marcia Wallace in 2013.
The latest development with Alice Glick continues the show's tradition of handling secondary character arcs in ways that frequently surprise and sometimes confuse its loyal audience, proving that even after 34 years, The Simpsons can still generate passionate discussion among its fanbase.
