In a dramatic move that has sparked debate among its dedicated fanbase, the long-running animated series The Simpsons has killed off another longstanding character during its latest episode.
A Shocking Demise in Springfield
The episode titled 'Cremains of the Day', which aired on November 16, featured the unexpected death of First Church Organist Alice Glick. During a routine church service attended by the Simpson family, the character dramatically keeled over onto her organ, interrupting Reverend Lovejoy and stunning the entire congregation.
This marks the definitive end for a character who first appeared in 1991 during the show's second season, making her death after 34 years and 35 seasons particularly significant for long-time viewers. Executive producer Tim Long confirmed to People magazine that Alice would not be returning to the series following her death scene in season 37, episode 7.
A Complicated History and Fan Backlash
This isn't the first time Alice Glick has faced mortality in the series. In season 23's 'Replaceable You', the character was attacked by a robotic pet, leading viewers to assume she had been killed off. However, she confusingly reappeared in subsequent episodes both as her living self and as a ghost, causing fan forums to label that particular episode as non-canonical.
The voice behind Alice Glick has seen its own evolution. The character was originally voiced by legendary actress Cloris Leachman in her debut appearance, though Tress MacNeille, now 74, took over the role for all subsequent appearances over the decades. Leachman herself passed away in 2021 at age 94.
Alice first appeared in the season two episode 'Three Men And A Comic Book', where Bart Simpson performed various chores for her at 50 cents per task to raise money for a $100 comic book, eventually leading to a fight over the prized possession with Milhouse and Martin.
Mixed Reactions and Calls for the End
On X, formerly known as Twitter, fan reactions to Alice's death were divided. While some paid tribute with messages like 'RIP Alice Glick' and jokes about her dying 'again', others used the moment to criticise the show's longevity.
'Who watches The Simpsons anymore?' one user complained, adding that 'half the best voice actors are dead or have left the show, which is a woefully unfunny shell of its former self.' Another fan suggested that 'none of this matters when you stop at season 13,' referencing the common belief among fans that the show's golden era ended years ago.
This character death continues a controversial trend for The Simpsons, which has faced criticism both for killing off beloved minor characters and for continuing indefinitely while lead characters' voices have noticeably aged. The show previously sparked controversy in June by killing off Marge Simpson in a flash-forward, and has eliminated other minor characters including Larry the Barfly in recent years.
Even fan-favourite antagonist Sideshow Bob, voiced by Kelsey Grammer, was killed off in 2023, though this occurred in a non-canonical Treehouse of Horror Halloween episode featuring a flash-forward where Lisa turns murderer.
As Tim Long summarised to People: '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.'
