Every Simpsons character who's actually been killed off after Marge ‘dies'
In the season 36 finale of The Simpsons, titled 'Estranger Things', viewers were stunned by a dramatic flash-forward that appeared to confirm the death of Marge Simpson.
Set 35 years in the future, the episode shows a grown-up Bart and Lisa navigating life without their mother, while Marge is seen watching over them from the afterlife.
Despite the uproar, creators have clarified that Marge's apparent death is not permanent.
The episode's events are part of a speculative future and not a final goodbye, so we can see her on our screens for a little longer!
For now, fans can breathe – Marge isn't going anywhere just yet, but here are some characters who are most definitely not coming back.
Maude was killed in season 11's 'Alone Again, Natura-Diddily' when she fell from the bleachers after being hit by a barrage of T-shirts from a cannon.
Many fans were shocked and saddened by the loss, especially since Maude was a long-time character.
Critics viewed her death as sudden and driven by behind-the-scenes casting issues.
Many fans label Maude's death as the 'worst'.
@Irondhosea took to X to say, 'You can't kill Marge. Hell, I'm still not over Maude dying.'
'The worst death was probably Maude's. There were good moments, but it was a bad call to turn her death into a punchline.' @fingerdrawings on X added.
Rabbi Hyman Krustofski died of natural causes in season 26's Clown in the Dumps episode, during a heart-to-heart with Krusty.
Many viewers were not shocked by this on-screen death as his character was visibly getting on.
Some viewers were even disappointed after heavy promotion of the episode promised a major death.
While it was emotional for Krusty the clown losing his father, many felt the execution lacked impact.
Dr Nick Riviera was famous for his questionable medicine practise.
However he was presumed killed in The Simpsons Movie when the dome crashes through Springfield, crushing him.
He shouts his infamous last line, 'Bye, everybody!'
His death was played for laughs, and though not officially confirmed in the series, fans noted the absence of such a beloved comic relief character.
Not all fans felt the sadness of Dr Nick's death with @theletus on Reddit saying, 'He was never popular.'
Main character, Homer Simpson's mother died off-screen in Season 19's Mona Leaves-a of natural causes episode.
Her final episode was touching and gave closure to her complex relationship with Homer.
Many fans found it one of the show's more heartfelt moments.
Since her emotional exit, Mona has appeared in certain episodes through dreams and flashbacks.
Some viewers see how these cameos are heartwarming, however @ileaad took to Reddit to share their thoughts: 'What was the point of killing Mona if they keep bringing her back -either through flashbacks, dreams, or visits to the afterlife. It just seems unnecessary now. Have they ever explained this?'
Bleeding Gums Murphy sadly passed away in the hospital in Season six after a brief illness.
Fans deemed this episode as a deeply emotional one to watch.
The jazz funeral and Lisa's tribute made it one of the most poignant early character deaths in the show.
'Bleeding Gums's death was the best one. It's tough to balance the zaniness and seriousness. This episode was the only one to do it well, in my opinion.' @fingerpaintings on X said.
If you know The Simpsons, you know Bart's school teacher – Edna Krabappel.
Edna's character was written out of the show due to the heartbreaking loss of her voice actor, Marcia Wallace.
Her death was implied in season 25 after a quiet chalkboard tribute was shown in her honour.
Viewers were devasted by the news that Marcia had passed away, as many were fans of the trope between her character and Bart.
@bobdieker on Reddit said, 'It's too bad. Simpsons can never really have a proper ending now. I always imagined some final scene between her and Bart.'
Fat Tony was one of the characters often shown in Moe's bar.
He is shown to have a heart attack in Season 22 – where he is pronounced dead.
He is replaced by his cousin, Fit Tony – who later becomes the new Fat Tony.
Long-time fans found the character switch humorous but many wondered if it was necessary to the story line.
'Tony died and got replaced by his cousin but then he just became identical to his cousin in the same episode so none of that really mattered.' @whipplefingers said on X.
'It was so stupid that they had his brother replace him and then acted like it never happened.' @viper_visionary added on Reddit.
Larry the Barfly, another local from Moe's pub, was not given a formal on-screen death, but was confirmed as deceased in Season 25 with a silent tribute.
There was not much light shed on what actually happened, just that he would no longer appear on screen.
Being a background character, his death didn't cause much of an uproar amongst viewers – with some not even realising he had gone.
Despite the mild response, there were some fans who felt emotional at the news of Larry's passing
'How the Simpsons got me feeling for a character who's had like three lines across the entire series? Nevermind the crocodile thing, this was the saddest character death for me this week' @mrduby said on X
Frank Grimes famously died in 'Homer's Enemy' , season 8 – many viewers recognise his death as one of the most memorable.
Grimes was very straight-laced and worked alongside Homer – his incompetence at work drove him mad, especially how it often got rewarded.
In an attempt to impersonate Homer, Frank accidentally electrocuted himself by mocking Homer's reckless behaviour and grabbing high-voltage wires.
His famous last words were: 'I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Sim…..ZAP'
Fans had mixed views over 'Grimey's' death, with @diamondpickhand taking to Reddit to say: 'Grimes was a class traitor and got what he deserved. His real enemy was Burns, not Homer.'
After the death of The Simpson's white family cat, who was run over and only appears in flashbacks, they decided to buy Snowball II. More Trending
Snowball II unfortunately also suffered a similar death after being run over by Dr Hibbert's car at the end of season 15.
It is hilarious how many cats the family have had since their beloved Snowball II and Lisa names each cat Snowball to add to the comedy.
His death was emotional for fans as it was clear how attached Lisa was to him, as she still mentions him in seasons past the tragic event.
@another_bug on X said, 'Most underrated character. Needs more screen time, less dying.'
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If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
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MORE: The Simpsons fans in shock after one of show's biggest characters 'dies'
MORE: The Simpsons creator reveals 'one of the best things that ever happened' to the show
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Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Every Simpsons character who's actually been killed off after Marge ‘dies'
In the season 36 finale of The Simpsons, titled 'Estranger Things', viewers were stunned by a dramatic flash-forward that appeared to confirm the death of Marge Simpson. Set 35 years in the future, the episode shows a grown-up Bart and Lisa navigating life without their mother, while Marge is seen watching over them from the afterlife. Despite the uproar, creators have clarified that Marge's apparent death is not permanent. The episode's events are part of a speculative future and not a final goodbye, so we can see her on our screens for a little longer! For now, fans can breathe – Marge isn't going anywhere just yet, but here are some characters who are most definitely not coming back. Maude was killed in season 11's 'Alone Again, Natura-Diddily' when she fell from the bleachers after being hit by a barrage of T-shirts from a cannon. Many fans were shocked and saddened by the loss, especially since Maude was a long-time character. Critics viewed her death as sudden and driven by behind-the-scenes casting issues. Many fans label Maude's death as the 'worst'. @Irondhosea took to X to say, 'You can't kill Marge. Hell, I'm still not over Maude dying.' 'The worst death was probably Maude's. There were good moments, but it was a bad call to turn her death into a punchline.' @fingerdrawings on X added. Rabbi Hyman Krustofski died of natural causes in season 26's Clown in the Dumps episode, during a heart-to-heart with Krusty. Many viewers were not shocked by this on-screen death as his character was visibly getting on. Some viewers were even disappointed after heavy promotion of the episode promised a major death. While it was emotional for Krusty the clown losing his father, many felt the execution lacked impact. Dr Nick Riviera was famous for his questionable medicine practise. However he was presumed killed in The Simpsons Movie when the dome crashes through Springfield, crushing him. He shouts his infamous last line, 'Bye, everybody!' His death was played for laughs, and though not officially confirmed in the series, fans noted the absence of such a beloved comic relief character. Not all fans felt the sadness of Dr Nick's death with @theletus on Reddit saying, 'He was never popular.' Main character, Homer Simpson's mother died off-screen in Season 19's Mona Leaves-a of natural causes episode. Her final episode was touching and gave closure to her complex relationship with Homer. Many fans found it one of the show's more heartfelt moments. Since her emotional exit, Mona has appeared in certain episodes through dreams and flashbacks. Some viewers see how these cameos are heartwarming, however @ileaad took to Reddit to share their thoughts: 'What was the point of killing Mona if they keep bringing her back -either through flashbacks, dreams, or visits to the afterlife. It just seems unnecessary now. Have they ever explained this?' Bleeding Gums Murphy sadly passed away in the hospital in Season six after a brief illness. Fans deemed this episode as a deeply emotional one to watch. The jazz funeral and Lisa's tribute made it one of the most poignant early character deaths in the show. 'Bleeding Gums's death was the best one. It's tough to balance the zaniness and seriousness. This episode was the only one to do it well, in my opinion.' @fingerpaintings on X said. If you know The Simpsons, you know Bart's school teacher – Edna Krabappel. Edna's character was written out of the show due to the heartbreaking loss of her voice actor, Marcia Wallace. Her death was implied in season 25 after a quiet chalkboard tribute was shown in her honour. Viewers were devasted by the news that Marcia had passed away, as many were fans of the trope between her character and Bart. @bobdieker on Reddit said, 'It's too bad. Simpsons can never really have a proper ending now. I always imagined some final scene between her and Bart.' Fat Tony was one of the characters often shown in Moe's bar. He is shown to have a heart attack in Season 22 – where he is pronounced dead. He is replaced by his cousin, Fit Tony – who later becomes the new Fat Tony. Long-time fans found the character switch humorous but many wondered if it was necessary to the story line. 'Tony died and got replaced by his cousin but then he just became identical to his cousin in the same episode so none of that really mattered.' @whipplefingers said on X. 'It was so stupid that they had his brother replace him and then acted like it never happened.' @viper_visionary added on Reddit. Larry the Barfly, another local from Moe's pub, was not given a formal on-screen death, but was confirmed as deceased in Season 25 with a silent tribute. There was not much light shed on what actually happened, just that he would no longer appear on screen. Being a background character, his death didn't cause much of an uproar amongst viewers – with some not even realising he had gone. Despite the mild response, there were some fans who felt emotional at the news of Larry's passing 'How the Simpsons got me feeling for a character who's had like three lines across the entire series? Nevermind the crocodile thing, this was the saddest character death for me this week' @mrduby said on X Frank Grimes famously died in 'Homer's Enemy' , season 8 – many viewers recognise his death as one of the most memorable. Grimes was very straight-laced and worked alongside Homer – his incompetence at work drove him mad, especially how it often got rewarded. In an attempt to impersonate Homer, Frank accidentally electrocuted himself by mocking Homer's reckless behaviour and grabbing high-voltage wires. His famous last words were: 'I don't need safety gloves, because I'm Homer Sim…..ZAP' Fans had mixed views over 'Grimey's' death, with @diamondpickhand taking to Reddit to say: 'Grimes was a class traitor and got what he deserved. His real enemy was Burns, not Homer.' After the death of The Simpson's white family cat, who was run over and only appears in flashbacks, they decided to buy Snowball II. More Trending Snowball II unfortunately also suffered a similar death after being run over by Dr Hibbert's car at the end of season 15. It is hilarious how many cats the family have had since their beloved Snowball II and Lisa names each cat Snowball to add to the comedy. His death was emotional for fans as it was clear how attached Lisa was to him, as she still mentions him in seasons past the tragic event. @another_bug on X said, 'Most underrated character. Needs more screen time, less dying.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: The Simpsons fans in shock after one of show's biggest characters 'dies' MORE: The Simpsons creator reveals 'one of the best things that ever happened' to the show MORE: The Simpsons episode that was banned 27 years after its original release
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- The Guardian
Did The Simpsons really just kill off a major character?
The Simpsons is getting experimental in its old age. With 36 seasons complete and a renewal through a 40th secured, the show has entered territory previously occupied mostly by non-prime-time stalwarts like Saturday Night Live and Meet the Press – television institutions that run for much longer than the typical sitcom or drama. Perhaps conscious that the animated comedy has now lasted five to 10 times longer than a normal sitcom, the 36th season has repeatedly toyed with the idea of what a series finale might look like, even though no such thing is anywhere in sight. For the season's premiere back in the fall, it created a fake series finale, hosted by Conan O'Brien, that featured forever-10-year-old Bart turning 11 and reacting badly to a number of finale-style abrupt changes to the status quo. And in the last episode of season 36, Estranger Things, the show flashed forward to a future where family matriarch Marge has passed away and a gradual estrangement has developed between now-adult Bart and Lisa. (Homer remains alive, with the show repeatedly underlining how unlikely it seems that he would outlive his patient, cautious and seemingly healthy spouse.) As fans caught up with the season on streaming, the finale has created a mild headline-generating controversy over whether Marge is 'really' dead, most likely among less consistent viewers who might dip back in occasionally (or get their news about the show from the internet, rather than watching it). Of course, she's not; Estranger Things is one of many flash-forward episodes the show has done over the years, generally understood to be alternate versions of the future, not pieces of a vast and interconnected timeline. The show's flashbacks are similarly intentionally contradictory; early on, Marge and Homer were young parents in the 1980s; as the show got older and they stayed the same age, subsequent flashbacks were brought further and further into the timeline. None of this makes headline news, even on a slow entertainment day. But one reason 'Marge is dead' has seemingly caught fire as an internet curiosity may have to do with the unexpectedly mortality creeping in around the edge of the show. Anyone who has watched The Simpsons in recent years, especially if they've seen a new episode juxtaposed with an older one, would have to take note of how different the characters sound. Animation may be able to preserve a character's basic look and inure them from ageing (apart from the shifts in animation technique that present subtle changes in design or movement). Animation still can't defeat, however, what the show once called the ravages of time. The Simpsons has employed a core of voice actors for nearly four decades, and who among us sound precisely the same as we did 40 years ago, if we're so lucky to have that comparison point? Marge is the character where this is most noticeable – more so than characters whose voices have been replaced by new actors for reasons of racial sensitivity. (This just means that Black actors now play Black characters, and so on.) Those newer performers bring their own style to the character, however subtle the change. But Julie Kavner, the distinctive actor who has given one of the great long-term voiceover performances of TV history, turns 75 this year, while Marge is forever on the cusp of 40. Certain line readings will sound very close to the 'original' Marge voice. More often, though, we're getting a raspier, scratchier version that sounds more like Marge's occasionally seen mother (also voiced by Kavner in a more whispery register). Harry Shearer, who voices more than a dozen major supporting characters including Mr Burns, Principal Skinner and Ned Flanders, also sounds deeper and older in recent years. That's all on top of the show's creative changes – some of which have been quite good. Under showrunner Matt Selman, the show has upped its game in recent years, actively pursuing more ambitious, format-challenging and emotionally resonant stories. Not all of them are golden-years-level funny. (Few episodes of anything are.) But the creators feel engaged with their institution, and sometimes they've even taken advantage of the modified vocals; in one recent holiday episode, Ned Flanders sounded genuinely grief-stricken in part due to Shearer's inability to hit the higher range of his usual tone. Even when the actors' changes do sound jarring, obviously it's not anyone's fault. People age – and IP, at least lately, seems to insist on defying that process, creating a difficult-to-resolve conflict. The show obviously isn't ever going to permanently kill off any of the family members, but at some point, they may be in the position of hiring someone new to voice Marge, or augmenting the performance with AI. The finale already introduced a new voice for Bart's best friend Milhouse, following the retirement of longtime voice artist Pamela Hayden. She reasonably concluded that continuing to play a 10-year-old boy well into her 70s wouldn't make much sense. Maybe that's why the most poignant element of Estranger Things isn't the death of Marge, which is handled lightly, avoiding the immediate devastation of grief with just a brief cursory shot of her funeral, and ending the episode with a short scene of her happily looking down upon her family from heaven, where she clinches with longtime crush Ringo Starr. Rather, the emotional core of the episode is the sequence in which Bart and Lisa abruptly grow out of their beloved Itchy and Scratchy cartoons after realizing the show is now also marketed toward babies, with cutesy versions of the characters adorning little sister Maggie's pyjamas. In true Simpsons fashion, this is also the funniest passage of the episode, with spot-on observations about marketing, kids' shifting tastes in popular culture and defensiveness about liking stuff that's for 'babies', complete with a spoof of a memorably emotional scene from Toy Story 2. Despite the show's jokes, the idea of the Bart/Lisa bond breaking over Itchy and Scratchy, and Marge's distress over it, is a potent one, maybe because it's precisely the kind of uncharacteristic change alluded to in the season premiere. The Simpsons has been lampshading its ability to reset its characters for decades at this point; that's the connective tissue between its heritage as a sitcom from another age, and as a cartoon across the ages. In Estranger Things, it's depicting a natural process less seismic but no less constant than death: letting go of once-beloved media and the real-world habits that accompany it. Plenty of fans will have the opportunity to let go of The Simpsons, whether by chance or by choice. The show itself, good as it sometimes is, can only play at that farewell process, experimenting with what-ifs typically subsumed into the status quo. I'm not personally eager for the show to end; my daughter still eagerly watches it, and that brought me back into the newer episodes. But there does seem to be a denial of impermanence, maybe even some frustration with that, under the show's surface. The real question isn't whether Marge Simpson will live on, but how long the show will keep contemplating endings it can't have.
Metro
12 hours ago
- Metro
According to Gen Z, you've been using these 8 words all wrong
Think 'ate' means having lunch? Or 'serve' is something to do with dinner? We hate to break it to you, but you might need to rethink your vocab. Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) are reinventing language, turning everyday words into trending buzzwords that have completely different meanings. And they're not just inventing words, they're transforming old ones too. If you don't have a Gen Z niece, nephew or co-worker to keep you in the loop, and you're feeling a little lost, you're not alone. A study by English learning app Preply found that 30% of Gen X workers admit they have difficulty understanding their millennial and Gen Z coworkers. So, if you're thinking about expanding your vocab, these are the words you need to know. Then: Opposition or enemy Now: Original poster What used to describe your enemy or rival now simply refers to the person who started a post or thread online. Having transitioned from street slang to social media dialect, you'll now find this acronym on Reddit, X, and TikTok communities. Then: A maths equation Now: Outperforming someone's social post in likes Once confined to your GCSE revision nightmares, the term 'ratio' now carries a whole new kind of drama. On social media, if someone replies to your post and their comment racks up more likes than yours, you've officially been ratioed. 'It's often used as a form of protest. People simply comment 'ratio' under a post they disagree with, and if that comment ends up with more likes than the original, it's considered a digital win for the reply. Then: A hit with the hand Now: Incredibly good While it used to mean hitting something with your hand, it is now used to describe something that's really good. 'This slaps' is a common reaction after hearing a particularly great song or taking a delicious bite of food. Then: Having eaten Now: Doing an amazing job When someone 'ate' (and left no crumbs), it means they excelled at something, the language experts at Preply explain. It can be used in a number of contexts, from when someone beautifully styles an outfit to aces their exam. You'll often see this word in the comments section of photos, especially when enthusiastic friends or fans are hyping someone up. Then: To offer someone Now: Looking effortlessly great or doing something cool without trying Previously, 'serve' meant to present something to somebody, typically food or drink. Nowadays, if someone is 'serving', they're turning heads. If your friend's look is on point or their confidence is off the charts, you'd tell them they're serving, and they'd know exactly what you mean. Then: Backstory in gaming or fantasy Now: Used for personal backstories or drama What began in fantasy novels and Dungeons & Dragons games has found a second life in the group chat. From celebrity feuds to your friend's long-lasting situationship, everything now has lore. Simply put, it refers to the backstory or context behind something. If someone says 'the lore is wild', you know there's a backstory worth delving into. Then: Pulled along the ground Now: Publicly criticised or exposed If you've been dragged online, you've been metaphorically pulled through the mud. More Trending It could come in the form of a jibe, a clapback, or even a string of brutal emojis. Either way, someone's got a problem, and they want everyone to see it. Then: The centre of something Now: Added to anything to make it an aesthetic From 'cottagecore' to 'balletcore' to 'fairycore', adding 'core' to the end of a word instantly gives it a distinct aesthetic. You'll often see it on Pinterest and TikTok, used to define specific vibes or niche subcultures. Whatever you're into, there's almost certainly a 'core' for it. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Trolls came for my looks, business and parenting – I want Tattle Life's demise MORE: I name and shame Tattle gossip trolls – and even tell their bosses MORE: A year ago Hawk Tuah girl went viral – Metro catches up with Haliey Welch to find out what happened next Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
