Long-running 'Simpsons' character Alice Glick is killed off after 35 years

Highlights

• Episode seven of season 37 features the permanent death of organist Alice Glick
  
• Her passing sets off a storyline about school funding and hidden politics
  
• Executive producer Tim Long confirms the character is gone for good
  
• Alice Glick previously “died” once in season 23
  

Alice Glick’s final moment

The Simpsons has said goodbye to one of Springfield’s oldest recurring figures. In season 37, episode seven, titled Sashes to Sashes, church organist Alice Glick collapses onto her organ and dies during a sermon delivered by Reverend Lovejoy.

Her sudden death becomes the pivot point for the rest of the episode, as her will leaves her estate to Springfield Elementary to support a new music program.

A fight over her legacy

Although Alice intends her fortune to help the school, the plan nearly unravels when Mayor Quimby’s son pushes to divert the money toward a three-day music festival. Lisa Simpson objects and begins digging into the Quimby family’s history, eventually encouraging Bart to run against the younger Quimby for student council president.

The episode ends with Alice’s original wish for a music program preserved.

This time, however, the decision is finalYouTube/ MisfitPunk84

A character with a complicated history

This is not the first time Alice Glick has died on the show. In season 23, she appeared to be killed by a rogue robot seal but later returned alive or as a ghost whenever a storyline required it.

This time, however, the decision is final. Executive producer Tim Long confirmed to People that Alice has now exited the series permanently, saying, “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.”

Alice first appeared in the season two episode Three Men and a Comic Book, originally voiced by Cloris Leachman and later by Tress MacNeille.

Fans react to the loss

Viewers took to social media to express their surprise, noting that her departure comes not long after the death of barfly Larry “The Lush” Dalrymple in season 35. One user wrote, “Alice Glick died once again in Season 37, Episode 7. Nooo.” Another added, “1st Larry, now Alice Glick. The Simpsons are killing off everyone….”