‘The Simpsons’ producer apologises for killing off popular character

The Simpsons producer Tim Long has apologised to fans after the show killed off an original character.

• READ MORE: ‘The Simpsons: Hit & Run’ is a brilliant window into the noughties

The animated series is currently in its 35th season, having made its debut in 1989. Now, one of the show’s more obscure but frequently-spotted characters is no more.

In the most recent episode, titled ‘Cremains of the Day’, Larry the Barfly (aka Larry Dalrymple) suddenly dropped dead at Moe’s Tavern.

Larry, who is often seen in the background at the bar, has been a part of the series since the very beginning, but was never given a proper line of dialogue.

Simpsons fans were hit hard by Larry’s surprise death, with many taking to social media to share their mournful thoughts.

RIP for the Larry fans. https://t.co/yjjYePZ1JE pic.twitter.com/LBiIjYeLnd

— Out of Context Simpsons Couch Gags (@OOCCouchGags) April 8, 2024

One thing about the latest Simpsons episode is that all jokes aside, Larry The Barfly’s life is really fucking sad and tragic 😭😭😭

— (MOVING ACCOUNTS) (@DeadBloke999) April 22, 2024

I can’t believe they killed off Larry Dalrymple on The Simpsons last night. #RIPLarry pic.twitter.com/sFFxcPTYGe

— Blade McG IV (SCM) (@Blade___McG) April 22, 2024

“Holy shit, Larry from The Simpsons died, rest in peace my drunken king,” one person posted on X (formerly Twitter), while another wrote: “One thing about the latest Simpsons episode is that all jokes aside, Larry The Barfly’s life is really fucking sad and tragic”.

Long has since apologised for upsetting fans, but noted how their huge emotional reaction to a background character’s death highlights just how beloved the show still is.

Speaking to TMZ, the producer said the creative team intended for Larry’s death to hit viewers hard, even though he never had a big moment on the show.

Long noted that characters don’t often die on The Simpsons, which is perhaps why fans were so caught off guard. In the episode, Homer, Moe, Lenny and Carl all attend Larry’s funeral, but soon realise that they know virtually nothing about their supposed friend.

Larry’s mother, Iris, then pays an emotional tribute to her late son, and then the group tell a vague fishing story at the service before sprinkling his ashes at his “special place”, Serenity Falls.

In other news, last month the iconic series paid tribute to late actor Richard Lewis, who had a guest starring role in the show.