The Simpsons Producer Confirms a Fan-Favorite Character Is Gone for Good

Springfield just lost a familiar face, and this time it actually sticks. After decades of background duty, The Simpsons has officially made one longtime church regular a permanent part of the past.

What happens in 'Sashes to Sashes'

In the November 16 episode, the opening gag takes a hard left into grim: during Reverend Lovejoy's sermon, the church organ blasts at full force. He assumes Alice Glick is getting dramatic on the pipes, but the camera reveals the truth — Alice is slumped over the keys, gone. It's quick, blunt, and easily one of the show's more jarring cold opens in years.

Yes, it's canon this time

The Simpsons loves to play fast and loose with continuity, but co-executive producer Tim Long told Entertainment Weekly that this one is not a fake-out.

'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.'

Who Alice Glick was, and why this is notable

Alice Glick has been part of the First Church of Springfield since the early years. She first showed up back in Season 2, originally voiced by Cloris Leachman before Tress MacNeille took over. If you feel like you've seen Alice die before, you kind of have — which is where things get nerdy.

• 1991: Alice debuts in Season 2.
• Voice history: Cloris Leachman originated the role; Tress MacNeille later became the voice you likely hear in your head.
• Previous 'deaths': She died in Season 23, and earlier in a bit involving a Robopet. Both were ultimately treated as non-canonical since Alice kept popping up afterward.
• November 16, 'Sashes to Sashes': The show confirms her death on-screen in the opening scene.
• Producer confirmation: Tim Long says this is permanent, ending the 'is it canon?' debate.
• For context: Earlier this year, Season 36 stirred the pot by 'killing' Marge in a flash-forward — that was quickly clarified as not part of the show's continuity.

So, after 35-plus seasons of Springfield musical accompaniment, Alice Glick gets a final curtain — not a gag, not a future-vision detour, just a clean, canon goodbye.