Blame it on all the recent binge-viewing of Breaking Bad, but The Simpsons creators plan on killing a “regular character” in the forthcoming 25th season of the long-running animated series. Executive producer Al Jean teased the death in an interview with The Sun News, saying: “I’ll give you a clue that the actor playing the character won an Emmy for playing that character, but I won’t say who it is.”
Don’t think too hard. As any greying Simpsonian is wont to explain, pretty much every major cast member has nabbed the famed golden statue at one time or another. This leaves the proverbial crime scene to include characters voiced by Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Dan Castellaneta (Homer, Grampa Krusty, Barney, and many others ), Julie Kavner (Marge), Hank Azaria (Apu, Chief Wiggum, Moe, among the two dozen ), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Marcia Wallace (Edna Krabappel), Jackie Mason (Rabbi Krustofski), Kelsey Grammer (Sideshow Bob), and Anne Hathaway (Princess Penelope).
Surprisingly, Harry Shearer has never had the honor to thank Matt Groening and James L. Brooks onstage, meaning we won’t see the demise of Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman, Lenny, Principal Skinner, Otto Mann, Rainier Wolfcastle, and definitely not Ned Flanders. Phew. Who else was going to take care of Rod and Todd? (ICYMI: Their mother Maude passed away back in season 11.)
Other Springfielders who’ve shuffled off this mortal coil include: Bleeding Gums Murphy, Frank Grimes, Fat Tony, Marvin Monroe, and Homer’s mother Mona.
So, that leaves only about a hundred other characters to ponder over. If you’re the gambling type, we suggest you don’t put any money on Homer Simpson. Although, the Vegas odds on oft-forgotten Shelbyville Milhouse are startling high. Play to win, people. Play to win.
The Simpsons returns to FOX this Sunday, October 6th at 8:00 p.m. EST.