In a surprising turn on the November 16 episode of The Simpsons, fans watched as one of the show’s longtime minor characters, Alice Glick, finally met her end.
The episode, titled Sashes To Sashes, saw Alice collapse onto the church organ during a service led by Reverend Lovejoy, leaving the congregation—and the Simpson family—stunned.
Her death marks the conclusion of a character who had been part of the show’s universe since 1991, spanning an impressive 34-year, 35-season run.
Fans and Critics React to the Passing
As expected, social media erupted with reactions.
Some fans offered heartfelt tributes to Alice, remembering her quirky contributions over the decades.
Others used the moment to question the longevity of The Simpsons, which has faced criticism for continuing past the point where its humor and energy matched the early seasons.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from “RIP Alice Glick” to joking reminders that, as a cartoon character, Alice could theoretically return at any time.
Some fans even declared that the series has lost its charm since around season 13, sparking debate over whether The Simpsons should finally end.
Alice Glick’s History on the Show
Alice originally appeared in season two’s Three Men And A Comic Book, voiced by the legendary Cloris Leachman.
In that debut, Bart performed chores for Alice in exchange for money to buy a $100 comic book—but her generosity only extended to 50 cents per chore, prompting Bart, Milhouse, and Martin to squabble over the remainder.
After Leachman passed away in 2021, veteran voice actress Tress MacNeille took over the role for all subsequent appearances.
Interestingly, Alice’s death isn’t entirely straightforward.
In season 23’s Replaceable You, she was seemingly attacked by a robotic pet, leaving viewers to believe she had died—though she later appeared alive in subsequent episodes, both as herself and as a ghost.
This led many fan forums to consider some of her appearances non-canonical.
The Simpsons Continues Its Tradition of Character Departures
Alice’s passing adds to a long list of minor characters who have been killed off in recent years.
The show has previously sparked controversy with the temporary deaths of key figures like Marge Simpson in a future flash-forward, as well as Bart’s antagonist Sideshow Bob in a 2023 Treehouse of Horror episode, which also falls outside the canonical timeline.
Other minor characters, such as Larry the Barfly, have also met their end over the years.
These departures highlight the show’s ongoing challenge: balancing its long legacy with new storytelling while keeping fans engaged.
Executive Producer Comments on Alice’s Legacy
Tim Long, the show’s executive producer, told People that Alice’s musical contributions will live on even after her character’s death.
“In a sense, Alice the organist will live forever, through the beautiful music she made,” he said.
“But in another, more important sense, yep she’s dead as a doornail.”
A Character Remembered
Though Alice may be gone for good, her legacy in Springfield remains.
From her early episodes to her later appearances voiced by MacNeille, she was a quirky, endearing presence in the community of characters surrounding the Simpson family.
For longtime fans, her death is both a nostalgic moment and a reminder of how The Simpsons has evolved—and sometimes struggled—to balance decades of storytelling with the realities of aging characters and voice actors.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn