The Simpsons in paradise, controversy over the death of one of the characters

They made TV history, they predicted pandemics and American presidencies. The Simpsons for 35 years they continue uninterruptedly not only to tell the story of our times but even to anticipate them, with that three-eyed fish, the nuclear factory where Homer works and Marge’s unlikely hairstyle. Outwardly they never change, they don’t grow, they don’t age and – this should have been a nutshell – they don’t die. But no, the sacred pact with the public was broken and uproar broke out in the United States.

In the last episode broadcast in America (Cremains of the day) we see a famous customer of Moe’s Tavern, Larry, who ends up with wings in heaven and at one point in the company of Homer. Co-executive producer Tim Long had to take action because The Simpsons are a true institution not only of American TV but also of pop culture.

«I’m sorry – said the manager – if the fans were angry, our intent was to use Larry’s death to talk about something else, about the dignity and importance of our existences, which should not be taken for granted». He also bothered Shakespeare by sending an email to Variety, the cult entertainment magazine. In practice Larry would continue to drink alone in the afterlife and his friends at the bar would have kept alive the tradition of scattering his ashes.

After decades of presence in the lives of spectators, it is clear that the public cares about the characters as if they were friends or, indeed, drinking companions, even if we exchange a few words at the bar.