"The Simpsons" fans were left reeling after the surprise death of Larry Dalrymple, better known as Larry the Barfly, in the latest episode "Cremains of the Day." The longtime background character, a fixture at Moe's Tavern since the show's first episode in 1989, passed away, leaving Homer and his friends to scatter his ashes on a road trip.
Tim Long, co-executive producer of "The Simpsons," addressed the decision to kill off Larry, voiced by Harry Shearer. "I'm sorry if some fans are upset, but we really wanted to use Larry's death as a way to show that even the most peripheral people in our lives have dignity and worth, and that we really shouldn't take anyone for granted," Long explained.
He added a touch of classic "Simpsons" humor, saying, "To paraphrase Shakespeare, nothing became Larry's life like the way he left it: drunk, lonely, and with a butt full of sapphires."
The episode explores themes of mortality and appreciating loved ones, even those on the periphery. "It's just a measure of how much the show still means to people. I mean, nobody would have been upset if the Flintstones had killed off the Great Gazoo. If anything, they would have been thrilled," Long said.
While Larry was never a breakout star, his death served as a poignant reminder of the rich emotional lives of "Simpsons" characters. "The episode is about a lot of things, but mostly it's about the fear of death... What I think is bittersweet about this episode is that it took Larry's death to make Homer and his friends appreciate him — and each other," Long explained.
The producer assured fans that the decision to kill Larry wasn't made lightly, but acknowledged the character's lack of mainstream popularity, saying, "I don't remember any kids wearing a 'Larry' t-shirt, or doing a 'Larry the drunk lonely barfly' dance. It would have been cool if they had."
"The Simpsons" has bid farewell to several beloved characters over its decades-long run, including Maude Flanders, Frank Grimes, Mona Simpson, and Edna Krabappel. Larry's unexpected demise is the latest example of the show's ability to surprise and emotionally resonate with its dedicated fanbase.