Warning: This narrative is laden with spoilers from the seventh episode of The Simpsons' 37th season, an episode that delves into the heart-wrenching demise of one of its most enduring characters. In the episode titled "Sashes to Sashes," Springfield's First Church organist, Alice Gluck, collapses on her instrument mid-sermon, delivering a sudden and poignant farewell to the world of television.
Her passing serves as the pivot point for the entire episode, as Alice bequeaths her estate to Springfield Elementary School, earmarking the funds for a new music program. Yet, her legacy was nearly overshadowed when Mayor Quimby's son proposed using the funds for a three-day musical festival. Lisa Simpson, fueled by a desire to uncover Quimby family secrets, urges her brother Bart to run against the younger Quimby for student council president. Fortunately, Mrs. Glick's wishes for a music program were ultimately upheld in the end.
Surprisingly, this was not Alice Glick's first death on The Simpsons; in season 23, the character was seemingly slain by a rogue robot seal, only to reappear both alive and as a ghost depending on the needs of the episode. But this time around, executive producer Tim Long confirmed that Mrs. Glick has truly said goodbye for good. "In a sense, Alice the organist will live forever, through the beautiful music she made," he told People in a November 18 statement. "But in another, more important sense, yep she's dead as a doornail."
The character first graced our screens in season two's "Three Men and a Comic Book," where she was initially voiced by Cloris Leachman. Subsequent appearances saw her voice brought to life by Tress MacNeille. Fans were saddened by her departure, with one user writing on X: "Alice Glick died once again in Season 37, Episode 7. Nooo." Another user, referencing the recent death of Larry "The Lush" Dalrymple in season 35, penned: "First Larry, now Alice Glick. The Simpsons are really saying goodbye to everyone...”
