Fox has leaked the scoop that a central Simpsons character will be killed
off on the February 13 episode of the decade old toon. Rumors have been
circling that the grim reaper will be swinging his scythe at Maude
Flanders, wife of Jesus freak neighbor Ned. In a bold move of honesty THE
SIMPSONS' executive producer Mike Scully fully admits the show is a
shameless attempt at grabbing sweeps ratings. "We're in our 11th season and
we're always looking for new ways to shake up the show a little and do
something that might open up new story possibilities. We thought it would
be interesting to show how the surviving characters cope with death and
maybe take them in a new direction. Plus, it's sweeps." The rumor is
further supported by the departure of Meggie Roswell, the voice behind the
character. The soon-to-be-departed character will join the tomb of several
other Springfield-ites, including Bleeding Gums Murphy, Lisa's jazz idol;
family therapist Dr. Marvin Monroe; Grandpa Simpson's girlfriend Beatrice
Simmons; and Frank "Grimy" Grimes, an ill-fated nuclear power plant
co-worker of Homer's. Scully says that the show plans to deal with the
serious subject matter in a somewhat responsible manner to avoid upsetting
their viewers. "There was a lot of discussion about making sure we did deal
with some of the emotional ramifications of death and not just make it all
joke, joke, joke," he says. "But at the same time, we're a comedy, they're
animated, they're not real." The Fox series recently celebrated its 10 year
anniversary with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a new Web site,
action figures and PEZ dispensers.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
