Bart Simpson will be killed off in The Simpsons.
The
cartoon schoolboy is set to fall victim to a diabolical plan by arch
rival Sideshow Bob in the upcoming Halloween special, Treehouse of
Horror XXVI, which will be broadcast in the autumn.
The show's executive producer Al Jean revealed the news during an ATX Festival panel in
Texas, where he admitted he was inspired to air the dramatic scenes
because he felt 'frustration' when the Coyote never killed the Road
Runner in the animated children's show Looney Tunes.
He said: 'I hated frustration comedy so we'll scratch that itch.
'So
Bob will finally somehow actually execute Bart - and then won't know
what to do with himself after his life's mission has been accomplished.'
However, fans can rest assured the
murderous scenes will not mean the end of the show or the son of Homer
Simpson, as the episode is a one-off Halloween special, meaning he will
be back to normal in subsequent episodes.
Kelsey
Grammer, 60, will return to play the evil genius, who first hit screens
in 1990 before beginning his quest to murder Bart in Cape Feare in 1993,
having also attempted to kill Bart's aunt Selma the previous year in
Black Widower.
Producers
sparked fears Krusty the Clown could be facing the axe last year when
they teased the death of a show favorite in Clown In The Dumps,
although it was later revealed it was Krusty's father, Rabbi Hyman
Krustofsky - voiced by Emmy winner Jackie Mason - who was set to die on
screen.
The
news of Bart's temporary demise comes just weeks after the future of a
host of characters were put in jeopardy with the revelation that voice
actor Harry Shearer is leaving the show.
Cartoon
veteran Shearer, who voiced Mr Burns, Ned Flanders, Principle Skinner
and over 100 Springfield citizens in his 26 years, tweeted to confirm
the news, saying that he wanted 'freedom to do other work'.
TMZ reported
that the 71-year-old quit following issues with his new contract,
though the attorney for Simpsons writer and director James L. Brooks
made it clear that 'the show will go on' for the animated comedy.
Sharing a
message from Brooks' lawyer, Shearer quoted the team as saying that his
contract had not been renewed following private negotiations with
producers.
He wrote: 'from James L. Brooks' lawyer: 'show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.'
In
a second tweet, Shearer continued: 'This because I wanted what we've
always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very
best.'
Shearer may
be responsible for a number of integral characters - also including news
anchor Kent Brockman and Mr Burns' sidekick Smithers - but show runner
Al Jean told CNNMoney that the familiar faces won't be 'killed off'.
Jean
said: 'We do not plan to "kill off" his characters but replace them
with the most talented members of the voice over community.'
He
continued that Shearer was 'offered the same deal as the rest of the
cast, but turned it down. We wish him well,' and then quipped, 'Maggie
took it hard.'
When
long-serving cast members Phil Hartman and Marcia Wallace died, the
characters they voiced including Troy McLure, Lionel Hutz and Edna
Krabappel all disappeared.
Well i cried a little, after reading this. I didn't notice that Edna Krabappel was gone. Lolzzz.
Kinda like when they Killed "Brian, the dog from family guy". Fans couldn't handle it...
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