Only a few months after killing off a long-time character, The Simpsons retire beloved character after 30 years.
In the most recent episode on Sunday, January 4th, The Simpsons aired a Severance parody titled “Seperance.” In the episode, The Simpsons revealed the “forever” retirement of a character who has been a staple of the show for nearly three decades; however, it didn’t result in their death.
The episode in season 37 found Duffman — the popular Duff Beer spokesperson, who speaks in third person — announced that the company mascot he’s portrayed for much of the show’s run has been retired.
Duffman, or Barry Duffman, shared the news with viewers when he entered Homer and Marge Simpson’s home when greeting the titular family. “The Duff Corporation has retired that character forever,” he revealed. “All the old forms of advertising are now passé. Corporation spokesmen, print ads, TV spots. Today’s kids can’t even sing the jingles.”
Duff was dressed in a conservative outfit that is a contrast to his usual red and blue superhero outfit. The former Duffman goes on to explain that he is now a representative for an enigmatic corporation known as Enthusiasm on Demand.
The character was initially introduced in 1997’s “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” episode, where Duffman quickly became a popular side character.
Hank Azaria is the voice of Duffman’s mascot, but is known for voicing other characters as well, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Superintendent Chalmers, Comic Book Guy, and Snake Jailbird, and has previously said that he “dreads” playing Duffman.
“There are certain voices I save, like Duffman will blow me out in a second,” he said on Conan in 2020. “I have to save Duffman for the end and I actually dread it. Like, ‘Oh no, I got a lot of Duffman to do today.'”