Fox has a big surprise in store for its flagship program, "The Simpsons," when it debuts its 26th season premiere this fall. It seems that the death of a popular character will take place during the show's first episode of the new season. While "Simpsons" staff are mum on just who will perish in the episode, executive producer Al Jean has promised viewers "an emotional story" when talking to Entertainment Weekly.
Jean went on to note that the character who bites will be a familiar one. He went on to add that the character that perishes is by an actor who voiced a character and won an Emmy for his/her performance. Sounds like they are covering all of the bases to not give away just which stalwart character dies.
According to the site, the episode entitled "Clown in the Dumps" will air on September 28th on Fox, but speculation as to who dies will steadily grow as the episode draws near. Jean noted at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that the character that dies will return in a flashback or as a ghost. Surely die hard fans will take to the Internet during the rest of the summer to determine just which character is going to die. Obviously the episode's title, "Clown in the Dumps," should give people a hint at who might be involved in the death.
Also in Fox animation news, the canceled cult hit "Futurama" will return ever so briefly this season. The show that has legions of loyal fans will have a crossover on "The Simpsons" when Bender travels back in time to Springfield in order to kill Bart Simpson because of something that Bart does in the present that affects the future. Cast members of "Futurama" will be reprising their roles, including Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, Phil LaMarr, Lauren Tom, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille. The "Futurama" crossover episode is set to air on November 9.
The Simpsons are also slated to make an appearance on the Seth MacFarlane hit "Family Guy" in its season premiere. The date has not been revealed yet, but Fox's first family sounds like it has a busy schedule even after 25 seasons. While no details about the "Family Guy" crossover have been leaked, it sounds like "The Simpsons" continues to gain steam even after almost three decades of shows.
