When Marcia Wallace died unexpectedly in 2013, the producers of “The Simpsons” were taken by surprise. It was decided that Wallace’s character, Bart’s teacher (and Ned Flanders’ second wife) Edna Krabappel, would also die. But executive producer Al Jean said it always bothered him that Wallace and Mrs. Krabappel did not have a proper farewell. So far.
In the Sunday episode of “The Simpsons”, entitled “Diary Queen” (episode 696 of the show), Bart discovers Mrs. Krabappel’s diary and finds out how much she really believed in him – and that inspires him. The episode features Wallace’s voice, taken from previous episodes.
According to executive producer Al Jean, he used two lines by Wallace, previously used in the program, to fit them into the plot. “The Simpsons” released use with Wallace’s property, which was offset by its appearance. Wallace is credited with cameoing in the episode as well.
“Unfortunately, it was an amazing passage,” said Jean of Wallace’s death. “I didn’t know that she was so sick until very close to when it happened. So, we never had a chance to say goodbye to her on the show, and this is a small attempt to do that. And, you know, she was so loved by everyone who worked on The Simpsons, that we kind of wanted to give her one last moment on the show in her memory. That’s it, nothing more, but we think she was the best. “
In “The Simpsons”, Mrs. Krabappel’s passing was mentioned, but Jean said it was decided that the cause of the character’s death will not be revealed.
“I don’t think people nowadays necessarily want to know how a character died,” he said. “But we reveal a little more about [Mrs. Krabappel] and a little more about her life and how the character felt when she passed away. “
Wallace, who died at the age of 70, won an Emmy for outstanding acting on “The Simpsons” in 1992. She was also known for her role as receptionist Carol Kester on “The Bob Newhart Show” and was later a regular on television shows. games, as well as guest star on shows like “ALF”, “Full House”, “The Brady Bunch”, “Murphy Brown”, “Taxi” and “Murder, She Wrote”.
Wallace’s final episode with “The Simpsons,” “The Man Who Grew Too Much,” aired in March 2014. Mrs. Krabappel’s death made Flanders a widower a second time, after the death of his first wife, Maude .
“When we made them a couple, for me it was an interesting movement to attract opposites, which people often find confusing on television, but that happens forever in real life,” said Jean. “People like Krabappel and Flanders really do become couples. It was not intended to make Flanders such a tragic character. However, that being the case, I think he accidentally deepened his character – where he is someone who has had his faith really tested, who has been a very good person and some very difficult things have happened to him. So, within the confines of fiction, we’ve been trying to explore that with your character in the series. “
In reusing Wallace’s two lines in Sunday’s episode, Jean said he knew that diehard fans would recognize them, but that he felt they were appropriate for this story. And with that, “this will be your last appearance,” he said. “We just wanted to send the character properly, in a way that I think is not trying to be an explorer.”
Meanwhile, while “The Simpsons” hits 700 episodes next month, Jean said he is also particularly excited for viewers to see the February 28 episode, “Yokel Hero”, which shows the return of guest star Albert Brooks.
“It’s a long appearance, almost all of the third act,” said Jean. “It is clear, [Brooks] it is always hilarious and it was very funny to record it, both to hear what he says when it’s not the lines, and when it’s the lines, what he adds to them ”.
As to whether “The Simpsons” will plunge deeper into the COVID-19 pandemic, Jean said the program could only follow the reference he made in last season’s “Treehouse of Horror” episode. “Everyone has come to the same conclusion, which is that you will want to watch these programs in five years,” he said. “And, I have to think, things will be significantly better by then. It is a very strange time, but it will not be forever. “
Here is a teaser of the episode and Wallace’s return: