{"id":2224102,"date":"2026-01-06T11:26:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2224102"},"modified":"2026-01-06T11:26:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:26:33","slug":"the-simpsons-retires-a-legendary-character-who-had-been-on-the-show-for-30-years-old-ways-are-outdated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-simpsons-retires-a-legendary-character-who-had-been-on-the-show-for-30-years-old-ways-are-outdated\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 retires a legendary character who had been on the show for 30 years: \u201cOld ways are outdated\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Over the past few years, The Simpsons<\/b><\/i> has made headlines less for the quality of its episodes and more for quietly retiring several long\u2011running characters<\/b>. And now, another Springfield staple appears to be gone for good: the one and only Duffman<\/b>. <\/p>\n

The latest episode of Season 37 strongly suggests we won\u2019t be seeing the iconic Duff Beer mascot again<\/b> because, as the show puts it, \u201ctimes have changed<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another case of political overcorrection?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Episode 13 of Season 37, titled \u201cSeperance,\u201d<\/b> is a direct parody of Apple TV+\u2019s hit series Severance<\/b><\/i>. In the episode, Duffman <\/b>has been fired and now works for a company called <\/i>Enthusiasm to Go<\/b><\/i>, a marketing-and-sales outfit with a suspiciously upbeat vibe.<\/p>\n

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‘Sperance’ is episode 13 of season 37 of ‘The Simpsons’, originally aired on January 4, 2026<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear something is off about this new employer \u2014 especially after Homer and Marge are recruited<\/b> and suddenly become top-tier salespeople<\/b>, only to come home completely drained<\/b>. The twist? In this version of \u201cSeverance,\u201d the procedure is nothing more than cosmetic surgery that makes employees more attractive and therefore better at selling. Their exhaustion is simply the result of giving 110% at work<\/b>.<\/p>\n

By the end of the episode, Barry Duffman<\/b> \u2014 yes, that\u2019s his real name \u2014 decides to quit <\/b>Enthusiasm to Go<\/b><\/i> as well, realizing he can\u2019t spend meaningful time with his family<\/b> under the company\u2019s demands. That\u2019s when he reveals why he stopped being Duffman<\/b> in the first place:<\/p>\n

\u201cDuff Corporation retired the character for good. All the old-school marketing tricks are out. Brand reps, magazine ads, TV commercials\u2026 kids don\u2019t even know the jingles anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Duffman announces his “indefinite retirement”<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After losing his job entirely<\/b>, Barry sticks to his \u201ccivilian clothes\u201d instead of the famous Duff Beer costume \u2014 a visual cue that this isn\u2019t just a throwaway gag. It feels final. While the show hasn\u2019t offered an official explanation, the move looks like a deliberate attempt to avoid alienating younger viewers<\/b>. Then again, as Duffman once famously said: \u201cDuffman can\u2019t die \u2014 only the actors who play him<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Duffman: classic Simpsons icon and a sharp parody of over-the-top \u201990s marketing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Duffman first appeared<\/b> in The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson<\/b><\/i>,<\/i> the Season 9 premiere that originally aired on September 21, 1997. His debut instantly defined him: a bombastic, hyper-enthusiastic pitchman fiercely loyal to Duff Beer<\/b>. <\/p>\n

He burst into Moe\u2019s Tavern with a squad of glamorous models, offering Barney a bottomless mug of the new \u201cDuff Extra Cold\u201d while Yello\u2019s \u201cOh Yeah\u201d blasted in the background. He\u2019s popped up in similar scenes ever since.<\/p>\n