Although “The Simpsons” exists in a perpetual purgatory the place no person ever ages, the present has stated goodbye to a number of characters over time. Poor outdated Snowball I died previous to the sequence premiere, and Lisa needed to say goodbye to Bleeding Gums Murphy in season 6. Maude Flanders then grew to become probably the most vital, longest-lasting character to be killed off when she fell to her loss of life in season 11. However lengthy earlier than any of those beloved “Simpsons” characters kicked the bucket, Abe Simpson misplaced his brother, Hubert, in a brief from the “Tracey Ullman Present” years.
It is unusual to assume that the longest-running scripted sequence on TV began life as a sequence of shorts supposed to behave as bumpers between industrial breaks. However that is precisely how “The Simpsons” started life on comedy sketch series “The Tracey Ullman Present.” On April 5, 1987, audiences first met Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Marge, and Homer as crudely drawn cartoon characters based mostly on sketches from creator Matt Groening. These shorts had a surreal high quality to them as a result of janky animation type, which was much more lopsided and wacky than the early seasons of “The Simpsons” correct, and weird sound results. However they have been charming in their very own manner, and clearly well-received sufficient to launch what would change into the defining present of the ’90s.
As soon as that change occurred, and “The Simpsons” went prime-time, nevertheless, they left their “Tracey Ullman” years behind them, as evidenced by the truth that Hubert Simpson — who handed away within the “Ullman” brief “The Funeral” — has by no means appeared in flashbacks and even been talked about on the long-running sequence ever since.
The Simpsons stated goodbye to Hubert Simpson and by no means appeared again
In “The Funeral,” Homer and Marge announce to the kids that they will be attending the funeral of their “aged uncle” Hubert Simpson. Bart is happy on the prospect of seeing a useless physique in actual life, however as soon as the household stands in entrance of the open casket, he instantly passes out. We do not see a lot of outdated Hubert past a glimpse of a person who seems similar to Homer and Abe Simpson mendacity in his coffin. In any other case, not way more occurs in “The Funeral,” which, as charming as it’s for an early “Simpsons” brief, is fairly tame stuff in comparison with what the present would go on to do by way of its pop cultural satire. In the meantime, Hubert Simpson stays considerably of a thriller. Presumably, he was Abe Simpson’s older brother, however we do not be taught something about him from the brief.
As soon as it grew to become a completely fledged present, “The Simpsons” had no problem killing off several recurring characters, which in the end resulted in the untimely passing of fan-favorite Fat Tony. However the sequence did not elaborate on or revisit the character of Hubert Simpson in any respect. He does not present up in any flashbacks, and no person speaks of Hubert once more. Nonetheless, he does maintain the title of the primary particular person to die within the historical past of the present.
Apparently sufficient, Tracey Ullman’s dislike of “The Simpsons” almost led to an early grave for the show itself. It was Fox President Ancier, who ensured the animated bumpers remained and in the end allowed “The Simpsons” to change into what it did. Now in its thirty seventh season and long gone its prime, maybe it is time for the present to revisit Hubert Simpson.
