The Real Reason The Simpsons Killed Maude Flanders

In “The Simpsons” episode “Alone Again, Natura-Diddly” (February 13, 2000), the Simpsons discover a new outdoor auto race track inside their favorite nature reserve and decide to stay to watch a race or two. Indeed, there are many recognizable characters there, incl Ned Flanders (Harry Shearer) and his wife Maude (Marcia Mitzman Gaven), who sits in the back row. Between races, the cheerleaders take to the track and use a t-shirt cannon to fire loose clothing into the stands. Tragically, one of the errant t-shirts hits Maude in the chest, throwing her over the back rails of the stadium. She plunges to her death, landing in the car park below.

The rest of the episode follows Ned’s grieving process as he mourns the loss of his wife. Ned, perhaps frighteningly, even sees his faith in God shaken by the disaster; as usual, Ned is ultra-Christian.

Maude Flanders is one of the few characters that was actually permanently killed off by “The Simpsons”. The other was the jazz musician “Bleeding Gums” Murphy, who has only returned in flashbacks, or, occasionally, as a ghost. Dr. died. Marvin Monroe tooand his tombstone was even seen in “Alone Again, Natura-Diddly,” but the character mysteriously returned years later. “I have been very ill,” was all he had to offer.

Maude, however, was an important enough character to change the thrust of one of the more notable characters of “The Simpsons”. Ned Flandrys, who was previously happily married with a family, had to cope with being a widower. The happy-go-lucky character was now imbued with an element of tragedy.

It seems, however, that the writers killed off Maude Flanders for reasons beyond mere storytelling opportunities or changing Ned’s character. The actress who played Maude, Maggie Roswell, appears to have asked for a raise. When she didn’t get it, Roswell gave up. In response, the writers “Simpsons” only offered the character. The pay dispute was reported by CBR.