One of Springfield's most flamboyant residents has officially called time on his career. The Simpsons has permanently retired the beloved beer mascot Duffman in a special episode that aired in early January 2026, ending a near three-decade run for the character.
The End of an Era for Duffman
The parody episode, titled 'Seperance' in a nod to the popular series Severance, saw the cape-wearing spokesperson for Duff Beer make a final appearance. Duffman entered Homer and Marge's living room to deliver the corporate verdict: 'The Duff Corporation has retired that character forever.' The show's writers used the plot to comment on changing advertising trends, with Duffman stating that old methods like corporate spokesmen and TV jingles are now 'passé' for modern audiences.
First appearing in the 1997 episode 'The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson', Duffman became famous for his third-person speech, blonde hair, belt of beer cans, and his enthusiastic catchphrase 'Oh yeah!' The character was voiced by veteran Hank Azaria, who also provides the voices for Moe Szyslak and Chief Wiggum. The 'oh yeah!' is reportedly a reference to advertisers using the Yello song after the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Behind the Cape: The Man Named Barry
Out of his iconic uniform, Duffman is known to be a man named Barry. The show revealed in a 2002 episode, 'Jaws Wired Shut', that he is the last of three actors to portray the Duffman mascot. Previous episodes have also explored his Jewish heritage. During his retirement episode, Duffman attempted to recruit Homer to a mysterious company called EOD before undergoing deprogramming. Fans were given a glimpse of Barry out of uniform later in the episode, hinting that the man behind the mascot may still appear in Springfield, free from his beer-promoting duties.
The decision to retire the character was framed within the show as a response to his outdated persona, which included his catchphrases and the entourage of women that constantly surrounded him.
A Season of Change in Springfield
Duffman's retirement follows closely on the heels of another significant departure. The church organist, Alice Glick, died during a sermon in the episode 'Sashes to Sashes', which aired two months prior. She had been part of the show for 34 years. Executive producer Tim Long confirmed her permanent departure, telling People magazine she would 'live forever through the beautiful music she made,' before adding in typical Simpsons fashion, 'But in another, more important sense, yep she’s dead as a doornail.'
These moves mark a notable shift for the long-running animated series in its 37th season, as it streamlines its vast cast of characters. The Simpsons is available to stream on Disney Plus in the UK.
