‘Simpsons’ Producer Sorry Fans Upset by Character’s Death, Makes the Point

“The Simpsons” killed off a longtime character this week, sparking shock and outrage among its fans … and one producer says he expects nothing less from the show’s diehards.

Tim Long, co-executive producer of the long-running animated sitcom, tells TMZ … the creative team meant for Larry “The Barfly” Dalrymple’s death to hit the audience hard — even though Dalrymple never had a big moment on the show.

ICYMI … Larry was a background character on the show, first appearing back in 1989 during season 1, and mostly showing up in Moe’s Tavern near Homer Simpson and his friends. He occasionally throws out a line or two.

Long says it doesn’t matter how small Larry’s role was, because characters on “The Simpsons” don’t die often … so, it’s a huge deal when they do.

Tim adds he’s sorry to those fans upset about the death, and the sad episode in general … but, he says he likes that fans seemed to take it as hard as Homer and the gang did during the episode — because it speaks to how beloved the show still is.

Plus, Long jokingly says ‘Flintstones’ fans wouldn’t have flinched if the show killed off the reviled character, The Great Gazoo … so, it’s nice to know fans care about all the characters who make Springfield what it is.

That said, Long’s telling people to stop freaking out — ’cause it’s not like they killed off a major character like Barney or Moe!!!