'The Simpsons' is retiring a classic character 'forever' after almost 30 years

The Simpsons are saying farewell to another resident of Springfield.

On Sunday’s episode of the long-running cartoon, the character of Duffman, the Duff Beer spokesperson, announced that he was being retired as the company’s mascot.

"The Duff Corporation has retired that character forever," he stated while in Homer and Marge Simpson’s home. "All the old forms of advertising are now passé. Corporate spokesmen, print ads, TV spots. Today's kids can't even sing the jingles."

The announcement tied into the plot of the episode, “Seperance,” a parody of the sci-fi drama “Severance.” Duffman was at the Simpson home to try to recruit Homer to join the soulless corporation EOD (Enthusiasm on Demand), but by the end of the episode he deprogrammed himself from working for them.

Duffman, real name Barry Duffman, could be seen later in the episode out of his mascot costume, seemingly confirming he’s done with the job for good.

The character first appeared in the season 9 episode “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” in 1997. His last full appearance was in the season 36 episode, “P.S. I Hate You.”

This isn’t the first character “The Simpsons” has said adieu to this season.

In the November episode titled “Sashes to Sashes,” Alice Glick, the organist at the First Church of Springfield died mid-sermon.

Executive producer Tim Long told People in a statement at the time, "In a sense, Alice the organist will live forever, through the beautiful music she made. But in another, more important sense, yep she's dead as a doornail."