I read somewhere that the writers considered the inclusion of any of Phil Hartman’s characters basically a form of cheating because he was so funny
No disrespect to Phil Hartman, but I can't believe Smithers is going to be outvoted by a guy who's only character arc established him as a "friend of the ocean", if you get my drift.
That is the thing, though. I think appreciation of his characters is increased by his death. We never had to see him in the bad ones.
I'm mostly joking cause I'm not really that invested in this poll. I haven't honestly cared about The Simpsons in what I can now accurately call decades. That said, what you say is probably accurate.
Ha, I'm out of regular posting commission for a little bit. Hopefully getting back into a groove this week.