It may not come as a surprise that a “South Park” episode titled “The Problem With a Poo” included a shot at “The Simpsons,” which has been criticized lately for it’s long-running Indian caricature-character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, most notably in documentary “The Problem With Apu.” But how Wednesday’s Comedy Central half-hour actually ended might jolt your system a bit.
“The Problem With a Poo” centered on Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo, who is a talking piece of poo in a Santa Claus hat that’s been in and out of “South Park” since the very beginning. In a hearing meant to mock Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination testimony, Mr. Hankey defended offensive tweets he posted.
The whole circus really turned into a Kavanugh-Roseanne Barr hybrid joke when the literal piece of crap blamed Ambien for his unkind social media posts. Yeah, the cast-off “Roseanne” star did that in real life.
At the end of last night’s episode, Mr. Hankey was sent packing from the lovely little town of South Park, where nothing offensive ever happens.
“Where will he go?” Stan Marsh asks.
“He’ll have to find a place that accepts racist, awful beings like him,” dad Randy replies. “There are still places out there who don’t care about bigotry and hate.”
Cut to: A relative facsimile of “The Simpsons” opening music and its classic scroll-down from the clouds.
Apu welcomes Mr. Hankey in the Springfield Square, and the the whole thing closes with a #cancelthesimpsons hashtag. That’s a play on the #cancelsouthpark hashtag that Comedy Central has used in its promotion of this current season.
Watch the ending of “The Problem With a Poo” below.
South Park just went there on @TheSimpsons and Apu #cancelthesimpsons pic.twitter.com/djT8eTRgfn
— Matt Wilstein (@mattwilstein) October 11, 2018
“Simpsons” home Fox did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment on the “South Park” swipe, nor did it’s studio, 20th Century Fox. Comedy Central did not immediately elaborate on it either.
Here’s what “Simpsons” showrunner Al Jean had to say about the episode:
.@TheSimpsons Please don’t cancel @SouthPark
— Al Jean (@AlJean) October 11, 2018
This isn’t the first time the two popular animated shows have commented on one other. “South Park” Episode 607 was titled “Simpsons Already Did It,” and the whole plot basically revolved around the fact that the Fox comedy has been on TV for so long there are no original plot devices left for a younger show. Fast-forward to now, and “South Park” is in its 22nd year of existence.
“The Simpsons” have mostly relied on Bart to fire off a few rounds at its cable rival.
Below are video compilations of both shows getting their licks in.