Perhaps the most famous Simpsons scene is celebrating its 28th birthday – and the internet still can’t figure it out

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Perhaps the most famous Simpsons scene is celebrating its 28th

Happy Birthday, Steamed hams! The downright legendary Muffled scurry segment from the classic Simpsons episode 22 short films about Springfield first aired on April 14, 1996 as part of the 7th season on the US channel FOX. Back then, 28 years ago, Matt Groening and his series team certainly had no idea what they were doing with the cartoon sketch that is still used today Memes-Extreme sports are practiced.

You have no idea what we’re talking about? All the better. Just make yourself comfortable and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the memified Simpsons cuddles to celebrate the day.

The immortal Simpsons segment about an unforgettable lunch

In the almost three-minute section of the anthology episode with stories about the residents of Springfield, Principal Skinner invited the strict high school superintendent Chalmers to lunch. However, when the roast overcooks in the oven and his manager notices the smoke, Skinner claims there are steamed mussels (steamed clams in the original English version). Without further ado, he sneaks over to the Krusty Burger opposite and gives the hamburgers he bought there as muffled scurries (steamed hamsactually ham).

FOX

Scene from episode 7×21 of The Simpsons

Chalmers remains skeptical and a discussion ensues about dish names in various regions of New York State before Skinner realizes that the kitchen is on fire. His excuse this time: Aurora Borealis, the sparkling northern lights. Well done, Skinner!

Steamed Hams, but… What the Internet made of the sketch

The Steamed Hams meme consists of the Remake, alienate, re-animate, otherwise re-enact the sketch, or pay tribute to it in a memorable way. This sometimes takes on exorbitantly complex proportions in which fans invest a lot of time and passion. One is almost reminded of monks in the Middle Ages who reverently copied valuable books in their own handwriting.

A few cuddly ones Examples Would you like? Please:

  • Steamed Hams, but every scene a different cartoon style

  • Steamed Hams, but with LEGO figures
  • Steamed Hams, but as a German Expressionist film
  • Steamed Hams, but it’s Basket Case by Green Day
  • Steamed Hams, but recreated entirely with Seinfeld snippets
  • Steamed Hams, but Jeff Goldblum reads the dialogue
  • Steamed Hams, but Tarantino directed it
  • Steamed Hams, but it’s the Take on Me music video by A-ha
  • Steamed Hams, but it’s a banned USSR animated film
  • Steamed Hams, but it’s the one from the anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

  • Steamed hams, but Chalmers finally gets steamed mussels

    • According to Know Your Meme, the cult of muffled scurries has existed at least since 2009, when a Facebook group dedicated to the topic was established. However, videos with the formula “Steamed Hams, but…” only gained meme popularity around 2017. New versions of varying quality are still uploaded to YouTube every day. And there is hardly an end to the cuddliness in sight.

    The secret recipe: What makes this sketch so delicious?

    The Chalmers vs. Skinner scene, as it is called in the script by Simpsons author Bill Oakley, is, on the one hand, a well-written gag with classic characters that play off their functioning core dynamic with one another. Skinner as a windy weasel who wants to save face despite his incompetence and Chalmers as a short-tempered boss who quickly loses his temper. The original English version in particular contains very quotable quote snippets that help Huschel fans easily recognize each other. From the pretentious “unforgettable luncheon” about alliteration “delightfully devilish” up to the exclamation “Aurora borealis?!” There is a lot of iconic things to be found here.

    FOX

    Steamed Hams as a reference in a later Simpsons episode

    But there is always something arbitrary about online meme humor. Randomness is king and maybe it didn’t have to be this sketch at all. However, creativity is best lived within given limitations, the source of which does not necessarily have to be the best of all time, just memorable. Consider the notorious Loss meme, which has been remixed even more often and is based on a rather problematic webcomic panel. And no, I don’t have time to explain that now. A good time was had by all. I’m pooped.

    And what about current episodes of The Simpsons?

    The first 34 seasons of The Simpsons can be streamed on the German Disney+, and the 34th season was recently shown as a free TV premiere on ProSieben. Season 35 will premiere on US television on FOX on October 1, 2024 and the long-running cartoon series is already certain of a 36th season.

    *This link to Disney+ is an affiliate link. By taking out a subscription via this link you support Moviepilot. .

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