‘The Simpsons’ And ‘South Park’ Fans Are Debating The Ending Of The ‘Cancel The Simpsons’ Episode

In the latest episode of South Park, “The Problem with a Poo,” Matt Stone and Trey Parker (who, as nearly always, wrote the script) appeared to take a shot at The Simpsons. It’s right there in the title: “The Problem with a Poo” is a reference to The Problem with Apu, Hari Kondabolu’s documentary centered on the problematic Kwik-E-Mart employee. At the end of the episode, Mr. Hankey is banished from South Park and heads to “a place that accepts racist, awful beings like him,” somewhere that doesn’t “care about bigotry and hate.” Cut to: Springfield, where a crudely drawn Apu is waiting for the joyful christmas poo.

Then, the final blow.

Shortly after “The Problem with a Poo” aired, Kondabolu tweeted, “Did @SouthPark just side with me WHAT IS HAPPENING #CancelTheSimpsons #PleaseDontThough.” (Kondabolu has said in multiple interviews that he’s a big fan of The Simpsons, and that “my friends and I watched it from the get-go.” The Problem with Apu wasn’t made out of hatred; it was made because he expects one of the greatest shows of all-time to be better.)

— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) October 11, 2018

Long-time Simpsons showrunner Al Jean also chimed in:

— Al Jean (@AlJean) October 11, 2018

Of course, because this is Matt and Trey that we’re talking about, and they’ve long shown their affection for The Simpsons (who, as you might have heard, did it), #CancelTheSimpsons is more likely than not an elaborate troll joke.

— Hayley Miller (@hayleymiller01) October 11, 2018

Holy shit. Obviously they don't want the Simpsons cancelled, what you're arguing is that #cancelthesimpsons is a critique of the Simpsons, so that would mean #cancelsouthpark is a critique of South Park. They are both a parody keyboard warriors who start social justice hashtags

— Ahmad Rasheedle (@rasheedle) October 11, 2018

Only @SouthPark can make fun of the fake Apu outrage and give a nod to The Simpsons standing strong while simultaneously appearing to trash them. Letting Apu greet a poo was key to the joke and is simply brilliant. #cancelthesimpsons

— Matt Eissey (@matt_eissey) October 11, 2018

People do understand #cancelthesimpsons is 100% pure sarcasm, right

— Vincent Scigliano (@VinnyScigliano) October 11, 2018

Or maybe not. Who knows!

— Tony Goldmark (@tonygoldmark) October 11, 2018

It could also be part of a larger conspiracy.

— Herman Taffy (@SwaggyPhan0) October 11, 2018

It’s only a matter of time before Family Guy gets involved.