Ep. 44: Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo

What Was It Like Watching a Web Series on Dial-Up in 1997?

First off, can we take a moment to appreciate what it must have been like trying to watch a web series on dial-up internet back in 1997? Loading one of those jokers was like waiting for a glacier to finish its morning jog. No thanks. I’ll stick to my streaming now, please.

Holiday Bathroom Greetings & The Legend of Mr. Hankey

Alright, on to the real star of the season—Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo. Yes, you heard that right. This lovable (gross) holiday icon hails from South Park, debuting in season one, episode nine. I only watched this one full episode, so don’t @ me if you’re a die-hard fan.

Mr. Hankey is exactly what you’d expect: a solid turd, about 3-5 inches long, wearing a Santa hat and saying “hidey ho!” He hops around leaving brown streaks wherever he goes (gross but kinda funny). The story is a hilarious spin on holiday culture wars, featuring Kyle—the Jewish kid banned from Christmas plays—who desperately wishes for a holiday mascot he can claim. Enter Mr. Hankey.

What’s the Deal with Mr. Hankey?

The episode hilariously tackles the “war on Christmas” by showing Kyle’s mom banning him from all Christmas activities, prompting Kyle’s friends to crack jokes and enforce absurd “no Christmas snow on your tongue” laws. In true South Park style, the show mocks everyone, including itself.

Mr. Hankey’s charm is his non-judgmental gift-giving—he doesn’t care if you’re naughty or nice, just if you have enough fiber in your diet. That’s right, to get a visit from Mr. Hankey, you gotta keep those bowels regular. Forget elves spying on you; Mr. Hankey is the true holiday enforcer.

Behind the Scenes: The Origins of Mr. Hankey

Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park, got the idea for Mr. Hankey from his dad during potty training. Legend says if Trey didn’t flush, Mr. Hankey would come to life and attack him. Scary? Sure. Effective? Apparently yes. Mr. Hankey quickly became a key character, even causing Fox to back out of the show over “talking poop,” but Comedy Central was all in.

Poop Controversy: Mr. Hankey vs. Nutty the Friendly Dump

Fun fact: Just before Mr. Hankey debuted, a web series dropped featuring Nutty, the Friendly Dump—another talking poop. Some accused South Park of copying. The creator of Nutty said bathroom humor’s popular and it could be coincidence. The timing? Suspicious. The outcome? Mr. Hankey won the holiday throne; Nutty faded into internet oblivion.

Final Thoughts

So, whatever your holiday traditions look like, whether it’s Santa, Hanukkah, Terry the non-denominational gift-giving dragon, or Mr. Hankey, remember: keep those brown skid marks to a minimum this season. And hey, stay regular, fiber buddies.