Despite the ugly xenophobia surrounding President Donald Trump’s “they’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats,” line from the first debate, it’s quickly become the most meme-able soundbite of the 2024 political season.
The rest of us can pack it in and go home now that the meme has hit its nadir with legendary voice actor Hank Azaria jumping in. The Simpsons voice actor took to X as Police Chief Clancy Wiggum for a hilarious 911 call concerning dogs and cats.
In the 27-second long clip, Azaria, as one of his iconic characters from the The Simpsons, recreates a supposed 911 call from the residents of Springfield, Ohio (get it?), the place where this whole debunked rumor began. To nobody’s surprise, it’s hilarious from start to finish.
“People are eating dogs, what do you mean, like hot dogs?” Chief Wiggum asks, befuddled. I won’t spoil the rest, considering that it’s such a quick bit that doesn’t overstay its welcome. That said, I would happily watch Chief Wiggum taking 911 calls for the better part of a week.
Many online have already riffed on the rumor out of Springfield, Ohio. After all, it shares its name of the with the one featured in The Simpsons. Of course, there’s never been a definitive answer for which state Springfield belongs to.
Who is Police Chief Clancy Wiggum?
Police Chief Clancy Wiggum, for the uninitiated, started life as a background character during season one of The Simpsons. For anyone under the age of 100, Azaria based Wiggum’s voice on silver screen legend Edward G. Robinson. Wiggum, funnily enough, is the maiden name of Simpsons creator Matt Groening’s mother.
Azaria’s viral clip couldn’t have come at a better time. Season 36 of The Simpsons starts Sunday, September 29, on Fox. In the meantime, I hope Wiggum cracks this whole pet-eating situation wide open.