Is Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo a jab at Tom Hanks

Cafe Society
1

A co-worker of mine is currently floating a theory I’ve never heard before. Apparently, the character “Mr. Hanky” was a specific jab at Tom Hanks, because when the show was in its infancy, Hanks went around to the Powers That Be in Hollywood and tried to get the show yanked off the air. (He felt it wasn’t an appropriate show for his “precious little babies.”)

I have never, ever, EVER heard this before. I am incredibly skeptical about it. I checked snopes, but didn’t find any info about it either way. (I can only assume they thought that was too stupid a topic to do an article on.) But my coworker is insisting on it. Anybody know anything about it?

2

I’ve never heard that, which of course doesn’t mean it’s not true. But that goes against everything I’ve ever heard about Tom Hanks. He’s always been regarded as being one of the nicest, most laid-back guys working in the industry. It just doesn’t sound like something he’d do. Which, again, certainly isn’t proof that it’s not true, but I’d need to see even a slim amount of evidence to even start to believe it.

3

All I can do is remind you the burden of proof is on the person making the claim. It’s your coworker’s job to prove it, not yours.

4

Never heard of that before.

5

For what it’s worth, according to Wikipedia, the concept and name Mr. Hankey come from Trey Parker’s childhood.

6

iirc, “mr. hanky” was the name of a bogeyman that either Stone or Parker’s father made up to scare him into flushing the toilet.

7

If only facts were available where someone could find them…

8

This sounds very weak to me. South Park never shied away from going directly after Hollywood Stars, politicians or even religions. If they had it in for Hanks they would have went after him directly.

I also find it hard to believe Hanks would have tried to get the show pulled or thought he had the influence to try anyway.

9

Does this coworker have a habit of coming up with wacky theories?

10

The word ‘floating’, and the topic of the theory itself, might suggest one way to view it.

11

Tom Hanks also starred in the film Me and Mr. Hankey, which premiered at the South Park film festival.

12

“Who casted Tom Hanks in this? Tom Hanks can’t act his way out of a nutsack!”

13

From what I know of South Park, while there are some celebrities, such as Barbra Streisand or Phil Collins, who don’t appreciate being lampooned, none have tried to get it taken off the air. Some go along with the joke, some ignore it, and some, such as George Clooney, are big fans and have appeared in the show and in the movie, “Bigger, Longer, and Uncut.”

14

I’m probably thinking of this, but didn’t they credit Tom Hanks as playing Mr. Hanky when he first appeared?

I drink a lot and might not remember clearly, but I seem to think I said, “That wasn’t Tom Hanks!” after seeing his name.

Mrs. Hanky, by the way, seems pretty frisky. :wink:

15

Not especially wacky theories, but she does have a tendency towards inane chatter about stupid things. There’s one in every office.:rolleyes:

16

And if you can’t spot him, it’s YOU!