Steamed Hams is a meme based on the Simpsons Season 7 episode 22 Short Films About Springfield. The unedited version is the segment of Seymour Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers. People make parodies of the scene such as subverting the genre or adding a twist to the events or just making a YTP and SiIvaGunner rips outta it, and in fact, someone even made a Hit & Run level out of it! A clip of this short also appeared in the Bart's Not Dead couch gag, celebrating 30 years of The Simpsons.
Plot[]
Principal Skinner invites Superintendent Chalmers to his home for a luncheon he hopes will be a memorable one. Skinner later discovers that his roast has been burnt and decides to order fast food from Krusty Burger and pass it off as his own cooking. Before he climbs out of the window, Chalmers walks in abruptly. The awkward moment is interrupted by a made-up theme song in the style of a 1980s sitcom, complete with a title card and montage. We hear the song.
Skinner tries to come up with fake explanations to cover up his lies, claiming he's stretching on the windowsill and the smoke is actually steam from the "steamed clams" he was preparing. Chalmers reluctantly buys the lie and exits the room, at which point, Skinner seizes the moment and rushes out the window and across the street. He returns with a plate of hamburgers and fries, to which Chalmers recalls Skinner saying that he was preparing steamed clams. To keep himself from getting caught, Skinner comes up with another lie and claims that he said "steamed hams" which was a regional dialect for hamburgers. Chalmers asks what region Skinner is referring to and he claims the phrase hails from upstate New York. Unfortunately for Skinner, Chalmers reveals that he grew up in Utica and had never heard the phrase before in his life. Still keen on trying to get away with it, Skinner narrows the location down to Albany instead of upstate New York in its entirety. This still isn't enough though, as Chalmers immediately notices the burgers Skinner "prepared" are exactly like the ones from Krusty Burger. Skinner continues to lie about everything, until Chalmers finally corners him by pointing out that the, "steamed" hams were clearly grilled. Skinner excuses himself to the kitchen to think of a good explanation, only to see that he forgot to turn off the oven and the entire kitchen was on fire. When Skinner tries to rush Chalmers out of the house so he can deal with the fire, Chalmers is alarmed at the sight of a red glow coming from the kitchen, so Skinner passes it off as aurora borealis, which surprisingly enough, convinces him. The Superintendent states that although Skinner is an odd fellow, he, "steam[s] a good ham." He walks away and Agnes (offscreen) calls for help. Chalmers looks back at Skinner who is giving a thumbs up, and he deems the situation understandable. The Springfield Fire Department rushes to extinguish the fire off-screen.
Trivia[]
- The segment was popularised when it became an internet meme in 2017/2018, especially when people started making "Steamed Hams but.." videos.
- The first "but..." videos are originated from We Are Number One music video from LazyTown, the gallery shown here were a SilvaGunner rip.
See also[]
Video[]
Gallery[]
Transcript[]
Chalmers: Well, Seymour, I made it- despite your directions.
Principal Skinner: Ah. Superintendent Chalmers. Welcome. - I hope you're prepared for an unforgettable luncheon.
Chalmers: Yeah.
Principal Skinner: Oh, egads! My roast is ruined. But what if I were to purchase fast food and disguise it as my own cooking? Delightfully devilish, Seymour.
Singers: Ah- Skinner with his crazy explanations The superintendent's gonna need his medication When he hears Skinner's lame exaggerations There'll be trouble in town tonight!
Chalmers: Seymour!
Principal Skinner: Superintendent, I was just- uh, just stretching my calves on the windowsill. Isometric exercise. Care to join me?
Chalmers: Why is there smoke coming out of your oven, Seymour?
Principal Skinner: Uh- Oh. That isn't smoke. It's steam. Steam from the steamed clams we're having. Mmm. Steamed clams.
Principal Skinner: Whew. Superintendent, I hope you're ready for mouthwatering hamburgers.
Chalmers: I thought we were having steamed clams.
Principal Skinner: D'oh, no. I said steamed hams. That's what I call hamburgers.
Chalmers: You call hamburgers steamed hams?
Principal Skinner: Yes. It's a regional dialect.
Chalmers: Uh-huh. Uh, what region?
Principal Skinner: Uh, upstate New York.
Chalmers: Really. Well, I'm from Utica, and I've never heard anyone use the phrase "steamed hams."
Principal Skinner: Oh, not in Utica. No. It's an Albany expression.
Chalmers: I see. You know, these hamburgers are quite similar to the ones they have at Krusty Burger.
Principal Skinner: Oh, no. Patented Skinner burgers. Old family recipe.
Chalmers: For steamed hams.
Principal Skinner: Yes.
Chalmers: Yes. And you call them steamed hams despite the fact that they are obviously grilled.
Principal Skinner: Ye- You know, the- One thing I should- - Excuse me for one second.
Chalmers: Of course.
Principal Skinner: Oh well, that was wonderful. A good time was had by all. I'm pooped.
Chalmers: Yes. I should be- Good Lord! What is happening in there?
Principal Skinner: Aurora borealis.
Chalmers: Uh- Aurora borealis at this time of year at this time of day in this part of the country localized entirely within your kitchen?
Principal Skinner: Yes.
Chalmers: May I see it?
Principal Skinner: No.
Skinner's Mother: Seymour! The house is on fire!
Principal Skinner: No, Mother. It's just the northern lights.
Chalmers: Well, Seymour, you are an odd fellow but I must say you steam a good ham.
Skinner's Mother: Help! Help!