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Let’s be real for a second. June 6 may be National Donut Day here in the United States, but really, every day is donut day – not just here but on every continent with a working bakery. Donuts are delicious, and they’re meant to be shared. Are they the healthiest of snacks? No. Are they good for your soul? No question.
Tragically, we here at SmarterHome are in the business of home service, not baked goods, but National Donut Day has got us thinking about the most iconic donuts on television. These are the donuts in pop culture that had us salivating like Homer Simpson and cruising for our next fix like Dean Winchester. Join us as we fondly remember the best donuts on TV.
1) The Pink Sprinkle Donut – “The Simpsons”
According to our pop culture archivist, the donut most commonly featured on FOX’s The Simpsons has no official name, but it’s commonly referred to as the “pink sprinkle donut,” the “Simpsons donut,” and sometimes the “Lard Lad Donut.”
You may have been picturing this donut from the moment you clicked on this blog, and that’s why it’s number one on our list of famous TV donuts. That pink glaze, those rainbow sprinkles, accompanied by Homer Simpson’s iconic drooling gurgle – it sums up our collective feelings about this tasty treat. After all, the Simpson patriarch sold his soul for one in 1993’s “Treehouse of Horror IV.”
2) Liz Lemon’s Donuts – “30 Rock”
Few characters are as relatable as Tina Fey’s career focused but socially awkward Liz Lemon on 30 Rock. She’s highly competent, but also prone to anxiety and self-doubt, and she tends to hoard donuts when she begins to spiral. Wait, what do you mean that’s not relatable? Just us?
Lemon’s obsession with donuts is a running gag in the award-winning show. And our lives.
3) The Elvis – “Supernatural”
Brothers Sam and Dean Winchester faced off against hordes of gothic ghouls and a mish-mash of other monsters across Supernatural’s 15-season run. And what helped Dean cope with those countless horrors? Donuts, of course!
We could nominate any number of delightful doughballs from the 300+ episode series, but special mention has to go to the Elvis, which makes its iconic appearance in the Season 11 episode “Don’t You Forget About Me.” Sam, of course, just didn’t understand the appeal. “Dude, I’m not gonna survive hundreds of monster attacks to get flatlined by some double doughnut monstrosity,” he tells his brother.
We’re with you, Dean. Every finger-licking step of the way.
4) Jake Peralta’s Pocket Donut – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Okay, so maybe a powdered donut that’s been stashed in someone’s pocket isn’t the most appetizing representation of this pastry, but it’s definitely one of the funniest donut scenes on a TV show. In Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Season 2 episode “The Mole,” Jake reveals not only that he stashes powdered donuts under his bed, but also that he keeps a donut (or two) in his pocket for emergencies.
5) Donuts From the Wagon Wheel Bakery – “Twin Peaks”
True, Twin Peaks is a bit of a vintage show at this point (the first episode debuted in 1990!), but its cozy vibes and creepy mysteries are eternal. The cops in David Lynch’s classic twist on Americana would often consume donuts from the town’s Wagon Wheel Bakery. What we wouldn’t give for just one bite, accompanied by a damn fine cup of coffee!
Conclusion
This Donut Day, celebrate this delicious pastry with friends, family, or just hoard them all for yourself! (You’re allowed. It’s a holiday.) You can also sit back on the couch, relax, and laugh along with these TV characters who love donuts.
And hey, if you’re looking for TV providers to help you watch all these great shows, look no further than SmarterHome.ai. We can set you up with a TV provider that’s perfect for your budget and viewing habits, and even help you bundle it with internet and mobile service. Call us today to find out how!
