The Toxic Peanut Scandal, also known as Peanutgate, the Peanut Jig Scandal, Peanut Jig Controversy, or Mr. Peanut Controversy (or any variation of those words) was an incident in the mid to late 20th century where Mr. Peanut's peanut company had been exposed for lacing its products with toxic pesticide chemicals. Though this incident is mentioned passingly in a single episode, there are implications that stretch into at least 2 other episodes.
History[]
Incident[]
Some time in the late 20th century, news had broke in the United States that Mr. Peanut had been filling his peanuts with toxic pesticides. There is at least 1 presumed death that resulted from this incident: Charlie's grandma. Though unconfirmed if her death was caused by poisoning from the pesticides, the peanut spoiling or from simply choking on the peanut, Zach Hadel suggests in a podcast interview that her death was a result of this incident.
Peanut Jig[]
As a response to this scandal, Mr. Peanut went onto The Dick Cavett Show and performed a peanut jig (a dance where Mr. Peanut thrusts his arms forward repeatedly). As a result, the controversy seemingly blew over.
Modern Impact[]
Though it seems as if this scandal is mostly forgotten about in the modern day, Charlie avoids consuming peanuts because of his grandmother's death.
In the Series[]
Shrimp's Odyssey[]
In this episode, Charlie mentions that he does not eat peanuts because his granmother had died from eating one. This is most likely linked to the Toxic Peanut Scandal.
Frowning Friends[]
This episode goes more into depth about the incident, as Mr. Peanut makes his physical debut in this episode. As advice to Mr. Boss to help him compete against the new company Frowning Friends, Inc., he suggests that he perform a Peanut Jig of his own in order to distract from the new company, as he thinks this worked for him when he did the same thing as a response to the peanut incident.
Charlie Dies and Doesn't Come Back[]
This is believed to be the final episode (so far) linked to the incident. Charlie's grandma makes her physical debut in this episode, where she is seen in Hell. This is the result of having consumed a bad peanut, as explained in Shrimp's Odyssey.