In the final days of 2023, the Internet has found its last and arguably most absurd meme of the year – the Pop Tart mascot.
The frosted figure became an instant viral icon when it made its debut during the Pop Tart Bowl between Kansas State and North Carolina State.
"After the game he will be devoured, he will die, and he will be his own last meal" @PopTartsBowl pic.twitter.com/sMLBUM3jxW
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) December 29, 2023
With a stadium full of football fans watching, the human-sized puff pastry popped up onto a toaster stage with more glee than necessary, holding a tiny sign that said, “Dreams really do come true.” Then, all eyes watched in a mix of awe and horror as it slowly descended into the toaster and popped out as an edible snack for Kansas players to eat.
When you think about it, the pop tart mascot is the perfect meme to represent all other 2023 memes. Before the anthropomorphic pop tart became our new Roman Empire, the internet looked on in adoration and fear as killer whales organized (orcanized?) against humanity. Social media had fun with another childhood nostalgic treat with McDonald’s Grimace Shakes, of course taking things to places they should have never gone. And just like no one expected pop tarts to have A Moment in the year of our Lord 2023, did anyone anticipate Kevin James taking over the internet this year? Of course not!
And just like every other meme-worth moment of the year, the internet did its thing one final time:
Cue the bald eagle sound!
proud to be an American pic.twitter.com/0mJbqxaeec
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) December 29, 2023
The look of joy on its face is actually devastating.
Et tu, Wildcats? pic.twitter.com/NdEPQTDGo5
— Classical Studies Memes for Hellenistic Teens (@CSMFHT) December 29, 2023
Scary accurate.
me: *sleeping peacefully*
my sleep paralysis poptart: pic.twitter.com/DKiWgsrqZm— Lauren⋆｡ﾟ (@sp00kycaps) December 29, 2023
Talk about burying the lede.
ESPN literally said have no fear a giant Pop Tart will be eaten on live tv and just went to their next game like it didn’t matter to the entirety of the television audience.
— Mike Wolf (@MikeTWolf) December 29, 2023
Wait, who’s Batman in this situation?
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) December 29, 2023
They just don’t get it.
European countries could never. pic.twitter.com/QVhf5PpCJn
— Robert Behrens (@rcb05) December 28, 2023
This is unfortunately all too real.
my anxiety creeping up on me after i had a good day for once pic.twitter.com/naVQ9YGYPr
— Hayley McGoldrick (@GoldieOnSports) December 29, 2023
Can you imagine taking communion with a pop tart?
— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) December 29, 2023
There’s even dozens of posts making a distinct connection between another larger-than-life figure who gave up his body so that others may have life.
Do you know who else descended and is now consumed by people around the world in ritual celebration?
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 29, 2023
"this is my body, which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of me" pic.twitter.com/LX5MaaDkHK
— JRR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) December 29, 2023
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) December 29, 2023
As we say goodbye to 2023, let’s raise a toast (or a toasted tart) to the Pop Tart mascot – the unexpected hero that the Internet didn’t know it needed, but now can’t live without.
The most inspirational image of our time. pic.twitter.com/c9oPIiw54R
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) December 29, 2023
