15 "Who Killed Hannibal" Memes That Expose the Hilarious Hypocrisy of Modern Life
Who Killed Hannibal? The Eric Andre Show Meme Guide
The "Who Killed Hannibal?" meme, also known as "Eric Andre Shooting Hannibal Buress," is a two-panel object-labeling image macro used to mock hypocrisy. The template originates from a 2013 episode of The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim. In the skit, Andre shoots his co-host, then turns to the camera and asks, "Who killed Hannibal?"
Origins and Viral Timeline
While the footage is over a decade old, it didn't become a widespread meme until April 2018. According to database sites like Know Your Meme, the format first gained traction on r/dankmemes. It is frequently paired with the phrasal template "Why would [X] do this?"—usually to highlight someone blaming an innocent party for a problem they caused themselves.
3 Creative Spins on the Classic Template
These three variations demonstrate how the template is applied to social and personal irony:
- The Gatekeeping Cycle: Older hobbyists act toxic toward newcomers until the "noobs" leave. They then complain that their hobby is "dying," seemingly unaware of their own role in its decline.
- The Self-Sabotage Edit: In this relatable version, the shooter represents "Me" and the victim is "My Progress." The caption is often changed to: "I actually don't know why I just did that," reflecting impulsive self-destruction.
- Cat Logic: A literal take where a cat knocks a glass off a counter (the shooting) and immediately adopts an innocent, bewildered expression as if searching for the "real" culprit.
