BonziBuddy was a free virtual assistant released by Bonzi Software in 1999, featuring a purple gorilla that spoke with text-to-speech using Microsoft Agent technology. Intended to help with browsing and downloads, the program became infamous as adware and was discontinued in 2004. In the 2010s Bonzi returned as retro internet nostalgia, appearing in memes, streams, and edits that mined his uncanny cheerfulness for comedy. Short clips like his yes survive because they instantly signal old web culture and ironic enthusiasm.