Towelie first appeared in South Park in 2001 as a genetically engineered talking towel created as a parody of merchandising characters. Voiced by Vernon Chatman, he quickly became known for getting high and offering towel advice at the worst moments, with bring a towel as his most quoted line. Clips of the catchphrase spread through early South Park fan sites, quote boards and later meme edits, and it remains popular because the advice is simple, absurd and instantly recognizable even out of context.