The Rick and Carl meme, often referred to as 'Rick’s Dad Jokes' or 'Coral,' stems from a heart-wrenching scene in Season 3 of AMC's The Walking Dead. In the original scene, Rick Grimes reacts with intense grief to the news of his wife’s death, while his son Carl remains stoic. The internet transformed this tragic moment into a comedic masterpiece by overlaying Rick telling terrible dad jokes and shouting 'Carl!'—often stylized as 'Coral' to mimic his Southern accent. This specific three-panel format allows for a setup, a punny punchline, and a final reaction shot of Rick's despair, making it a staple for bad-joke enthusiasts across the web.