Scott Strazzante / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Over the weekend, famed Canadian rock band Rush kicked off their highly-anticipated and long-awaited Fifty Something Tour at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, marking the band’s first full show since wrapping their R40 Tour at that same exact venue in 2015.
The Rush reunion came six years after the death of iconic drummer Neil Peart, with German drummer Anika Nilles taking over on the sticks and keyboardist Loren Gold joining the lineup alongside stalwarts Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, turning the band into a four-piece for the first time in their 50-plus-year history.
Rush used a clip made by the South Park guys to introduce their first performance of “Tom Sawyer” in 11 years
One of the most viral moments of the concert came when Rush used the ‘Lil Rush’ clip created by the South Park guys to introduce their hit song “Tom Sawyer” at their first show in 11 years.
This is how Rush introduced Tom Sawyer last night. This was their first show since 2015. Incredible. 😁 pic.twitter.com/Q42V9yjo6o
— Jim Stewartson, Decelerationist 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@jimstewartson) June 8, 2026
It was absolutely incredible, best show I have ever been to. Hands down. pic.twitter.com/CkKJwKYLMu
— The Barista Gamer/Photograper (@TheBaristaGamer) June 8, 2026
“Lil Rush,” however, is not from any specific episode of South Park, as it’s actually an exclusive short animation created for the band that was made specifically for the band’s 2007 Snakes & Arrows tour.
In the sketch, Cartman sings “Tom Sawyer” with incorrect lyrics, confusing Tom Sawyer with Huckleberry Finn, which leads to a classic argument with his best frenemy Kyle. Rush has actually been featured in South Park, though, as they appeared in the Season 15 episode “Royal Pudding,” playing a parody of “Candle in the Wind” called “Fart in the Wind.”
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For people of a certain age, though, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear “Tom Sawyer” is perhaps Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, and the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man.
After kicking off the Fifty Something Tour in Inglewood, California on Saturday, June 7, Rush will travel across the globe over the next 10 months, with stops planned across the United States, in addition to Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, France, Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, England, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden before concluding in Helsinki, Finland on April 10, 2027.
In addition to “Tom Sawyer,” Rush’s most popular songs include “Limelight,” “Spirit of Radio,” “Subdivisions,” “YYZ,” “Closer to the Heart,” “Working Man,” and many more.