It was not really inded to be a Simpsons reference. Where I come from “getting cigarettes” is a typical excuse to abandon your wife and kids.
The joke would be, Sunny’s mother is still out there, she just doesn’t love her and Argyle anymore.
Later, when Sunny reunites with her mother, she will discover that her mom accidentally had an allergic reaction and was enslaved by a circus owner due to her hideous looks.
Never have heard of him, thank you for sharing the wikipedia link.
The joke would be, Sunny’s mother is still out there, she just doesn’t love her and Argyle anymore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu8SGc2BHyk Here you go