It is in South Park‘s DNA to be controversial. That is a part of its genius. Probably the most offensive South Park episodes hearth pictures at everybody: celebrities, politicians, non secular figures, and each demographic current in trendy society. Nobody is secure. Present-runners Trey Parker and Matt Stone take a form of impish enjoyment of ruffling feathers and smashing taboos. From episode one, South Park has served up profane, violent, and outrageous storylines which can be actually not for the faint of coronary heart — however that are additionally painstakingly humorous.
The sequence has been on air since 1997 and has produced over 320 episodes. On this time, there was no scarcity of tales from South Park that irritated some segments of the inhabitants or received underneath the pores and skin of the celebs being satirized. Loads of episodes triggered a stir, however the ones that led to threats of authorized motion or have been outright banned are the cream of the crop.
South Park
- Launch Date
- August 13, 1997
- Seasons
- 26
- Studio
- Comedy Central
25 “Tremendous Finest Buddies”
Season 5, Episode 3 (2001)
That includes non secular mass suicides, a plethora of spiritual leaders, and a not-too-subtle mockery of the indoctrination of those that observe their religion in excessive measures, “Tremendous Finest Buddies” represents South Park at its satirical and offended greatest. David Blaine arrives on the town and enchants the boys together with his magic methods earlier than enlisting them to his rising cult, “Blaintology”. As Stan grows suspicious of the group, he turns to Jesus Christ and the Tremendous Finest Buddies group for assist.
Launched in 2001, the episode’s depictions of the prophet Muhammad would solely turn out to be a degree of real controversy after the Jyllands-Posten cartoons controversy in 2005 led to violent outcry on a world stage. Additionally mocking the Church of Scientology and notions of spiritual extremism, “Tremendous Finest Buddies” pulls no punches and, curiously, its portrayal of Muhammad hasn’t been censored on reflection just like the creators have been pressured to do in later episodes.
24 “Tonsil Hassle”
Season 12, Episode 1 (2008)
Whereas the Season 12 premiere might not have made headlines for its controversial moments, it nonetheless sees South Park poking as a lot enjoyable as it could possibly at HIV with a narrative that’s intrinsically targeted on Cartman and Kyle’s antagonism. Following a tonsillectomy, Cartman learns {that a} blood transfusion throughout the operation has contaminated him with AIDS. Outraged when Kyle finds his ailment to be hilarious, Cartman purposefully infects his classmate with the virus. Whereas feuding, the 2 boys go to Magic Johnson to assist them develop a remedy.
Evaluations on the episode have been typically blended, concerning that “Tonsil Hassle” has an attention-grabbing focus, however the story runs out of steam in the direction of the top. Nonetheless, its exploration of AIDS within the modern-day is each insightfully pointed and darkly comical. Likewise, its criticism of latest and efficient remedies of the virus being largely inaccessible to many victims is indicative of the sequence at its satirical and pointed greatest.
23 “World Warfare Zimmermann”
Season 17, Episode 3 (2013)
Some of the outwardly pointed episodes in South Park‘s newer seasons, “World Warfare Zimmermann” parodies the plot of Phrase Warfare Z as a method to touch upon problems with race in America and criticize the nation’s gun legal guidelines. Cartman experiences nightmares by which African Individuals are likened to a plague that’s spreading. He decides to take motion by concentrating on his classmate Tolkien, and embarks on a ridiculous journey that leads him to George Zimmermann’s home.
The episode thrives because it ends on the poignant observe of Zimmermann being arrested and tried for his capturing of Cartman, a white little one, whereas its mockery of America’s technicality surrounding gun legal guidelines is sort of obvious as effectively. Launched simply months after the Trial of George Zimmermann was decided, the Season 17 episode has a ferocious immediacy that makes its satire notably scorching and extremely highly effective, whereas its content material ensures it stays a controversial but progressive masterstroke.
22 “Cripple Struggle”
Season 5, Episode 2 (2001)
Season 5 sees South Park at its remorseless and provocative greatest, as is evinced by containing a number of episodes that characteristic on this listing. It ought to come as no shock given its title that “Cripple Struggle” belongs among the many season’s extra controversial entries. The boys be a part of a Mountain Scouts troop the place the mother and father take exception to Huge Homosexual Al, whereas the arrival of a brand new disabled child sees the wheelchair consumer Timmy develop aggravated.
The episode has loads of enjoyable on the expense of the Supreme Courtroom case Boy Scouts of America vs. Dale concerning the exclusion of homosexuals from the BSA, whereas it additionally introduces fan-favorite Jimmy in his first episode, showing as Timmy’s adversary. The episode handles its central points with admirable perception whereas nonetheless squeezing each drop of comedic punch it could possibly from its foundation and its provocative story.
21 “Scott Tenorman Should Die”
Season 5, Episode 4 (2001)
There are few episodes of any sequence in tv historical past which have left viewers as shocked and as speechless as South Park‘s infamously basic “Scott Tenorman Should Die.” The episode revolves round Eric Cartman who, having been tricked into shopping for an older child’s pubic hair as a prank, vows to take revenge on the coed, Scott Tenorman, for his malicious ploy.
Whereas a lot of his vengeful schemes appear to fail, the episode’s climax reveals that the evil and crafty Cartman has masterminded a ruse that sees Scott Tenorman unknowingly eat a bowl of chili that accommodates the stays of his mother and father. There’s nothing politically or socially pointed within the episode, however the violent and sudden flip of Cartman’s vile plot actually offers the episode a darkish and controversial ending that may by no means be forgotten.
20 “Hell on Earth 2006”
Season 10, Episode 11 (2006)
South Park episodes are created within the week main as much as the day that they air, a rigorous method that allows Parker and Stone to touch upon and goal trending subjects with unbelievable immediacy. Nonetheless, this tight turnaround has generally led to some “too quickly” episodes, with Season 10’s “Hell on Earth 2006” an apparent instance of this because it featured Devil having a candy 16-type social gathering in L.A. on Halloween.
Many celebrities have been mocked within the South Park episode, together with those that had died, like Australian wildlife fanatic and tv persona Steve Irwin, who was depicted with a stingray barb by way of his chest. The episode aired lower than two months after Irwin’s dying, garnering criticism for its seemingly pointless, shock-factor inclusion and even prompting a response of disapproval from these near the Irwin household. Parker and Stone acknowledged that they have been stunned by viewers’ robust pushback, expressing that they felt the episode was far much less offensive than many others that they had made.
19 “Bloody Mary”
Season 9, Episode 14 (2005)
There’s not a single matter or societal situation that’s off-limits to South Park, and one of many showrunners’ favourite targets has all the time been faith. The Season 9 episode, “Bloody Mary,” reveals the sequence’ scripture skewering at its most inflammatory. It revolves round a statue of Mary that begins “bleeding out its ass” in South Park’s neighboring city, a phenomenon that Randy believes can remedy him of his alcoholism if he can get the statue to bleed on him.
Whereas its content material is comparatively tame by South Park’s requirements, the episode triggered mass outcry upon launch in 2005. Catholic teams and leaders in America, New Zealand, and Australia launched a scathing condemnation of the episode’s assaults on the Virgin Mary and made stern makes an attempt to stop it from ever airing once more and even being included in DVD releases. The episode is out there to stream on Max.
18 “Vacation Particular”
Season 21, Episode 3 (2017)
One in every of many Randy Marsh episodes that has had a major cultural impression, “Vacation Particular” revolves round Columbus Day and trendy society’s consideration of the impact of such holidays. Randy helms an anti-Columbus Day marketing campaign which sees the vacation discontinued, that means the boys need to go to highschool. As they attempt to confront Randy on his vehement but uneducated stance on the difficulty, he finds himself clashing with a family tree firm.
Disguised as a hilarious depiction of Randy Marsh at his most reckless, obsessive, and moronic, “Vacation Particular” is a favourite episode of many followers, nevertheless it additionally has loads of eyebrow-raising moments all through. Randy, dressed as Christopher Columbus, being filmed beating up the Native American man on his driveway is a surprising show of circumstantial comedy that’s each ghastly and hysterical. Nonetheless, there have been viewers who took situation with the scene and the episode’s total focus, stirring up some controversy regardless of Randy’s staunch anti-Columbus stance.
17 “Mr. Garrison’s Fancy New Vagina”
Season 9, Episode 1 (2005)
An episode that would arguably be seen as being forward of its time contemplating the societal funding in subjects of gender and intercourse now in comparison with when the episode was launched in 2005, “Mr. Garrison’s Fancy New Vagina” sees the schoolteacher bear intercourse reassignment surgical procedure. In the meantime, Kyle makes use of his instructor’s resolution as inspiration to have “negroplasty” surgical procedure to turn out to be Black so he can pursue his dream of being a basketball participant.
The episode is each pointed and ridiculous, that includes Gerald Broflovski having cosmetic surgery to seem extra like a dolphin whereas additionally taking Mr. Garrison and Kyle’s arcs to probably the most excessive and absurd lengths. Whereas its material is undeniably sensitive, what actually makes the episode so controversial is its resolution to briefly embrace footage of an actual intercourse reassignment operation. It’s abruptly confronting, and led many viewers to query if it was vital to incorporate it.
16 “Cartman Joins NAMBLA”
Season 4, Episode 5 (2000)
South Park specializes within the taboo and the outright gobsmacking, a pursuit that was on full show within the fifth episode of Season 4, “Cartman Joins NAMBLA.” Whereas on the lookout for older mates on-line, Cartman falls in with the North American Man/Boy Love Affiliation (NAMBLA), a predatory group of pedophiles, a misstep that sees all of the boys of South Park come underneath risk. All of the whereas, Kenny tries to stop his mother and father from having one other child, and a separate affiliation, the North American Marlon Brando Look-Alikes, turns into entwined within the NAMBLA conflict with the FBI.
Whereas the episode has been positively reviewed ever since its launch, it did stir some controversy attributable to its many overt references to pedophilia in addition to its equally disturbing subplot regarding Kenny. The British satellite tv for pc channel Sky One even went as far as to ban it, although it has since been broadcast on different channels and is out there to stream.
15 “Crack Child Athletic Affiliation”
Season 15, Episode 5 (2011)
As is all the time the case with South Park episodes that characteristic Eric Cartman because the central character, “Crack Child Athletic Affiliation” noticed Kyle volunteer to assist helpless youngsters on the hospital after seeing a heartbreaking business, solely to develop suspicious when he discovers Cartman volunteering his time as effectively. Kyle quickly discovers that Cartman has arrange a enterprise known as “Crack Child Athletic Affiliation,” which forces the crack-addicted infants to struggle for medicine, a notion which captures the curiosity of EA Video games.
Apparently, the episode acquired solely blended critiques, with many suggesting the creators ought to have explored the episode’s level of the NCAA not compensating its gamers with extra energy. Nonetheless, many viewers have been understandably shocked by the South Park episode’s depiction of combating, drug-addicted infants, which marked it a really controversial installment of the sequence.
14 “It Hits the Fan”
Season 5, Episode 1 (2001)
An episode that proved to be a surprising spectacle, even for hardcore followers, “It Hits the Fan” noticed South Park kick-start its fifth season in eye-opening trend. Life for the residents of South Park is upended when Cartman’s foul mouth seems on tv, normalizing a swear phrase that proves to be a literal curse that reveals and spreads a brand new iteration of the black plague whereas additionally awakening the Knights of Requirements and Practices.
The South Park episode’s social commentary takes goal squarely on the many laws surrounding censoring on tv, which was a sizzling matter on the time, and whereas it makes its level clearly, it was truly not its most polarizing side. That belonged to each the obscene cartoon gore on show because the individuals start vomiting their intestines, and the frequent profanity, with the phrase “s**t” being mentioned a staggering 162 occasions all through the episode’s 22-minute runtime.
13 “The Loss of life Camp of Tolerance”
Season 6, Episode 14 (2002)
As its title would recommend, “The Loss of life Camp of Tolerance” pulled completely no punches in its endeavor to make audiences snicker at a few of the most surprising and vile gags the sequence has offered. The episode begins with Mr. Garrison as, hoping for financial acquire, he plots to get fired by depicting overtly sexual acts which solely results in the boys being despatched to a rigorous tolerance camp as their mother and father worry their complaints are based mostly on homophobia.
The episode is relentless in its pursuit of jokes that may stir controversy, with its targets together with homophobia, political correctness, and even the holocaust because it lampooned Schindler’s Checklist to hilarious impact. It additionally featured a musical odyssey of a gerbil which was shoved up Mr. Garrison’s rectum with its journey by way of the instructor parodying 1977’s animated adaptation of The Hobbit.
12 “Canada on Strike”
Season 12, Episode 4 (2008)
An episode that has turn out to be much more controversial in latest occasions, “Canada on Strike” was launched in April 2008 and labored as a thinly veiled mockery of the WGA Writers Strikes that have been ongoing on the time. Within the episode, Canada goes on strike and calls for cash, which prompts the boys to attempt making Butters a viral web sensation.
Apparently, whereas the concentrating on of the Writers Strike did increase some eyebrows, Comedy Central confronted a lawsuit for the episode’s recreation of the then viral video “What What (Within the Butt)” in a case that was dismissed. Laced with robust jokes that land often all through, the episode was seen as being one of many sequence’ higher entries of its Twelfth season.
11 “Krazy Kripples”
Season 7, Episode 2 (2003)
South Park has a repute for toeing the road of what’s acceptable, however “Krazy Kripples” took that endeavor for socially revealing comedy up a notch. With Christopher Reeve arriving on the town to advertise stem cell analysis, Jimmy and Timmy unite in response to the eye Reeves amasses, forging a gang known as “the Crips,” which will get them concerned with the road gang of the identical title.
Stone and Parker had been tentative about making an episode about Reeves for a while however determined to do it after being dissatisfied with the sentiment of the actor’s look on Larry King Reside. The South Park episode was additionally controversial for its graphic engagement with – and lampooning of – stem cell analysis and its commentary on gang violence.
10 “The Worldwide Privateness Tour”
Season 26, Episode 2 (2023)
A latest episode to ruffle its targets is the second episode of the most recent season, which made enjoyable of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Though it does not name out the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by title, it includes a Prince of Canada and his spouse who look very very like them. The couple strikes to South Park the place — banging drums — they loudly and repeatedly demand privateness.
It is a basic slice of acerbic satire from South Park, and one of the vital entertaining episodes of Season 26. The royals, nonetheless, have been apparently none too happy. Markle was reportedly “upset and overwhelmed” for days in regards to the episode. There have been even rumors that Harry and Meghan have been planning some type of authorized motion, however their spokesperson has since denied this.
9 “Correct Condom Use”
Season 5, Episode 7 (2001)
This episode tackled the socially taboo matter of intercourse schooling in faculties. The mother and father are too squeamish to speak to their youngsters about intercourse, so that they hand the duty over to the lecturers — who do an abysmal job at it. The characters find yourself extra confused than they have been at the start, which escalates to an all-out struggle between the boys and the ladies.
There’s one notably graphic scene the place Mr. Garrison demonstrates tips on how to put a condom together with his mouth. This led the British channel Sky One to ban the episode for its sexual and violent content material. Even Comedy Central pressured Parker and Stone to chop elements of it for broadcast. Beneath all of the obscenity, although, the irreverent South Park episode makes a related level about how troublesome it may be for youths to get entry to good info on such subjects.
8 “All About Mormons”
Season 7, Episode 12 (2003)
“Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.” “All About Mormons” focuses on Gary, a Mormon boy, who strikes to South Park and befriends the present’s essential characters. Gary shares the story of the founding of the Mormon faith, resulting in a sequence of hilarious misunderstandings and misadventures as Randy declares that the Marsh household might be Mormon as effectively, on account of how pleasant he finds the faith to be.
The episode is notable for its humorous remedy of the religion, and it’s usually cited for instance of the present’s skill to sort out complicated and delicate subjects in an entertaining and enlightening method. Parker and Stone would discover related themes in higher depth with their hit 2011 Broadway musical The E book of Mormon. Nonetheless, not everybody appreciated it: in a press release, the LDS church known as the episode “a gross portrayal of church historical past”.
7 “Woodland Critter Christmas”
Season 8, Episode 14 (2004)
Spinning the thought of an enthralling and healthful sitcom Christmas particular on its head, South Park offered one in all its most famous episodes with “Woodland Critter Christmas”, which excelled at being hilariously humorous, sickeningly twisted, and shockingly darkish all in equal measure. The episode follows Stan as he stumbles upon a gaggle of cute and seemingly harmless forest creatures getting ready for the arrival of their savior, a prophesied “immaculate” start. Nonetheless, it quickly turns into evident that the cute animals are the truth is devoted Satanists awaiting the rise of the Antichrist.
From there, the story takes a decidedly twisted flip, culminating in a gory finale involving homicide, ritual sacrifice, and a bloody orgy. It is a testomony to the present’s skill to mix crude humor with biting commentary on faith and popular culture, alongside copious buckets of animated blood.
6 “Band in China”
Season 23, Episode 2 (2019)
An episode that addressed Hollywood’s rising tendency to cater to Chinese language censors with a view to preserve entry to the nation’s profitable market, “Band in China” noticed South Park pull no punches because it took goal on the American leisure business. The episode sees Randy land in hassle when he travels to China to develop a sketchy enterprise enterprise whereas Stan writes a brand new dying metallic music which turns into successful, however he grows annoyed as his rising reputation is compromised by his producer’s insistence that he complies with Chinese language censorship.
The episode’s criticism of China’s censorship and the Hollywood firms that compromise their movies to cater to it was scathing and had no curiosity in any respect in being delicate, with Mickey Mouse’s presence making a selected level of chastising Disney. In response, the Chinese language authorities banned South Park totally, a transfer which was met with Parker and Stone issuing a sarcastic apology on Twitter.
