'South Park' Episode Delayed: Creators Issue Apology
A new episode of 'South Park' has been delayed at the last minute, with Comedy Central announcing the news on Wednesday, September 17th, the intended air date. This delay comes with a rare statement from creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, apologizing for the production shortfall.
Creator Statement and Schedule Changes
Parker and Stone stated, "Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don’t get it done. This one’s on us. We didn’t get it done in time. Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. Tune in next week!" The show has shifted to a biweekly schedule this season, and the remaining episodes are (subject to change) scheduled to air as follows: Sept. 24, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Nov. 26, and Dec. 10.
Context: Charlie Kirk Parody and Recent Events
The delayed episode was highly anticipated, especially after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This is because 'South Park' has heavily satirized President Trump and MAGA during its 27th season. An earlier episode, "Got a Nut," parodied Kirk specifically, leading viewers to wonder how the show would address the situation.
"Got a Nut" Episode Controversy
The episode "Got a Nut" featured Eric Cartman as a right-wing podcaster reminiscent of Kirk, touring college campuses and debating progressive students. The episode included Cartman adopting Kirk's hairstyle and attending an award ceremony. Although the parody was considered tame by 'South Park' standards, Comedy Central pulled the episode from a planned repeat airing, but it remains available on Paramount+.
Charlie Kirk's Reaction and Comedy Central's Decision
Interestingly, Charlie Kirk responded positively to the parody, calling it "hilarious" in a TikTok video and stating, "South Park gets this right." He added, “We have a good spirit about being made fun of. This is all a win. We as conservatives have thick skin, not thin skin, and you can make fun of us and it doesn’t matter.” Comedy Central had no comment on removing the episode from its cable schedule, but the decision is thought to be related to the accessibility of the episode. Streaming requires viewers to intentionally seek out the content, while a cable rerun could expose viewers to the Kirk parody passively.
Upcoming Episode Details and Streaming Information
Episode 5 of Season 27 is now scheduled to air on Wednesday, September 24th, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. It will be available to stream on Paramount+ the following day, Thursday, September 25th, at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT. Paramount+ offers two subscription plans, Essential ($7.99/month) and Premium ($12.99/month), offering access to a wide range of content.
