10 Times South Park Warned Us About Terrible People
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VOICE OVER: Ryan Wild
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
From controversial athletes to disgraced celebrities, South Park has an uncanny ability to spot problematic figures before their downfall. Join us as we explore how this animated series predicted or called out various public figures who later proved the show right through their actions and controversies. Our list includes Barry Bonds' steroid scandal, Rob Schneider's conspiracy theories, Kanye West's erratic behavior, R. Kelly's criminal conviction, and many more cases where South Park's satirical takes became eerily prophetic. Which prediction surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
10 Times South Park Warned Us About Terrible People
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at instances where “South Park” warned us - either intentionally or inadvertently - about people who have gained bad reputations.
Barry Bonds
Learning a valuable lesson, Jimmy condemns athletes who use steroids with Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Jason Giambi ironically in the background. While all three MLB players would be embroiled in doping scandals, Bonds’ image arguably got hit the hardest. In addition to performance-enhancing allegations, Bonds was indicted for perjury. Found guilty of obstruction of justice, Bonds’ sentence included probation, community service, and house arrest, although the conviction was overturned. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bonds acknowledged that he wasn’t very sportsmanlike, saying in 2016, “No one wants to be treated like that, because I was considered to be a terrible person.” Reflecting on the episode, Trey Parker said, “This was like way before people were calling out Barry Bonds. So I’m pretty proud of that.”
Rob Schneider
Matt Stone and Trey Parker dedicated an entire episode to so-called medium John Edward, depicting him as a phony. While numerous skeptics share the same views on Edward, the episode is more recognized for its portrayal of Rob Schneider. The real Schneider thought the parody was hilarious, and if releasing terrible comedies to the public were his worst offense, he wouldn’t be on this list. In recent years, though, Schneider has become infamous for spreading baseless conspiracy theories, misinformation about vaccines, and hate speech toward marginalized groups, most notably transgender people. Those are just some reasons Schneider’s daughter, Elle King, is at odds with him. With many fans turning on Schneider as well, maybe he’s become “worthier” of John Edward’s title.
Caitlyn Jenner
Jenner has been a prominent South Park figure since Season 19 when Kyle questions if she’s truly a hero. Under PC pressure, Kyle concludes that coming out as transgender was brave. That doesn’t necessarily mean Jenner is a good person, however. This is reflected in the following episode, addressing Jenner’s real-life car crash that claimed a life. She settled without jail time in what could be chalked up to a horrible accident, but Jenner’s former supporters have struggled to justify her recent behavior. This includes standing against trans girls in female sports. Just as her “South Park” counterpart became Garrison’s running mate, Jenner later endorsed Trump and ran for office herself. Yet, many feel Jenner’s political views contradict the message of acceptance she once preached.
“Mama June” Shannon
This Emmy-winning episode questions how low the standards for humanity have plummeted, using “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” as a point of reference. “South Park” depicts matriarch “Mama June” Shannon as a shameless reality TV mom who passes the same values - or lack thereof - to her daughter. Parker and Stone weren’t the first to question Shannon’s parenting capabilities. The plot thickened two years later when news broke Shannon was dating a registered sex offender who harmed daughter Anna. This led to the show’s cancelation, but Mama June still found work on TV. June’s substance use persisted, though, leading to legal issues. This contributed to her strained relationship with Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, who has tried getting away from her mama’s drama as an adult.
Mel Gibson
When Mel Gibson made “The Passion of the Christ,” some deemed him a profound auteur with a meaningful message to share. Others - like Stone and Parker - questioned what was going on in this guy’s head. The show’s daffy portrayal of Gibson grew more relevant with time, as the Oscar winner became engulfed in numerous legal troubles and public relations nightmares. By the time Gibson was implicated in a domestic violence case, few saw a path forward for the once-celebrated actor and filmmaker. That said, Gibson’s career would rebound with him going on to score another Oscar nomination for “Hacksaw Ridge.” His comeback shocked some, but even the “South Park” creators admit that Gibson knows story structure. Otherwise, say what you will about him.
Ira Einhorn
Earth Day Brainwashing Organization leader Jack Farlis is so committed to saving the planet that he’s willing to cause anyone who stands in his way physical pain - namely Kenny. Although Farlis is fictional, he’s based on Ira Einhorn, who helped popularize Earth Day. In addition to sharing a physical resemblance - complete with a ponytail - Einhorn and Farlis have a history of violence. In the late 70s, Einhorn was accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Holly Maddux, fleeing to Europe before he could face trial. By the 90s, Einhorn’s name had fallen into obscurity. Following an arrest in 1997, though, Einhorn was extradited to the U.S. on July 20, 2001, two days after this episode aired. Einhorn was sentenced to life in prison, dying in 2020.
Kanye West
When “South Park” dished out its “Fishsticks” episode in 2009, Kanye West was already gaining a reputation for his impulsive behavior. It wasn’t until West interrupted Taylor Swift’s VMA speech later that year people realized just how spot-on “South Park” was. The Ye Saga has only gotten more erratic over time, from his offensive comments on slavery, to his attempt to break into politics, to his Nazi ideals. The fish thing might’ve been a joke, but even “South Park” couldn’t make all this up. Yet, the show’s portrayal of Ye only seems to become more accurate every year. Part of that may be mental health-related, although some argue that Ye’s bipolar diagnosis doesn’t absolve him of hate speech.
R. Kelly
Before the “Trapped in the Closet” episode, R. Kelly’s alleged crimes were the music industry’s worst-kept secret - if you could even call it a secret by 2005. Many turned a blind eye to the R. Kelly stories, but not “South Park.” Three years after the show depicted the singer as a loose cannon who endangers those around him, Kelly was acquitted of the charges against him. Amid the #MeToo movement and “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary, law enforcement revisited the decades of accusations. This led to Kelly’s arrest and conviction with the artist currently serving a 31-year combined sentence. When people look back at the various shows that warned us about R. Kelly, “South Park” stands out as one of the most quotable examples.
P. Diddy
Best remembered for this Season 8 episode, P. Diddy’s “Vote or Die” campaign - or Citizen Change - might sound like something “South Park” fabricated. It was all too real, however. “South Park” got more right about Diddy than the creators likely expected. Just as his caricature threatens Stan, the real Diddy has since been linked to more than 100 cases of abuse - some involving minors. Amid the accusations, people couldn’t help but think about “South Park’s” parody. They also looked back to another episode where Satan asks, “What didn’t Diddy do?” It’s a question we’ve been asking a lot lately, wondering how his case can possibly become more surreal or troubling. The most prognostic part? Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024 - right before National Voter Registration Day.
Jared Fogle
The former Subway spokesman might’ve seemed like an odd target for “South Park” in 2002. Of course, we guess that was part of the joke. Jared Fogle appeared to be a good role model and an all-around beloved figure. Surely he’d be the last person society would turn against. A lot can change over 13 years. In 2015, Fogle’s history of inappropriate and criminal behavior with children came to light. Unlike his downfall in “South Park,” this wasn’t one big misunderstanding. Fogle pleaded guilty, being sentenced to more than a decade and a half in prison. The episode thus took on a whole new level of commentary. “South Park” has since done other Jared parodies, and now, citizens have a legitimate reason to fear him.
Did we miss anyone else “South Park” was right about? Let us know in the comments.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at instances where “South Park” warned us - either intentionally or inadvertently - about people who have gained bad reputations.
Barry Bonds
Learning a valuable lesson, Jimmy condemns athletes who use steroids with Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Jason Giambi ironically in the background. While all three MLB players would be embroiled in doping scandals, Bonds’ image arguably got hit the hardest. In addition to performance-enhancing allegations, Bonds was indicted for perjury. Found guilty of obstruction of justice, Bonds’ sentence included probation, community service, and house arrest, although the conviction was overturned. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bonds acknowledged that he wasn’t very sportsmanlike, saying in 2016, “No one wants to be treated like that, because I was considered to be a terrible person.” Reflecting on the episode, Trey Parker said, “This was like way before people were calling out Barry Bonds. So I’m pretty proud of that.”
Rob Schneider
Matt Stone and Trey Parker dedicated an entire episode to so-called medium John Edward, depicting him as a phony. While numerous skeptics share the same views on Edward, the episode is more recognized for its portrayal of Rob Schneider. The real Schneider thought the parody was hilarious, and if releasing terrible comedies to the public were his worst offense, he wouldn’t be on this list. In recent years, though, Schneider has become infamous for spreading baseless conspiracy theories, misinformation about vaccines, and hate speech toward marginalized groups, most notably transgender people. Those are just some reasons Schneider’s daughter, Elle King, is at odds with him. With many fans turning on Schneider as well, maybe he’s become “worthier” of John Edward’s title.
Caitlyn Jenner
Jenner has been a prominent South Park figure since Season 19 when Kyle questions if she’s truly a hero. Under PC pressure, Kyle concludes that coming out as transgender was brave. That doesn’t necessarily mean Jenner is a good person, however. This is reflected in the following episode, addressing Jenner’s real-life car crash that claimed a life. She settled without jail time in what could be chalked up to a horrible accident, but Jenner’s former supporters have struggled to justify her recent behavior. This includes standing against trans girls in female sports. Just as her “South Park” counterpart became Garrison’s running mate, Jenner later endorsed Trump and ran for office herself. Yet, many feel Jenner’s political views contradict the message of acceptance she once preached.
“Mama June” Shannon
This Emmy-winning episode questions how low the standards for humanity have plummeted, using “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” as a point of reference. “South Park” depicts matriarch “Mama June” Shannon as a shameless reality TV mom who passes the same values - or lack thereof - to her daughter. Parker and Stone weren’t the first to question Shannon’s parenting capabilities. The plot thickened two years later when news broke Shannon was dating a registered sex offender who harmed daughter Anna. This led to the show’s cancelation, but Mama June still found work on TV. June’s substance use persisted, though, leading to legal issues. This contributed to her strained relationship with Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, who has tried getting away from her mama’s drama as an adult.
Mel Gibson
When Mel Gibson made “The Passion of the Christ,” some deemed him a profound auteur with a meaningful message to share. Others - like Stone and Parker - questioned what was going on in this guy’s head. The show’s daffy portrayal of Gibson grew more relevant with time, as the Oscar winner became engulfed in numerous legal troubles and public relations nightmares. By the time Gibson was implicated in a domestic violence case, few saw a path forward for the once-celebrated actor and filmmaker. That said, Gibson’s career would rebound with him going on to score another Oscar nomination for “Hacksaw Ridge.” His comeback shocked some, but even the “South Park” creators admit that Gibson knows story structure. Otherwise, say what you will about him.
Ira Einhorn
Earth Day Brainwashing Organization leader Jack Farlis is so committed to saving the planet that he’s willing to cause anyone who stands in his way physical pain - namely Kenny. Although Farlis is fictional, he’s based on Ira Einhorn, who helped popularize Earth Day. In addition to sharing a physical resemblance - complete with a ponytail - Einhorn and Farlis have a history of violence. In the late 70s, Einhorn was accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Holly Maddux, fleeing to Europe before he could face trial. By the 90s, Einhorn’s name had fallen into obscurity. Following an arrest in 1997, though, Einhorn was extradited to the U.S. on July 20, 2001, two days after this episode aired. Einhorn was sentenced to life in prison, dying in 2020.
Kanye West
When “South Park” dished out its “Fishsticks” episode in 2009, Kanye West was already gaining a reputation for his impulsive behavior. It wasn’t until West interrupted Taylor Swift’s VMA speech later that year people realized just how spot-on “South Park” was. The Ye Saga has only gotten more erratic over time, from his offensive comments on slavery, to his attempt to break into politics, to his Nazi ideals. The fish thing might’ve been a joke, but even “South Park” couldn’t make all this up. Yet, the show’s portrayal of Ye only seems to become more accurate every year. Part of that may be mental health-related, although some argue that Ye’s bipolar diagnosis doesn’t absolve him of hate speech.
R. Kelly
Before the “Trapped in the Closet” episode, R. Kelly’s alleged crimes were the music industry’s worst-kept secret - if you could even call it a secret by 2005. Many turned a blind eye to the R. Kelly stories, but not “South Park.” Three years after the show depicted the singer as a loose cannon who endangers those around him, Kelly was acquitted of the charges against him. Amid the #MeToo movement and “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary, law enforcement revisited the decades of accusations. This led to Kelly’s arrest and conviction with the artist currently serving a 31-year combined sentence. When people look back at the various shows that warned us about R. Kelly, “South Park” stands out as one of the most quotable examples.
P. Diddy
Best remembered for this Season 8 episode, P. Diddy’s “Vote or Die” campaign - or Citizen Change - might sound like something “South Park” fabricated. It was all too real, however. “South Park” got more right about Diddy than the creators likely expected. Just as his caricature threatens Stan, the real Diddy has since been linked to more than 100 cases of abuse - some involving minors. Amid the accusations, people couldn’t help but think about “South Park’s” parody. They also looked back to another episode where Satan asks, “What didn’t Diddy do?” It’s a question we’ve been asking a lot lately, wondering how his case can possibly become more surreal or troubling. The most prognostic part? Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024 - right before National Voter Registration Day.
Jared Fogle
The former Subway spokesman might’ve seemed like an odd target for “South Park” in 2002. Of course, we guess that was part of the joke. Jared Fogle appeared to be a good role model and an all-around beloved figure. Surely he’d be the last person society would turn against. A lot can change over 13 years. In 2015, Fogle’s history of inappropriate and criminal behavior with children came to light. Unlike his downfall in “South Park,” this wasn’t one big misunderstanding. Fogle pleaded guilty, being sentenced to more than a decade and a half in prison. The episode thus took on a whole new level of commentary. “South Park” has since done other Jared parodies, and now, citizens have a legitimate reason to fear him.
Did we miss anyone else “South Park” was right about? Let us know in the comments.
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