Top 30 Times South Park Tackled Serious Issues
#30: Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has existed in various forms for several years, but with the release of tools like ChatGPT, the use of AI has grown exponentially. “South Park” did an entire episode around the boys making use of AI in both their personal relationships, and school assignments. Much of what goes on is quite entertaining, but it does manage to provide some social commentary around the use of AI in our lives. Even more so, when the credits roll, we see that Trey Parker shares a writing credit with ChatGPT. AI is here to stay and to see a show like this embrace it for what it can be is a lesson for all of us.
#29: Diversity in Media
Few would argue against the fact that for a long time, various minority and ethnic groups did not see much valuable representation in film and television. In recent years, there’s been a big push to change this. However, according to “South Park,” there’s a fine line between diversity in media, and pandering. “Joining the Panderverse” was a direct attack on some of the measures that film studios have taken, such as rebooting properties with more diverse casts instead of telling new stories that naturally include a diverse set of characters. The episode features an all-female, non-caucasian version of the four main characters to drive their argument home.
#28: Corporate Takeovers
A common complaint among small communities is how larger corporations come in and seemingly push the smaller businesses out. General stores, corner coffee shops, and even local grocers find themselves bankrupt when townsfolk choose the big box stores over the smaller gems. “South Park” has tackled this subject several times. Both the episodes “Gnomes” and “Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes” find humorous ways of illustrating this conundrum. By showing Tweek’s father’s acceptance of Harbucks, or how Jim’s Drugs itself became a huge success, it illustrates the very nature of what a business is: growth and expansion.
#27: Social Isolation
If the internet has given us anything, it has been a means for people to connect with others in ways we never anticipated. Human beings are social creatures who need to interact with others around us. Prior to social media, awkward kids like Kip Drordy may not have ever had a way to connect with others. His Facebook “friendship” with Kyle shows how positive any kind of human connection can really be. Yet at the same time, it also gives us a peek at how quickly one can become isolated when your whole social existence relies on online “friends” and “followers.” Certainly, the way we interact has changed, but true friendships go far beyond just a number on a screen.
#26: Antisemitism
Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” was a divisive film amongst viewers for both its religious connotation, and its portrayal of Jewish people. Eric Cartman saw the movie as a confirmation of his long-standing antisemitism. Even Kyle starts to doubt his own faith and the message behind being Jewish when he sees the film. Much of the plot focuses on a caricature of Gibson and his outlandish behavior. Yet despite his Klingon battle chants and requests for torture, we as the audience are still exposed to an underlying theme that emphasizes how Jewish are perceived by many.
#25: Accepting Other Religious Beliefs
Any true “South Park” fan will know of Matt and Trey’s fascination with the Mormon faith. Long before their Broadway musical, the two gave us an episode that dove into much of the minutiae of what Mormonism really is. The brilliance of this episode is how it shows us that even when the true origins of a religion are unearthed, it’s ultimately about the actions people take that matter. Gary makes it clear that even if everything he believes is a lie, it doesn’t matter because he owes a debt to his church for having such a wonderful life. Regardless of how peculiar it might appear, if religion helps you have a happier life, it does make you think about whether or not there is something wrong with that.
#24: Gay Marriage
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After a failed attempt to reunite with Mr. Slave, Garrison becomes enraged with jealousy upon finding out he’s marrying Big Gay Al. That jealousy pushes Garrison to try and attempt to block a new bill that would allow gay marriage in the state of Colorado. Today, the USA is home to 29 of 50 states that contain some sort of ban on same-sex marriage. The entire Garrison storyline is merely a satire of the real-world crisis the United States is facing. Governments instituting marriage laws based on antiquated religious beliefs cross the line between church and state. “South Park” shows us that love knows no bounds.
#23: Heartbreak
“Raisins” shows both Stan and Butters approaching heartbreak in entirely different ways. While most of us can relate to Stan’s depressive attitude and his choice to dwell in sorrow when Wendy dumps him, it’s Butters’ speech at the end we should all take note of. Despite having lost the love of his life, Butters has no desire to circle the drain of misery. Instead, he reminds both Stan and all of us that heartbreak can be a beautiful sadness. We only confront the lows of heartbreak because we once experienced the highs of being in love. Life is a balance of ups and downs, and little Butters has already learned that. Maybe we all should take a page out of his book.
#22: Political Correctness
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Call it politically correct, wokeism, or whatever term you want; “South Park” has always stood firm about the kind of comedy it represents. Season 19 introduced us to a new character named PC Principal. Given how the show has mocked so many religions, ethnicities, and countless other individuals, the introduction of this guy was a way to comedically comment on PC culture. Whereas in real life people can sometimes be shamed for, say, not using the proper pronouns or engaging in stereotypes, PC Principal often takes to shouting matches, and even physical violence, all in the name of being PC.
#21: Starving Children in Ethiopia
Even as early as Season 1, “South Park” was addressing issues rarely explored in the TV animation landscape. This Thanksgiving special sees the boys befriend an Ethiopian boy Cartman dubs Starvin’ Marvin, who is mistakenly delivered to America. While much of the episode is dedicated to making fun of Sally Struthers, which admittedly hasn’t aged great, it does explore an issue that hasn’t lost relevance: the indifference and obliviousness many first-world nations have towards the less fortunate. This is naturally epitomized through the insensitive Cartman, who’s given just a small taste of what Marvin has experienced upon being sent to Ethiopia in his place. Marvin may not find the compassion he deserves on Earth, but he does find it on planet Marklar in Season 3.
#20: George Zimmerman
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In 2013, George Zimmerman was found not guilty for his involvement in the death of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American. The verdict enraged many around the country and remains contested even years later. In a “World War Z” parody, Cartman fears how Token will react. It’s Cartman who ends up taking extreme measures, though, all while making the situation about himself. This results in Cartman getting shot by Zimmerman, which isn’t treated as a punishable offense until the authorities realize the victim is white. There’s a lot of grey territory in the stand-your-ground law. Watching this episode, we see how it’s often treated as a one-way street. While Cartman learns nothing, the audience can identify with the episode’s representation of a flawed justice system.
#19: Self & Body Image
Top 10 Times South Park Tackled Serious Issues
It’s what’s on the inside that matters most and we’re all beautiful in our own way. This is a message we often hear, but people don’t always live by it. When every girl in school receives a new photoshopped look, Wendy takes a stand against how the media portrays physical attractiveness. In a more conventional show, Wendy would teach everyone a valuable lesson about body and self-image. Instead, she ultimately accepts the notice that Photoshop gives some people confidence. The ending is one of the show’s saddest, as Wendy conforms and photoshops an image of herself. Wendy struggles to hold back her tears as she betrays her ethics, leaving us all to contemplate what we’d do in her position.
#18: HIV/AIDS
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“South Park” has never shied away from satirizing HIV, but two episodes in particular address it head-on. In a Season 6 episode that kind of predicted the future, the world turns on Jared Fogle. Not because of what Jared later pled guilty to in real life, but due to a miscommunication. While everyone decides that they can finally laugh about the illness, Kyle sees no humor in the situation when Cartman purposely gives him AIDS six seasons later. This episode offers good news and bad news. The good news is that AIDS is much easier to manage than it was in the 80s and 90s. The bad news is that many carriers still don’t have the resources or funds needed to combat the disease.
#17: Alcohol Use Disorder
Even for “South Park,” “Bloody Mary” proved to be a controversial episode, primarily due to a running gag involving a Virgin Mary statue. The episode is mainly about alcohol, though, and its power over people. Upon receiving a DUI, Randy decides to simply drink less. However, when Randy is led to believe that he has no power concerning his drinking or the reckless actions that stem from it, he goes into a downward spiral. While the episode’s portrayal of AA is sure to divide some, Stan does teach Randy a valuable lesson about moderation. Randy finds the willpower to stop after a couple of beers, showing growth and discipline. Of course, this doesn’t prevent Randy from drinking too much in various episodes that follow.
#16: Piracy in the Indian Ocean
Jack Sparrow makes the life of a pirate seem like nothing but fun and games. So, when Cartman and several others learn about the piracy taking place in the Indian Ocean, they set a course for Somalia. Leaving school and parents behind, they anticipate nothing but smooth sailing and treasure hunts on the horizon. Upon arriving, however, the kids quickly find that being a pirate isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. That doesn’t stop Cartman from trying to make his childish fantasy a reality. Aside from addressing pirate hijacking, which was especially timely in 2009, the episode encourages the more fortunate to not take their dull, boring lives for granted. Butters and Ike, in particular, learn the true meaning of first-world problems.
#15: The Washington Redskins
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For decades, the Washington Redskins’ name and logo ignited no shortage of controversy. By 2014, many seemed to agree that the football team’s trademark was insensitive to Native Americans. Nevertheless, owner Daniel Snyder refused to budge on the subject. The eighteenth season of “South Park” aired around the same time that the football team was in jeopardy of losing its trademark. When Cartman snatches up the trademark, Snyder isn’t at all pleased. Bringing out the irony in hypocrisy, Snyder is offended that Cartman is making a mockery of the name and using it for his own gain. In real life, the team didn’t lose this trademark, but the name change process was finally initiated in 2020 during the early George Floyd protests.
#14: Being Gay
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As far as we have come with the perceptions of same-sex relationships, we still have a long way to go. “South Park” was far ahead of the game when it aired an episode about being gay back in September of 1997. Stan’s dog runs away when he overhears his owner’s disdain against the gay community. Yet after meeting Big Gay Al and seeing his farm of animals, Stan is able to accept his dog for who he really is. It’s an early entry for this show that showcases both bigotry and acceptance all within a 22-minute story. If only the real world were so easy.
#13: Voting & Social Pressure
Paralleling the 2004 U.S. presidential election, South Park Elementary is given two options for their new mascot: a giant douche or a turd sandwich. Cartman is for team turd, Kyle is a douche backer, and Stan could care less. Although he’s pressured by the whole town, not to mention P. Diddy, Stan refuses to vote and is banished as a result. As over-the-top as this sounds, the episode is eerily relatable. Even when neither candidate is ideal, both sides of the political spectrum can become aggressive about securing votes. The episode hilariously and honestly explores vote-shaming, which has only grown more common in the social media era. Ultimately, Stan casts his ballot, realizing that most elections boil down to a douche or turd.
#12: Whaling
Following a traumatic birthday at an aquarium, Stan becomes committed to saving the whales and dolphins. The episode revolves around whaling in Japan, which remains a heavily protested practice even to this date. Of course, the episode is also an excuse to take shots at “Whale Wars” host Paul Watson, whose anti-whaling tactics are depicted as ineffective. Despite this savage roast, Watson was supposedly happy that the episode shined a spotlight on the issue. In the end, the boys steer the Japanese government away from sea life, inspiring them to instead target barnyard animals. Although the episode doesn’t offer a realistic solution to whaling, at the very least, it helped bring the subject to the attention of a wider audience while also bringing the laughs.
#11: Desensitization to Violence
It seems like every week there’s another report on the news about an unspeakable act of violence that’s taken place. Violence has become so prevalent in our modern world that a lot of people shrug these reports off as if there’s nothing we can do to prevent further chaos. Sharon is the only adult who’s outraged following a catastrophe at school. As everyone else downplays the ongoing mayhem, Sharon feels as if she’s surrounded by emotionless Pod People. Once again, we’re left with an ending that doesn’t find an easy solution to the problem. Sharon accepts the bleak reality she lives in as the new normal. At the same time, the episode serves as a wake-up call for those who’ve grown desensitized to violent tragedies.
#10: “Therapy”
After Stephen finds Butters in a compromising position with Cartman, he jumps to the conclusion that his son is “bi-curious.” Although it’s just a big misunderstanding, Stephen decides to send Butters to a conversion therapy camp. Despite all the talk about being “bi-curious,” nobody explains to Butter what this means. In any case, Butters doesn’t see why he or any of the other boys at the camp should feel ashamed about it. One kid named Bradley feels so ashamed that he nearly jumps to his demise. After hearing some honest words from Butters, Bradley finds that he’s not “confused.” It’s everyone who says he’s “confused” that doesn’t understand. By the end, Butters still doesn’t entirely comprehend the situation, but he is proud to be himself.
#9: The Treatment of Amazon Workers
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Few things are more satisfying than walking out onto your front doorstep to find a new Amazon package. Although it’s the ultimate convenience for the consumer, many of the employees responsible for shipping and delivering those packages have expressed dissatisfaction with their working conditions. In this two-parter, an Amazon fulfillment center is set up in South Park. When one worker suffers a particularly bizarre accident, a strike erupts. Earlier that year, some called for an Amazon Prime Day boycott and the Stop BEZOS Act was initiated. Portraying founder Jeff Bezos as an all-knowing overlord, the episodes also touch upon how the retail giant has overshadowed smaller businesses. In the end, the episodes demonstrate how instant gratification doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be left fulfilled in the long run.
#8: ICE Detention Centers
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Even before the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was formed in 2003, immigration detention was a major talking point. Opinions surrounding the issue became especially heated with the election of President Donald Trump, whose “zero tolerance” policy has resulted in numerous children being separated from their families. Cartman, being...well...Cartman, sees this as an ample opportunity to get rid of Kyle. ICE quickly realizes that Kyle sticks out like a sore thumb and his Jewish heritage doesn’t help their image. Yet, that doesn’t stop them from picking up Cartman later on. The episode depicts ICE as an incompetent agency that cares more about saving their own skin than the psychological ramifications detention centers have on children.
#7: Controversial Flags
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Now more than ever, displaying the Confederate flag is bound to result in a passionate debate. This isn’t anything new, however. Even back in the year 2000, “South Park” was parodying flag controversy in this episode. Chef insists that the South Park town flag be changed due to its offensive imagery. Jimbo, meanwhile, feels that the flag is a part of the town’s history and therefore should be preserved. The episode wisely doesn’t vilify Chef or Jimbo, exploring the argument from both of their perspectives. In the end, they find a way to make both sides happy. The flag is changed to be more diverse, although it retains elements of the original design. Twenty years after this episode aired, people still aren’t any closer to reaching a compromise.
#6: Steroids
From Stan’s stint as a Guitar Hero to Cartman’s fried chicken operation, substance use has been parodied in a number of “South Park” episodes. One of the most effective examples occurred in Season 8 when Jimmy entered the Special Olympics. To give himself a competitive edge, Jimmy turns to steroids. Despite Timmy’s qualms, Jimmy continually justifies his actions, arguing that most athletes do this sort of thing anyway. Although his performance is enhanced, the steroids take a drastic toll on Jimmy’s personality and relationships. “South Park” may be a comedy, but this episode gets surprisingly dramatic and downright uncomfortable at certain points. Fortunately, Jimmy learns his lesson by the end thanks to Timmy and - inadvertently - Cartman.
#5: Climate Change
Climate change isn’t going away overnight, hence why it remains a recurring theme in “South Park.” Granted, “South Park” hasn’t always taken climate change very seriously - or should we say “cereally.” In a Season 9 episode parodying the response to Hurricane Katrina, shots were also fired at “The Day After Tomorrow” and its take on the climate crisis. The following season, Al Gore tries to warn everybody about a creature called ManBearPig, an obvious allegory for climate change. Although it seems that ManBearPig is imaginary, his existence is confirmed by Season 22. It leaves us with a grim message: the climate emergency is real, it may be too late to reverse the damage, and most people would rather ignore the problem than make a small sacrifice.
#4: Censorship in China
Being such a controversial show, censorship has always provided commentary for “South Park.” Freedom of speech even led to a war against Canada in the 1999 feature film. While the U.S. and the Great White North have since buried the hatchet, Randy had a bone to pick with China in Season 23. Due to China’s economic impact on the U.S. entertainment industry, many American companies have played ball with the country’s regulations, despite how unusual some of them sound. Winnie-the-Pooh, for example, was banned in China after Xi Jinping was compared to Disney’s interpretation. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this episode got “South Park” banned in China. Randy and Towelie would have some harsh words for the Chinese government the following week.
#3: Immigration
One year after the CBP was formed, “South Park” delivered a satire of illegal immigration that’s still incredibly relevant. The immigrants in this episode travel from a bleak future where the world has become overpopulated and destitute. By venturing back to the 21st century, people are able to make enough money to provide for their families in the 4th millennium. Modern workers, however, argue that this is taking away their jobs - or “jerbs” as some might say. As funny as the episode is, it’s also harrowing to think that so little has changed since 2004. For all we know, this could still be a serious issue by the time we get to 3045. After all, satire may be our greatest window into the future.
#2: COVID-19
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It was only a matter of time before South Park covered the coronavirus. And they did not hold back. The show’s first-ever television special, “The Pandemic Special”, covered a lot of ground, from Covid-19’s effect on small businesses to the dilemmas it's caused with reopening schools. However, since it’s South Park, it also takes time to ridicule the situation as a whole, poking fun at the habits we’ve adopted since the pandemic’s inception. A “Vaccination Special” also followed …
#1: The Michael Richards Controversy
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When Randy gets an answer incredibly wrong on “Wheel of Fortune,” his mistake follows him everywhere. Even after literally kissing up to Jesse Jackson, the only people who sympathize with Randy are Michael Richards, Mark Fuhrman, and several others who came to regret their choice of words. While Randy’s storyline provides clever commentary, the episode’s most poignant dynamic is between Stan and Token. Although Stan wishes to reconcile, Token isn’t so quick to forgive. He feels that Stan doesn’t understand what hearing a certain word means to him. Token’s line about Jesse Jackson actually came from Vernon Chatman, a staff writer who’s half-black. It isn’t until Stan realizes that he can never understand how Token feels that he finally begins to grasp the situation.
