The complete and until today unaired pilot of South Park for Comedy Central, with an additional creator's commentary track. About 90% was recut into the first episode, "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe," but with a few slightly altered scenes and characters. After gaining underground popularity with two shorts that you've all probably seen already at this point, Trey Parker and Matt Stone were contracted by Comedy Central to produce a full pilot episode for a potential show based on the shorts. This pilot episode is what would ultimately lead to a series that is now 12 years old, spans over 180 episodes, and is one of the most successful shows in the history of cable television both in ratings and revenue. The pilot is also the only episode in the series that, like the original shorts, uses stop-motion animation of paper cutouts instead of computer software.
posted by XQUZYPHYR on Aug 14, 2009 - 24 comments

The Worst Date Ever is the new book by Jane Bussmann. She starts as a celebrity journalist in LA and ends up breaking a massive story about the political situation in Uganda from a scary bit of Africa. Ms. Bussmann also wrote the first internet sit-com: The Junkies (parts 1, 2, 3) , and had a hand in South Park, Brass Eye and Jam. The wonderful Sally Phillips directed the Edinburgh stage show that became the book and Chris Morris says it's "Genuinely confusing to rapists". [more inside]
posted by sam and rufus on Jul 15, 2009 - 9 comments

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, "are planning to stage a Broadway musical based on the lives and (many) loves of typical members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints." They - "along with Robert Lopez, the co-writer of 'Avenue Q' - have finally settled on a script and are workshopping their new production aptly titled, 'Mormon Musical.'" They've had fun with Mormons before: South Park episode: All About the Mormons? Full episode [21:37]. Clip [08:40]
posted by ericb on Nov 19, 2008 - 45 comments

To some, Exclaim! is more or less the northern equivalent of Pitchfork, a free monthly mag for the hipster masses. But I've always enjoyed the way their Questionnaire page provides an often surprisingly clear glimpse into an odd array of celebrities' lives. This month's subject is Motörhead’s Lemmy. [more inside]
posted by mannequito on Oct 1, 2008 - 30 comments

Do you love South Park but you wish you could watch all the episodes on your own time? Uncensored? Without waiting for (or paying for) the DVDs? If so, South Park Studios just answered your prayers. Since the Daily Show recently did the same thing - is Comedy Central making big waves, or big mistakes? [more inside]
posted by revmitcz on Mar 24, 2008 - 47 comments

Welcome to Steve's World. Steve designs and writes his very own web comic, Internet Earl; he directs, edits, and stars in his own video series, The Portal; he writes South Park fan fiction, and as of January 19th, he completed is 200th and final video blog. He hates Bush, kids and software pirates. He enjoys tater tots and keeping things real.
posted by c:\awesome on Jan 24, 2007 - 9 comments

South Park Refugees. "The G.O.P. used to have a sizable libertarian bloc, but I couldn't see any sign of it at the conference. Stone and Parker said they were rooting for Hillary Clinton in 2008 simply because it would be weird to have her as president. The prevailing sentiment among the rest of the libertarians was that the best outcome this November would be a Democratic majority in the House, because then at least there'd be gridlock."
posted by ZenMasterThis on Sep 1, 2006 - 107 comments

Did he laugh?
posted by dov3 on Aug 29, 2006 - 56 comments

AirArabia is using cartoon characters on their website that have a remarkable resemblance to the "South ParK" kids.
posted by 445supermag on Apr 20, 2006 - 39 comments

In 'Cartoon Wars', the latest (two part) episode of South Park, writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone parody the show that parodies everybody, Family Guy. The South Park episode features Cartman and Kyle at war over an imaginary episode of Family Guy that features a (censored) image of the Prophet Muhammed (QT preview here). But in writing their 'stinging satire' (some say of Family Guy itself, while others say it is a criticism of Islamofacism), have Trey and Matt ironically missed the fact that they themselves actually featured a non-censored image of the Prophet Muhammed in South Park almost five years ago?
posted by Effigy2000 on Apr 12, 2006 - 124 comments

"Primitive animation is part of the charm of TV's boldest, most politically incorrect satirical series. Its simple style also makes possible the show's unmatched topicality." For its "notoriously rude, undeniably fearless lampoon of all that is self-important and hypocritical in American life, regardless of race, creed, color or celebrity status," South Park was announced today as a recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award, arguably the most prestigious award in television news broadcasting.
posted by XQUZYPHYR on Apr 5, 2006 - 56 comments

Chef's death a ratings ploy. "The whole quitting thing was Matts idea. They were just starting their 10th season and were looking for a great idea to spark renewed interest in the show, and it did!" In other sad news, a real death HAS occured.
posted by UseyurBrain on Apr 1, 2006 - 17 comments

Did Isaac Hayes really quit South Park? Last night's show roasted Hayes for his irate departure following the now-infamous Scientology episode (banned from the air in Tom Cruise's litigious wake, full episode here). In the latest episode, masters of subtlety Trey Parker and Matt Stone depict Chef as having fallen prey to an insidious cult, the "Super Adventure Club", subsequently killing him off in a manner that would make Kenny jealous. But today FoxNews reports that Isaac Hayes has been in the hospital since Jan. 17th, following a stroke, and never issued a statement. Apparently, the Scientology Center issued it "for" him. [via] [previously discussed here here and here]
posted by mowglisambo on Mar 23, 2006 - 81 comments

It might not be funny, but it's true. An educational episode of South Park, via Waxy.org.
posted by mokey on Mar 19, 2006 - 111 comments

Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park' Forgive the link to Fox News, however it is an AP story.
posted by Tablecrumbs on Mar 14, 2006 - 102 comments

Could Tom Cruise sue South Park for suggesting he is gay? A discussion of the legal implications of a recent South Park episode suggesting Cruise was "in the closet." (Link to the clip in question) (via)
posted by Ljubljana on Dec 8, 2005 - 87 comments

"But nine seasons on, South Park is a bona fide cultural phenomenon that has risen above its own raunch to become an up-to-the-minute social commentary on some of the most controversial issues of the day." A NY Times piece on SP as a significant cultural signpost.
posted by JPowers on Oct 19, 2005 - 60 comments

'South Park' Drawn to Syndication Sex and the City is one thing and being shown on cable anyway, and I understand they've been shooting a syndication-friendly version of the Sopranos, but how will they clean up these cartoon freaks enough to appear on broadcast TV?
posted by billsaysthis on Jul 30, 2004 - 26 comments

South Park does the "Aristocrats" joke. (WARNING! Windows Media file, very very not safe for work.) "The Aristocrats" is a long-lived comedians' in-joke--or, rather, an extraordinarily filthy joke that's not really a joke. (Gilbert Gottfried knocked 'em dead with it shortly after 9/11.) Now it's going public (sort of): Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza are making a movie featuring over 100 comedians telling their own versions. The South Park version linked above is "not even in the top 5 for dirtiest." Yikes!
posted by 88robots on Jun 7, 2004 - 54 comments

Drawn in the style of a pre-school children's cartoon. But from the sick & twisted minds of the guys from Southpark. Princess, A lap dog who observes the very adult world around her. The sexual content was so extreme shockwave.com halted development of the "webisodes" only after seeing the first 2 of 39 episodes that were contracted. Now you can watch these shorts & judge for yourself. Thanks to the folks at Trio. (username/password required... mefi/mefi)
posted by Dreamghost on Mar 18, 2004 - 21 comments

Create your approximate South Park (not to be confused with South Park) facsimile.
posted by twiggy on Jun 5, 2002 - 31 comments

RIP Kenny McCormack So, is our favorite foul-mouthed, parka-wearin' cartoon character really dead? Or do, as usual, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have something up their collective sleeves? Me, I'm thinking that Kenny will return to torment little Butters (who's a fine replacement, really), similar to the character arc this lady once had on another show that became a pop culture icon. (via Fark)
posted by WolfDaddy on Apr 6, 2002 - 19 comments

Sour Family Hour? This report from the conservative Parents Television Council made the top of the front page in our local paper this morning. If you visit the PTC home page, you'll get a pop-up calling for action against Comedy Central and "South Park" because they recently went over the top by not censoring the word "shit" and compounding the sin by using a counter in the corner to note how many times it was said. (Anybody catch that episode?)
posted by jdbanks on Aug 2, 2001 - 16 comments

Radiohead to appear on South Park! Insert unfunny South Park quote here. Suggestions: "Looks like Thom Yorke got sand in his vagina." "Why hello, children. Allow me to sing you a chilling apolcalyptic ballad about the future when we'll all be robots." However, anyone who mentions "Oh my god, they killed Thom Yorke!" will be kicked in the balls. I'm serious. None of that.
posted by tweebiscuit on Jul 5, 2001 - 69 comments

Comedy Central airs an episode of South Park where the characters say "shit" 168 times, unbleeped. Trey Parker and Matt Stone prove once again that they aren't afraid to take American television where everybody else has already been.
posted by RylandDotNet on Jun 20, 2001 - 28 comments

That's My Bush! - Premiers tonight on Comedy Central. From Matt and Trey, the creators of South Park. This is either gonna be really great or reeeeeaaaallllyyy bad.
posted by radio_mookie on Apr 4, 2001 - 23 comments

Park Wars Released See the kids of South Park fight like Jedi Knights. Quicktime required and big downloads but there is a streaming link. Sweeeet.
posted by jordanbrock on Mar 16, 2001 - 2 comments

Found this over at Free Advice in regards to the Elian Gonzalez Spoof Movie:

WHAT IS "FAIR USE" WITH RESPECT TO A COPYRIGHT? Copyrighted work may be used for certain limited purposes by people other than the owner under the doctrine of "fair use." "Fair use" includes reproduction for specific purposes such as:

criticism and comment, including parody
news reporting
teaching
scholarship
research

I beleive that the movie is protected. How else could have the South Park used the photo in last night's episode? I doubt the AP is going to go head to head with Comedy Central over the issue. It is just easy for big companies to threaten the little people and know that they will win. What a shame.
posted by da5id on Apr 27, 2000 - 8 comments

Broadcast "quality" animation in 3 days? Something disturbing about tonite's southpark that just occured to me. it was basically about the ellian controversy, and the raid on easter sunday, they even had janet reno dressed up as the easter bunny for the attack, and they used "the closet photo" to kill kenny. now I know southpark animation isn't that difficult, but that seems awfully fast for them to put together an episode, espeically given that they've been advertising the episode all month...I'll be dreaming of conspiracy theories to explain this one tonite
posted by nomisxid on Apr 26, 2000 - 10 comments

Blame Phil Collins?
We knew Blame Canada wouldn't win, and to be fair, Phil probably deserved it - my real question is "what did you think of the 'Blame Canada' production number?" It was the only reason I watched tonight (not being a big awards show guy), and I'm just curious to hear what other people thought of it. Did Robin Williams wreck it? What about the mounties chorus-line? Did anyone else think he was going to do the entire song with the tape over his mouth?
My only other Oscar observation: Angelina Jolie seemed thrilled and suprised to get Best Supporting Actress. Do you think that she would have gone with the Elvira look if she expected to win?
posted by CrazyUncleJoe on Mar 26, 2000 - 13 comments

Tell the <bleep>ing producers that they can <bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep> and <bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep> my <bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep> right now! Will "Blame Canada" finally make for an entertaining Oscars show or will the <bleeep>ing <bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep> just like they always do?
posted by CrazyUncleJoe on Mar 9, 2000 - 4 comments

Southpark makes waves overseas. "The U.S.-made adult cartoon show was responsible for a rise in swearing and misbehavior" said the student council. Lets all sing together: "Blame America! Blame America!" (hopefully you've seen the Southpark movie and heard this)
posted by mathowie on Feb 10, 2000 - 1 comment

Last week, the woman that does almost every female voice on Southpark committed suicide. It's a terrible loss, she did voiceover work for so many movies and shows. What's really spooky about it is listening to her being interviewed earlier this year. She even talks about animated characters living long after you're dead.
posted by mathowie on Nov 18, 1999 - 0 comments