Comedy Central pulls ‘South Park’ episode mocking – Business News
Comedy Central has pulled a controversial “South Park” episode that parodied Charlie Kirk after the conservative activist was gunned down at a Utah school on Wednesday.
The Paramount Skydance-owned community quietly eliminated the rerun of the episode “Got a Nut” from its cable lineup Wednesday evening, simply hours after Kirk, 31, was shot and killed whereas talking at Utah Valley University.
Instead of airing Season 27, Episode 2 — wherein Eric Cartman adopts Kirk’s mannerisms and look for a satirical school debate podcast — Comedy Central slotted in Episode 1 from the identical season.
Comedy Central pulled the “South Park” episode “Got a Nut,” which parodied Charlie Kirk, after his assassination at Utah Valley University. Paramount
The community didn’t subject a public assertion however confirmed to industry shops that the episode was “temporarily pulled” from its cable rotation.
It stays obtainable to stream on Paramount+ with a subscription. The Post has sought remark from Paramount Skydance.
The resolution got here as MAGA supporters raged online, accusing “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone of serving to fuel the hatred that led to Kirk’s assassination.
Eric Cartman was depicted imitating Charlie Kirk’s mannerisms within the pulled “South Park” episode. Paramount
“Comedy has consequences,” one Turning Point USA staffer posted on Telegram. “Charlie was targeted in the culture before he was targeted in real life.”
The episode initially aired Aug. 6 and instantly drew consideration for lampooning Kirk’s school talking model. The parody climaxed with Cartman receiving the “Charlie Kirk Award for Young Masterdebaters.”
Days later, Kirk himself laughed off the mockery. In a TikTok video posted Aug. 7, he referred to as the section “hilarious” and advised followers he thought-about it a “badge of honor.”
He additionally modified his X profile picture to an image of the Cartman caricature carrying Kirk’s signature black T-shirt.
Kirk advised Fox News on the time he had grown up watching “South Park” and thought of the parody half of being within the public area.
But after his death, the satire has change into a flashpoint. Influential conservative accounts accused Parker and Stone of “mocking his Christian faith” and referred to as them “monsters.”
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One post that went viral on X claimed: “They mocked him on TV, then they killed him in real life.”
The outrage left Comedy Central caught within the crosshairs.
Season 27 of “South Park” has already generated controversy regardless of being solely 4 episodes into its run. The subsequent installment is scheduled to air Sept. 17.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot within the neck during his “America Comeback Tour” stop at Utah Valley University. AP
In addition to the Kirk parody, “Got a Nut” featured faculty counselor Mr. Mackey becoming a member of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and staging raids alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The episode marked the show’s newest foray into lampooning real-life political figures.
Over its almost three a long time on the air, “South Park” has skewered celebrities, presidents, and popular culture icons throughout the spectrum.
But this time, the timing has drawn unprecedented backlash.
Kirk, a staunch Trump ally and founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot as soon as within the neck during his Sept. 10 rally in Orem, Utah.
About 3,000 people had been inside the campus area, the place Kirk was launching his “America Comeback Tour.”
Utah Valley University police chief Jeff Long mentioned six officers and Kirk’s non-public security had been readily available. “You try to get your bases covered, and unfortunately, today, we didn’t,” Long mentioned.
Charlie Kirk debates with college students at The Cambridge Union on May 19, 2025. Getty Images for The Cambridge Union
The suspect stays on the run. Authorities haven’t launched a description.
President Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Truth Social: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.”
The killing has rattled conservatives already on edge after the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania. House Speaker Mike Johnson referred to as Kirk’s death “an attack on all of us.”
Turning Point USA introduced it can maintain a memorial rally in Phoenix to honor Kirk’s legacy. Getty Images
But within hours, the main focus of MAGA anger shifted towards Comedy Central. A petition demanding the community apologize for airing the parody racked up more than 100,000 signatures in its first day.
Right-wing radio host Jesse Kelly advised his listeners: “’South Park’ thought it was funny to turn Charlie into a cartoon joke. Now his wife is planning a funeral.”
Parker and Stone have long maintained that no matter is off limits for satire, a stance that has drawn each acclaim and condemnation over the show’s 27 seasons.
Neither creator has commented publicly since Kirk’s assassination.
Funeral preparations for Kirk haven’t but been introduced. Turning Point USA mentioned it can maintain a memorial rally in Phoenix in his honor.
