It’s inSouth Park’s DNA to be controversial. That’s part of its genius. The most offensiveSouth Parkepisodes fire shots at everyone: celebrities, politicians, religious figures, and every demographic present in modern society. No one is safe. Show-runnersTrey ParkerandMatt Stonetake a sort of impish delight in ruffling feathers and smashing taboos. From episode one,South Parkhas served up profane, violent, and outrageous storylines that are certainly not for the faint of heart—but which are also painstakingly funny.
The series has been on air since 1997 and has produced over 320 episodes. In this time,there has been no shortage of stories fromSouth Parkthat annoyed some segments of the populationor got under the skin of the celebs being satirized. Plenty of episodes caused a stir, but the ones that led to threats of legal action or were outright banned are the cream of the crop.
35"Sermon on the ‘Mount"
Season 27, Episode 1 (2024)
When times start getting strange,South Parksure knows how to make its impact felt. That was the case with the recent premiere of its 27th season, with the animated sitcom taking aim at U.S. PresidentDonald Trump. Lampooning his second presidency,“Sermon on the ‘Mount” addresses legal actions taken by Trump’s administration, his dubious connection to the Epstein Files, and the increased implementation of Christianity in schools under Trump’s administration. The episode also criticizes Paramount Global—the parent company of Comedy Central.
Ranging from satirizing the most disturbing moments of the 47th U.S. Presidency to leveling belittling penis jokes at Trump as he hops into bed with Satan, “Sermon on the ‘Mount” is a brutal opening to the new season that pulls no punches in its commentary on the state of modern America. The episode, unsurprisingly, stoked an uproar from Trump’s supporter base, and even received an official and alarmingly defensive response from White House Assistant Press SecretaryTaylor Rogers, who commented on the series’ supposedly dwindling popularity. TheSouth Parkepisode reached #1 status on Paramount+.
34"The Return of Chef"
Season 10, Episode 1 (2006)
In rather infamous fashion,Isaac Hayes,the original voice of the funny Chef, departed the series following the premiere of the Season 9 finale “Trapped in the Closet,” after falling out with the series co-creators, given the episode’s condemnation of Scientology. The Season 10 premiere sees Chef return, having joined the “Super Adventure Club.” However, disturbed by Chef’s sexual advancements towards them, the boys investigate the club and realize it is a cult of explorers who voyage around the world molesting children.
Made in response to Hayes’ press statement that accused the series of bigotry and intolerance, “The Return of Chef” isan unflinching skewering of Scientology that never actually mentions Scientology throughout. The cherry on top is how it edited previous recordings of Hayes’ voice to come up with Chef’s dialogue before the character falls to his death. The episode kick-started a vivacious and vindictive Season 10, and is remembered fondly by many for its scorching look at Scientology and its values.
33"The F Word"
Season 13, Episode 12 (2009)
South Park’s contentious Season 13 episode is famous, or maybe infamous, for its handling of the idea of the evolution of language and specific words. “The F Word” sees the boys’ tirade against an obnoxious group of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts land them in hot water for their use of the F-slur in voicing their opposition to the motorcycle gang’s antics. Answering to the city council, the boys state the meaning of the word has changed over time, and their actions were not homophobic.
The episode’s commentary was well-received by some, but others queried the validity of its notion that the F-slur has been detached from being a derogatory term for homosexuals to the extent that the word can be repurposed.While it didn’t generate intense backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) did comment on the use of the slur, emphasizing that it is still a harmful word that directly attacks members of the gay community. While the conversation surrounding the word is one thing, the episode itself is still an intriguing analysis of language within society.
32"Butters' Very Own Episode"
Season 5, Episode 14 (2001)
WhileSouth Parkcontroversies are plentiful, it is far rarer for creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to express their own regret over their handling of certain issues. However, that was the case with the Season 5 episode “Butters’ Very Own Episode,” which takes a hilariously bleak look at Butters’ life with the shocking revelation of his father’s homosexual affairs leading toButters’ mother trying to drown him by driving the car into a river with the child inside. As Chris and Linda reconcile their differences, they conspire to cover up Butters’ murder, leading to a media circus surrounding his supposed disappearance despite the fact that Butters survived the incident and is embarking on a tumultuous, seedy venture to return home in time for his parents’ anniversary.
The episode targets several celebrity personalities who were involved in legal issues of their own, includingO.J. Simpson. A significant gag in the episode was directed atGary Conditregarding his speculated involvement in the disappearance ofChandra Levy, andJohn and Patricia Ramseyfor their alleged responsibility in the death of their daughter. Such dark subject matter certainly made the episode impressionable, and many of its jokes are handled well, but Parker and Stone haveexpressed remorse over how Condit and the Ramseys were depicted.
Season 22, Episode 1 (2018)
Handling America’s growing desensitization towards school shootings and commentary on the popularity ofBlack Panther, the premiere toSouth Park’s 22nd season was bold to say the least. As school life carries on even amid an active shooting incident, Cartman suspects Token Black intentionally gave him the wrong answers in a test as revenge after Cartman expressed his dissatisfaction with the popular superhero movie. As Cartman strives to prove this theory, Sharon Marsh grows outraged over South Park’s acceptance of school shootings as a new reality of modern America.
While its subject matter is confronting, the episode isa brilliant condemnation of America’s inaction concerning the issues of gun violence, especially in schools. Its approach is direct, unflinching, and determined to extract comedy from the darkest depths of its focal issue, making it a trademarkSouth Parkepisode that uses its controversial core to its advantage.
30"Red Sleigh Down"
Season 6, Episode 17 (2002)
Cartman’s undying sense of self-interest crosses paths with the festive spirit in theSouth Parkholiday episode“Red Sleigh Down.” It sees the troublesome child having to manipulate his way onto Santa Claus’ “nice” list in order to be eligible to receive the gift he yearns for. In a bid to show his good qualities,Cartman recruits Santa, Jesus, and Mr. Hankey to bring Christmas cheer to the children of Iraq, a sentiment that backfires when Santa’s sleigh is shot down.
Referencing films likeBlack Hawk DownandThree Kingsthroughout, the episode pulls no punches in its appetite for parody humor, an endeavor that had some fans in hysterics while others could only gasp in shock. Additionally, the episode also marks Kenny’s return to the series, effectively resolving the ongoing arc of him being dead and his spirit living on in Cartman’s body.
29"Pinewood Derby"
Season 13, Episode 6 (2009)
“Pinewood Derby” sees Randy helping Stan win a boy cub scout motor race only to inadvertently make him the first human being to reach light speed and establish contact with an alien race. When alien gangsters lose a stash of space money in South Park, local residents decide to store the looted cash and hide it from the alien police who are searching for it.
The episode actually copped some critical derision, with its pitfalls being exacerbated by the fact that it aired the week after the hilarious episode, “Fishsticks.” Still, it remains noteworthy for its skewering of multiple political figures and world leaders, with Mexico taking particular exception.The episode was not aired in the country given its mockery of former president Felipe Calderón. While the episode did eventually screen in Mexico, it still causes a strange little controversy for fans to enjoy.
28"Jared Has Aides"
Season 6, Episode 1 (2002)
Despite airing long before Subway spokesmanJared Foglebecame a controversial figure for well-documented illegal reasons,South Parkhad no trouble making the former weight-loss maestro a source of shock comedy. The Season 6 premiere sees the dieting phenomenon take hold in South Park, with the boys talking with Jared when he visits their school. However,when he mentions his aides also helped him lose weight, the boys misunderstand and believe he has AIDs, a miscommunication that inspires outrage in the town.
“Jared Has Aides” is not only a hilarious display of social misunderstandings and the passion many have when it comes to weight loss, but it also thrives as a brilliant parody ofthe 1993 legal drama titledPhiladelphia. The episode is among the best of Season 6, and thrives as a sparkling example of how the series excels when it is at its most controversial.
27"Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics"
Season 3, Episode 15 (1999)
Styled to unfold like a festive variety show, “Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics” sees everyone’s favorite Christmas poo filling the role of the host as he sits by the fire in his sewer home, introducing acts as they come on screen. The episode’s sporadic nature allows it to overflow with shocking gags, including singles from such performers as Adolf Hitler and Satan, as well as a song called “Christmas Time in Hell” that depicts a number of beloved celebrity figures in the underworld.
Understandably, the episode left plenty of jaws on the floor as it fired through the obscene and absurd musical numbers with a desire to make each one more offensive than the last. While the Christmas episode aired in 1999,Russian prosecutors had the episode banned from television in 2008 due to excessive complaints.
26"Ginger Kids"
Season 9, Episode 11 (2005)
One of the more famousSouth Parkepisodes, “Ginger Kids” sees Cartman embarking on a spiteful tirade against red-haired people. When his vitriolic rhetoric inspires Kyle to trick Cartman into thinking he himself is becoming infected with “gingervitus,” Cartman begins defending those with red hair, even going so far as to unite ginger kids everywhere under the idea that they must rise as the master race.
The clear parable toAdolf Hitlerand the Third Reich is one thing, but the episode began causing genuine controversy when itsparked the infamous “National Kick a Ginger Day” event that led to actual acts of violence, including one that was treated as a hate crime in Canada.Ed Sheeran has jokingly claimedthat the episode ruined his life and was the beginning of a wave of discrimination against red-haired people.
