Top 10 Most Hilarious Ways South Park Tackled the News

#10: Immigration

One year after the CBP was formed, South Park delivered a satire of illegal immigration thats 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, its 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.

#9: 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. To see the show embrace AI that way is interesting to say the least.

#8: 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, theres been a big push to change this. However, according to South Park, theres 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.

#7: Trumps Second Term

Prior to the premiere of season 27, Matt Stone and Trey Parker stated they would refrain from covering the 47th presidential administration, saying they dont know what more we could possibly say about Trump. However when the season premiered, it seemed like Stone and Parker actually had a lot more to say about Trump. The episode is notable for being the first time Trump is actually depicted, rather than Garrison portraying the role. Throughout the episode the president is depicted in bed with Satan, threatening to sue nearly everybody and deepfaked in the nude in the middle of the desert. The Trump administration was so upset with how the president was depicted in fact, they responded shortly after to condemn the episode. The fact that Stone and Parker were able to get this episode greenlit in the midst of negotiating a new deal with Paramount is nothing short of genius

#6: The Treatment of Amazon Workers

Few things are more satisfying than walking out onto your front doorstep to find a new Amazon package. Although its 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 doesnt necessarily mean that youll be left fulfilled in the long run.

#5: ICE Detention Centers

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 doesnt help their image. Yet, that doesnt 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.

#4: George Zimmerman

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. Its Cartman who ends up taking extreme measures, though, all while making the situation about himself. This results in Cartman getting shot by Zimmerman, which isnt treated as a punishable offense until the authorities realize the victim is white. Theres a lot of grey territory in the stand-your-ground law. Watching this episode, we see how its often treated as a one-way street. While Cartman learns nothing, the audience can identify with the episodes representation of a flawed justice system.

#3: 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 hes 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.

#2: Climate Change

Climate change isnt going away overnight, hence why it remains a recurring theme in South Park. Granted, South Park hasnt 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.

#1: COVID-19

It was only a matter of time before South Park covered the coronavirus. And they did not hold back. The shows first-ever television special, The Pandemic Special, covered a lot of ground, from Covid-19s effect on small businesses to the dilemmas it's caused with reopening schools. However, since its South Park, it also takes time to ridicule the situation as a whole, poking fun at the habits weve adopted since the pandemics inception. A Vaccination Special also followed, focusing on societys obsession with getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Naturally, this drives the citizens of South Park mad, and their dilemma is cleverly compared to a situation that many are all too familiar with. On the other hand, the seniors take full advantage.

What hot topic would you like to see South Park cover in an upcoming season? Let us know in the comments.