Top 10 Times South Park Roasted Reality Shows
#10: “Supernanny” (2004-08)
"Tsst" Of all the kids in “South Park,” who do you think needs a lesson or two from a nanny? That’s right: Eric Cartman. This Season 10 gem gave us a double dose of both “Supernanny” and “Nanny 911.” Upon giving up on trying to discipline him herself, Cartman’s mom turns to reality TV in hopes of calming her son. Unlike what these shows depict on camera, Eric easily gets Nanny Stella to cave and quit after an unruly spitting incident. But the worst comes for Nanny Jo Frost, who only lasts for three days before being committed to an insane asylum. It’s a brutal takedown of both shows that’s worth every minute.
#9: Cooking Reality Shows
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"Crème Fraîche" It starts innocently enough as Randy becomes enthralled by The Food Network’s programming. Soon enough, we’re introduced to Cartman dressed as Gordon Ramsay and the fight for best chef is on. From there, we get to see the best kitchen competition show ever: Hell's Kitchen Nightmares Iron Top Chef Cafeteria Throwdown Ultimate Cookoff Challenge. The Ramsay impression is awesome, but throw in a crying Jamie Oliver and a spot-on Bobby Flay, and it’s the perfect recipe for satire. The episode flawlessly illustrates the often ridiculous extent these cooking shows go to. Plus, who doesn’t love their take on the Shake Weight?
#8: “Whale Wars” (2008-15)
"Whale Whores" After 22 minutes of this Season 13 episode, there’s one thing that’s clear: The creators really don’t like Paul Watson. The show holds nothing back as they eviscerate both Watson and his popular reality show, “Whale Wars.” Depicted as an overweight, lazy protestor, Watson bites it in a horrific manner, as Stan takes his place as captain of the Sea Shepherd. What follows is an interesting parallel between genuine activism towards the whaling industry and the incessant need for attention and celebrity. Never is this more prominent than when the crew of “Deadliest Catch” show up to block Stan’s real efforts. The show does a grand job of poking fun at these shows, all while giving us a real heart-filled message.
#7: “Jersey Shore” (2009-12)
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"It's a Jersey Thing" There was a time when it seemed like all we were hearing about were the antics of Snooki, The Situation, and the rest of the gang on “Jersey Shore.” So naturally “South Park” opted to do their own spin on the reality show. When people from New Jersey start moving to South Park, it doesn’t take long before it too becomes entrenched in drama. Kyle’s transformation into a Pauly-D-esque resident is hilarious. But nothing tops their depiction of Snooki as a mysterious creature willing to dry hump anything that comes near her. Throw in their own version of Teresa Giudice’s famous table flip and you’ve got a knockout parody.
#6: “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (2012-17)
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"Raising the Bar" “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” certainly stirred the pot around how the titular character and her family were portrayed. Regardless of any opinion, however, it was a ripe offering just waiting to be picked on. As it always does, “South Park” took what many of us had already seen and amplified it a 1000%. Kyle watches the show for the first time, and is immediately horrified at the depiction of Mama June and Honey Boo Boo herself. Not only is the episode funny, but it surprisingly has a meaningful message about how low reality TV has sunk.
#5: “My Super Sweet 16” (2005-17)
Top 10 Times South Park Roasted TV Shows
"Hell on Earth 2006" Who doesn’t love a good old fashion costume party? Turns out, even Satan himself loves it so much he decides to throw a massive party down in hell. The entire planning, execution, and celebration itself are massive digs at MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16.” All the typical tropes from the show are here. We’ve got the oversized cake, ridiculous demands, a tightly controlled guest list, and even a massive throne for the hugely entitled Satan. It all reeks of the spoiled behavior from the original. It also featured a highly controversial depiction of Steve Irwin shortly after his untimely death.
#4: “I Shouldn't Be Alive” (2005-12)
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"I Should Have Never Gone Ziplining" Have you seen the show “I Shouldn’t Be Alive?” It’s one of the reality-based programs that take stories of survival and reenacts them with heavy narration all for dramatic effect. It’s that effect that sometimes seems to be a little heavier than what’s needed for the narrative. And so “South Park” played on that and gave us this hilarious spoof. The episode plays out much like the show it’s parodying but instead of surviving a near-death experience, it’s an over-the-top depiction of the boys' boredom when they try ziplining. It’s made even better with the original narrator, Eric Meyers, supplying the voice of the storyteller. Plus, some of the reenactments feature live actors portraying the boys.
#3: “Dog The Bounty Hunter” (2004-12)
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"Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy" If there’s one thing Cartman loves as much as money, it’s having “authoritah.” Blessed with becoming the new hall monitor at school, Eric goes all out. Sporting a mullet, a fake goatee, black clothes, and bear spray, fans of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” would recognize Cartman’s getup easily. The show perfectly mocks the antics of the original by having Eric so serious about an otherwise mundane job. So, when Kyle’s brother goes missing, this parody goes into overdrive. Assisting Cartman with his search are Leeroy and Earl, and Beth. the latter of whose assets bear a striking resemblance to Beth Chapman, the real Dog the Bounty Hunter’s wife.
#2: “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan” (2004-12)
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"Tsst" Of all the entries on this list, this one is unique in that it’s the only one where the target of the parody posted his own reaction video on YouTube, praising the show’s depiction of him. After the previously mentioned reality TV nannies can’t get Cartman under control, Eric’s mom calls on Cesar Millan, AKA the Dog Whisperer, to help tame Cartman’s attitude. Treating him like a literal dog, Millan eventually gets Cartman to conform and become a mildly well-adjusted child. We love the fact that although it’s a parody, you can clearly feel the love from the writers towards Millan.
#1: Every Reality Show Ever
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"Cancelled" There was a time when reality TV wasn’t such a fixture on Western television. But here in the 21st century, it’s hard to go a day without catching a glimpse of some documentary-style program either on TV or through a streaming service. Given the popularity, it was a comedic stroke of genius by “South Park” to give us an episode that showed how the entire planet Earth was in fact one big reality show for the universe to watch. It’s the boys who learn the truth and how the show is about to be cancelled, resulting in the Earth’s imminent destruction. It’s a fun spin on the reality trope, and come on, who doesn’t love an alien taco that craps ice cream!
