In a recent episode of South Park, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone delivered a Schoolhouse Rock-style musical number focused on the Iran-Contra scandal. This fearless act proves beyond a shadow of a doubt their ironclad dedication to political satire. In particular, they aim their fire at the current U.S. administration. From 1997 to today, South Park has made a powerful, one-of-a-kind impact in the world of animated satire. Its most recent season furthers this courageous legacy by setting their sights on people like Donald Trump.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, have spent their lives ridiculing everybody and everything. Their targets range from such international leaders as Saddam Hussein to domestic popular cultural phenomena like the videogame Guitar Hero. Their ability to take potshots at various targets has cemented South Park as “the most important TV show of the Trump 2.0 era,” according to a report from The Guardian. This characterization paints a picture for which the show’s importance has only grown as it powers through the new, much more daunting political landscape of today.
As the most recent season of South Park illustrates, we’re witnessing a large transformation in the show’s course in using satire to differentiate between the two. Unlike previous seasons that largely avoided direct commentary on Donald Trump during his presidency, Parker and Stone now focus their satirical lens squarely on the current administration. The creators are using their personal frustrations with current political dynamics to mold what has become an episode-by-episode satire. Realistically, their goals include nothing short of total regime change.
Parker and Stone create this kind of satire in a direct, visceral, edgy and accessible way. Perhaps most importantly, they use caricature rather than allegory or double entendre to get across their point. Under this model, they’re able to address sensitive and controversial topics, not as objects of fear, but by not avoiding an intent to incite strong response. They challenge audiences to grapple with challenging subjects, which has led to bans, censorship attempts, or calls for banning in dozens of countries. They are undaunted by these obstacles.
In these recent episodes, Mr. Garrison serves as a surrogate for Trump. This change is a perfect representation of how South Park has evolved from sneaky, obscure digs to sensational blasts. Dr. Adam Smith, a scholar in media studies, noted that “what they’re doing now is the opposite of how satire normally works.” This statement is a testament to how far South Park’s strategy has come in an increasingly hostile political landscape.
Their purpose is no less clear and the creators are clearly aware of the impact that seemingly playful work can have. Dr. Smith added, “You always get these questions like, does it change anything? I think it’s too soon to say. My preferred explanation when people ask about the value of satire is that, if you engage in enough satire, it makes you incredulous.” This approach is a perfect illustration of how South Park seeks to serve its audience not only by making them laugh, but challenging them to think.
As Parker and Stone press forward through this controversial minefield, they’re not shying away from sensitive subjects. Their ability to touch the third rails of politics is obvious even, or perhaps especially, in their ability to troll elected leaders. In their new series, they go further, disputing Trump’s lies right to his face. This is a notable departure from their previous approach, in which they tried to play up his appearance on the show.
Imran Yusuf, a commentator on media and culture, recalled an instance when South Park aired on BBC Three and faced criticism from network executives who despised its content. This anecdote stands as a reminder of both the polarizing nature of the show and as another testament to its legendary reputation for breaking barriers.
Parker and Stone have helped shape South Park into an unparalleled space where important satire can continue to thrive, even under threat. This proves that even cartoon shows can have a powerful impact on the political discussion. They break damaging stereotypes and fearlessly take on sensitive subjects. As always, this provocative tactic ignites the larger discussion about the place of satire in contemporary culture.