The boundary-pushing animated television series South Park has drawn national outrage like never before in its 27th season. So much so that it’s reaching some of its highest ratings in its long history. The show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have taken aim at a variety of current issues, including the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies and the rise of artificial intelligence.
In a recent and very sharp episode called “Sickofancy,” South Park rips into the tech-bro culture. The exhibition in particular addresses the concerns of AI’s effects on society. The makers contend that artificial intelligence is making society more stupid, less human, and giving people really bad advice most of the time. This feeling is beautifully depicted in the new South Park episode where the character Randy Marsh turns to ChatGPT for advice.
Randy’s reliance on AI leads to the creation of a new business plan for his marijuana enterprise, Tegridy Weed, which he rebrands as Techridy—”an AI-powered marijuana platform for global solutions.” This move illustrates how silly it is to put faith in tech fixes in our everyday lives. Most importantly, it critiques the way technology has come to create our personal decision-making.
The season isn’t timid about confronting the Trump administration’s odious policies either. One episode takes direct aim at the brutal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, while another episode mocks Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem for her alleged penchant for puppy murder and cosmetic surgery. In reaction to the hot-take, Noem responded by calling South Park sexist, an action which only stoked the show’s incendiary legacy.
The series takes a sinister turn as it becomes a satirical vision of a dystopian Washington D.C. ruled by President Trump. It depicts a surreal dystopia, where senselessly lavish gifts are exchanged with regularity while the nation’s capital becomes more profoundly militarized. The story opens with border patrol agents preparing a raid on Randy’s pot farm. Easily lost in the absurdity, however, is one loyal employee who’s only left to guide you through the madness—Towelie!
The episode includes a hilarious and surreal recurring bit about ketamine addiction that people assume is aimed at Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur doesn’t quite show up in person. Instead, South Park zeroes in on the big, systemic critiques of the tech industry and its frequently ludicrous existence.
Parker and Stone’s satire resonates with audiences, as evidenced by the show’s significant viewership numbers this season. Their bold commentary on politics and technology reflects current societal anxieties and encourages viewers to question the systems in place.
“You do not have a small penis.” – Politicians, business titans, and foreign leaders