South Park co-creator Matt Stone has clarified that censorship was not the reason behind the delay of Season 27, Episode 5, originally scheduled to air on September 17. Stone, alongside Trey Parker, has used the current season to satirize former President Donald Trump, his administration, and his supporters, drawing attention with the first four episodes since the series returned to Comedy Central on July 23.
The postponement of the latest episode sparked speculation about potential censorship, particularly given the show’s recent controversial content. However, Stone addressed these rumors in an interview with The Denver Post, stating,
“No one pulled the episode, no one censored us, and you know we’d say so if true. We just didn’t get it done. When you always cut it close, sometimes you mess up. That’s the price of being a procrastinator.”
The Context Behind the Delay
The delay comes amid a season that has not shied away from political satire. Season 27 kicked off with episodes targeting various political figures and entities. Episode 1 took aim at Paramount Global, criticizing the cancellation of CBS’ Late Show with Stephen Colbert, while Episode 2 lampooned Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, among others.
The controversy intensified following the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus on September 10, leading Comedy Central to pull the episode from its lineup, although it remains available on Paramount+. The incident also led to a backlash against ABC talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose comments on the situation resulted in his show being temporarily pulled from the air.
Industry Reaction and Future Implications
The entertainment industry has been abuzz with discussions on censorship, particularly following Kimmel’s show’s removal. The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return to the air on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing debate over freedom of expression in media.
Meanwhile, the delay in South Park’s episode has only added fuel to the fire. In a social media post, Stone and Parker acknowledged their delay, stating,
“Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don’t get it done. This one’s on us. We didn’t get it done on time. Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. Tune in next week!”
What’s Next for South Park?
As fans eagerly await the release of Episode 5, speculation abounds regarding its content. The episode is set to premiere on Comedy Central on Wednesday night and will be available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day. Whether it will continue its political satire or pivot to other topics remains to be seen.
South Park’s current season follows a significant deal Parker and Stone signed with Paramount Global, valued at $1.5 billion. The agreement includes producing 50 new episodes over the next five years and relocating the show’s previous 26 seasons from HBO Max to Paramount+.
As South Park continues to push boundaries, the show’s creators remain committed to their unique brand of humor, unafraid to tackle controversial subjects. The upcoming episode will undoubtedly be closely watched, not just for its content but also for its potential impact on the ongoing discourse surrounding media and censorship.
