Comedy Central has announced that South Park will not air its new episode this Wednesday, pushing the broadcast back by a week.
The move comes as the long-running animated satire finds itself under intense scrutiny following the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who had been parodied in an earlier episode this season.
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone admitted the delay was partly down to last-minute production issues.
“Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don’t get it done,” they said in a statement.
“This one’s on us. We didn’t get it done in time. Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. Tune in next week!”
Fans Speculate on the Controversial Content
Even though Comedy Central did not promote the delayed episode, fans quickly speculated that it might have addressed Kirk’s recent death.
The show has a long history of riffing on breaking news and political controversies, making such assumptions unsurprising.
Following Kirk’s assassination, some of his supporters claimed the show had incited hostility toward him.
Social media posts went as far as blaming Parker and Stone personally, accusing the series of “fomenting the hatred necessary to get Kirk assassinated.”
Episode Pulled From Schedule After Assassination
In response to the outrage and the tragic timing, Comedy Central pulled the episode, titled Got a Nut, from its live broadcast schedule the night of the shooting.
The storyline features school counselor Mr. Mackey pursuing a career with ICE after losing his job due to federal budget cuts.
The episode also includes parodies of prominent political figures, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JC Vance.
Notably, Cartman takes on a Kirk-like persona, launching a podcast and debating “woke, liberal students” while engaged in absurd, satirical antics.
Kirk’s Parody Character and Satirical Storyline
Cartman’s depiction of Kirk includes exaggerated physical traits and behavior, such as debating a college student while sitting on a toilet—a hallmark of the show’s outrageous satire.
Another scene shows him confronting a Kirk-esque influencer at a campus rally, Bible in hand, humorously reflecting Kirk’s combative debating style.
The episode remains available for streaming on Paramount+, allowing viewers to see the controversial content despite the pulled broadcast.
Kirk’s Reaction Before His Death
Interestingly, Kirk himself had taken the parody in stride prior to his assassination.
He reposted a clip and told Fox News he was flattered, noting, “Honestly, my first reaction is that I kinda laughed… They’re going to obviously make fun of me… but it kind of goes to show the cultural impact and the resonance that our movement has been able to achieve.”
Kirk added that conservatives should be able to take a joke without taking themselves too seriously.
South Park’s Bi-Weekly Schedule
This season of South Park is airing bi-weekly, with upcoming episodes scheduled for Sept. 24, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Nov. 26, and Dec. 10, ensuring fans will still see new content despite the temporary delay.
Charlie Kirk’s Tragic Death
Charlie Kirk, 31, was assassinated while taking questions from the crowd at Utah Valley University.
He leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, a three-year-old daughter, and a 16-month-old son.
Kirk had become widely known for spreading conservative and Catholic values through college debates, and he was on the first stop of his American Comeback Tour when tragedy struck.
The attack sent the crowd into panic, and Kirk’s death was later confirmed by President Donald Trump, who ordered flags lowered to half-mast until Sunday evening.
Republican Governor Cox labeled it a “political assassination,” while national leaders from both parties condemned the violence and called for unity against politically-driven attacks.
National Reactions and Political Fallout
The assassination caused shockwaves in the U.S., with social media and political leaders reacting strongly.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her condemnation, emphasizing that political violence has no place in America.
President Trump described his grief and anger, noting the millions inspired by Kirk’s work and the sense of unity among those who knew and admired him.