Comedy Central has pulled a now-controversial episode of South Park following the shooting of right-wing political activist and media personality Charlie Kirk. The second episode in the latest season of the long-running animated series, “Got a Nut,” finds Cartman taking on a Kirk-esque persona and hairstyle as he travels around college campuses and stages debates.
Following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, which occurred earlier this week on September 10, while he was on stage at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, the network has pulled the episode from its rerun rotation, with “Got a Nut” not airing on Wednesday as it originally should have. However, at time of writing, the episode is still available to stream on Paramount+.
While Comedy Central has attempted to do what it can to respect Kirk’s family, a host of conservatives and MAGA fans have chosen to lay the blame for Kirk’s death at the door of South Park. Posting on Telegram, one Turning Point USA staffer said, “Comedy has consequences. Charlie was targeted in the culture before he was targeted in real life. South Park thought it was funny to turn Charlie into a cartoon joke. Now his wife is planning a funeral.”
Turning to X/Twitter, the reactions leveled at South Park have been visceral. “You know what, f*** it. Let’s blame South Park. Blame the media. Blame leftist rhetoric. These people hate you and want to see you dead. If they’ll kill Charlie Kirk and piss on his grave, they’ll do it to any of us,” wrote one user. “Trey Parker and Matt Stone are responsible for this,” said another, with this user adding, “South Park certainly fomented the hatred necessary to get Kirk assassinated.”
At the Time, Charlie Kirk Praised the ‘South Park’ Episode as “Hilarious”
It’s worth noting that, at the time of airing, Charlie Kirk himself said that he enjoyed the South Park episode and called it “hilarious.” Taking to TikTok, he said, “South Park gets this right,” before adding, “We have a good spirit about being made fun of. This is all a win. We as conservatives have thick skin, not thin skin, and you can make fun of us and it doesn’t matter.”
It’s also worth noting that not everyone is pointing the finger at South Park. “I don’t blame South Park. They aren’t our leaders, representatives, mentors, pastors, example setters or societal caretakers. They are satire!” said one X user. “@ComedyCentral Pulling the Charlie Kirk South Park episode isn’t what Charlie would have wanted,” said another.
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed when a bullet struck his neck during a TPUSA event, “The American Comeback Tour,” which was taking place at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was taken to the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead aged 31. He is survived by his wife and two children. A manhunt is currently underway for his killer.
South Park
- Release Date
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August 13, 1997
- Network
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Comedy Central
- Directors
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Adrien Beard
- Writers
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David A. Goodman, Nancy M. Pimental, Kenny Hotz, Philip Stark, Dave Weasel, Dan Sterling, Susan Hurwitz Arneson, Trisha Nixon, David R. Goodman, Tim Talbott, Pam Brady, Robert Lopez, Dani Michaeli, Kyle McCulloch, Karey Dornetto, Jonathan Kimmel, Jane Bussmann
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Karri Turner
Liane Cartman / Wendy Testaburger / Mrs. Crabtree (voice)
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Kyle Broflovski / Kenny McCormick (voice)
