South Park (season 23)

The twenty-third season of the American animated sitcom series South Park premiered on Comedy Central on September 25, 2019, and concluded on December 11, 2019; after 10 episodes aired.[1] This season contained the 300th episode of the long-running TV show; the milestone was reached on October 9, 2019, when the third episode of the season premiered. Like previous seasons, this season also had dark weeks (weeks during which no new episode would air), after episodes four and seven. Trey Parker and Matt Stone continued to write, direct, and edit every episode the week prior to air, as the duo has done since the series debuted in 1997.[2]

South Park
Season 23
DVD cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	10
Release
Original network	Comedy Central
Original release	September 25 (2019-09-25) – December 11, 2019 (2019-12-11)
Season chronology

Similar to previous seasons, the season features continuing elements and a recurring storyline, from episodes 1 through 6, without adhering to a linear story arc, while lampooning ICE detention centers, the 2019 film Joker, media censorship in China, the antivaccine movement, plant based food, the Trump Administration, transgenderism in athletics, and the competition between traditional cable television and media streaming.

Production

On July 8, 2015, two months prior to the season 19 premiere, Comedy Central announced they had renewed South Park for an additional 30 episodes over three seasons. This renewal was in addition to the two-year contract already in place with Parker and Stone, guaranteeing South Park would air until at least 2019.[2][3][4] On September 12, 2019, the show was renewed for seasons 24 through 26 until 2022.[5]

Main theme

See also: South Park § Main theme

This season had multiple changes to the traditional theme song from the show. For the first six episodes of the season, an overall story arc focusing on Randy Marsh's marijuana farm named Tegridy Farms was featured. During these episodes, the theme song's lyrics and graphics were changed to focus on Tegridy Farms and also featured vocals by Randy Marsh and Towelie.[6] In the episode "Board Girls", the regular theme was completely abandoned and replaced with a theme about the PC Babies, the politically correct children of PC Principal and Vice Principal Strong Woman. In the "Turd Burglars" episode, the theme returned to the show, but starring the women of South Park, in a fictional show titled "One for the Ladies". In the "Basic Cable" episode, the theme was abandoned again and replaced with a faux intro titled "The Scott Malkinson Show". The traditional theme song was put back in on the final episode "Christmas Snow".

Controversy

On October 7, 2019, South Park was reportedly banned from the Chinese Internet with videos, mentions, and discussion forums for the animated series being removed and shut down in response to episode 2 of the season, "Band in China". Later in the day South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone mockingly apologized.[7]

Episodes

See also: List of South Park episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date [8]	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
298	1	"Mexican Joker"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	September 25, 2019 (2019-09-25)	2301	0.92[9]
When Tegridy Farms' sales decline, Randy is angered and decides to take action. Kyle is sent to an ICE detention center and warns the agents there that their poor treatment of children may have consequences.
299	2	"Band in China"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	October 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)	2302	0.73[10]
Randy wants to sell his marijuana in the Chinese market but is imprisoned after marijuana is found in his luggage. Stan, Kenny, Jimmy and Butters form a death metal band, which attracts a filmmaker that wants to tailor their biopic for Chinese audiences.
300	3	"Shots!!!"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	October 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)	2303	0.95[11]
In the series' 300th episode, Sharon is angered by the self-centered endeavors with which Randy chooses to celebrate a milestone achieved by their farm. Cartman's fear of needles prompts him to express fears that vaccines might make him "artistic".
301	4	"Let Them Eat Goo"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	October 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)	2304	0.77[12]
After a decrease in marijuana sales, Randy decides to take advantage of plant-based food to sell more of it. Cartman suffers from a heart attack after the cafeteria changes to a plant-based diet.
302	5	"Tegridy Farms Halloween Special"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	October 30, 2019 (2019-10-30)	2305	0.84[13]
Randy's daughter Shelly has issues with Randy and his marijuana farming. Butters has a problem with a mummy who is very manipulative in their relationship.
303	6	"Season Finale"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	November 6, 2019 (2019-11-06)	2306	0.84[14]
Randy is accused of bombing private marijuana fields, and wants President Garrison to help him defend himself; the White family adopts two kids detained by ICE after the death of their son.
304	7	"Board Girls"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	November 13, 2019 (2019-11-13)	2307	0.85[15]
Strong Woman deals with a transgender athlete who has her own agenda. When the girls want to join a boys' gaming club, the boys object but the girls prove to be strong gamers.
305	8	"Turd Burglars"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	November 27, 2019 (2019-11-27)	2308	0.66[16]
Kyle begins worrying over the fact that he has millions of microbes living all over him. Cartman, Kenny and Stan steal feces from Sheila in exchange for the new Star Wars game.
306	9	"Basic Cable"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	December 4, 2019 (2019-12-04)	2309	0.80[17]
Scott Malkinson's hopes of romance with new girl Sophie depend on him getting the streaming platform Disney+, but Scott's dad Clark embarks on a mission to stop streaming shows in South Park.
307	10	"Christmas Snow"	Trey Parker	Trey Parker	December 11, 2019 (2019-12-11)	2310	0.81[18]
Santa visits South Park and takes all the joy out of Christmas with his warnings about driving under the influence. Randy helps the townspeople get into the festive spirit by selling them cocaine.

Home release

The season was released in its entirety on DVD and Blu-ray on June 23, 2020.[19][20]

References

1. Nissen, Dano (July 18, 2019). "TV News Roundup: Comedy Central Sets 'South Park' Season 23 Premiere Date". Variety. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
2. Maglio, Tony (July 8, 2015). "'South Park' Renewed for 3 More Seasons". The Wrap. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
3. Hipes, Patrick (July 8, 2015). "'South Park' Renewed For Three More Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
4. Steinberg, Brian (July 8, 2015). "'South Park' Renewed by Comedy Central Through 2019". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
5. "'South Park' Renewed Through Historic 26th Season". The Futon Critic (Press release). September 12, 2019.
6. "South Park Gets a New Theme Song Courtesy of Tegridy Farms". YouTube. September 26, 2019. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
7. Clark, Travis (October 7, 2019). "'South Park' creators issue a mocking 'apology' to China after the show was reportedly banned in the country". Business Insider.
8. "Shows A–Z – south park on comedy central". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
9. Rejent, Joseph (September 27, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'American Horror Story' continues in front, 'South Park' premieres down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019.
10. Rejent, Joseph (October 4, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'American Horror Story' ticks down, 'South Park' falls back". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2019.
11. Rejent, Joseph (October 11, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: Nationals vs. Dodgers tops all, 'American Horror Story: 1984' holds". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019.
12. Rejent, Joseph (October 17, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'Basketball Wives' defeats 'American Horror Story'". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019.
13. Rejent, Joseph (October 31, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'American Horror Story: 1984' stumbles, 'South Park' recovers". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019.
14. Rejent, Joseph (November 7, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: NBA defeats 'American Horror Story' and 'South Park'". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019.
15. Rejent, Joseph (November 14, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: NBA comes out on top, 'South Park' passes 'American Horror Story'". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
16. Rejent, Joseph (December 2, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: Lakers vs. Pelicans tops Thanksgiving Eve, 'The Challenge' holds". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
17. Rejent, Joseph (December 5, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'The Challenge: War of the Worlds' rises, 'South Park' ticks up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
18. Rejent, Joseph (December 12, 2019). "Wednesday cable ratings: Clippers vs. Raptors takes the win, 'The Challenge: War of the Worlds' holds". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
19. "Amazon.com: South Park: The Complete Twenty-Third Season". Amazon. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
20. "South Park Season 23 DVD Release Date". New DVD Release Dates. Retrieved April 14, 2020.