It goes without saying that South Park has long been one of the most objectively offensive shows on television.
For decades, it’s aired consistently and unapologetically, skewering everyone and everything with equal opportunity contempt. We still sing that Kyle’s mom is a big fat b*tch. People from both political aisles have called for its cancellation at one time or another, often depending on whether their side is the target of the week. In short, we’ve learned to pick and choose our outrage in America—and South Park thrives on that very hypocrisy.
But now, Donald Trump has picked his own moment of outrage, aimed squarely at the newest South Park special streaming on Paramount+.
The episode arrives at a curious time as it seems some corporate entities are silencing some critics of the President TV..
Among many satirical visuals, the show features a scene where an artificial intelligence version of the President stumbles shirtless through a desert. Eventually, we’re treated (or subjected) to a full view of the AI President’s bare bum. As if that weren’t enough, a tiny, animated version of male genitalia—yes, complete with eyes and a voice—emerges and begins talking to him.
With 3.1 mil views strong, here is the graphic and stomach churning video that started it all..
Was it grotesque? Sure was… Was it satire? Also yes. It’s not on network TV, so we’re not dealing with FCC regulations. But it raises fascinating questions about the limits of satire in the streaming age, and what happens when traditional censorship is bypassed in favor of animated appendage monologues.
According to some behind-the-scenes chatter, Paramount originally intended to blur the genitalia. South Park, never ones to take creative limitations quietly, instead made the genitalia a speaking character. . . problem solved. Or problem multiplied, depending on your perspective.
AS a matter of fact.. Speaking at Comic-Con on Thursday, Trey Parker and Matt Stone revealed they spent days negotiating with producers to show the US president’s genitals.. “We’re terribly sorry,” Parker said, followed by a long, deadpan-comic stare…
The White House responded, calling the episode desperate and accusing the show’s creators of grasping at straws. But let’s be honest—we all know this is a sore subject for the President. The episode isn’t likely to go away quietly. If anything, it will spark more awkward and uncomfortable conversations that most people would rather avoid entirely. “This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in the statement. “President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history – and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak.”
So now you know: the artificially generated talking presidential genitalia has made its South Park debut. And once you’ve seen it—you can’t unsee it.
