Featured MEdia
Supply Chains

South Park has long been celebrated for its unconventional production methods, but it seems that this approach has led to a rare hiccup. Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker announced that the fifth episode of the current season will not air as scheduled tonight, September 17, but will instead be pushed to next Wednesday, September 24.

In a candid statement, Stone and Parker acknowledged the delay, saying, “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 in time. Thanks to Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. Tune in next week!”

This delay is particularly frustrating for fans eager to see how the show continues its sharp critique of the Trump administration. The previous episode featured a shocking twist where Satan is revealed to be pregnant with Donald Trump‘s child, a storyline that elicited reactions from Fox News and Kid Rock.

Interestingly, this season has seen South Park adopting a semi-weekly release schedule, which is a departure from its usual format. Historically, the show has experienced various gaps in its release calendar, but this two-week delay is particularly notable. A representative informed IndieWire that the show has missed deadlines before, including a notable incident in 2013 during Season 17 due to a power outage.

The show has outlined its upcoming schedule, with episodes set to air on:

• October 15
• October 29
• November 12
• November 26
• December 10

In light of recent events, Comedy Central even adjusted its re-run schedule, pulling a planned re-run of the season’s second episode following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, who was humorously dubbed a “master debater” in the show.

As highlighted in the 2012 documentary short 6 Days to Air, South Park operates on an incredibly tight production timeline. In just six days, Stone and Parker write, record, and animate each episode, a process that is more akin to Saturday Night Live than to traditional animated shows like The Simpsons, which often take months to complete their episodes.

Despite the challenges, this unique production style has allowed the duo to remain relevant and timely in their satire, particularly regarding current events. The White House even issued a statement claiming the show “hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years,” yet many argue that it is more pertinent now than ever. The unusual release pace has not diminished the show’s popularity, as evidenced by record ratings and a substantial $1.5 billion streaming deal from Paramount to keep Stone and Parker at the helm of South Park for years to come.