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'''''South Park''''' is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning animated cartoon series created by [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]], who are members of the [[Libertarian]] Party<ref>http://www.libertarianism.com/pop_celebrity/trey-parker {{dead link}}</ref>, that is shown on American cable network [[Comedy Central]]. It is controversial due to its use of vulgar and obscene language, biting humor, and questionable depictions of religion and other respected institutions. Shows have touched on [[Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Islam]], [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Mormonism]], [[Judaism]], [[Scientology]], and made jokes about [[Jesus]], [[Moses]], [[Muhammad]] and other religious leaders.  

'''''South Park''''' is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning animated cartoon series created by [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]], who are members of the [[Libertarian]] Party<ref>http://www.libertarianism.com/pop_celebrity/trey-parker {{dead link}}</ref>, that is shown on American cable network [[Comedy Central]]. It is controversial due to its use of vulgar and obscene language, biting humor, and questionable depictions of religion and other respected institutions. Shows have touched on [[Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Islam]], [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Mormonism]], [[Judaism]], [[Scientology]], and made jokes about [[Jesus]], [[Moses]], [[Muhammad]] and other religious leaders.  

The show is currently in its 19th season, and many critics have believe that it is in decline, however not to the extent of other adult cartoons like ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref>http://firstsignsoftrouble.blogspot.com/2011/04/south-park-decline-in-quality.html</ref> <ref>http://www.tbseblog.com/2011/10/14/worst-thing-ever-the-decline-of-south-park/</ref>

The show is currently in its 19th season, and many critics have believe that it is in decline, however not to the extent of other adult cartoons like ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref>http://firstsignsoftrouble.blogspot.com/2011/04/south-park-decline-in-quality.html</ref><ref>http://www.tbseblog.com/2011/10/14/worst-thing-ever-the-decline-of-south-park/</ref>

 

==Premise==

==Premise==

Taking place in the fictional small town of South Park, Colorado, the show follows four friends: Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman.  Due to the low quality animation that South Park utilizes, the majority of episodes are made in less than a week, allowing for the creators to change their storylines at the last minute to reflect on current events that are not otherwise touched on as quickly in other animated comedy shows such as ''[[The Simpsons]]''.  For example, an early episode entitled ''Quintuplets 2000'' was changed to reflect the controversy surrounding Elian Gonzalez at the time.  In fact, many of the situations depicted are parodies of current events in politics and pop culture.   

Taking place in the fictional small town of South Park, Colorado, the show follows four friends: Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman.  Due to the low quality animation that South Park utilizes, the majority of episodes are made in less than a week, allowing for the creators to change their storylines at the last minute to reflect on current events that are not otherwise touched on as quickly in other animated comedy shows such as ''[[The Simpsons]]''.  For example, an early episode entitled ''Quintuplets 2000'' was changed to reflect the controversy surrounding Elian Gonzalez at the time.  In fact, many of the situations depicted are parodies of current events in politics and pop culture.   

===Kenny McCormick===

===Kenny McCormick===

Originally more of a gimmick character, Kenny was killed in every episode of seasons 1-5, and then died "permanently" at the end of 5. This "permanent death" lasted until season 7, at which point he became a regular character who still died occasionally, though as before with no consequence to future episodes. Between season 5 and 7, Kenny's soul was "trapped in Cartman's body" after Eric Cartman confused his ashes with hot chocolate. After drinking these ashes, Cartman began having Kenny's memories and speaking his statements. Kenny is considerably poorer than the other boys, with a run-down house governed by parents who frequently abuse alcohol and engage in domestic violence. Despite this he gets along fine with his better-off friends and does not in general get made fun of for his poverty (except by Eric Cartman). He is "voiced" by Matt Stone, though this is of little consequence as everything he says is mumbled incomprehensibly from an over-sized orange parka. The other characters, however, seem to understand him. For the 1999 movie, Kenny removed his parka, revealing his face and blonde hair color, to say "Goodbye, you guys" (this line was voiced by [[Mike Judge]], creator of [[Beavis & Butt-head]] and [[King of the Hill]]). In one episode written after the movie, Kenny's legible speech and face appeared again, though he was wearing different clothes, and it was not obvious that he was Kenny until he had died.

Originally more of a gimmick character, Kenny was killed in almost every episode of seasons 1-5, and then died "permanently" at the end of 5. This "permanent death" lasted until season 7, at which point he became a regular character who still died occasionally, though as before with no consequence to future episodes. Between season 5 and 7, Kenny's soul was "trapped in Cartman's body" after Eric Cartman confused his ashes with hot chocolate. After drinking these ashes, Cartman began having Kenny's memories and speaking his statements. Kenny is considerably poorer than the other boys, with a run-down house governed by parents who frequently abuse alcohol and engage in domestic violence. Despite this he gets along fine with his better-off friends and does not in general get made fun of for his poverty (except by Eric Cartman). He is "voiced" by Matt Stone, though this is of little consequence as everything he says is mumbled incomprehensibly from an over-sized orange parka. The other characters, however, seem to understand him. For the 1999 movie, Kenny removed his parka, revealing his face and blonde hair color, to say "Goodbye, you guys" (this line was voiced by [[Mike Judge]], creator of [[Beavis & Butt-head]] and [[King of the Hill]]). In one episode written after the movie, Kenny's legible speech and face appeared again, though he was wearing different clothes, and it was not obvious that he was Kenny until he had died.

===Eric Cartman===

===Eric Cartman===