South Park‘s season 27 premiere has drawn plenty of controversy, but is also a major high point in viewership for the long-running series. The episode, entitled “Sermon on the ‘Mount,” was a callback to its 1999 film extension, showcasing President Donald Trump’s actual face on an animated body and in a homosexual relationship with Satan, as done with Saddam Hussein.
The episode garnered praise and criticism alike, with some thinking its satire on Trump was cheap and went too far, and others lauding it as outrageously hilarious and boundary-pushing. South Park season 27 is taking a break, with it unclear if this is from its controversy or brief contract issues with Paramount.
According to Variety, “Sermon on the ‘Mount” has managed to pull in 5.9 million views on Paramount+ globally in just three days, completely blowing up streaming. The episode is also reportedly the largest linear premiere for South Park in over 25 years, with viewership hitting 0.996, while season 26’s premiere only pulled in 0.866. The episode ended up as the most-streamed program on Wednesday, July 23.
What This Means For South Park
The Show’s Future Is Looking Brighter Than Ever
South Park‘s season 27 premiere caught the interest of adults more than any episode since 2022, meaning that the long-running comedy is as popular as ever. The episode poked major fun at Paramount+ and its merger, but is one of the streamer’s biggest hits, so they likely will not hold the critiques against creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
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South Park is renowned for controversy, but some of its episodes have been accused of going too far – and sparked backlash because of it.
Paramount Global also just signed a deal with Parker and Stone, enabling the iconic creators to make 50 more episodes of the adult animated series for $1.5 billion, turning both men into recent billionaires. Because of the success of season 27’s first episode, it seems likely that the deal will stay in place.
Our Take On South Park Season 27’s Record-Breaking Ratings
There’s A Key Reason So Many People Tuned In
The fact that the season 27 premiere has performed so well is no surprise. South Park is a rare show that always speaks its mind, no matter who it may offend, and now, more than ever, societal critiques are extremely important. People are tuning in because they want what they see currently on the news and in society to be challenged.
While some people think it was in poor taste for South Park to make such politically charged statements and double down on Trump criticism, that’s what it has always done. And since Parker and Stone aren’t stopping the series anytime soon, it seems that they will continue to push the envelope before eventually destroying it altogether.
Source: Variety
South Park
8/10
- Release Date
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August 13, 1997
- Showrunner
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Trey Parker
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Karri Turner
Liane Cartman / Wendy Testaburger / Mrs. Crabtree (voice)
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Matt Stone
Kyle Broflovski / Kenny McCormick (voice)
