Believe it or not, South Park has been a fixture on television for almost three decades, solidifying its place as a staple of satirical TV. Yet, despite its success, one of the show’s creators has admitted to having some regrets.
Over the years, South Park has lampooned nearly everything imaginable. Whether you love it or hate it, the show has managed to stay popular, influential, and timely.
Fans of the show often reminisce fondly about episodes from a variety of seasons. However, the creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have opened up about their early days and some changes they wish they could have made.
While opinions vary on when the show was at its peak, Parker and Stone agree that the first three seasons weren’t its finest.
Reflecting on those early episodes, they find little value in them.
A significant part of their regret is rooted in how much they’ve grown since those early days.
In the beginning, Parker and Stone’s main concerns were “trying to get laid” and “f**king around,” as they mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter.
Today, they are no longer twenty-somethings acting like kids; they are parents themselves.
It’s understandable, then, that their earliest seasons are the ones they’re least proud of.
Parker notably expressed in an Entertainment Weekly interview: “If I had to permanently erase anything from the library, it would basically be anything before season 4”.
He was candid about his reasons, citing sheer embarrassment.
He elaborated: “It’s just embarrassing to watch. OK, we were, like, 26, 27. But it’s like, ‘Really?’ We thought that was funny?
“We thought that was well-written? Oh my God, this is terrible.”
Parker’s embarrassment is relatable, as many of us cringe at our past endeavors. We’ve all experienced the haunting memories of our younger selves.
After 28 years, Parker and Stone have honed their skills and continue to produce content with their distinct flair, though with less of the early awkwardness.
In an article for The Los Angeles Times, celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary, Parker discussed the script-writing process: “The writers’ room always starts with us sitting around a table going, ‘All right, what’s going on?’ Just like in any office.
“But even in the season we just did, some of my favorite things were Butters riding a horse and Cartman living in a hot dog. Just kid stuff.”