South Park's residentbigoted pottymouthhas a knack for being both irritatingly cruel and lovably silly. In a way, Cartman is emblematic of the show itself, with his mix of juvenile toilet humor, button-pushing edginess, and comedic wit.
So not surprisingly, episodes centered around this character make for some of the funniest and most interesting in this expansive series. Histrash-talking and insane antics often set the stage for some truly memorable romps — but which of these romps truly stand out from the rest?
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Updated on July 21st, 2022, by Shawn S. Lealos: South Park has gone through 25 seasons and 317 episodes, along with some movies that are now appearing on the Paramount+ streaming service. As one of the longest-running animated shows in the United States, Matt Stone and Trey Parker have done a lot to keep it interesting, funny, and always cutting edge with up-to-date news stories and pop culture playing into the episodes almost in real-time. However, when the two are just playing it for fun, nothing is better than the best Cartman episodes, which often see the young child doing things that would send an adult to jail, yet somehow always coming out okay in the end.
Cartman Finds Love (S16 E7)
While the episode's title, "Cartman Finds Love" makes it seem that he gets a girlfriend, that is not what happened. Instead, a new Black girl named Nichole moves to South Park and Cartman sets out to hook her and Token up since he feels that she should only date Black people. However, the problem is that she liked Kyle.
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The entire episode showed how far Cartman would go to get his way, and he had his own Cupid helping him out. He pretended he and Kyle were a gay couple and then started sending gifts to Nichole and Token to help them hook up. Of course, as with the best Cartman episodes, he ends up getting it in the end as well.
Medicinal Fried Chicken (S14 E3)
The season 14 episode "Medicinal Fried Chicken" had two storylines and both were great. In one storyline, Randy willingly contracted testicular cancer just so he could get medicinal weed. This was part of the long-running story where Randy wanted weed at all costs, and the side effects in this episode were grotesque.
However, this was also one of the best Cartman episodes, with him becoming a crimelord similar to Scarface. His goal was to sell illegal KFC and he had his minions and operation set up to perfection.
HUMANCENTiPAD (S15 E1)
The first episode of Season 15 was a disgusting homage to the body horror movie The Human Centipede. However, South Park took the title and used its sound to also parody Apple and their iPad by renaming it "HUMANCENTiPAD." In this, Apple chose to create their latest phone by creating a Human Centipede.
This is a Cartman episode with him demanding to own an iPad and setting out to get one at all costs. Meanwhile, Kyle signed the iTunes terms and conditions, not knowing he was willingly submitting himself to the Human Centipede for the company, and Cartman was told he would own this first version.
World War Zimmerman (S17 E3)
The season 17 episode, "World War Zimmerman," somehow managed to combine the movie World War Z and George Zimmerman killing Trayvon Martin. The episode highlights the racism that Cartman exhibits and has him suffering from nightmares of a zombie apocalypse that is allrioters after the George Zimmerman trial.
Cartman thendecides Token is a "ticking time bomb" and he has to kill him to save the world. Instead, he goes to kill Zimmerman himself, but whenZimmerman shoots Cartman in self-defense, he is arrested and executed for shooting a white person. The episode showed that even when he is wrong, Cartman somehow manages to come out okay in the end.
Tsst (S10 E7)
If there is one thing that is true about the best Cartman episodes, it is that he is a very bad boy and he almost never gets what is coming to him no matter who he hurts. In "Tsst," his mother decides she needs to get him some help so she hires Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer.
Cesar then uses dog training techniques and it amazingly works to get Cartman under control. However, deep down inside Cartman is trying to break out and finally gets that when Cesar refuses to date Liane, and she offers Cartman anything he wants to spend time with her again. The episode ended with Cartman showing a frightening smile and proving the worst might still be yet to come.
Cartman Gets An Anal Probe (S1 E1)
The series launched in the summer of 1997 with "Cartman Gets An Anal Probe" whichsaw the town of South Park visited by aliens who repeatedly abduct Cartman at nightand install an anal probe that begins to oddly affect his behavior.
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When Kyle's brother Ikeis abducted, they are forced to use Cartman's anal probe which made a few hilarious fart-filled appearances throughout the episode to contact the aliens. The episode laid the foundation for the series' humor and hadn't quite hit the series' usual tone, but remains a memorable Cartman episode regardless. It was one of thebest Cartman episodes of the first season.
Cartman's Incredible Gift (S8 E13)
The eighth season episode "Cartman's Incredible Gift" featured a comically-injured Cartman who believes his accident gave him psychic powers following a series of lucky guesses and coincidences tied to a serial killer prowling the streets of South Park.
His "psychic" exploits and the serial killers' continued murders draw in a group of psychic detectives who want Cartman to pay to join their organization. The episode is filled with gut-splitting mental battles and a cringe-inducing crime story that is not to be missed. This was one of the best Cartman episodes in what might be South Park's best season ever.
Ginger Kids (S9 E11)
Cartman has never kept his distaste for redheaded "gingers" like Kyle Broflovski a secret, though in the ninth season's "Ginger Kids" he shares his hate-filled theorieswith the school during an assembly to warn them against the dangers of "gingervitis."When Stan and Kyle prank Cartman by bleaching his skin and dying his hair, he is led to believe he has contracted gingervitis himself.
After taking ridicule from his friends and the school based on his new look, he decides to organize the other ginger kids together and spurred them into violence against the non-ginger kids of South Park because "the only way to fight hate… is with MORE hate!"One of thebest Cartman episodes, this showed just how far he is willing to go and how dangerous Cartman can be when he is motivated.
Fat Butt And Pancake Head (S7 E5)
One of the most ridiculous but insanely hilarious episodes focused on Cartman was the seventh season's "Fat Butt And Pancake Head" which featured a cultural diversity event with presentations from the students. Cartman's entry involved the creation of a Jennifer Lopez hand puppet that wowed the judges despitehis offensive and racist impression.
Cartman's use of the puppet annoys Kyle soCartman decides to record asong as Jennifer Lopez which becomes a hit and soon attracts the attention of Ben Affleck, who enters into a relationship with Cartman's hand Jennifer Lopez. It was one of the weirdestCartman episodes in the series.
The Coon (S13 E2)
Cartman decided to become a costumed crimefighter using araccoon theme with a problematic nickname for his alter ego, which was also the title of the thirteenth season episode "The Coon" and the beginning of a multi-episode storyline that would also inspire 2017'sSouth Park: The Fractured But Wholevideo game.
RELATED:The 10 Best South Park Characters Introduced After Season 1
While the town of South Park doesn't seem to acknowledge Cartman's crimefighting, he soon finds a nemesis in Mysterion, whose identity reveal was drawn out for a couple of episodes as new costumed characters followed in Cartman's footsteps.
Cartoon Wars Part 1 & 2 (S10 E3-4)
Whilethis pick may seem a bit unconventional, it's tough not to be amused by Cartman's palpable hatred of rival cartoonFamily Guyin this two-part epic. As an enraged Eric himself puts it -"I am NOTHING like Family Guy!"
The episode revolves around a classic Cartman-Kyle showdown, as Eric attempts to get Fox studios to pull a controversial episode ofFamily Guy. This saga is loaded with crazy hijinx and quotable gems from Cartman, funnyFamily Guyjabs, and even a cameo fromanotherfamousanimated comedy.
Cartmanland (S5 E6)
Given the aggravation and downright abuse this troublesome kid inflicts on his friends, it's usually nice to see Cartman get his comeuppance. And there are few episodes that present him with a bigger, more well-deserved slap in the face than "Cartmanland."
This season 5 classic starts with a rather irritating plotline of Eric inheriting a vast amount of wealth, which he uses to invest in an amusement park. Not only this, but he bars others (especially Kyle) from entering, and is sure to rub it in their faces. In addition to some humorous moments and a pretty dramatic Kyle-based subplot, this one ends with a delicious twist ending that screams "poetic justice."
Probably (S4 E10)
Cartman takes on many amusing personas inSouth Park, ranging from a raccoon superhero to acaricature of Dog the Bounty Hunter. But one particularly funny rendition that stands out is his stint as an over-the-top Evangelical preacher, who implores the people ofSouth Parkto repent - or face the wrath of "gawd-ah!"
In typical Cartman fashion, his plot in establishing a new church is merely a ploy to extort the townspeople of their money and finally earn his coveted 10 million dollars. But the real highlight of this one is the love triangle between Satan, Saddam, and aman named Chris.
The Death Of Eric Cartman (S9 E6)
Given that Cartman is usually the one doing the conspiring and the razzing, it's refreshing and funny to see him at the brunt of a collective prank. The kids of South Park have had enough of him — oddly spurred by the glutton eating the chicken skins in a bucket of KFC.
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This coaxes everyone to simultaneously ignore him when he tries to talk to them. Being the naive child he is, Cartman's conclusion isn't that he's annoyed the whole town, but rather, that he must be a ghost. In aSixth Sense-esque plot, Cartman enlists the help of the evenmorenaive Butters to carry out good deeds so he may pass on in peace.
Up The Down Steroid (S8 E2)
Cartman really outdoes himself with his deplorable actions in this one,and that's saying something. But regardless of his repellent behavior— and maybe partlybecauseof it— "Up the Down Steroid" is widely regarded as one of the best Cartman episodes to date.
Basically, Cartman concocts a plot to win at the Special Olympics by pretending to be mentally challenged. Deplorable as it is, this naturally sets the stage for plenty of the controversialSouth Park-style silliness the show is known for. Yet, it also injects some clever social commentary, likening this plot to athletes using steroids.
Le Petit Tourette (S11 E8)
In yet another bout of insensitivity, Cartman decides to exploit Tourette's syndrome by pretending to have the condition. What follows is another fun showdown between Cartman and Kyle, as well as an amusing parody of Chris Hansen and his showTo Catch a Predatorfor good measure.
While the plot parallels the previous entry in some ways, this time Cartman's goals are just to be able to shout out whatever he wants and tospeak obscenities on TV, par for the course when it comes to Eric.
Casa Bonita (S7 E11)
If there's one consistent trait to Cartman aside from his foul mouth, it's his relentless determination. This classic romp dials this up to hysterically absurd levels, as Cartman's hellbent on getting to a Mexican restaurant/theme park, Casa Bonita. There's only one problem— Kyle refuses to invite himto his birthday party there. What resulted was one of the best Cartman episodes with Kyle.
Cartman's response isn't to accept defeat though, but rather, to trick Butters into holing himself up in a bomb shelter so that he might take his place. This one is full of moments of goofiness from both Butters and Cartman, along with a crazy fast-paced ending at Casa Bonita. It's a rare instance where you almost don'tmindCartman (partly) getting away with his antics, as it's all so off-the-wall.
The Passion Of The Jew (S8 E3)
Amongst all of Cartman's wacky personas, his bout of essentially emulatingHitleris one of his most memorablyinsane ones.This one tends to be controversial even for the already high standards ofSouth Park, as it involves a Mel Gibson-obsessed Cartmantrying to radicalize people throughThe Passion of the Christ.
Kyle finds himself unjustly receiving the brunt of Cartman's hatred yet again, as he pressures him to watch the film and shames him. Meanwhile, an apparently "righteous" Cartman dresses in Hitler garb while marching through the streets of South Park and rallying the townsfolk against his people.
AWESOM-O (S8 E5)
When it comes to the best Cartman episodes, this one really has it all. It sees the zany character partaking in his typical schemes and spouting off the usual goofy, raunchy rhetoric. It's got the funny dynamic between the malevolent Eric and a pure, whimsical Butters— who thinks that Cartman dressed in a cardboard box is a robot.
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Yet, it's also another satisfying example of Eric getting what's coming to him in the funniest of ways. The fact that Butter's naivety is partly whatmakesCartman suffer in this one is a humorous bit of irony.
Scott Tenorman Must Die (S5 E4)
Beyond just being aSouth Parkclassic, "Scott Tenorman Must Die" is a rare moment of glory foractualfans of Cartman, who (for whatever reason), truly wish to root for him. It's one of the few bouts where he actually comes off as the "good guy," as he takes part in a prank-based battle of wits with the ultimate bully, Scott.
There are tons of laugh-out-loud moments in this gem, from the squeamish use of a certain variety of hairto the simultaneously gross and hysterical twist ending in arguably the best Cartman episode ever.
NEXT:The Best Episode Of Each Season Of South Park, According To IMDb
FAQs
What is the most loved South Park episode? ›
- 1 "Scott Tenorman Must Die"
- 2 "Make Love, Not Warcraft" ...
- 3 "The Return of the Fellowship of the Ring to the Two Towers" ...
- 4 "AWESOM-O" ...
- 5 "Good Times With Weapons" ...
- 6 "Woodland Critter Christmas" ...
- 7 "Casa Bonita" ...
- 8 "Trapped in the Closet" ...
- 5 Put It Down (Season 21, Episode 2)
- 6 Kenny Dies (Season 5, Episode 13) ...
- 7 Le Petit Tourette (Season 11, Episode 8) ...
- 8 You're Getting Old (Season 15, Episode 7) ...
- 9 Black Friday (Season 17, Episode 7) ...
- 10 Member Berries (Season 20, Episode 1) ...
- 11 Tweek x Craig (Season 19, Episode 6) ...
South Park - Season 13, Ep. 12 - The F Word - Full Episode. South Park Studios Global.
What episode is Cartman autistic? ›"Ass Burgers" is the eighth episode of South Park's fifteenth season and the 217th episode of the series overall. It first aired in the U.S. on October 5, 2011, on Comedy Central.
Who is Cartman's BFF? ›Leopold "Butters" Stotch is a fictional character in the adult animated television series South Park. He is voiced by series co-creator Matt Stone and loosely based on co-producer Eric Stough.
What is the saddest South Park episode? ›- South Park (TV Series 1997) The saddest "South Park" moments are counted down.
- "South Park" Kenny Dies (TV Episode 2001) ...
- "South Park" Butters' Very Own Episode (TV Episode 2001) ...
- "South Park" Raisins (TV Episode 2003) ...
- "South Park" Woodland Critter Christmas (TV Episode 2004)
The results were visualized using ggplot2, wordcloud and RColorBrewer. Yep, Kenny is the swear king, which probably has to do with the fact you can barely understand him.
Who is the most fan favorite South Park character? ›- 8 PC Principal.
- 7 Randy Marsh.
- 6 Satan.
- 5 Kyle Broflovski.
- 4 Eric Cartman.
- 3 Mr. Garrison.
- 2 Butters.
- 1 Kenny McCormick.
What season does South Park get bad? With the problems they encountered in season 20, it's easy to understand why, but still, seasons 18 and 19 (18 in particular) will go down as two of the show's most interesting, rewarding seasons, and ultimately the era should be viewed as a success.
What is the 69th episode of South Park? ›"Scott Tenorman Must Die" is the fourth episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 69th episode of the series overall. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on July 11, 2001.
What is the least popular South Park episode? ›
- Royal Pudding (S15, Ep3) (6.7) ...
- Jewpacabra (S16, Ep4) (6.7) ...
- Jakovasaurs (S3, Ep4) (6.6) ...
- Going Native (S16, Ep11) (6.6) ...
- Terrance And Philip In Not Without My Anus (S2, Ep1) (6.5) ...
- White People Renovating Houses (S21, Ep1) (6.5) ...
- Eat, Pray, Queef (S13, Ep4) (6.5)
The c-word is used very rarely on TV, with FX's Feud airing the word in a rare instance in 2017 in its premiere. In South Park's case the word came up near the end of the season finale, when Santa stops by the town to deliver the presents.
Is the F word censored in South Park? ›The F word is used frequently, but it is bleeped when it airs on TV, (not on HBO Max usually) and it is uncensored on DVD and online. The S word and milder profanities are heard often. In the episode "It Hits the Fan", the S word is said 162 times. This is meant as a satire to the over-censorship of television.
What episode is the F word scene? ›...
The F Word (South Park)
"The F Word" | |
---|---|
South Park episode | |
Episode no. | Season 13 Episode 12 |
Directed by | Trey Parker |
Written by | Trey Parker |
If anything, Cartman's behavioral traits — pathological self-absorption, proneness to delusions of grandeur and episodes of mania, a liability to turn angry or spiteful seemingly without provocation — suggest a mood disorder along the lines of Bipolar II or borderline personality disorder, not anxiety.
What episode does Cartman gets his period? ›South ParkS3 E16
As Cartman takes his time buying the right maxi pad, Kenny tells the boys that he got his period too.
"South Park" Doubling Down (TV Episode 2017) - IMDb.
What is Cartman full name? ›Eric Theodore Cartman, commonly referred to by his surname Cartman, is a fictional character in the adult animated sitcom South Park, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. He is voiced by Parker, and is one of the series' four main characters, alongside Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick.
Who is kennys BFF? ›Best Friends
Cartman and Kenny's relationship has been rocky at times, but they always return to their close friendship status, playing with toys or hanging out at Casa Bonita together. Cartman has considered the both of them to be best friends on multiple occasions, both for selfish and selfless reasons.
Almost all of the time, Kenny wears a hood that muffles his speech. Kenny being muffled is how he gets away with inappropriate and vulgar speech without having to be bleeped out or censored. Kenny is also shown to enjoy getting high.
What is the banned episode of South Park? ›
The depiction of Buddha snorting cocaine in "200" and "201" prompted the government of Sri Lanka to ban the entire series outright.
What South Park episode got banned? ›The depiction of Buddha snorting cocaine in "200" and "201", prompted the government of Sri Lanka to ban the entire series outright.
Who is the most disliked South Park character? ›There are plenty of scatological gags in South Park, but none more over-the-top than Mr. Hankey, a talking turd who comes around every holiday season to spread Christmas cheer. While the character was pretty funny in his first appearance, there were diminishing returns due to his one-note personality.
Who is the toughest kid in South Park? ›Biography. In the beginning of South Park, Craig was said to be the most violent and strongest student in the third-grade class (excluding Cartman). Cartman once claimed that Craig was the "biggest troublemaker in [their] class", and parents of his classmates have cited him as a "bad influence".
Who is the cutest in South Park? ›The boys discover that the girls in their class have made a list of them, ordered by cuteness. The boys, after two attempts, eventually succeed in stealing the list and discover it ranks Clyde as the cutest, and Kyle as the ugliest, with Cartman just above him.
Who is the smartest character in South Park? ›Kyle Broflovski is one of the main characters of South Park. Based on co-creator Matt Stone, Kyle is a member of the only Jewish family in South Park, and is by far the smartest kid in town.
Who is the most popular girl in South Park? ›Close Friends. Theresa appears to be one of the more popular girls at South Park Elementary, or at least part of their extended circle in recent seasons.
Who has most crimes South Park? ›- Murder and Attempted Murder: In "Butt Out" Cartman stabbed Rob Reiner with a fork essentially killing him. ...
- Vandalism and Destruction: He mentioned in "The Death of Eric Cartman" that he broke a man's fence without telling him about it.
Kyle is a great role model for similar reasons to Stan as they both have a lot in common, especially in the series' first few seasons. He is one of the most mature characters in the series despite being a child, and usually sticks by what he believes to be right.
Why is Kenny not in season 20? ›Stone stated that thinking of humorous ways to kill the character was initially fun, but became more mundane as the series progressed. When they determined that it would be too difficult to develop the character because he was too much of a "prop", Parker and Stone finally decided to kill off Kenny permanently.
What 5 episodes of South Park are banned? ›
- Super Best Friends - season 5, episode 3.
- Cartoon Wars Part I - season 10, episode 3.
- Cartoon Wars Part 2 - season 10, episode 4.
- 200 - season 14, episode 5.
- 201 - season 14, episode 6.
1 Season 5
The fifth season of South Park may not get as much love as season 10, but should be regarded as one of the best seasons of any animated comedy season.
"I'm a Little Bit Country" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 100th episode of the series overall. Going by production order, this is the 1st episode of Season 7. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on April 9, 2003.
Why is episode 201 from South Park banned? ›There are five South Park episodes banned in total, but season 14 episodes "200" and "201" are especially infamous because they sparked an enormous outcry from Middle-Eastern terrorism groups over the South Park Muhammad image.
What is the 121st episode of South Park? ›"Preschool" is the tenth episode in the eighth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 121st episode overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on November 10, 2004.
Is South Park ok for a 11 year old? ›Parents need to know that South Park is a satirical animated series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that isn't meant for young kids. It's jam packed with mature themes, swearing (including "f--k," "s--t," and more), over-the-top cartoon violence, potty humor, and innuendo.
Should I let my 13 year old watch South Park? ›The show is amazing. Highly recommend for 13 and up. Just make sure your teens don't imitate it. 3 people found this helpful.
What South Park episode has no swearing? ›It Hits the Fan - Wikipedia.
How does Cartman say cool? ›Cartman has a slight lisp and tends to jumble letters together. Instead of saying, “Cool!” and pronouncing all the letters in the word, Cartman says, “Ku!” He also tends to speak from behind his teeth. For example, when saying the word “tomorrow,” he pronounces it, “Tuh-muh-ruh.”
Why is there a talking towel in South Park? ›A few of the writers were wakeboarding and someone yelled out “don't forget to bring a towel!” and Towelie was born. As an homage to the way other shows create characters only to sell merchandise, taking the lamest character possible and applying that concept to Towelie, a towel.
Why are they called PC babies in South Park? ›
The PC Babies, Riley, Bailey, Harper, River, and Emory, are the children of PC Principal and Strong Woman after they had intercourse in "Splatty Tomato". In episodes, they are used as a device to reference the Snowflake Generation; young adults who are very politically correct and offended easily.
Is The F Word banned on TV? ›Federal law prohibits obscene, indecent and profane content from being broadcast on the radio or TV.
Can TV shows use The F Word? ›Profanity in traditional broadcast radio and television is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Streaming radio and TV, however, are not subject to those restrictions and are free to use expletives.
What season is Kenny's goodbye? ›Kenny the Shark - Season 2 Episode 5: Kenny the Movie / Goodbye Ol' Chum - Metacritic.
When did South Park start cursing? ›When did South Park start cursing? In the show's 2001 season 5 opener (the aptly titled “It Hits the Fan”), Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and their gang of hooligan second graders unleashed “s—” 162 times. Britain's beloved C-word, No. 3, has slowly trickled over to America — most prominently in a 2007 episode of 30 Rock.
What episode is bigger longer and uncut? ›Season | s02 |
---|---|
Episode | e |
Written By | Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Pam Brady |
Production Code | 02 |
Original Air Date | 1999-06-30 |
1 Season 5
Other great episodes from this season include "Towelie," "It Hits the Fan," and "Here Comes the Neighborhood." While nearly every episode of this season is great, "Scott Tenorman Must Die" is considered by many to be the best episode of South Park ever made.
Season 9 E 6 • 04/13/2005. Cartman has Butters tell Mrs. Cartman that he loves her and is sorry for not being a better son. They all cry together.
What episode does Cartman think he died? ›"The Death of Eric Cartman" is the sixth episode in the ninth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 131st episode overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on April 13, 2005.
Who kissed Cartman? ›Answer: Well, the answer to this one might actually surprise you… and that answer is YES. He's kissed Wendy. This happens way back in Season 4's “Chef Goes Nanners“… after Wendy and Cartman are forced to work together on the “Change the Flag” debate team.