Comedy Central has removed a South Park episode that lampooned conservative activist Charlie Kirk from its schedule following Kirk's fatal shooting while speaking at a US college event, but the episode remains available on the streaming service Paramount+.
The episode, titled "Got a Nut," premiered on Aug. 6 and depicts schoolboy character Clyde Donovan espousing provocative views on a podcast and setting up a table at South Park Elementary to "destroy woke liberal students." Another character, Eric Cartman, later adopts an outfit and hairstyle resembling Kirk and takes the spotlight in a scene that awards the "Charlie Kirk Award for Young Master Debaters." Paramount Global owns both Paramount+ and Comedy Central.
Kirk, 31, was shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem as part of his American Comeback tour. Authorities have described the attack as a targeted shooting. The FBI released footage showing a person who investigators suspect fired the fatal shot running across a roof before dropping to the ground and crossing a road.
Comedy Central did not immediately provide an on-air statement explaining the removal when contacted by reporters, and South Park co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had not commented as of publication. The BBC has asked Parker and Stone for comment.
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA, had previously reacted to the show's depiction of him. In July he told Fox News he had "kinda laughed" at a teaser for the episode and said being depicted on South Park was "a badge of honour." An image of Cartman dressed like Kirk appeared on social media accounts associated with The Charlie Kirk Show.
South Park has a long history of satirising public figures across the political spectrum, including former and current US presidents. Last month Parker drew attention at Comic-Con when he offered a mock-serious apology to President Donald Trump after the show's season-opening segment contained crude jokes about the president; the White House described the programme as a "fourth-rate" show that was "hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention."
The decision by Comedy Central to pull the episode comes as media outlets and platforms reassess content in the wake of violent events that involve or reference public figures. The episode remains accessible on Paramount+, where it continues to stream.
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting at Utah Valley University, and officials have released limited details while the inquiry and related FBI activity proceed. South Park's episode catalogue and the handling of contentious satire are likely to remain under scrutiny as the criminal investigation and public reaction develop.
