Comedy Central removed a contentious episode of South Park from its nightly cable lineup after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a move the network and show producers said was intended to reduce further public unrest.
The episode, titled "Got a Nut," is the second episode of Season 27 and originally aired in early August. It features a parody of Kirk — embodied by the show's character Eric Cartman — alongside lampooned versions of other high-profile conservative figures. The episode drew attention at the time for scenes in which the Kirk-like character hosts campus debates, engages combative students and is depicted in a number of satirical set pieces that critics described as targeting the commentator’s style and appearance. According to AZ Central and other outlets, the episode has been removed from Comedy Central’s cable rotation but remains available to stream on Paramount+.
The removal followed national outrage and a wave of social-media reaction after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot Wednesday while taking questions from the audience at Utah Valley University in Orem. Officials said the shooting occurred around midday at the Losee Center; investigators believe the fatal shot was fired from the top of the venue about 200 feet from where Kirk was speaking. Security footage released by authorities and widely reported in news accounts showed someone lying on the roof and then fleeing after the shot, according to law enforcement statements. Two people were arrested in the immediate aftermath and later released after investigators determined they were not the shooter. The FBI is leading the search for the person responsible.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative campus organizer and podcaster, had been at the university as the first stop on what his team called an "American Comeback Tour." He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and two young children, according to media reports and statements from Republican officials.
The shooting prompted swift condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum and renewed debate over political rhetoric and violence. Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the event as a "political assassination" in remarks reported by state officials. Former President Donald Trump, who was among those leading tributes to Kirk, announced flags would be flown at half-staff until Sunday evening. Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted that political violence "has no place in America," according to her public account.
The decision to remove the episode rekindled discussion about satire and responsibility. After the episode aired in August, Kirk publicly downplayed the depiction on his podcast, saying the show "accidently ends up spreading the gospel," according to archived comments. In the days since his death, some social-media users blamed South Park and its creators for contributing to a climate that could inspire violence. "[Show creators] Trey Parker and Matt Stone, you are sellouts and have blood on your hands," one post on X said. Other posts criticized the program’s treatment of religious groups and conservative figures.
South Park, co-created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, has a long history of provocative satire targeting political figures, religious groups and cultural trends. The show’s recent distribution and production deals have placed it more prominently across corporate streaming platforms, a point critics invoked while faulting the creators for the episode’s tone.
Comedy Central declined to release a detailed statement about the removal beyond confirming the episode was pulled from its linear cable schedule, according to press reports. Streaming availability on Paramount+ was reported by AZ Central and other local outlets; representatives for Paramount+ did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Law-enforcement officials and elected leaders emphasized that the investigation into Kirk’s killing remained active and that public discussion about the episode should not interfere with or influence the inquiry. The FBI and local police urged anyone with information or relevant footage to contact investigators.
The episode’s removal marks the latest instance in which a media property has been readdressed following a high-profile act of violence. Broadcasters and streaming platforms have in the past altered programming or distribution in response to real-world events; networks typically weigh legal considerations, public safety and viewer sensitivity when making such decisions.
As of Friday, authorities continued to seek leads in the shooting, and national commentary about the intersection of satire, political speech and violent acts remained fluid. Comedy Central’s action to pull the episode from cable rotation did not remove it from all platforms, and the debate over the responsibilities of satirists and media distributors is expected to continue as investigators work to identify and apprehend the shooter.