Following the assassination of MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Paramount has removed a recent episode of "South Park" that satirized him from its cable rotation. The episode, titled “Got a Nut,” is the second installment of the show's 27th season and is no longer available in "South Park" reruns on Comedy Central, though it can still be streamed on Paramount+.
The decision came as a manhunt continues for the 31-year-old Kirk's killer. Kirk was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10. In the wake of the shooting, some of Kirk's supporters have directed criticism at "South Park" for the parody. Paramount has not issued a comment on the removal of the episode, but sources suggest the move is likely temporary.
The episode, which originally aired on August 6, was replaced in the Comedy Central schedule by the season's first episode, “Sermon on the Mount.” “Got a Nut” featured a storyline where the character Eric Cartman emulated Kirk's "Prove Me Wrong" debate style.
When the episode first premiered, Kirk responded positively to the parody, calling it a “badge of honor” in a TikTok video posted on August 7. He also briefly changed his YouTube profile picture to an image of the "South Park" character parodying him.
The main plot of “Got a Nut” revolves around the character of former school counselor Mr. Mackey joining ICE to pay his bills, and a student, Clyde Donovan, adopting the persona of a provocative right-wing podcaster. The episode culminates in a conflict between Cartman and Donovan over their podcasting endeavors, with Donovan receiving the “Charlie Kirk Award for Young Masterdebaters.”
A new episode of "South Park" is scheduled to air on September 23 on Comedy Central and will be available on Paramount+ the following day.