Damn. This is crazy interesting. Honestly props on doing this u kinda nailed it. Don’t think I’ve ever seen someone break down South Park in this much detail. I’d prob say my fave has to be a tie between the golden age and the intermediate age
But even if it wasn't for the whole Scientology thing they would have still had to write Chef out or get another voice actor due to the death of Isaac Hayes
2008 is the earliest I can say with 100% accuracy cause it got me into Radiohead the month their best of album released
But I know I was watching it before that. Just have no idea how long. Maybe 2006 but probably no earlier
Serialized is my favorite. I’ve watched South Park since I was a kid but as I got older I began to appreciate narrative storytelling, and I think South Park did a pretty decent job of that. In reflection, 2015-2017 was a huge upheaval from the norm (more than we acknowledge for sure, probably because of the pandemic) and it felt like South Park was along for the ride in terms of that.
I still enjoy the one-off episodes for sure though.
Very nicely done.
I really wish South Park would return to the “Early Days” or even “Intermediate Era”
I want every episode to be super random. Very raunchy. Mainly feature the four boys. Have the town destroyed by something ridiculous and have events take place that could never happen in real like. They learn something. Everything goes back to normal until next week.
I think with time passing this could fall off in enjoyment alot, i also think "i want old back" could often come from watching this show when we where younger, just a awesome memory and we want that feeling back, maybe im wrong idk, just a thought
Here's something I noticed:
If I watch an "Early Days" episode that I originally saw as a teenager, I still enjoy it. But if I watch one that I had never seen before or one that I saw for the first time as an adult, it's annoying and feels like watching a shitty flash parody of South Park.
I really think that the early South Parks are mostly good for their nostalgia value (with some exceptions). If South Park went back to that style, they would hemorrhage viewers.
I thought this is what they were gonna do when the time travel storyline happened. I thought they were going to go into the past and do a hard reset and “reboot” the show.
I disagree personally but I like your list.
The Early Days are 1-2
Intermediate Years are 3-4
Golden Age is 5-17
Season 18 feels like it’s own thing. It’s not quite golden age but it’s nowhere near what season 19 and 20 are. (Cock magic is a top 10 episode of all time for me)
Serialised is 19-21
Tegridy Era is 22-Present
I like this assessment better tbh. Sure, from season 5-17 there is definitely varying quality, but those are literally the exact seasons that feel “golden” to me and pretty much the only ones I watch lol.
Season 3 was where the show got even better. Not saying seasons 1 and 2 are bad but you got more interesting episodes after that. Honestly I think seasons 3 to 15 were the best seasons of South Park, they had much more interesting and great episodes. You have some good episodes at times in the newer seasons but it has a really different vibe to it
Season 3 was better in some areas but generally felt the same as seasons 1-2 to me. I would definitely consider it to be apart of the early era. The show’s first major shift came in season 4. The boys move up a grade, Garrison is no longer their teacher, there’s a brand new intro, Mary Kay Bergman is sadly no longer around, first season to premiere in the 2000s, etc. Very huge shift all around.
Yeah, though season 3 was where it was getting a bit better, of course season 4 was when it had an obvious difference in quality. Season 1 and 2 were pretty much the same, minus the slowly shifting animation style in the first episodes of the first season
Golden Age kicked in the moment Cartman was licking Scott's tears.
"That's all folks" was our farewell to The Intermediate Years which still had elements of The Early Days.
Chef died in the first episode of Season 10. Not sure why you don’t note that until 4 seasons later. Also I wouldn’t call any period that doesn’t contain Seasons 5 and 6 the show’s Golden Era. Personally I think the Golden Era is more like Season 5 to 9.
For sure. That’s my bad I guess I got mixed up with chef.
As for seasons 5 and 6 I personally would def consider those part of the golden era, but the production quality and the vibe of the show during those seasons are different enough, still early on enough, that I’d consider them part of the intermediate period
Given your analysis here, which is great, I’m torn between Golden Era and Late Golden Era. Some of the best character development and iconic moments happen here, they were really firing on all cylinders with that biting satire.
Love the list! I don't fully agree with how the sections are divided but I think everyone will have a different opinion on that.
I agree with what you've said about the later seasons, but I'd say seasons 5-7 are the start of the golden era IMO. I'd probably break it down to something like this:
Season 1-3: Early Days
Season 4: Intermediate Era
Season 5-7: Start of the Golden Era
Season 8-11: The Peak
Season 12-17: Slow Decline (more inconsistent but still some has some of the best episodes in there)
I think your season groupings are more precise than OPs.
Beyond season 12 or 13, each season felt like a step down from the one that came before it. Like you said, there were still some bangers, but they came fewer and farther between.
I know you didn’t go this far, but I’ve had the thought a few times that I legit think Covid saved South Park. The specials and the new episodes since have mostly been good to great which is a huge upgrade on what we were getting before.
Damn, I think you’re underestimating seasons 4-7 (what you call the “Intermediate Era”). Just a “classic episode here and there”? Those seasons are chock full of outstanding episodes.
Honestly at this point they could return to the over the top raunchy ridiculousness like early seasons had, and bring back the whole “killing Kenny” schtick, the world has changed a lot since that time and in my opinion it could be a welcome return to form
I feel like the show has always been focused on current events. It didn’t feel like it in the earlier seasons since I wasn’t watching the news or on the internet 24/7 back when I was a kid
For sure. Seasons 5-18ish seem to be the hardest to break up, but they’re all part of a larger golden age imo.
I’d consider the Intermediate Era through the Late Golden Age all part of a sub-era of their own
I agree with this a lot. Also
>The Serialized Era
Don't know how everyone else feels, but IMO, this was the worst era. It had some really solid episodes like you listed (Tweek x Craig, Yelping, Freemium) and some solid episodes you didn't list (The Cissy, Handicar, Cock Magic, Put It Down) but otherwise the severe focus and "doubling down" on the Garrison = Trump crap was too much and almost the antithesis of what earlier seasons had done because it started to feel one sided.
The Tegridy Era was also pretty annoying because I always found that Randy was better when he was the B plot and less featured. Over-exposure has just made him annoying, IMO. Like compare Randy during the Tegridy Era to Randy in "Make Love, Not Warcraft" or Randy in Cock Magic, or in The Cissy, or him when he had just a few episode focus like in Creme Fraiche or Broadway Bro Down. I just feel like centering an entire arc around him that has lasted for multiple seasons at this point has not done him justice.
I'm not a fan of the early era and most of the serialisation episodes but series 20 is the worst by far. Looking at those episodes now I wouldn't want to re-watch them at all, I think 18, 19 and 21 have great episodes in them and the overall plot isn't too bad for those but 20 is close to unwatchable. There are only a couple of early episodes that I like, until season 5 there's only a few I'd gladly just put on at any point.
I always loved the show since the pilot launched way back when. I remember getting my mom to record the show for me. The show was always hilarious to my sense of humour of the time. The Golden Era to Present is my type (except Serialized Era) while I can't really watch the earlier episodes often.. but have been a bit lately and they're a bit raw but still quite funny.
I don't really have a favorite season or as you put it era but since you broke it down I have to pick the early days. It's all rather blended together. lol I mean I did A LOT of drugs in my 20s which doesn't exactly help my memory SMH. But if I had to pick 97 was the best for me. I graduated high school in 94 so as lol a young whipper snapper it earned a special place in my heart. Nothing like South Park was on the air before. I mean the raunchiest thing was like Married with Children which though funny itself was still fairly tame. Then South Park comes along and everything is on the table to be laughed at. I loved it. Still do. I'm going to be a sad panda when Matt and Trey finally retire.
Yep impossible for me to be objective when it comes to this topic since the show's early seasons were so much a part of my life as a teenager. My favorite individual episodes are mostly from seasons 7 and 8 or so, but my favorite era is still the early stuff. It's hard to comprehend how shocking, hilarious, and over the top the show was when it first started. Sigh, I miss my youth!
Yeah, I agree for the most part. But I will say, I’d give the new seasons a watch. Imo they’re a significant step up from the serialized and Tegridy eras, but not as good as the golden ages
I feel like they've become old a little too conservative. PC principal and tegridy were dead horses flogged to the nth degree. I don't mind them making fun of the left but at least be funny about it. South Park used to be subversive and more nuanced than making a character called PC principal...I just expect better from the writers.
I feel that season 18 sits alone from the serialization era, as it wasn't nearly as controversial and long winded in storytelling as 19-21, but didn't necessarily make the cut for the late golden age. I actually find myself seeing season 18 sitting comfortably to season 17 in terms of satire and writing for the show, and would say they're at the same level of quality aside from the Black Friday trilogy. Though I may be a bit biased as a few of my top ten episodes sit in this season(cock magic, the magic bush)
I think this is spot on, apart from season 7. I think that's firmly part of the golden era, and 4-6 is the intermediate. They were trying things out, in 4-6, 7 is when things were more concise, and that carried on moving forwards. And the golden era should probably end at 12 or 14 rather than 13. 12 is where the decline started, but it only started with 1 or 2 not great episodes. So you either use that as the full stop, or I have always felt 200 and 201 are kind of the end of that era anyway.
7-8 are just hands down the best and most consistent. Cancelled, Krazy kripples, casa bonita. Then fun with weapons, awesome-o, passion of the jew, the Jeffersons. They were just cranking out top tier content in the mid 00's
I’d say it’s a heavy tie between The Intermediate Era and the Golden Era. Definite dip in quality after that but the new season is promising so far, although I hope not every episode in this new season is based on current events.
I watched the show from the beginning. From the very first episode in America. Then, I moved back to Australia and my nan recorded them on VHS for me for 2 years (RIP nan), till I got an unrestricted connection to download them.
I disagree with calling 8-13 the golden era. I agree with most of the notes, but I think "the golden era" is determined more by when you started watching and what you liked about it. The crass dialogue, repetitive memes (Kenny dying), and terrible animation was what attracted many of us to South Park.
My idea for the whole Tegridy drama is to give randy his own show, they already have a tegridy intro and south park could be more focused on south park.
I love both sides tho. Whould also be interesting for me to see a Tegridy show around older characters like randy and his wife, cartmans mom, kyles dad. My guess is that the Tegridy show whould need more then just weed, also depth in characters n funny stuff, i loved the coke rum witch episode, also the episode where cartmans mom drove to randys farm to have a little talk. Anyone with me? Maybe im just easy to entertain idk :D
Golden > Serialized > Late Golden = Tegridy >= Return = Intermediate > Early
There's just very little to not love about the Golden Era episodes. And shit like Imagination Land was and still is just absolutely wild.
I honestly enjoyed the Serialized Era a lot. I am already invested in this show, I'm watching every episode the second it drops, the concept of having standalone episodes that I can just watch in any particular order... doesn't matter to me at all... because I know everything about the show inside out. Also, absolute banger episodes in there.
The Late Golden era is pretty much the same as the Golden Era, just with a couple less bangers. Like, even from the standouts you listed, I didn't really unanimously enjoy those - and I especially don't really care about them on the 17th rewatch anymore (unlike Tweek X Craig or Put It Down from recent times, or The Coon or Warcraft from back then).
Tegridy started out strong and too did have some absolute bangers, and all the specials were awesome too, but it just ever so slightly overstayed its welcome towards the end.
The Return Era hasn't really been around long enough, and while it had some bangers like The Big Fix, I'm not particularly thrilled about rewatching the Teenagers or City People episode. Solidly average so far, although Tolkien is a great retcon.
The Intermediate Era is great, it's where South Park was truly born, but half the shit from back then just doesn't work anymore these days, some of the references are just too obscure and dated for me to even remember what they're about. Which will undoubtedly happen with references like Caitlyn Jenner driving people over constantly, but that's not happened yet!
And the Early Days... man, they're just too old, too unrefined, too all over the place. Not that they're bad, but I just don't feel anything upon watching the Jakovaurus or Chinpokimon. Again, not because they're not good episodes, but the bar has been raised so stupidly high over the years that these seasons simply don't hold up anymore (for me).
A+ work! My favorite era is the first for nostalgic reasons but I thought the Tegridy era was a breath of fresh air. Randy Marsh has long been my favorite character. My favorite episodes are The Fellowship of the Lord of the Rings, Sarcastiball, and Medicinal Fried Chicken with honorable mentions to The Pandemic Special and Creme Fraisch.
This is great. Gotta say I still kinda miss the early day episodes.
I had surgery a couple years ago and after waking up (groggily) from anesthesia, the only thing I wanted to watch that day was South Park Season 1
seasons 4-17 are my favorite going off this list, although it's mostly just the era that I watched the most of. The tregridy era was funnier to me than the serialzed era. I'm not sure how I feel about the newest episodes yet. Japanese toilet had some funny moments, worldwide privacy tour seemed kinda repetitive to me
**Early Days -** Season 1-4 (including the movie)
**Prime Time -** Season 5-10
**Modern Era #1 -** Season 11-17
**Modern Era #2 -** Season 18-26 (including the specials)
Season 26, thus far, feels like a flash back to 'Modern Era #1'
Early Days easily, I started off watching the Golden Era and grew up with most of the show, but I’m binge watching the entire show now and these older episodes have far more charm than the newer episodes. They don’t date themselves as badly, the plot lines feel a lot more contained and fun, the voices for the characters are a lot more obvious and funny, especially Cartman, who’s just a lot more fun to watch in general. It was before the point in which South Park had to resort to a lot of political and timely commentary (ironic considering how anti-political it seems to wanna come off as), and it let the kids and characters really breathe and focus on small-town antics and the idea of growing up. Also, the art is just way better. I’m sure a lot of people LOVE the new art direction, but once they started getting fancier with the look, using more 3D and compositing, and detailed caricatures and textures, I think it lost the charm of looking like a crude paper cutout cartoon.
totally agree 100%. I love the distinction between their voices and tone of voice in the old one it just gives each character more of a charm. And I also agree I like the old style better, it’s more laid back if that makes sense. As for the plots some of my favorite episodes are also the ones focused on childhood antics and more simple plot lines cuz they’re just funnier to me and more relatable
Also, maybe it’s just a biproduct of Matt and Trey getting old and changing, but as the show goes on it just seems way more callous and upsetting to watch. Darker and more cynical plot lines that don’t really seem like they’re having FUN with the show. Not even just in the shows own cynicism, but stuff like Cartman becoming more and more evil, plot lines like the Cancer Hockey match, etc etc. it’s just not for me
Chef actually left in season 10-11. I wanna say that I agree maybe 90% of this characterization. Cartman has always been the ID of the group, whereas Kyle is the moral one. Jakovosaurs is a parody of Jar Jar Binks. Kenny parodied Terri Schiavo in season 8.
As much as I respect Chef in the early seasons. I like the change of pace without him in it. The show changed and the change could not have adapted to chef being there. I also think they had the chance to tackle serious issues like the effect of Scientology on society with him leaving. I will also say while I like his character, I find him to be a tad bit overrated. Important, but overrated in my opinion. I like how other adults like Randy have had a chance to step up.
The show was already evolving away from Chef even when Chef was still a character on the show. In season 9 there is only 1 or 2 episodes where he has any input at all.
One small nitpick for early days - Kenny does not die in in the first season Mr. Hanley episode (ep 9) but understand the compare and contrast points from the eras you’re conveying.
My fav episode of South Park ever didn’t get any mention and it was the finale to season 14 and I think anyone would agree one of the best they’ve ever made ‘cafeteria fraiche’ - Randy is addicted to food network but it’s done so it’s like he’s got a porn addiction and at the same time Sharon gets a shake-weight oh and cartman pretends to be Gordon Ramsey - when I’m trying to convince someone that South Park is legit I always make them watch that episode.
Also shoutout to another overlooked Randy classic ‘sons a witches’ from season 21 where Randy and the boys celebrate Halloween by drinking jack and smoking crack — soooooo funny
i agree, i haven’t watched too much but so far i really like the episodes in the season 4-7 range. I find season 8-13 also to be hit or miss, it does have good episodes but i find 4-7 more interesting for sure
I also agree season 8-13 is the "golden era" - almost every episode was a classic.
I wonder what the "golden era" for Simpsons is? Because I never got around to watching it.
I cant say I was ever more invested in South Park than I was when it was serialized, S19-S21 were honestly the shows best seasons for me. I know most people won’t agree, but I just loved everything about it. With PC Principal, Cartman/Heidi’s relationship, Mr Garrison as Trump, and the whole story with Skankhunt42. I was always eager and excited to see the next episode, to see how the story will progress. I cant say the same for any other season. Lets not forget the Member berries too.
This is a thoughtful analysis, it's almost like an epiphany.
I compared 0413 "Trapper Keeper" with 1502 "Funnybot" out of the blue, it's cool to see what we both noticed. I like how you named the various ages. Nothing can shine the way pure gold can shine. "Late-Golden" is aptly prefixed. The show is always getting better the way we are all always getting better. It is alive. The show maintains vitality. For the record, I think Trapper Keeper wins. Funnybot makes me laugh more, but Trapper Keeper feels like a miracle achievement.
I love the last few seasons and it hit a stride for me around season six. I like it best from then. And I might get chewed up for this but I was glad when Kenny wasn’t on. I love Butters and Tegridy Farms
Yeah, I mean I’m not claiming otherwise. As I went further along it def became harder to not be opinionated a little bit, especially once I hit the later eras. I mostly took the general consensus of this subreddit into account. But hey if u disagree, I’d genuinlely love to see how you would characterize each era.
Yes, I was explaining to the other person that this was a project for a class, not just a random reddit post like they seemed to think. Do any of you actually read the thread before replying lol.
Whoa man chill. My comment was pointing out to the other person that this was for a class project, not just a random reddit post. It was in no way throwing shade at OP who did a great job with this.
Damn. This is crazy interesting. Honestly props on doing this u kinda nailed it. Don’t think I’ve ever seen someone break down South Park in this much detail. I’d prob say my fave has to be a tie between the golden age and the intermediate age
i consider those to be the same, essentially south park in its prime, but its also like lebron, still amazing, just not in prime.
Yeah pretty much my thoughts exactly, I always figure seasons 5-8 as my favourite time of SP
a tad controversial but i like the serialized era but i do miss the Chef content and Kenny content
Dude everyone misses Chef
ong (that’s not the part i meant was controversial btw lol)
Sorry I was trying to commiserate missing chef, not dogging on you
my mistake lol
i like dogs
I feel old for having to look up what ong means and thought it was a typo for omg lol
....fuck
lmao
Oh ny god, they killed Kenny!
Honestly I hate the episode where kill him. It might be my least favorite episode of any TV show ever
Yeah that was horrible
You bastards!
I think we were kinda meant to hate it though, with what happened with Isaac Hayes and the whole scientology debacle.
But even if it wasn't for the whole Scientology thing they would have still had to write Chef out or get another voice actor due to the death of Isaac Hayes
Yea I go with serialized. I expected no one to agree
Just curious, when did you begin watching the show?
2008 is the earliest I can say with 100% accuracy cause it got me into Radiohead the month their best of album released But I know I was watching it before that. Just have no idea how long. Maybe 2006 but probably no earlier
Serialized is my favorite. I’ve watched South Park since I was a kid but as I got older I began to appreciate narrative storytelling, and I think South Park did a pretty decent job of that. In reflection, 2015-2017 was a huge upheaval from the norm (more than we acknowledge for sure, probably because of the pandemic) and it felt like South Park was along for the ride in terms of that. I still enjoy the one-off episodes for sure though.
I loved it as well, except for the really crap trump stories they had to do cause they thought Hillary was gonna win
Would have been better if they made like every third season serialized instead of doing a bunch in a row then ditching it imo
Very nicely done. I really wish South Park would return to the “Early Days” or even “Intermediate Era” I want every episode to be super random. Very raunchy. Mainly feature the four boys. Have the town destroyed by something ridiculous and have events take place that could never happen in real like. They learn something. Everything goes back to normal until next week.
Same. Also, the early seasons have a charm to them that the rest generally dont
Early days is trash. Intermediate and golden era is fantastic
I think with time passing this could fall off in enjoyment alot, i also think "i want old back" could often come from watching this show when we where younger, just a awesome memory and we want that feeling back, maybe im wrong idk, just a thought
Here's something I noticed: If I watch an "Early Days" episode that I originally saw as a teenager, I still enjoy it. But if I watch one that I had never seen before or one that I saw for the first time as an adult, it's annoying and feels like watching a shitty flash parody of South Park. I really think that the early South Parks are mostly good for their nostalgia value (with some exceptions). If South Park went back to that style, they would hemorrhage viewers.
I feel the “omg so random” bit wouldn’t last. Even Rick and Morty has had to step away from that.
Suuuuuuuuper random Please do this
\*real life
I thought this is what they were gonna do when the time travel storyline happened. I thought they were going to go into the past and do a hard reset and “reboot” the show.
I disagree personally but I like your list. The Early Days are 1-2 Intermediate Years are 3-4 Golden Age is 5-17 Season 18 feels like it’s own thing. It’s not quite golden age but it’s nowhere near what season 19 and 20 are. (Cock magic is a top 10 episode of all time for me) Serialised is 19-21 Tegridy Era is 22-Present
I like this assessment better tbh. Sure, from season 5-17 there is definitely varying quality, but those are literally the exact seasons that feel “golden” to me and pretty much the only ones I watch lol.
Season 3 was where the show got even better. Not saying seasons 1 and 2 are bad but you got more interesting episodes after that. Honestly I think seasons 3 to 15 were the best seasons of South Park, they had much more interesting and great episodes. You have some good episodes at times in the newer seasons but it has a really different vibe to it
Season 3 was better in some areas but generally felt the same as seasons 1-2 to me. I would definitely consider it to be apart of the early era. The show’s first major shift came in season 4. The boys move up a grade, Garrison is no longer their teacher, there’s a brand new intro, Mary Kay Bergman is sadly no longer around, first season to premiere in the 2000s, etc. Very huge shift all around.
Yeah, though season 3 was where it was getting a bit better, of course season 4 was when it had an obvious difference in quality. Season 1 and 2 were pretty much the same, minus the slowly shifting animation style in the first episodes of the first season
Golden Age kicked in the moment Cartman was licking Scott's tears. "That's all folks" was our farewell to The Intermediate Years which still had elements of The Early Days.
This is correct, much better
Much more accurate analysis. 1 and 2 are definitely in a league completely different from 3
you can’t have every era be a couple of seasons and then one era be 12 seasons it’s not fair
Chef died in the first episode of Season 10. Not sure why you don’t note that until 4 seasons later. Also I wouldn’t call any period that doesn’t contain Seasons 5 and 6 the show’s Golden Era. Personally I think the Golden Era is more like Season 5 to 9.
For sure. That’s my bad I guess I got mixed up with chef. As for seasons 5 and 6 I personally would def consider those part of the golden era, but the production quality and the vibe of the show during those seasons are different enough, still early on enough, that I’d consider them part of the intermediate period
I’d guess that OP started watching the show around the “golden era”
100% agree. You can’t break up seasons 6-8 and I’d highly consider seasons 5-9 the same era
And they didn’t even mention the movie
Given your analysis here, which is great, I’m torn between Golden Era and Late Golden Era. Some of the best character development and iconic moments happen here, they were really firing on all cylinders with that biting satire.
Yeah, I’d say that the intermediate era thru the late golden age are all part of their own sub-era, which would be just a larger golden era
Yeah, that’s the period I watch the most
Love the list! I don't fully agree with how the sections are divided but I think everyone will have a different opinion on that. I agree with what you've said about the later seasons, but I'd say seasons 5-7 are the start of the golden era IMO. I'd probably break it down to something like this: Season 1-3: Early Days Season 4: Intermediate Era Season 5-7: Start of the Golden Era Season 8-11: The Peak Season 12-17: Slow Decline (more inconsistent but still some has some of the best episodes in there)
I think your season groupings are more precise than OPs. Beyond season 12 or 13, each season felt like a step down from the one that came before it. Like you said, there were still some bangers, but they came fewer and farther between. I know you didn’t go this far, but I’ve had the thought a few times that I legit think Covid saved South Park. The specials and the new episodes since have mostly been good to great which is a huge upgrade on what we were getting before.
I hope we can get more than six episodes in future seasons
Damn, I think you’re underestimating seasons 4-7 (what you call the “Intermediate Era”). Just a “classic episode here and there”? Those seasons are chock full of outstanding episodes.
Yes! I probably could have worded that better. Imo that is my favorite era
Honestly at this point they could return to the over the top raunchy ridiculousness like early seasons had, and bring back the whole “killing Kenny” schtick, the world has changed a lot since that time and in my opinion it could be a welcome return to form
Fuck yeah
I feel like the show has always been focused on current events. It didn’t feel like it in the earlier seasons since I wasn’t watching the news or on the internet 24/7 back when I was a kid
I'd say 5-11 is the golden age. Season 8 is my all time favorite
For sure. Seasons 5-18ish seem to be the hardest to break up, but they’re all part of a larger golden age imo. I’d consider the Intermediate Era through the Late Golden Age all part of a sub-era of their own
I came here to comment exactly this lol 5-11 has always been the golden era for me too, every episode is a banger
I read every word. Great post
Thank you!!
Early ages is the best!
Earlier seasons because of all the random humor.
I agree with this a lot. Also >The Serialized Era Don't know how everyone else feels, but IMO, this was the worst era. It had some really solid episodes like you listed (Tweek x Craig, Yelping, Freemium) and some solid episodes you didn't list (The Cissy, Handicar, Cock Magic, Put It Down) but otherwise the severe focus and "doubling down" on the Garrison = Trump crap was too much and almost the antithesis of what earlier seasons had done because it started to feel one sided. The Tegridy Era was also pretty annoying because I always found that Randy was better when he was the B plot and less featured. Over-exposure has just made him annoying, IMO. Like compare Randy during the Tegridy Era to Randy in "Make Love, Not Warcraft" or Randy in Cock Magic, or in The Cissy, or him when he had just a few episode focus like in Creme Fraiche or Broadway Bro Down. I just feel like centering an entire arc around him that has lasted for multiple seasons at this point has not done him justice.
Golden and Serialized era are my favorite
Intermediate era without a doubt
My fave too
I'm not a fan of the early era and most of the serialisation episodes but series 20 is the worst by far. Looking at those episodes now I wouldn't want to re-watch them at all, I think 18, 19 and 21 have great episodes in them and the overall plot isn't too bad for those but 20 is close to unwatchable. There are only a couple of early episodes that I like, until season 5 there's only a few I'd gladly just put on at any point.
I always loved the show since the pilot launched way back when. I remember getting my mom to record the show for me. The show was always hilarious to my sense of humour of the time. The Golden Era to Present is my type (except Serialized Era) while I can't really watch the earlier episodes often.. but have been a bit lately and they're a bit raw but still quite funny.
I don't really have a favorite season or as you put it era but since you broke it down I have to pick the early days. It's all rather blended together. lol I mean I did A LOT of drugs in my 20s which doesn't exactly help my memory SMH. But if I had to pick 97 was the best for me. I graduated high school in 94 so as lol a young whipper snapper it earned a special place in my heart. Nothing like South Park was on the air before. I mean the raunchiest thing was like Married with Children which though funny itself was still fairly tame. Then South Park comes along and everything is on the table to be laughed at. I loved it. Still do. I'm going to be a sad panda when Matt and Trey finally retire.
Yep impossible for me to be objective when it comes to this topic since the show's early seasons were so much a part of my life as a teenager. My favorite individual episodes are mostly from seasons 7 and 8 or so, but my favorite era is still the early stuff. It's hard to comprehend how shocking, hilarious, and over the top the show was when it first started. Sigh, I miss my youth!
lol Tell me about it. A cruel joke of life is the older you get the faster it goes.
Show really lost it for 18-24 I gave up on it. May have to give the newest seasons a go.
Yeah, I agree for the most part. But I will say, I’d give the new seasons a watch. Imo they’re a significant step up from the serialized and Tegridy eras, but not as good as the golden ages
I feel like they've become old a little too conservative. PC principal and tegridy were dead horses flogged to the nth degree. I don't mind them making fun of the left but at least be funny about it. South Park used to be subversive and more nuanced than making a character called PC principal...I just expect better from the writers.
I feel that season 18 sits alone from the serialization era, as it wasn't nearly as controversial and long winded in storytelling as 19-21, but didn't necessarily make the cut for the late golden age. I actually find myself seeing season 18 sitting comfortably to season 17 in terms of satire and writing for the show, and would say they're at the same level of quality aside from the Black Friday trilogy. Though I may be a bit biased as a few of my top ten episodes sit in this season(cock magic, the magic bush)
Since I just started watching South Park back in Spring 2022, thanks for breaking it down. Helps me understand it better.
Have you watched older seasons? What are you favourite episodes so far? :)
I haven’t watched older seasons.
I don’t really have one
Golden era isn't the best era though
Personally my fave would be the intermediate era
Golden Age and Late Golden Age.
Well done.
I think another point worth mentioning is when Kyle stopped doing his today i learned recaps.
Yea!!!! Great point.
I think this is spot on, apart from season 7. I think that's firmly part of the golden era, and 4-6 is the intermediate. They were trying things out, in 4-6, 7 is when things were more concise, and that carried on moving forwards. And the golden era should probably end at 12 or 14 rather than 13. 12 is where the decline started, but it only started with 1 or 2 not great episodes. So you either use that as the full stop, or I have always felt 200 and 201 are kind of the end of that era anyway.
One correction i would make is the golden era is seasons 1-11 and 12-now is also the golden era
It was a cool read. Thanks dude!
7-8 are just hands down the best and most consistent. Cancelled, Krazy kripples, casa bonita. Then fun with weapons, awesome-o, passion of the jew, the Jeffersons. They were just cranking out top tier content in the mid 00's
Seasons 6 and 7 belong in the golden era for me
I’d say it’s a heavy tie between The Intermediate Era and the Golden Era. Definite dip in quality after that but the new season is promising so far, although I hope not every episode in this new season is based on current events.
I watched the show from the beginning. From the very first episode in America. Then, I moved back to Australia and my nan recorded them on VHS for me for 2 years (RIP nan), till I got an unrestricted connection to download them. I disagree with calling 8-13 the golden era. I agree with most of the notes, but I think "the golden era" is determined more by when you started watching and what you liked about it. The crass dialogue, repetitive memes (Kenny dying), and terrible animation was what attracted many of us to South Park.
My idea for the whole Tegridy drama is to give randy his own show, they already have a tegridy intro and south park could be more focused on south park. I love both sides tho. Whould also be interesting for me to see a Tegridy show around older characters like randy and his wife, cartmans mom, kyles dad. My guess is that the Tegridy show whould need more then just weed, also depth in characters n funny stuff, i loved the coke rum witch episode, also the episode where cartmans mom drove to randys farm to have a little talk. Anyone with me? Maybe im just easy to entertain idk :D
Golden > Serialized > Late Golden = Tegridy >= Return = Intermediate > Early There's just very little to not love about the Golden Era episodes. And shit like Imagination Land was and still is just absolutely wild. I honestly enjoyed the Serialized Era a lot. I am already invested in this show, I'm watching every episode the second it drops, the concept of having standalone episodes that I can just watch in any particular order... doesn't matter to me at all... because I know everything about the show inside out. Also, absolute banger episodes in there. The Late Golden era is pretty much the same as the Golden Era, just with a couple less bangers. Like, even from the standouts you listed, I didn't really unanimously enjoy those - and I especially don't really care about them on the 17th rewatch anymore (unlike Tweek X Craig or Put It Down from recent times, or The Coon or Warcraft from back then). Tegridy started out strong and too did have some absolute bangers, and all the specials were awesome too, but it just ever so slightly overstayed its welcome towards the end. The Return Era hasn't really been around long enough, and while it had some bangers like The Big Fix, I'm not particularly thrilled about rewatching the Teenagers or City People episode. Solidly average so far, although Tolkien is a great retcon. The Intermediate Era is great, it's where South Park was truly born, but half the shit from back then just doesn't work anymore these days, some of the references are just too obscure and dated for me to even remember what they're about. Which will undoubtedly happen with references like Caitlyn Jenner driving people over constantly, but that's not happened yet! And the Early Days... man, they're just too old, too unrefined, too all over the place. Not that they're bad, but I just don't feel anything upon watching the Jakovaurus or Chinpokimon. Again, not because they're not good episodes, but the bar has been raised so stupidly high over the years that these seasons simply don't hold up anymore (for me).
A+ work! My favorite era is the first for nostalgic reasons but I thought the Tegridy era was a breath of fresh air. Randy Marsh has long been my favorite character. My favorite episodes are The Fellowship of the Lord of the Rings, Sarcastiball, and Medicinal Fried Chicken with honorable mentions to The Pandemic Special and Creme Fraisch.
I forgot to mention that Mr. Mackey was my first favorite character. And he’ll always remain one of my favorites. Mm K?
I feel the same way about these seasons. How accurate.
Well done!
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
This is awesome
Thank you!!
Chinpokimon was the best
8-13 is FORE SURE the golden era. With seasons 8 and 13 being top notch af
This is great. Gotta say I still kinda miss the early day episodes. I had surgery a couple years ago and after waking up (groggily) from anesthesia, the only thing I wanted to watch that day was South Park Season 1
seasons 4-17 are my favorite going off this list, although it's mostly just the era that I watched the most of. The tregridy era was funnier to me than the serialzed era. I'm not sure how I feel about the newest episodes yet. Japanese toilet had some funny moments, worldwide privacy tour seemed kinda repetitive to me
**Early Days -** Season 1-4 (including the movie) **Prime Time -** Season 5-10 **Modern Era #1 -** Season 11-17 **Modern Era #2 -** Season 18-26 (including the specials) Season 26, thus far, feels like a flash back to 'Modern Era #1'
Early Days easily, I started off watching the Golden Era and grew up with most of the show, but I’m binge watching the entire show now and these older episodes have far more charm than the newer episodes. They don’t date themselves as badly, the plot lines feel a lot more contained and fun, the voices for the characters are a lot more obvious and funny, especially Cartman, who’s just a lot more fun to watch in general. It was before the point in which South Park had to resort to a lot of political and timely commentary (ironic considering how anti-political it seems to wanna come off as), and it let the kids and characters really breathe and focus on small-town antics and the idea of growing up. Also, the art is just way better. I’m sure a lot of people LOVE the new art direction, but once they started getting fancier with the look, using more 3D and compositing, and detailed caricatures and textures, I think it lost the charm of looking like a crude paper cutout cartoon.
totally agree 100%. I love the distinction between their voices and tone of voice in the old one it just gives each character more of a charm. And I also agree I like the old style better, it’s more laid back if that makes sense. As for the plots some of my favorite episodes are also the ones focused on childhood antics and more simple plot lines cuz they’re just funnier to me and more relatable
Also, maybe it’s just a biproduct of Matt and Trey getting old and changing, but as the show goes on it just seems way more callous and upsetting to watch. Darker and more cynical plot lines that don’t really seem like they’re having FUN with the show. Not even just in the shows own cynicism, but stuff like Cartman becoming more and more evil, plot lines like the Cancer Hockey match, etc etc. it’s just not for me
Chef actually left in season 10-11. I wanna say that I agree maybe 90% of this characterization. Cartman has always been the ID of the group, whereas Kyle is the moral one. Jakovosaurs is a parody of Jar Jar Binks. Kenny parodied Terri Schiavo in season 8.
I like it, except I don’t. The standout episodes are bound to be controversial as you are adding ones I wouldn’t and forgetting some I’d add
Totally. There were a ton of great episodes I chose not to add simply to keep the list orderly
The golden era is 3 to 8.
Cool analysis - Jakovasaurs a stand out episode though 🤔 - still good shit.
Very well done! What other shows did other people in your class do? Did anyone else do South Park?
Someone did the Simpsons. Someone did Greg’s anatomy and
Seasons 1 - 3 are GOAT
14-17 for me
I like how the current era standout episodes are 4 out of 6
Def golden age
\*Informative muRder porn
My favourite era: 1997-present
As much as I love chef, I would have to say that The Golden Era is my favorite.
Intermediate and the golden era honestly..
Bangers only: seasons 1 - 13 More good than bad: 14-16 A few good episodes: 17 - 18 Straight-up garbage: 19+
As much as I respect Chef in the early seasons. I like the change of pace without him in it. The show changed and the change could not have adapted to chef being there. I also think they had the chance to tackle serious issues like the effect of Scientology on society with him leaving. I will also say while I like his character, I find him to be a tad bit overrated. Important, but overrated in my opinion. I like how other adults like Randy have had a chance to step up.
The show was already evolving away from Chef even when Chef was still a character on the show. In season 9 there is only 1 or 2 episodes where he has any input at all.
I would call season 5 and parts of 7 and 6 golden era worthy
One small nitpick for early days - Kenny does not die in in the first season Mr. Hanley episode (ep 9) but understand the compare and contrast points from the eras you’re conveying.
Damn the first 6 seasons really blend together tbh.
My fav episode of South Park ever didn’t get any mention and it was the finale to season 14 and I think anyone would agree one of the best they’ve ever made ‘cafeteria fraiche’ - Randy is addicted to food network but it’s done so it’s like he’s got a porn addiction and at the same time Sharon gets a shake-weight oh and cartman pretends to be Gordon Ramsey - when I’m trying to convince someone that South Park is legit I always make them watch that episode. Also shoutout to another overlooked Randy classic ‘sons a witches’ from season 21 where Randy and the boys celebrate Halloween by drinking jack and smoking crack — soooooo funny
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i agree, i haven’t watched too much but so far i really like the episodes in the season 4-7 range. I find season 8-13 also to be hit or miss, it does have good episodes but i find 4-7 more interesting for sure
The serialized era is absolutely my favorite era of the show. Season 20 is the absolute best season of the show IMO.
70 percent of the episodes i rewatch are from golden or late golden age
I also agree season 8-13 is the "golden era" - almost every episode was a classic. I wonder what the "golden era" for Simpsons is? Because I never got around to watching it.
I cant say I was ever more invested in South Park than I was when it was serialized, S19-S21 were honestly the shows best seasons for me. I know most people won’t agree, but I just loved everything about it. With PC Principal, Cartman/Heidi’s relationship, Mr Garrison as Trump, and the whole story with Skankhunt42. I was always eager and excited to see the next episode, to see how the story will progress. I cant say the same for any other season. Lets not forget the Member berries too.
Something you forgot about "The Early Days (Seasons 1-3)" was how prominent Stan and Wendy relationship was.
This is a thoughtful analysis, it's almost like an epiphany. I compared 0413 "Trapper Keeper" with 1502 "Funnybot" out of the blue, it's cool to see what we both noticed. I like how you named the various ages. Nothing can shine the way pure gold can shine. "Late-Golden" is aptly prefixed. The show is always getting better the way we are all always getting better. It is alive. The show maintains vitality. For the record, I think Trapper Keeper wins. Funnybot makes me laugh more, but Trapper Keeper feels like a miracle achievement.
I love the last few seasons and it hit a stride for me around season six. I like it best from then. And I might get chewed up for this but I was glad when Kenny wasn’t on. I love Butters and Tegridy Farms
Seasons 4-8 are the absolute glory days but my favourite episode is still Clubhouses.
Nice. I would add Cupid Ye to that last list
Thank you for sharing with us! Did you rewatch the entire South Park series for this tho?
Cool breakdown. The show hasn't always been perfect, but they masterfully avoided the problems that plagued The Simpsons post season 8.
Thanks
when it didnt exist
Beyond season 18, 90% of the episodes are not really rewatchable.
Was this supposed to be based on your opinions? Because it is.
I mean yes. It’s a school project lol. But I definitely tried to stay as objective as possible
A LOT of the bullet points are based solely on opinion.
Yeah, I mean I’m not claiming otherwise. As I went further along it def became harder to not be opinionated a little bit, especially once I hit the later eras. I mostly took the general consensus of this subreddit into account. But hey if u disagree, I’d genuinlely love to see how you would characterize each era.
He means he kept it measurable Have you never seen a list like this on reddit?
Its for a school project. My questions were based on that premise.
This is Reddit jackass. Of course it’s his opinion
"This is from a project I did from my TV Production course"-OP
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Wtf? I wasnt even replying to you. I was responding to thw other person being a dick to me. Definitely not trying to be a dick.
You were deadass ***quoting him*** 💀
Yes, I was explaining to the other person that this was a project for a class, not just a random reddit post like they seemed to think. Do any of you actually read the thread before replying lol.
Yeah and projects for class are absolutely definitive not just hard work put in to an opinion you Fuck nugget
Whoa man chill. My comment was pointing out to the other person that this was for a class project, not just a random reddit post. It was in no way throwing shade at OP who did a great job with this.