Since its debut on August 13, 1997, 327 episodes of South Park have been broadcast. Since the fourth season, episodes are generally written and produced during the week preceding its broadcast, with Parker serving as the lead writer and director. The pilot episode was produced using cutout animation the remainder of the series uses computer animation recalling the prior technique. The second short became one of the first Internet viral videos, leading to the series' production. Parker and Stone developed South Park from two animated short films, both titled The Spirit of Christmas, released in 19.

The series became infamous for its profanity and dark, surreal humor that satirizes a large range of subject matter.

South Park also features many recurring characters. The series revolves around four boys- Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick-and their exploits in and around the titular Colorado town. South Park is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone and developed by Brian Graden for Comedy Central.