Summary
Season 27 of South Park is just around the corner, bringing back a host of wacky and often controversial characters for more antics. The show’s appeal lies in these characters, whether they are celebrity parodies or the established cast members who have been around since 1997.
When it comes to identifying the best characters, there are many options to consider, but their significance and longevity are crucial factors. It’s difficult to label a character as one of the “best” if they only appear in a few episodes. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Keeping that in mind, here are the tenbest characters fromSouth Park.
10Jimmy Valmer
“Have You Seen This? Have You Heard About This?”
Compared to some other characters on this list, Jimmy is a much more recent addition. He first appeared in Season 5 as a minor character, but he has since evolved into a main cast member, regularly joining the four main boys as part of their group. Jimmy has had several memorable episodes, such as “Up The Down Steroid,” where he participates in the Special Olympics, and “Erection Day,” which explores his journey as a stand-up comedian.
He stands out due to his stutter, which has been the basis for many jokes. Notably,in the video gameSouth Park: The Stick of Truth,there is a cutscene where Jimmy stutters for an extended period until the player chooses to skip it.
9Towelie
“Always Remember To Bring A Towel!”
Towelie is a prime example of the absurd humor found in South Park. He is a genetically modified towel designed to keep people as dry as possible. However, his creation comes with controversy; it is revealed that he struggles with a drug problem and often forgets what he is supposed to be doing.
Despite appearing in only a few episodes, Towelie is considered one of the show’s best characters because the concept behind him is inherently funny. His most prominent role is in the debut episode, “A Million Little Fibres,” where he takes center stage. He also reappears in later seasons to assist Randy Marsh with his Tegridy Farms venture.
8Mr. Garrison
“And So Children…”
Herbert Garrison has been a part of the series since the very beginning and arguably has the most significant character arc. He transitions from being the boys' third-grade teacher to the president of the United States, which serves as a parody of a certain real-life politician.
As with many characters inSouth Park, Garrison is not without controversy. His strong views on sexuality and religion have stirred significant discussion. This may be one reason why Garrison’spresence in the series has diminished over the years; in later episodes, he is largely absent. The darker the humor, the more memorable the moments, and Garrison embodies this to a remarkable extent.
7Chef
“Hello There, Children!”
Chef was a central character in the early seasons of the show, providing advice and guidance to the boys as well as serving as their chef in the school cafeteria. Played by musician Isaac Hayes, Chef was memorable for his many songs, including “Chocolate Salty Balls,” which even reached number one in both the UK and Ireland.
Chef’s tenure on the show ended when his voice actor, Isaac Hayes, quit in 2006 due to the show mocking Scientology, a religion to which Hayes belonged. Sadly, the actor passed away two years later, ending any chance of a comeback for this fan-favorite character. However, the show did provide a send-off for Chef, giving the character an on-screen death in the episode titled “The Return of Chef”.
“You B*******!”
Kyle is one of the four main boys in the show and is frequently the target of jokes related to his Jewish religion, which leads to many disagreements with Cartman. He is often viewed as the show’s moral compass, consistently opposing Cartman’s nefarious schemes and standing up for what he believes is right.
In the earlier episodes, Kyle’s personality closely mirrors that of his best friend Stan. However, over time, he has evolved into a distinct character, revealing a short temper and a willingness to fight for his beliefs. While some may perceive this as egotistical or as that of a know-it-all, it explains why he holds the lowest ranking among the main characters.Nevertheless, due to his prominent presence, he still manages to rank in the top ten.
“You Killed Kenny…”
Stan is one of the four main boys in the show and has been a character since the very beginning. He is recognized as the most caring of the group and is the least likely to get involved in the various schemes, fads, and cults that are central to many episodes.
A recurring joke involves Stan’s annoyance with his dad, Randy, who often falls for these schemes first. Stan is typically seen as the main protagonist of the show; he is often the least controversial character and acts as the “straight man” amidst the zany and chaotic events happening around him. Every show likeSouth Parkneeds a character like Stan, which is why he easily ranks in the top ten characters.
“Mhmhmmhm”
Kenny is one of the most recognizable characters for fans outside of the show, primarily due to the iconic catchphrase “You killed Kenny!” which is said after his character dies. However, casual fans may not realize that this trope has not been prevalent for quite some time, as Kenny no longer dies as frequently. Over the years, his role in the show has diminished. It can be challenging to maintain a character that few people can fully understand!
Despite this, Kenny’s cultural impact has been significant, particularly in the 90s and early 2000s. Kenny merchandise was widely popular during that time.A later storyline that revitalized Kenny’s character involved him taking on the role of Mysterion, a crime-fighter whose true identity remained a mystery for several years.
“Oh Hamburgers!”
Butters has been a character since the beginning of the show, although he was not always as prominent as he is today. The Butters that fans love took time to develop. When Kenny was killed off for an entire season in Season 6, Butters stepped into his role and has remained a central character ever since.
Naive, loving, and downright adorable, Butters is often considered the heart of the show. However, he is frequently manipulated into various schemes, usually by Cartman. A notable example occurs in the episode “Casa Bonita,” where Cartman convinces him that the world has ended in order to take his place at Kyle’s birthday celebration at a Mexican restaurant. Undoubtedly, Butters is one of thebest characters inSouth Park.
2Randy Marsh
“Isn’t This America? I’m Sorry, I Thought This Was America”
Randy is the father of Stan and has taken on an increasingly prominent role in the series as it has progressed, possibly because the creators have grown older and can relate more to the adult characters. Although he is a geologist by profession, Randy is often portrayed as foolish, becoming obsessed with ridiculous ideas and trying to relive his youth, much to the annoyance of Stan and others.
He hashad many memorable momentsthroughout his time on the show, such as in “The Losing Edge,” where he aims to fight other dads at the boys' baseball games, and in “Medicinal Fried Chicken,” where he comically enlarges his testicles to obtain legal marijuana. This ridiculous scenario has become closely associated with his character, especially as he now operates “Tegridy Farms,” where he cultivates the plant.
“Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home”
There is no doubt that Cartman is the best character in South Park. He is the most famous character on the show and serves as the central figure in many episodes. Cartman is a deeply flawed person, often engaging in brutal and selfish schemes to get what he wants.
There arecountless controversial momentsinvolving Cartman, but none are more infamous than in the episode “Scott Tenorman Must Die.” In this episode, he orchestrates the murder of someone’s parents and turns them into chilli, which he then feeds to their son, all because the boy wouldn’t give him his money back. Despite his terrible actions, fans enjoy watching Cartman, especially when he ultimately faces consequences for his misdeeds.
