Home > South Park > Season 1 « TV Series Page South Park: Season 1 (1997 - 1998) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Season 8 Season 9 Season 10 Season 11 Season 12 Season 13 Season 14 Season 15 Season 16 Season 17 Season 18 Season 19 Season 20 Season 21 Season 22 Season 23 Want to see Episode List Season 1 South Park Critics Consensus South Park is gallingly crude in both its humor and art style, but this upstart cartoon is blisteringly funny as it blasphemes against conservative and liberal attitudes alike. 82% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 11 85% Audience Score User Ratings: 242 More Info × Close Submit review Want to see Submit review Super Reviewer Super Reviewer Tap to review this movie Review this tv season Edit Review Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? 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Episodes 1 Cartman Gets an Anal Probe Air date: Aug 13, 1997 After a thrilling game of "Kick The Baby," Kyle's adopted brother Ike is abducted by the same aliens who had visited Cartman the night before in order to insert a big metal hooba-jube into his rectum. The anal probe causes Cartman to expel flaming gas and eventually sprout an 80-foot satellite dish, which attracts the aliens. Kyle's barrage of obscenities prompts Ike's release, and the aliens present a gift to the beings of earth they have judged to be the most intelligent and wise (not humans, of course) before they leave. More 2 Volcano Air date: Aug 20, 1997 Armed with high-powered weapons and alcohol, the boys head out into the mountains with Stan's Uncle Jimbo. Little do they know that the legendary creature Scuzzlebutt actually roams the mountainside. Meanwhile, the town of South Park must deal with the threat of an erupting volcano, and the deadly hot lava which could destroy the town. Scuzzlebutt turns out to be a benevolent monster and saves the day, but is rewarded by being shot in the head by Stan, who is receiving mixed messages from his elders. More 3 Weight Gain 4000 Air date: Aug 27, 1997 Cartman's prize-winning essay on environmentalism (a.k.a. Thoreau's Walden) brings Kathie Lee Gifford, encased in bullet-proof glass, to South Park to give him the award. Cartman consumes vast quantities of Weight Gain 4000 so that by the time the television cameras arrive, he'll be a totally ripped Beefcake. Mr. Garrison has other plans for Kathie Lee's visit however, involving an automatic rifle and a book depository. More 4 Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride Air date: Sep 3, 1997 As South Park Elementary's football team gears up for their big game against Middle Park, Stan's new dog Sparky is discovered to be gay. Feeling unwanted, Sparky runs away to Big Gay Al's animal sanctuary, where gay animals can live without fear and enjoy their own gay animal dance club. Stan finds Sparky and takes the Big Gay Boatride (which might also be called "It's a Gay World After All"), during which he realizes that it's OK to be gay. Stan returns to the football field, where he leads his team to a touchdown, beating the spread. More 5 An Elephant Makes Love to a Pig Air date: Sep 10, 1997 For their science fair project, the boys decide to splice elephant DNA with pot-bellied pig DNA to make pot-bellied elephants. They visit the Genetic Engineering Ranch for help, but learn that pig and elephant DNA just don't splice, and they must rely on Chef's advice on how to get the elephant and pig to get it on. Meanwhile, a mutant Stan clone wreaks havoc on the town and is tracked down by his maker. More 6 Death Air date: Sep 17, 1997 Stan's aging Grampa begs for death by any means possible, whether it be by hanging or a falling cow. He's having a hard time convincing Stan to kill him, though. When Death finally comes knocking, Grampa is ecstatic, until we learn that Death is actually coming for one of the boys (2 guesses which one). More 7 Pink Eye Air date: Oct 29, 1997 Kenny dies at the very beginning of this Halloween special, but is revived as a zombie when he is filled with Worcestershire sauce instead of embalming fluid. The doctor diagnoses his condition as the dreaded Pink Eye, which Kenny passes around by biting other townspeople. Back at the school, Cartman gets into trouble for dressing as Adolph Hitler for Halloween; the principal insists that he put on a sheet, but he ends up looking like a Klansman, which gives Chef a fright. Kenny continues to create more zombies until the boys find out that they can change everyone back if they kill the original zombie. More 8 Starvin' Marvin Air date: Nov 19, 1997 The boys donate money to support an Ethiopian so they can receive a free sports watch. Instead of the watch, though, they receive an Ethiopian boy, whom they name Starvin' Marvin. Marvin begins to feel at home in South Park, so when the authorities come to retrieve him, he sends Cartman instead. A lost little American boy in Ethiopia, Cartman struggles to survive before finding Sally Struthers' horde of snacky cakes. Cartman returns to South Park, and Marvin returns to Africa, bringing with him enough turkey to feed his family. More 9 Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo Air date: Dec 17, 1997 Kyle finds out that it's hard to be a Jew at Christmas. His mother protests the use of a Nativity scene in the Christmas show, which eventually becomes a "non-offensive" show featuring the music of Philip Glass. Kyle finds solace with Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo, who brings a message of good will to all, regardless of belief. This episode features several songs, including the Cartman classic, "Kyle's Mom's a Bitch." More 10 Damien Air date: Feb 4, 1998 Lucifer's offspring is the new kid at South Park Elementary, and being the spawn of Satan makes it hard for him to be accepted by the other kids. Meanwhile, his father, the Prince of Darkness himself, is on the way to South Park for a battle with Jesus, host of a talk show on South Park community access cable. The big fight happens to coincide with Cartman's legendary birthday party, where Damien proves that he can fit in with the other boys by torturing Pip, the annoying French kid. In the end, it is the townspeople who pay the price by betting on Satan who, fiend that he is, takes a dive and wins all of their cash. More Show More Episodes South Park: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (9) Tv Season Info The debut series of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's often outrageous satirical animated program "South Park" introduces the world to four elementary school friends -- Stan Marsh, Kyle Braflovski, foulmouthed Eric Cartman, and mumble-mouthed Kenny McCormick -- whose many misadventures skewer various aspects of popular culture. The debut series includes the GLAAD nominated "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride," the alien-abduction episode "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe," the introduction of "Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo," and ends with a cliffhanger that promised to reveal the identity of Cartman's father. Genre: Animation Network: Comedy Central Premiere Date: Aug 13, 1997 Exec. Producers: Anne Garefino, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Brian Graden, Deborah Liebling Cast Matt Stone Trey Parker Isaac Hayes as Chef Michael Buffer Natasha Henstridge Episodes 1 Cartman Gets an Anal Probe Air date: Aug 13, 1997 After a thrilling game of "Kick The Baby," Kyle's adopted brother Ike is abducted by the same aliens who had visited Cartman the night before in order to insert a big metal hooba-jube into his rectum. The anal probe causes Cartman to expel flaming gas and eventually sprout an 80-foot satellite dish, which attracts the aliens. Kyle's barrage of obscenities prompts Ike's release, and the aliens present a gift to the beings of earth they have judged to be the most intelligent and wise (not humans, of course) before they leave. More 2 Volcano Air date: Aug 20, 1997 Armed with high-powered weapons and alcohol, the boys head out into the mountains with Stan's Uncle Jimbo. Little do they know that the legendary creature Scuzzlebutt actually roams the mountainside. Meanwhile, the town of South Park must deal with the threat of an erupting volcano, and the deadly hot lava which could destroy the town. Scuzzlebutt turns out to be a benevolent monster and saves the day, but is rewarded by being shot in the head by Stan, who is receiving mixed messages from his elders. More 3 Weight Gain 4000 Air date: Aug 27, 1997 Cartman's prize-winning essay on environmentalism (a.k.a. Thoreau's Walden) brings Kathie Lee Gifford, encased in bullet-proof glass, to South Park to give him the award. Cartman consumes vast quantities of Weight Gain 4000 so that by the time the television cameras arrive, he'll be a totally ripped Beefcake. Mr. Garrison has other plans for Kathie Lee's visit however, involving an automatic rifle and a book depository. More 4 Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride Air date: Sep 3, 1997 As South Park Elementary's football team gears up for their big game against Middle Park, Stan's new dog Sparky is discovered to be gay. Feeling unwanted, Sparky runs away to Big Gay Al's animal sanctuary, where gay animals can live without fear and enjoy their own gay animal dance club. Stan finds Sparky and takes the Big Gay Boatride (which might also be called "It's a Gay World After All"), during which he realizes that it's OK to be gay. Stan returns to the football field, where he leads his team to a touchdown, beating the spread. More 5 An Elephant Makes Love to a Pig Air date: Sep 10, 1997 For their science fair project, the boys decide to splice elephant DNA with pot-bellied pig DNA to make pot-bellied elephants. They visit the Genetic Engineering Ranch for help, but learn that pig and elephant DNA just don't splice, and they must rely on Chef's advice on how to get the elephant and pig to get it on. Meanwhile, a mutant Stan clone wreaks havoc on the town and is tracked down by his maker. More 6 Death Air date: Sep 17, 1997 Stan's aging Grampa begs for death by any means possible, whether it be by hanging or a falling cow. He's having a hard time convincing Stan to kill him, though. When Death finally comes knocking, Grampa is ecstatic, until we learn that Death is actually coming for one of the boys (2 guesses which one). More 7 Pink Eye Air date: Oct 29, 1997 Kenny dies at the very beginning of this Halloween special, but is revived as a zombie when he is filled with Worcestershire sauce instead of embalming fluid. The doctor diagnoses his condition as the dreaded Pink Eye, which Kenny passes around by biting other townspeople. Back at the school, Cartman gets into trouble for dressing as Adolph Hitler for Halloween; the principal insists that he put on a sheet, but he ends up looking like a Klansman, which gives Chef a fright. Kenny continues to create more zombies until the boys find out that they can change everyone back if they kill the original zombie. More 8 Starvin' Marvin Air date: Nov 19, 1997 The boys donate money to support an Ethiopian so they can receive a free sports watch. Instead of the watch, though, they receive an Ethiopian boy, whom they name Starvin' Marvin. Marvin begins to feel at home in South Park, so when the authorities come to retrieve him, he sends Cartman instead. A lost little American boy in Ethiopia, Cartman struggles to survive before finding Sally Struthers' horde of snacky cakes. Cartman returns to South Park, and Marvin returns to Africa, bringing with him enough turkey to feed his family. More 9 Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo Air date: Dec 17, 1997 Kyle finds out that it's hard to be a Jew at Christmas. His mother protests the use of a Nativity scene in the Christmas show, which eventually becomes a "non-offensive" show featuring the music of Philip Glass. Kyle finds solace with Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo, who brings a message of good will to all, regardless of belief. This episode features several songs, including the Cartman classic, "Kyle's Mom's a Bitch." More 10 Damien Air date: Feb 4, 1998 Lucifer's offspring is the new kid at South Park Elementary, and being the spawn of Satan makes it hard for him to be accepted by the other kids. Meanwhile, his father, the Prince of Darkness himself, is on the way to South Park for a battle with Jesus, host of a talk show on South Park community access cable. The big fight happens to coincide with Cartman's legendary birthday party, where Damien proves that he can fit in with the other boys by torturing Pip, the annoying French kid. In the end, it is the townspeople who pay the price by betting on Satan who, fiend that he is, takes a dive and wins all of their cash. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for South Park Season 1 All Critics (11) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (2) Rendered in the wanting style of a cheesy, early 1960's cartoon, South Park is a witless offering that wants to score as it seeks to be pointedly outrageous and aggressively offensive but clocks in as merely dumb. Jan 26, 2018 | Full Review… Miles Beller Hollywood Reporter Top Critic TOO BAD, KIDS! South Park... is for grownups albeit grownups who aren't put off by some blood, some guts and some sure-fire passing-gas jokes along with the show's sardonic observations about kids, parenting, politics and media. Sep 9, 2013 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… Eric Mink New York Daily News Top Critic Beneath the rough edges... are some knowingly clever observations about childhood and popular culture. Sep 9, 2013 | Full Review… Brian Lowry Los Angeles Times Top Critic So far, 'South Park' succeeds best in small touches. Sep 9, 2013 | Full Review… Caryn James New York Times Top Critic It might help if the South Park kids had personalities, but they're as one-dimensional as the show's cut-and-paste animation. Sep 9, 2013 | Rating: C | Full Review… Bruce Fretts Entertainment Weekly Top Critic Part of what made the show seem so unusual when it was in its first full flush of success was the way that it managed to be everywhere while also seeming so thoroughly disposable. Sep 11, 2013 | Full Review… Phil Dyess-Nugent AV Club Top Critic The genius of Parker and Stone is the incongruity between the innocent look of the characters and the outlandish invective that spews from their yaps and gives South Park its deliciously wigged-out sensibility. Sep 9, 2013 | Full Review… Ray Richmond Variety Top Critic Shocking, offensive, and hilarious, South Park continues to undermine authority with its creative and insightful critiques of the media, politics, and celebrity hype. Mar 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Marjorie Kase Common Sense Media This is proto-South Park. It's rough and dirty, fast and offensive - like a drive-by. Only funnier. Sep 12, 2013 | Rating: 9/10 | Full Review… Travis Fickett IGN Movies Even if we were always the butt of every South Park gag, we were also always in on the joke. Aug 31, 2018 | Full Review… K. Austin Collins Vanity Fair South Park strikes a great balance between the family orientated Simpsons, and the adult humor of Family Guy, whilst proving far more funny and far less irritating than the loud-mouthed latter. Mar 7, 2019 | Full Review… Matt Haigh Den of Geek View All Critic Reviews (11) Audience Reviews for South Park: Season 1 Feb 15, 2017 "Oh my god, they killed Kenny!" Hilariously entertaining, Season 1 of Comedy Central's hit animated series South Park delivers a ton of laughs. The show follows a group of elementary school students named Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny as they get into wacky adventures, including alien abductions, an erupting volcano, a zombie outbreak, wild turkey attacks, and a rampaging genetic clone. The animation is rather crude, but the simpleness has a sort of charm to it and serves as a clever juxtaposition to the adult humor. And the comedy is really well-written, with plenty of no holds barred lampooning of celebrities. Fresh and exciting, South Park delivers an incredible first season. Dann M Super Reviewer Oct 23, 2019 The first season is an absolute classic now. I remember seeing the first few episodes and I couldn't stop laughing because of how ridiculous the animation was and how offensive it was. Russell H Sep 22, 2019 the start of the show couldnt have been better this is classic south park christopher p Sep 03, 2019 This Show always stays so fresh after 22 seasons Trent R Jul 07, 2019 The season that started it all.. the one that started what I consider to be the single best animated TV Show of all time. in Season One of South Park The voice of some of the characters is still not established, the animation is too crude and there is not a single episode here that should be on any all-time best list, However none of the episodes are bad or borderline unwatchable, the social and political commentary does not get in the way of the humor which is surprisingly good at times. But what really makes South Park work are the characters: Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, Kenny Mccormick and Chef are some of the very best characters of all time. Overall it's nothing spectacular, but for the very first season, it is really good and holds up pretty well. Best Episode: "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" Worst Episode: "Cartman's Mom.... " Yannick D May 24, 2019 Favorite show since childhood! Joshua L Jan 01, 2019 South Park at its best. Wildly ridiculous and funny this season is well worth the watch. Brett M Apr 26, 2018 The early work is just as good as the new stuff Liam R Sep 20, 2017 The best show ever! Best season to start with everyone watched when it first came out and it became a hit! Start with this season and then you'll be ready for Season 2, 3 and then eventually make your way all the way down. What I miss in the newer seasons is the third grade maybe the reason in Season 3 they didn't make new episodes for a month is because they had to rewrite the episodes with Stan and Wendy because Mary Kay Bergman died and that's effected the show's timeline since. They became an even edgier show paving the way for a more loving towards gay society and everyone it was the plan since they were moving into the new century in 2000. But that's no need to make the current seasons politically correct. It's just so complicated because they would need to replace Chef. Maybe they need to return to the third grade and write more stories like they originally planned. Mary Kay did the best job as the voice of Wendy Testaburger they should hire on of her former students Grey Delisle she can do hundreds of voices just like Mary Kay could. She should continue to do the voice of Wendy Testaburger instead of April Stewart. And Isaac Hayes the Third should be hired to do the voice of Chef in memory of his father and to show he never really quit the show. Connor P Jan 20, 2017 South Park Season 1 is one of the GREATEST American TV programs I've ever seen in my life. Stanley C See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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