Comedy Central has confirmed that South Park will not air its planned new episode this Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the network revealed it would be postponing it by one week.
The postponement occurs as the comedic series endures scrutiny following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was satirized in an episode earlier this season.
‘Apparently when you leave things until the last minute, sometimes they don’t get completed,’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone confessed in a statement. ‘This one’s on us. We didn’t manage to finish it in time. We appreciate Comedy Central and South Park fans for being so understanding. Catch us next week!’
Even though Comedy Central hadn’t done its usual promotion for the postponed episode, fans speculated it might reference Kirk’s assassination, considering the show’s habit of commenting on current events.
After Kirk’s assassination, some of his MAGA supporters lashed out at the series, claiming it had fueled hostility toward him.
Comedy Central has confirmed that South Park will not air its planned new episode this Wednesday
One user accused South Park of ‘encouraging the animosity that led to Kirk’s assassination,’ while another suggested Parker and Stone were ‘accountable.’
In reaction, Comedy Central swiftly removed the episode, titled Got a Nut, which featured Kirk’s parody character, from its broadcast lineup the evening of the shooting.
The peculiar episode follows the storyline of school counselor Mr. Mackey seeking a job with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after losing his position due to federal budget cuts.
Parody versions of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump and Vice President JC Vance appear.
While Noem shoots at innocent dogs and Trump is seen in bed with the devil, the plot also follows character Eric Cartman, who imitates Kirk.
Cartman launches a podcast and starts debating ‘woke, liberal students,’ just as Kirk was known for doing.
In one portion of the show, Cartman fights with a college student on the topic of abortion, mirroring Kirk’s blunt and combative style and his physical features.
But the Kirk-mocking character is battling the student virtually as he sits on a toilet bowl – a dig at the real-life conservative commentator.
The delay comes as the series continues to face scrutiny in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk , who was lampooned in an earlier episode this season; seen in March 2025
In another scene, ‘master debater’ Cartman tackles another Kirk-esque influencer hosting a rally at a college campus and takes over the show – Bible in hand.
It still remains available on Paramount+.
Before his death, Kirk himself took the parody in stride.
He proudly reposted a clip from the episode and later told Fox News he was flattered by the attention.
‘Honestly, my first reaction is that I kinda laughed,’ he said at the time, describing himself as a lifelong South Park fan.
He continued: ‘They’re going to obviously make fun of me… but I think it’s kind of funny and it kind of goes to show the cultural impact and the resonance that our movement has been able to achieve.’
‘We as conservatives should be able to take a joke,’ he added. ‘We shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously.’
‘Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don’t get it done,’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone (seen in July 2025) admitted in a statement
This season of South Park is airing bi-weekly, with new episodes now slated for Sept. 24, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Nov. 26, and Dec. 10.
Kirk, 31, was assassinated while taking questions from the crowd at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika Frantzve, with whom he had a three-year-old daughter and a son, 16 months.
Known for spreading his Catholic faith, traditional values and conservative stances to America’s youth and young adults through college campus debates, Kirk was killed during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour.
What began as a normal one of Kirk’s famous college student encounters ended in bloodshed when a single bullet struck his neck around 12pm local time.
Terror ensued throughout the crowd as blood spilled from his neck while he tipped back in his chair.
Ring-winged influencer Charlie Kirk (pictured) eerily spoke about gun violence as he was gorily assassinated at a Utah Valley University Rally
After the gun shot rang, panic ensued among the masses, causing them to flee the scene (pictured)
His death was announced a few hours later by President Donald Trump.
In honor of the passionate podcast host, Trump declared that all American Flags across the nation will be lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening.
‘This is a dark day for our state, it’s a tragic day for our nation,’ Republican Governor Cox said.
‘I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.’
Kirk’s death sparked chaos among the House of Representatives – with Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for his assassination after House Speaker Mike Johnson requested a prayer in his honor.
Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika Frantzve , with whom he had a three-year-old daughter and a son, 16 months (pictured: Kirk and his family)
But leaders across party lines have spoken out against the sickening act of violence, condemning politically-driven violence.
‘I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family,’ Kamala Harris wrote on X.
‘Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.’
In official remarks about Kirk, Trump said he is ‘filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination.
‘Charlie inspired millions and tonight, all that knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.’
