"South Park," has never given a hoot. It insults everyone. If it holds anything dear, it would be a love of dark cynicism. When it happens to land some blows on liberals, the right-wing chuckles and says they can't take a joke. On occasions, it puts conservatives in its crosshairs, with lefties cheering and the right saying, "Eh, it hasn't been relevant for awhile." It is a show that wants to offend and go as far as possible. Sometimes it seems to struggle with a clear message, and other times it offers incredibly sharp satire. It's been a chunk of time (two and half years or so) since an actual season, with some scattered specials but little more. As of yesterday, however, season 27 premiered, and the show didn't shy away from anything.
Donald Trump was relentlessly mocked on, "South Park," last night. He was portrayed as a thin-skinned, sue-happy, narcissist with a tiny penis who regularly seduces the Devil. No longer was Mr. Garrison used as a Trump stand-in (which the show commented upon), it's Donald Trump in all his so-called glory. The town had shifts too. "South Park," riffed on how Cartman is despondent now that the fact he used to be offensive barely ruffles any feathers due to how everyone around him says slurs with nary a fear of consequences. The PC Principal, who used to pride himself on being, "Woke," is now the, "Power Christian Principal," who has embraced the New Testament and espouses a love Jesus. Jesus himself appears, warning the town that Trump sued the supposed Son of God, and they ought to be careful if they don't want to get canceled, "Like Colbert." This leads to the most insane conclusion I recall in a, "South Park," episode since that time Cartman tricked a kid into eating his parents as chili. A faux pro-Trump PSA.

The Pro-Trump PSA that ends this episode of, "South Park," is a work of twisted genius. An actor with Trump's face somehow deep-faked on stumbles in a desert, gets naked, and has a tiny penis with googly eyes appear endorsing the segment of how, "He Gets Us/He Trumped Us," like in those Christian TV ads. It's wild. I was giggling at it but the, "He Gets Us/Trumped Us," had me cracking up. The White House has made its displeasure with the latest episode quite apparent. Considering Paramount just paid 1.5 billion for, "South Park," to keep making new episodes (and hold the streaming rights), I guess they figured it was worth any ire/lawsuits they get from Trump.
I don't always agree with, "South Park," because sometimes it targets topics I hold differing views about--but that's the point. It jokes at the expense of everyone, and sometimes you take your licks because before too long, the other guy/gal is gonna get some damage too (and it'll be your turn to laugh). I was laughing last night for sure, with a mix of shock, delight, and because some jokes are simply clever (a gag about carbon monoxide and electric cars not producing it gave me a solid chuckle). It's going to be a wild season 27 with, "South Park," bursting out of the gate full-speed in terms of being ready to offend. I wouldn't have it any other way.
5 out of 5 Stars (for the debut episode of Season 27).