South Park: Season 5 (2001)

In this wicked satire of network television standards and envelope-pushing programming, the people of South Park become obsessed with a television cop show in which people say the "S" word on the air. Soon, everyone in South Park is using the word regularly. This leads to an ancient curse being revived. This show made headlines because the "S" word was uttered 162 times without ever being bleeped. For those unwilling to keep track on their own, a counter is maintained on the screen that tallies the number of times the word is said. "It Hits the Fan" aired June 20, 2001, on Comedy Central. This episode was the first to air during the fifth season, although it was technically the second one produced.

Big Gay Al comes back to town in this episode of South Park. Parents, threatened that Al is a Scout Master, shove him out of the organization. Sadly, the replacement is truly harmful to the kids. Meanwhile, Jimmy, the new kid, starts winning friends with his stand-up comedy based on his physical handicap. Timmy seethes with jealousy until they engage in a fistfight that recalls the extended slugfest in John Carpenter's They Live. Not for the easily offended, "Cripple Fight" first aired June 27, 2001, on Comedy Central.

This typically irreverent episode of South Park satirizes/pays tribute to the classic ABC Saturday morning cartoon Superfriends. Master magician David Blaine has formed a cult that the boys discover is dangerous. After consulting with Jesus, the motley Super Best Friends are called into action. Just in time for Independence Day, this episode is highlighted by a concluding battle involving a giant Abraham Lincoln. "Super Best Friends" first aired July 4, 2001, on Comedy Central.

This episode of South Park involves an irreverent, slightly disturbing tale of revenge. After high-schooler Scott Tenorman repeatedly humiliates Cartman (usually in ways that involve pubic hair), Eric hatches an elaborate plan, involving chili, to humiliate Scott in front of his favorite rock band Radiohead (who, in the tradition of Korn, actually perform their own voice work in the episode). Not for the easily disgusted, "Scott Tenorman Must Die" first aired July 11, 2001. Although it was the fourth episode to air during the show's fifth season, it was actually the first to be produced.

This typically irreverent episode of South Park was obviously inspired by VH1's Behind the Music. Wanting to have the best Earth Day ever, the boys promise to get those great Canadian comics Terrance and Phillip to perform. Sadly, they are no longer on speaking terms with each other. One has grown fat and depressed, while the other continues the act with an unsatisfactory replacement. The boys must get them to put aside their differences long enough to perform. "Terrance and Phillip: Behind the Blow," first aired July 18, 2001, on Comedy Central.

Cartman learns a painful lesson about economics while Kyle clings to life in this typically irreverent episode of South Park. Cartman buys his own amusement park, and refuses to allow anyone to share it, when he inherits one million dollars. Kyle is diagnosed with a very painful hemorrhoid. Kyle loses faith in God because he suffers while the loathsome Cartman is deliriously happy. By the end of the episode the tables have been turned, and Kyle's faith is restored. "Cartmanland" first aired July 25, 2001, on Comedy Central.

Even by South Park standards, this is a remarkably irreverent episode. The teachers of the town must start teaching sex education, but they are as misinformed as the kids, causing the boys and the girls to live in fear of each other. While Mr. Mackey and Ms. Choksondik tentatively begin a sexual relationship, Mr. Garrison warps the minds of his kindergarten class with a bizarrely detailed list of information. Eventually the boys and girls are able to overcome their hysterical need to avoid each other. "Proper Condim Use" first aired August 1, 2001, on Comedy Central.

The gang tries to protect a new resident in South Park from the government.

Taking a break from humiliating Saddam Hussein, Trey Parker and Matt Stone destroy Osama Bin Laden in this patriotic, irreverent episode of South Park. Fart jokes, a lesson in humanitarianism, and a loving tribute to old Warner Brothers cartoons all come together when the boys find themselves in Afghanistan to make this one of the more memorable episodes in South Park history. "Osama Bin Laden Has Farty Pants" first aired November 7, 2001 on Comedy Central.