The latest episode of South Park, which was unexpectedly delayed, has finally aired on Comedy Central. The episode, notably the first since the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, set its sights on a new provocative target: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr.
Just last week, the highly anticipated South Park episode faced an abrupt postponement, mere hours before its scheduled broadcast. Co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone promptly took responsibility, stating the delay was due to production issues on their end.
Known for their rapid, week-by-week production cycle that keeps the show incredibly topical, Parker and Stone have, however, shifted to a bi-weekly release schedule for the current season. This extended timeframe is reportedly welcomed by Paramount, as it gives the duo more creative breathing room.
This sudden delay immediately fueled speculation that the episode was held back due to concerns about potential backlash. This concern arose in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of Donald Trump, who was tragically killed at a Utah university on September 10. Notably, Comedy Central had previously removed a rerun of South Park Season 27, Episode 2, titled ‘Got a Nut,’ which featured Eric Cartman comically portraying a right-wing podcaster in a manner strikingly similar to Kirk, even presenting an award named ‘The Charlie Kirk Award for Young Masterdebaters.’
Warning! Spoilers for South Park Season 27 Episode 5 below!
In the new episode, ‘Conflict of Interest,’ South Park zeroes in on FCC chairman Brendan Carr. The plot creatively weaves together the world of prediction market apps with former President Trump’s hilariously failed efforts to get rid of his and Satan’s offspring.
In a bizarre turn of events, Trump sets a series of traps for Satan, intended to harm their unborn child. However, Carr accidentally activates these traps, leading to his hospitalization with toxoplasmosis from cat feces exposure. The doctor’s grim diagnosis: “His bones are healing so he may regain full range of motion, but if the toxoplasmosis parasite gets to his brain, I’m afraid he may lose his freedom of speech.”
(A clip from the episode was shared on South Park’s official social media, humorously highlighting the doctor’s prognosis about Carr potentially losing his freedom of speech.)
This dramatic storyline directly parodies Carr’s controversial role in the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. On September 17, 2025, ABC indefinitely pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel’s on-air remarks regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The network took this drastic step following threats of regulatory action from the FCC, sparking widespread concern that the Trump administration was attempting to silence its critics by influencing the agency responsible for regulating U.S. broadcast communications.
During his monologue, Kimmel asserted that the “Maga gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” and was “trying everything they can” to “score political points from it.”
He further criticized Trump’s response to Kirk’s death, likening it to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.” Despite his critical commentary, Kimmel had also expressed condemnation of the attack and extended his condolences to the Kirk family.
Carr, in response, publicly lambasted Kimmel for “the sickest conduct possible,” warning that networks such as Disney-owned ABC “could find ways to change conduct and take action… or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC.”
An accompanying image features Brendan Carr, Chairman of the FCC, from the Concordia Annual Summit.
Adding to the contentious atmosphere, then-U.S. President Donald Trump publicly suggested that television networks critical of him should have their broadcasting licenses revoked, a sentiment reported by the BBC.
Trump stated, “I have read some place that the networks were 97% against me, again, 97% negative, and yet I won and easily [in last year’s election],” Trump said. “They give me only bad publicity [and] press. I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away.”
Following the controversy, ABC reinstated Kimmel, who made a powerful return to late-night television this week. His emotional monologue passionately criticized what he called “anti-American” threats to free speech. Despite this, Carr has continued to assert that his earlier remarks about Kimmel played no role in ABC’s initial decision to suspend the show.
The South Park episode escalates when JD Vance enters the narrative, also seeking to eliminate Trump and Satan’s baby, fearing it might usurp his own path to the presidency. Vance delivers a menacing ultimatum to Carr, whom he perceives as obstructing his goals: “We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way.”
This line directly references Carr’s own chilling words on a right-wing podcast, where he issued a similar “easy way or the hard way” warning shortly before ABC decided to suspend Jimmy Kimmel.
Interestingly, during Kimmel’s Tuesday night comeback, legendary actor Robert De Niro made a surprise cameo, portraying an FCC boss. The skit saw De Niro furious when Kimmel hinted that the FCC was employing “mob tactics” to stifle free speech. “What the f*** did you just say to me?” De Niro retorted, in a moment that cleverly echoed his iconic gangster roles, particularly in Goodfellas.
When Kimmel humorously cautioned De Niro about swearing to avoid FCC fines, De Niro delivered the punchline: “I am the FCC.”
(Another social media clip showcased Robert De Niro’s memorable portrayal of Brendan Carr on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, much to the delight of viewers.)
South Park’s recent episodes have garnered record-breaking ratings and global attention for their fearless and uncensored lampooning of President Trump. However, this level of detailed, topical humor requires more production time. As a result, South Park will observe another two-week hiatus before returning to its bi-weekly broadcast schedule from October 15 through December 10.