new South Park season can fix some previous problems and issues from past seasons.
Many find the show a cathartic release and comic take on current events, with episodes often written to reflect the news directly. However, South Park has many controversial episodes, leaving audiences frequently divided on the show's appropriateness. However, one small change could help make the show more palatable for many audiences. The new season has the opportunity to make the characters more enduring and increase audience engagement with the show, encouraging returning viewership.
South Park Season 27 Needs More Serialized Storytelling After Season 19 Did It So Well
Serialized Storytelling Creates Larger Narrative Arcs Throughout The Season
South Park often takes an episodic format without a larger arc or theme across the season. Episodic storytelling allows audiences to watch a random episode without knowing much about the episode's context within the show. Each episode is a self-contained story that is only sometimes referenced again in the season. This approach allows the show to provide commentary on even extremely recent events since each episode can be written quickly and stand alone without trying to fit into a larger narrative.
South Park season 27 will premiere in 2025.
South Park last used serialized storytelling in its 19th season in 2015. Serialized storytelling encourages watching an entire season to follow along with the characters. This method allows South Park to explore ongoing storylines or character arcs that unfold over several episodes. The episode-to-episode continuity of season 19 explored the theme of political correctness, with the characters exploring different aspects of it in each episode and introducing the new character, PC Principal.
South Park Hasn't Fully Embraced Serialized Seasons In Recent Years
It Relies Mainly On The Timeliness Of Each Episode's Topics To Succeed
While South Park has experimented with minor amounts of serialized storytelling in recent seasons, it has yet to consistently embrace it since season 19. The show often swings back to its classic episodic format, which can feel disted, especially when fans are craving deeper narratives. Though charming, the sporadic nature of South Park's storytelling often detracts from the overall development of the show.
South Park Season 27’s Release Date All But Guarantees A Huge 26-Year Streak Will Come To An End
South Park season 27's late arrival means the long-running cartoon comedy is officially ending a 26-year streak in its history of political parody.
In South Park, the episodic episodes act as time capsules, reflecting the current events at the time of writing. This can discourage rewatching the show, since the old episodes are no longer as pertinent, making it harder to understand all the nuances. With the arcs of a serialized format, the viewers can rewatch to see the characters' growth and significant plot developments.
This is a great chance to pay homage to the past 27 years of the show, honoring how far South Park has come and how much characters can change.
This storytelling method also gives viewers a more satisfying sense of continuity, rewarding fans who watch the whole season. It also provides an opportunity to revisit and bring back memorable South Park characters, reincorporating them into the plots. This is a great chance to pay homage to the past 27 seasons of the show, honoring how far South Park has come and how much characters can change.
Why Serialized Episodes Suit South Park's Modern Structure & Style
More Intertwined Episodes Allow For More Nuance
Serialized storytelling ultimately allows for more nuanced commentary on social issues and current events, plot points on which South Park heavily relies. Issues like technology, social media, and political climate could be tackled in a more cohesive way, giving episodes a sense of continuity and urgency rather than sporadic exploration of topics. The capabilities of serialized storytelling are highlighted in the eight South Park movies. The feature-length films dive into more specific issues while still showcasing the South Park universe's quick wit and outlandish humor.
Specific issues explored in South Park movies include obesity, COVID-19, and social media influencers.
This method also provides the opportunity for more remarkable character growth. When audiences see a character evolve throughout the season, they feel more attached to the story. South Park will be better able to weave together narratives that deepen character arcs and build on themes throughout the season. Serialized storytelling increases audience investment and retention since they care about the storylines and arcs and feel more inclined to watch more of the season.
The 20 Best South Park Episodes Of All Time, Ranked
From warcraft parodies to Kanye West's obsession with a joke, here's our guide to the best South Park episodes of all time.
Many modern shows have shifted to the serialized format. This is partly a marketing move to increase audience retention, but it also often allows for better and more nuanced storytelling. South Park has been telling the stories of a beloved group of kids for years but never truly allows for their development. Instead of each episode being a small peek into the characters' lives, the season would extend and further appreciate the developing stories. With the subtext and nuance that South Park typically utilizes, it seems obvious that larger season arcs could help elevate the show.
South Park
- Release Date
- August 13, 1997
- Network
- Comedy Central
- Showrunner
- Trey Parker
Cast
Karri TurnerLiane Cartman / Wendy Testaburger / Mrs. Crabtree (voice)
Matt StoneKyle Broflovski / Kenny McCormick (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
South Park follows the irreverent misadventures of four grade-schoolers—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—that take place in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado. The animated series explores various social and political issues through its characters' humorous and often absurd escapades.
- Seasons
- 26
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