In a self-referential move, the latest episode of 'South Park' has acknowledged criticism of its recent political focus. The Halloween special, titled 'The Woman in the Hat', features Stan admitting that 'South Park sucks now' following his father's job loss due to a government shutdown.
The episode sees the children creating a 'South Park Sucks Now' crypto meme in an attempt to escape their grandfather's retirement home. It culminates in a seance at the White House, where Donald Trump is haunted by a ghostly Melania, with cameos from Pam Bondi, Brendan Carr, and Kristi Noem.
The show's 27th season drew backlash for its overt political satire, a departure from its earlier style. The new episode explicitly addresses this, with Stan blaming the show's decline on 'all this political shit'. Paramount previously signed a $1.5 billion deal for the show's back catalogue and future episodes.
Commentators note that while the show has always tackled social commentary, viewers' perceptions may have shifted. The episode ends with Kyle's cousin being arrested for admitting the crypto scheme is a scam, further underscoring the show's critical stance on modern trends.
