Kenny Dies

Last updated

"Kenny Dies"
South Park episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 13
Directed by Trey Parker
Written byTrey Parker
Featured music"On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson
"Heat of the Moment" by Asia
Production code513
Original air dateDecember 5, 2001 (2001-12-05)
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Here Comes the Neighborhood"		Next →
"Butters' Very Own Episode"
South Park season 5
List of episodes

"Kenny Dies" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the animated television series South Park , and the 78th episode of the series overall. "Kenny Dies" originally aired in the United States on December 5, 2001 on Comedy Central and in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2002 on Sky One. In the episode, Cartman comes across a truckload of fetuses he cannot sell thanks to a recent government ruling on stem cell research. When Kenny is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Cartman uses it to lobby Congress to restore stem cell research.

Contents

The episode was written and directed by series co-creator Trey Parker and is rated TV-MA in the United States, except on syndicated broadcasts and post-2017 reruns on Comedy Central, where the episode is instead rated TV-14. The gag of Kenny dying in almost every episode was dropped after this episode, and he did not reappear bodily until "Red Sleigh Down", due to fans being upset over his absence all throughout season 6 in 2002. This was the final appearance of the "4th Grade" title sequence, which was first seen in "4th Grade." On the DVD commentary for the episode, Parker and Matt Stone state that they had originally planned to kill Kyle off for a year, but decided to kill Kenny instead as they were running out of original ways to kill him.

Plot

The episode begins in an abortion clinic, a woman is giving her permission for scientists to use her dead fetus for stem cell research. However, during the transport of the fetuses the driver swerves and falls off a mountain road due to a deer running across the road and the truck gets destroyed which was carrying all the fetuses from the clinic to Alder Research Group. Cartman happens to be passing the crash at this moment, and he notices the fetuses from the truck. He then steals the fetuses, he starts calling companies hoping that he would be able to resell the fetuses and get a huge profit off of them.

Meanwhile, the boys find out that Kenny has been diagnosed with a terminal disease, which while not named in the show is confirmed to be muscular dystrophy. Everyone is shocked by the news, and everyone except Stan tries their best to be confident for Kenny's sake. Stan, however, is too upset to be near Kenny in his state and refuses to even visit him.

Cartman wants to restore stem cell research, and a researcher explains to Cartman about how the studies actually work. With this information, Cartman realizes that the SCR might also be used to help Kenny recover from his illness. He then thinks that the research could also be used to duplicate a "Shakey's Pizza". The researcher recommends using lumber for that second idea.

Then Cartman goes to the government court and gives a very thoughtful speech to the House of Representatives, requesting that the SCR ban be lifted, explaining about his best friend, Kenny, who is slowly dying as they speak. He then says that he believes the research can save Kenny's life. The House of Representatives committee then lifts the ban after Cartman sings "Heat of the Moment". Cartman begins visiting abortion clinics throughout the area, in order to collect even more aborted fetuses.

Meanwhile, after Chef gives Stan a little lecture on death, and why God lets it happen at any given time, Stan finally comes to terms with Kenny dying. He also finds out that Stem Cell Research has been made legal again, and with the hope that a cure might be found, rushes to visit Kenny. Unfortunately, Kenny's hospital room is empty, and the teddy bear he was given is on the floor, seemingly holding onto the unmade bed Kenny slept in. Stan knows what this means - Kyle says he just stopped breathing, and it was over. He also adds that Kenny's last words were "Where's Stan?"

At the funeral, Stan feels extremely guilty over not seeing Kenny before he died, and considers himself to have been Kenny's worst friend. As the funeral takes place, though, Cartman comes rushing in and drags Stan and Kyle out of the ceremony, explaining that they have to see the "miracle" that has just occurred. The boys are shocked and disgusted to see that, instead of using the stem cells to save Kenny, Cartman only wanted them so he could duplicate a Shakey's Pizza. Kyle is absolutely furious that Cartman used Kenny's illness and death just so he could have his own Shakey's and launches a furious beating against him, while Stan feels better now that he knows it was Cartman who was Kenny's worst friend.

Reception

Serene Dominic of the Detroit Metro Times called the scene where Cartman leads members of the United States Congress in a sing-along of "Heat of the Moment" as the "Greatest Cartoon Moment" in the career of the original four members of Asia. [1] In an article for ESPN.com , Tim Kavanagh discussed stem cells and how they were used in the episode, writing, "This, as with many other important topics of our day, I learned from "South Park," specifically Episode 513, entitled 'Kenny Dies.'" [2] In a review of the South Park season 5 DVD release, Choire Sicha of The New York Times gave a "not-so-surprising surprise ending alert" that "Kenny finally really dies" at the end of the episode. [3] Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times cited the episode when noting that the political commentary on South Park, like The Simpsons and Freak Show, was genuinely "provocative" satire, unlike the "safer ... mainstream iconoclasm" of Saturday Night Live . [4]

Home media

"Kenny Dies", along with the thirteen other episodes from South Park: the Complete Fifth Season, was released on a three-disc DVD set in the United States on February 22, 2005. The set includes brief audio commentaries by Parker and Stone for each episode. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Cartman</span> South Park character

Eric Theodore Cartman, commonly referred to as just Cartman, is a fictional character in the adult animated sitcom South Park, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. He is voiced by Parker, and is one of the series' four main characters, alongside Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick. He first appeared with the name Kenny in the short film The Spirit of Christmas (1992), and later appeared in the 1995 film of the same title before debuting in "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", the first episode of the series, on August 13, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Broflovski</span> Fictional character in South Park

Kyle Broflovski is a fictional character in the adult animated sitcom South Park. He is voiced by and loosely based on series co-creator Matt Stone. Kyle is one of the series' four central characters, along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman. He debuted on television when South Park first aired on August 13, 1997, after having first appeared in The Spirit of Christmas shorts created by Stone and long-time collaborator Trey Parker in 1992 and 1995.

"Die Hippie, Die" is the second episode in the ninth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 127th episode overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on March 16, 2005. In the episode, Cartman works to rid South Park from an infestation of hippies. The episode parodies the 2003 film The Core.

"Woodland Critter Christmas" is the fourteenth and the final episode of season eight and 125th episode overall of the Comedy Central series South Park. It originally aired on December 15, 2004. It was the last episode of the series to have a Christmas theme for ten years until 2014's "#HappyHolograms". This is also the last episode where Mr. Garrison presented as male until the season 12 episode "Eek, a Penis!".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartman Gets an Anal Probe</span> 1st episode of the 1st season of South Park

"Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" is the series premiere of the American animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on August 13, 1997. The episode introduces child protagonists Eric Cartman, Kyle Broflovski, Stanley "Stan" Marsh and Kenneth "Kenny" McCormick, who attempt to rescue Kyle's adopted brother Ike from being abducted by aliens.

"Pinkeye" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American animated television series South Park. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 29, 1997. In the episode, Kenny is killed and brought back to life as a zombie through a freak accident, terrorizing South Park residents who believe that the rise of the living dead is an epidemic of "pinkeye".

"Up the Down Steroid" is the second episode in the eighth season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 113th episode of the series overall. Going by production order, it is the second episode of Season 8 instead of third. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on March 24, 2004. In the episode, Jimmy enters the special Olympics but starts using steroids to improve his performance. Cartman, believing he will have an advantage over the other children, disguises himself as handicapped so he can enter and win the cash prize. The title of the episode is a parody of the book Up the Down Staircase.

"The Passion of the Jew" is the third episode of the eighth season and the 115th overall episode of the American animated series South Park, originally broadcast on Comedy Central on March 31, 2004. Going by production order, it is the fourth episode of Season 8 instead of the third. It was written and directed by Trey Parker, who, along with fellow series co-creator Matt Stone, voiced most of the characters in the episode. "The Passion of the Jew" is a satirical critique of the media discourse and controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ.

"Cartmanland" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the animated sitcom South Park, and the 71st episode overall. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on July 25, 2001.

"Rainforest Shmainforest" is the third season premiere of Comedy Central's animated series South Park. It originally aired on April 7, 1999 and is the 32nd episode overall. This episode features Jennifer Aniston providing the voice for Miss Stevens. The episode criticizes the American Movement to Save the Rain Forest and mocks Costa Rica. The episode's title includes a shm-reduplication.

"Spontaneous Combustion" is the second episode of the third season of the American animated television series South Park, and is the 33rd episode overall. It originally aired in the United States on April 14, 1999.

"Super Best Friends" is the third episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series South Park and the 68th episode of the series overall. Going by production order, it is the 4th episode of Season 5 instead of the 3rd. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on July 4, 2001. In the episode, Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny discover the magician David Blaine performing in South Park and decide to join his cult, the Blaintologists. Stan quickly finds out that the Blaintologists are not as nice as everyone thinks and tries to convince the other boys that they have been brainwashed. Teaming up with Jesus, Stan calls upon the Super Best Friends, a parody of the Super Friends, to destroy Blaine and thwart the mass suicide pact he has launched.

"Krazy Kripples" is the second episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 98th episode of the series overall. It first aired on Comedy Central March 26, 2003.

"Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut" is the thirteenth and final episode of the first season of the American animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on February 25, 1998. The episode is the highest viewed episode in the entire South Park series, with 6.4 million views. It is part one of a two-episode story arc, which concluded with "Cartman's Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut". The episode follows Eric Cartman, one of the show's child protagonists, becoming curious about the identity of his father. He discovers that his father is most likely a man his mother had sexual intercourse with during an annual party called "The Drunken Barn Dance". Meanwhile, his friends Stan, Kyle and Kenny participate on America's Stupidest Home Videos, after filming Cartman playing in his yard with plush toys.

"Ginger Kids" is the eleventh episode in the ninth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 136th episode of the series overall, it first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on November 9, 2005. In the episode, Eric Cartman is led to think he has contracted a mysterious and sudden onset of "gingervitus". To stop being ridiculed for his fake red hair, light skin and freckles, he rallies all the ginger kids everywhere to fight against the persecution and rise up to become the master race he believes they are intended to be.

"Free Willzyx" is the thirteenth episode in the ninth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 138th overall episode, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on November 30, 2005. In the episode, which parodies the film Free Willy, Kyle, Stan, Cartman and Kenny go to an amusement park, where aquarium employees prank them into thinking the orca Jambu is telling them he needs to be sent back to the Moon where he truly belongs or else he will die; the prank backfires as the boys embark on a misguided mission to set him free.

"A Very Crappy Christmas" is the 17th and final episode of the fourth season of the animated television series South Park, and the 65th episode overall. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on December 20, 2000. In the episode, Kyle awaits Mr. Hankey on Christmas, but he does not show up. In an effort to spread Christmas cheer, Kyle and the boys create their own animated special.

"ManBearPig" is the sixth episode in the tenth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 145th episode of the series overall, it first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on April 26, 2006. In the episode, Al Gore visits South Park to warn everyone about a creature called ManBearPig, an allegory for global warming. Gore then gets Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny trapped inside the Cave of the Winds.

"Mystery of the Urinal Deuce" is the ninth episode in the tenth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 148th episode of the series overall, it first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 11, 2006. The episode focuses on the 9/11 conspiracy theories, and was written by series co-creator Trey Parker. In the episode, Mr. Mackey is determined to find out who defecated in the urinal, while Cartman manages to link it to 9/11. This causes Stan and Kyle to find the truth behind this terrible event in history.

"Major Boobage" is the third episode in season 12 of the American animated television series South Park. The 170th episode of the series overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on March 26, 2008. The episode was written and directed by series co-creator Trey Parker.

References

  1. ↑ Dominic, Serene (July 4, 2007). "Cheap Trick vs. All Four Original Members of Asia!: 'Don't Cry' if Mommy & Daddy just seem a little weird over who to 'Surrender' the fun money to this weekend!". Detroit Metro Times . Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ Kavanagh, Tim (October 8, 2007). "Icing It Down: Emery still day-to-day". ESPN.com . Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ Sicha, Choire (February 20, 2005). "The Guide: Sunday 2/20". The New York Times . p. AR35.
  4. ↑ Stanley, Alessandra (November 3, 2006). "The TV Watch: When It Comes to Political Parody, Upstarts Outrun the Classics". The New York Times . Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ Codding, Jamey (February 26, 2009). "South Park: The Complete Fifth Season DVD Review". Bullz-Eye. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2017.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.