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AKA · 04-01-2003, 03:55 PM

Going Back to "South Park"

by Lia Haberman
E! Online

Like invasive alien anal probes, those foul-mouthed South Park fourth graders will stick it to viewers for another two years.

Comedy Central confirmed Monday that show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reupped with the cable network to keep churning out their twisted 'toon until at least 2005, with an option to renew for a third year.

The deal requires the dirty-minded duo to produce 15 episodes per season, starting with seven episodes next spring and eight to follow in the fall. The multi-talented creators-producers-directors-writers-actors had been producing 17 episodes per season for the last two seasons but managed to negotiate that number down for the current season and over the next two years.

The two will be joined at the drawing board by fellow executive producer Anne Garefino, who negotiated her own deal with the cable network.

According to an interview in Monday's Hollywood Reporter, Parker and Stone sounded positively grateful for their new contract (unlike another trouble-plagued cable renewal deal that made headlines recently), calling it "basically a contract extension of the crazy-ass awesome deal we'd already had in place. We knew going in that we weren't going to ask for a lot more," per Stone. "We know that times are different now in the cable market than they were when we signed our last contract. We just want to keep doing the show and keep things the way they are."

Not that the guys are lacking for compensation according to their attorney who negotiated the deal: "We have been and continue to be very happy about the financial aspects of South Park. It continues to be a a big win-win situation for everybody," said Kevin Morris.

Parker echoed his co-creator's humble sentiments: "We're fine with whatever, because we still love doing the show--more than ever, actually. We have a great gig here now. We felt that during the last two years especially we've hit a stride and just think South Park is better than ever. It's not like we're wanting for ideas.

Indeed, the crass creators have not lost their power to shock: Viewers are already up in arms about this week's episode titled "Krazy Kripples" in which Christopher Reeve regains the use of his legs by sucking on aborted fetuses.

The Emmy-nominated animated series has been causing controversy since its launch 1996 as an inside joke. The original short that got Hollywood buzzing was called The Spirit of Christmas and pitted Jesus Christ versus Santa Claus in a no-holds barred wrestling match.

Its official network debut aired on Comedy Central in August 1997, putting the funny network on the map. In its heyday, the show reeled in an average 4 million viewers. While the R-rated series may have seen a ratings dip in the past few years, it still attracted 2.6 million viewers last season, making it the network's highest rated show.

Now in its seventh season--new episodes began airing two weeks ago--a total of 141 episodes will have been produced by the end of 2005. The show celebrates its 100th episode on April 9. If the third-year option were exercised, it would bring South Park's tally up to 10 seasons in 2006, a record stretch for a primetime comedy series on a cable net.

According to Parker and Stone, whose current three-year contract expires in August, the third-year option contingency was Comedy Central's idea.

For its part, the network says the option provides everyone involved with some flexibility. With its anchor laffer firmly in place for at least another two years, Comedy Central prez Larry Divney said today in a statement, "South Park, which remains our top-rated show six years after its launch, is a huge part of Comedy Central's current and future success. I really love working with Matt and Trey. They are brilliantly creative producers, and I'm just thrilled to have them commit to continuing our relationship well into the future. It's great for our viewers, our affiliates and our advertisers."

As for the diminished schedule of 15 episodes per season, Parker explains the move: "We want to make sure we keep our summers open. We want to be able to do movies. Or goof around and sit on our ass. Maybe finally start our microbrewery. We just turned in the script for our top-secret movie with Scott Rudin. So we may need some time to work on that down the road. That's what summer is for."

Helping to lighten the load, should Parker and Stone need additional goof-off time, is All in the Family mastermind Norman Lear, who met the duo at last year's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Last month, Lear sat in on a South Park writer's retreat and pitched ideas for the upcoming season. The 80-year-old reportedly contributed to at least seven episodes, including at least one in which Cartman meets the Founding Fathers.

Chocoholic · 04-01-2003, 03:58 PM

South Park rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M82A1 · 06-06-2003, 10:03 AM

I hope that south park stays on air as long as the simpsons!!!!!!!

GabbyFang · 01-05-2004, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by M82A1
I hope that south park stays on air as long as the simpsons!!!!!!!

Hopfully even longer!

Dean Winchester · 01-07-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kogasgirl3
Hopfully even longer!

I totally agree, I haven't been into The Simpsons since 92

04-01-2003, 03:55 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	South Park renewed Going Back to "South Park" by Lia Haberman E! Online Like invasive alien anal probes, those foul-mouthed South Park fourth graders will stick it to viewers for another two years. Comedy Central confirmed Monday that show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reupped with the cable network to keep churning out their twisted 'toon until at least 2005, with an option to renew for a third year. The deal requires the dirty-minded duo to produce 15 episodes per season, starting with seven episodes next spring and eight to follow in the fall. The multi-talented creators-producers-directors-writers-actors had been producing 17 episodes per season for the last two seasons but managed to negotiate that number down for the current season and over the next two years. The two will be joined at the drawing board by fellow executive producer Anne Garefino, who negotiated her own deal with the cable network. According to an interview in Monday's Hollywood Reporter, Parker and Stone sounded positively grateful for their new contract (unlike another trouble-plagued cable renewal deal that made headlines recently), calling it "basically a contract extension of the crazy-ass awesome deal we'd already had in place. We knew going in that we weren't going to ask for a lot more," per Stone. "We know that times are different now in the cable market than they were when we signed our last contract. We just want to keep doing the show and keep things the way they are." Not that the guys are lacking for compensation according to their attorney who negotiated the deal: "We have been and continue to be very happy about the financial aspects of South Park. It continues to be a a big win-win situation for everybody," said Kevin Morris. Parker echoed his co-creator's humble sentiments: "We're fine with whatever, because we still love doing the show--more than ever, actually. We have a great gig here now. We felt that during the last two years especially we've hit a stride and just think South Park is better than ever. It's not like we're wanting for ideas. Indeed, the crass creators have not lost their power to shock: Viewers are already up in arms about this week's episode titled "Krazy Kripples" in which Christopher Reeve regains the use of his legs by sucking on aborted fetuses. The Emmy-nominated animated series has been causing controversy since its launch 1996 as an inside joke. The original short that got Hollywood buzzing was called The Spirit of Christmas and pitted Jesus Christ versus Santa Claus in a no-holds barred wrestling match. Its official network debut aired on Comedy Central in August 1997, putting the funny network on the map. In its heyday, the show reeled in an average 4 million viewers. While the R-rated series may have seen a ratings dip in the past few years, it still attracted 2.6 million viewers last season, making it the network's highest rated show. Now in its seventh season--new episodes began airing two weeks ago--a total of 141 episodes will have been produced by the end of 2005. The show celebrates its 100th episode on April 9. If the third-year option were exercised, it would bring South Park's tally up to 10 seasons in 2006, a record stretch for a primetime comedy series on a cable net. According to Parker and Stone, whose current three-year contract expires in August, the third-year option contingency was Comedy Central's idea. For its part, the network says the option provides everyone involved with some flexibility. With its anchor laffer firmly in place for at least another two years, Comedy Central prez Larry Divney said today in a statement, "South Park, which remains our top-rated show six years after its launch, is a huge part of Comedy Central's current and future success. I really love working with Matt and Trey. They are brilliantly creative producers, and I'm just thrilled to have them commit to continuing our relationship well into the future. It's great for our viewers, our affiliates and our advertisers." As for the diminished schedule of 15 episodes per season, Parker explains the move: "We want to make sure we keep our summers open. We want to be able to do movies. Or goof around and sit on our ass. Maybe finally start our microbrewery. We just turned in the script for our top-secret movie with Scott Rudin. So we may need some time to work on that down the road. That's what summer is for." Helping to lighten the load, should Parker and Stone need additional goof-off time, is All in the Family mastermind Norman Lear, who met the duo at last year's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Last month, Lear sat in on a South Park writer's retreat and pitched ideas for the upcoming season. The 80-year-old reportedly contributed to at least seven episodes, including at least one in which Cartman meets the Founding Fathers.

04-01-2003, 03:58 PM	#2
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	South Park rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

06-06-2003, 10:03 AM	#3
M82A1 S.e.l.f B.a.n.n.e.d Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2003 Posts: 2,581	I hope that south park stays on air as long as the simpsons!!!!!!!