- Joined
- Apr 14, 2025
- Messages
- 36
I don’t know about you, but growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s, The Simpsons and South Park were everywhere. They were two of the biggest animated shows on TV, and everyone seemed to have a strong opinion on which one was better. I remember kids in class having these wild debates that would go on for hours. Some would argue The Simpsons had smarter humour and better storylines, while others swore South Park was funnier because of how bold and ridiculous it was.
Halloween was the real proof of how much these shows impacted pop culture. I have clear memories of people dressing up as Bart Simpson or Cartman, and let’s be honest those costumes were always the loudest in the room. Some people went all out with the voices and catchphrases too. “Don’t have a cow, man” and “Screw you guys, I’m going home” were basically part of everyday conversation for a while. It definitely got overrated and annoying.
What made it even more interesting was how different the shows were, even though they were both cartoons. The Simpsons felt more like a satire of family life and the American dream, while South Park went all-in on shock value, current events, and dark humour. And somehow both shows found their own loyal following. And surprisingly neither of them got canceled.
I for one enjoy South Park but it took me a while to come around. When I was young (in my early teens) I thought South Park was stupid and immature and I just didn't really find it funny. I was more of a Simpsons girl. I remember the first episode I watched all the way through was "Scott Tenorman Must Die" where Cartmen bought his pubes so he can finally be a man. I thought it was the dumbest thing ever and could not see how that was comedy. As I got older, I started to find the humour and South Park and started watching it more than The Simpsons. Though to this day there are some South Park episodes that I find stupid and just not funny. But I still feel like I enjoy the show better than the Simpsons as the Simpsons didn't make me laugh as much.
Looking back, it’s wild to think how much these shows influenced pop culture, comedy, and even our own sense of humour as kids. I’d love to know though, were you team Simpsons or team South Park growing up? Did you ever dress up as a character? Do you think one aged better than the other? Let’s bring this debate back and see where everyone stands now.
Halloween was the real proof of how much these shows impacted pop culture. I have clear memories of people dressing up as Bart Simpson or Cartman, and let’s be honest those costumes were always the loudest in the room. Some people went all out with the voices and catchphrases too. “Don’t have a cow, man” and “Screw you guys, I’m going home” were basically part of everyday conversation for a while. It definitely got overrated and annoying.
What made it even more interesting was how different the shows were, even though they were both cartoons. The Simpsons felt more like a satire of family life and the American dream, while South Park went all-in on shock value, current events, and dark humour. And somehow both shows found their own loyal following. And surprisingly neither of them got canceled.
I for one enjoy South Park but it took me a while to come around. When I was young (in my early teens) I thought South Park was stupid and immature and I just didn't really find it funny. I was more of a Simpsons girl. I remember the first episode I watched all the way through was "Scott Tenorman Must Die" where Cartmen bought his pubes so he can finally be a man. I thought it was the dumbest thing ever and could not see how that was comedy. As I got older, I started to find the humour and South Park and started watching it more than The Simpsons. Though to this day there are some South Park episodes that I find stupid and just not funny. But I still feel like I enjoy the show better than the Simpsons as the Simpsons didn't make me laugh as much.
Looking back, it’s wild to think how much these shows influenced pop culture, comedy, and even our own sense of humour as kids. I’d love to know though, were you team Simpsons or team South Park growing up? Did you ever dress up as a character? Do you think one aged better than the other? Let’s bring this debate back and see where everyone stands now.