6 Reasons South Park Season 29's Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Is So Low

Published Nov 4, 2026, 7:00 AM EST

Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023. 

After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production. 

At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic. 

Since 1997, South Park has been on the cutting edge of comedy thanks to series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Always raunchy, shocking, and unafraid to make the audience cringe, South Park recently entered its 29th season, a feat for any TV show, but this year the reviews aren't as positive as fans might have hoped. Though it's often the dedicated audience members who boost ratings for series like South Park, this time viewers aren't being shy about their disappointment with season 29.

South Park season 29 premiered on September 16th, 2026, on Comedy Central, marking the return of beloved characters after the South Park season 28 finale. As usual, South Park is making fun of everything and everyone, taking on popular internet trends, political leaders, and massive media franchises without fear. However, there's something about season 29 that isn't reaching fans the way Parker and Stone typically do, as seen in the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

South Park's low Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 54% is a tough break for the popular satirical series. Unfortunately, it doesn't come as much of a shock after the audience ratings for seasons 28 and 27, which have seen some decline in viewers' reception. However, if there's one thing that South Park thrives on, it's controversy. Season 29 isn't over yet, and it's possible that the series could surprise fans, even though reviews indicate it hasn't connected with them yet.

The Rebranding Is More Confusing Than Funny

Image courtesy of Paramount/ Comedy Central

When it was announced that South Park season 29 would rebrand to be titled South America, it was a funny choice. The title skewers President Trump's attempts to change the names of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario to Lake America. This would be a great gag for a one-off episode, but using this as the show's title for the entire season isn't working as well as South Park might have hoped.

The change has ended up feeling confusing and out of place, highlighting the fact that South Park isn't very sure of its own identity anymore. It's far from the first time that South Park has criticized Trump and the current U.S. administration, and it certainly won't be the last. It's admirable that Parker and Stone are always ready to take on the most powerful institutions in the country, including their own parent company, but the change to South America feels more like a confusing subplot than anything else.

Kenny's Seemingly Permanent Death

Any fan of South Park knows that Kenny is no stranger to getting killed and being brought back to life many times over. Each time Kenny dies, it's in a new, unique way. Usually, it doesn't take too long for Kenny to reappear and take his place within the ensemble. This season, Kenny dies in episode 1, "South American Biker Gangs," and he hasn't been back since. It seems that Kenny's death this season will be more permanent.

Additionally, Kenny's death has sparked a very different reaction from the characters than usual. Almost no one has acknowledged his death or mentioned him since the season premiere. It feels like he's really gone this time, and there's a hole left in his absence. Though South Park did come up with a solution to the Kenny problem, using Randy's transformation as a replacement, it doesn't scratch the same itch as having Kenny in the mix.

The Topical Humor Feels Gimmicky Instead Of Clever

With e-bikes, a Sephora that looks like Backrooms, and even commentary on the beef shortage, South Park could be going too far and tiring its audience out. South Park has always made its name on sharp, relevant political and social commentary, never afraid to target all movements and ideologies, which is part of why the series has such wide appeal. However, as the series ages and attempts to keep up with the ever-changing internet trends, it's hard for the referential humor to stay as fresh as it once was.

The turnaround of the present news cycle and internet trends that South Park mines for jokes is so fast-paced that it's nearly impossible for any TV series to feel contemporary. As soon as South Park has referenced something, it's nearly on its way out of the zeitgeist. For the series' younger viewers, it's easy to feel as though South Park is pandering to their interests and trends without fully understanding them. Conversely, older viewers might feel out of the loop and confused about what South Park is talking about.

The Series Is Over-Relying On Randy's Character

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

Randy takes on a central role in season 29, episode 3, "You Like That On Your Face," making Randy a main character in season 29. While plenty of audiences have been fans of Randy and his role as a foil to many of the show's most outlandish characters, it comes as a surprise that he's getting so much screen time this season. Thanks to the events of episode 3, Randy looks and acts like a child in the wake of using too much anti-aging cream, another topical skewering of looksmaxxing.

In some ways, this makes up for Kenny's absence following his death, which still hasn't been reversed, letting the "young" Randy slip into a childish adolescent role. Randy's prominence in the show isn't new, as South Park has been leaning on his character for a few seasons now. However, it remains to be seen if viewers will accept the childlike version of Randy as part of the texture of the series, since it marks such a significant change in his character.

South Park Is Returning To Serialized Storytelling

Image courtesy of Paramount and Comedy Central

South Park has used both serialized and episodic storytelling throughout the seasons, but it's been a long time since Parker and Stone went back to overarching season-long plots. With only six episodes planned for season 29, this is a shorter foray into serialization, but it's a risky move for the series. After the mixed reviews that have come pouring in all season, it won't be easy for South Park to craft a season finale that's satisfying.

Keeping Kenny dead is part of the controversial choice of a season-long arc, and it's fair to say audiences are missing him. As Randy remains in child form and the characters have to tackle new beef and data-center-related disasters, multiple plot threads are piling up, and it isn't clear how South Park will come back from so many storylines that haven't received rave reviews.

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South Park Is Running Out Of Original Ideas

The future of South Park isn't exactly uncertain, as Parker and Stone are signed on to produce 50 episodes for Paramount through 2030. However, the series has been running since 1997, and almost thirty years later, the audience reception indicates that the beloved satire might be running out of steam. Though the creators have never been too concerned with pleasing fans and doing what's popular, this season is making audiences question if the series can hold on much longer.

There are a few episodes left in season 29, so things might not be too bleak for South Park​​​​​​, as the series could always turn things around before the season finale. However, it feels as though every episode rehashes an arc or punchline that viewers have witnessed many times before on the series. If South Park is going to defend its reputation for being on the cutting edge of comedy, the show has to step things up soon.

South Park airs new episodes biweekly on Wednesday nights at 10 PM E.T. on Comedy Central, available to stream on Paramount+ on Thursdays.

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  Trey Parker

  Eric Cartman / Stan Marsh (voice)

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  Matt Stone

  Kyle Broflovski / Kenny McCormick (voice)