South Park Episodes That Ditch the Main Characters for Surprising Stars

Over the years, South Park has been renowned for centering around the four main fourth (later fifth) grade students: Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny. However, as the series has evolved, previously secondary characters have stepped into the limelight, taking center stage in numerous episodes. Even from its early days, South Park wasn’t afraid to deviate from these four boys and focus on other town residents instead. These are the episodes that I’m referring to – those that don’t revolve around Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny, Chef, Mr. Garrison, Timmy, Jimmy, Butters, or Randy. As you may know, Randy and the latter four didn’t start off as main characters but have certainly become significant figures as the series advanced.

Building on that, although episodes like “Ike’s Wee Wee” in Season 2 feature secondary characters prominently and indeed center around them, at its heart, it remains an episode primarily driven by Kyle. Excluding one-time characters, here are ten episodes of South Park that don’t focus on a main character.

Wendy in “Tom’s Rhinoplasty” (Season 1, Episode 11)

In Season 1, “Tom’s Rhinoplasty” primarily revolves around three characters: Wendy Testaburger, Mr. Garrison, and Stan Marsh. The subplot unfolds with Mr. Garrison’s quest to enhance his physical appearance, but the central narrative is dedicated to Wendy.

During Garrison’s preoccupation with self-indulgence, a fresh third-grade teacher named Ms. Ellen, played by Natasha Henstridge (the first major guest actor in the series), takes over at South Park Elementary. She’s strikingly beautiful and catches the eye of all the boys, even Stan, who was dating Wendy at the time. By the end of the episode, it’s Wendy (who would later be known for her selfless acts) who orchestrates Ms. Ellen’s kidnapping by Iraqis and launches her into space via rocket, ultimately sending her towards the sun.

Terrance and Phillip in “Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus” (Season 2, Episode 1)

In a striking demonstration of their knack for surprising audiences, particularly their own fans, the first episode of Season 2 titled “Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus” stands out. The previous season concluded with a hint that within four weeks, viewers would discover who Eric Cartman’s father really is.

Following the elapse of four weeks, Season 2 premiered on April Fool’s Day, but it wasn’t what loyal viewers expected. Instead of seeing their favorite four boys, they were presented with an episode entirely devoted to Terrance and Phillip. This unexpected twist left fans feeling frustrated.

Officer Barbrady in “Chickenlover” (Season 2, Episode 4)

Officer Barbrady, though he’s no longer on the show, seldom has the main role. However, there are two instances where he significantly influenced an episode, and those episodes were top-notch. For instance, his subplot in Season 7’s “Toilet Paper,” inspired by “The Silence of the Lambs,” is hilarious, but it’s in Season 2’s “Chickenlover” where he truly shone as the central character. That episode is one of the best from Season 2, and while the ‘dumb cop’ routine has its limits, here it fits perfectly.

Tweek and His Parents in “Gnomes” (Season 2, Episode 17)

In the tale “Gnomes,” it’s mainly Tweek and his family, especially his father, who keep the story moving. The arrival of a chain coffee shop (similar to Starbucks, known as Harbucks in South Park) threatens to close down Tweak’s smaller coffee shop.

Currently, the four lads, including Tweek, are tasked with preparing an oral presentation about a recent event in South Park. Mr. Tweak perceives this project as a chance to sway public opinion in favor of himself and his coffee shop. However, they require not only Mr. Tweak’s speech (which he has prepared for them), but also the aid of the little gnomes who have been causing trouble for Tweek, to successfully complete their work.

Jesus in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Jesus” (Season 3, Episode 16)

I, as an observer, noticed that Jesus was a significant figure in the world of South Park from its inception. However, it wasn’t until the final stretch of Season 3 that he took on a more prominent role in an episode. His closest brush with significance prior to this was when he hosted the boys, Jimbo, and Ned on his show “Jesus and Pals” during Season 2’s “The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka.

In the book “Are You There God? It’s Me, Jesus”, the main character undergoes a heartwarming transformation. Just like Stan who hastily seeks maturity, Jesus realizes that he can’t simply request God to make something happen (particularly organizing a show for the new millennium), but instead, he must take action himself to set things in motion.

Token in “Here Comes the Neighborhood” (Season 5, Episode 12)

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired Token (or, more specifically, Tokien Black) for his consistent presence since the show’s inception, even though he often takes a backseat in the main storylines. However, he truly shone during Season 4’s “Cartman’s Silly Hate Crime 2000,” but it wasn’t until the following season that he became the soul of an episode.

Title “Here Comes the Neighborhood” stands out as a decent installment from Season 5, which is second only to Season 8 in terms of quality. This might not seem like a high praise, but given the series’ strong lineup, it’s actually quite complimentary. The main theme revolves around Token’s yearning for acceptance, and by the episode’s conclusion, he recognizes that he is indeed accepted. It’s a heartwarming episode, and one of the series’ finer moments that underscores the general idiocy of most adults in South Park town.

Father Maxi in “Red Hot Catholic Love” (Season 6 Episode 8)

A somewhat daring episode titled “Red Hot Catholic Love” stirred up Catholics unexpectedly due to its sensitive subject matter. The narrative centers around Father Maxi, who is on a mission to salvage his religion amidst widespread allegations of child molestation. To achieve this, he must navigate an adventure akin to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” dodge the “Water Lizards,” and strive to persuade all his fellow priests to not blindly adhere to the teachings of the influential “Queen Spider.

Red Hot Catholic Love” shines due to its unique approach of handling a grave matter with an unexpected dose of humor. From the nod to the infamous Pitfall! reference (a la Raiders) and the peculiar Galgamek Catholics, to the B-plot involving mouth-excretion, it’s a timeless piece. The heart of the story revolves around Father Maxi’s sincerity and his strong disapproval towards the accusations against his fellow priests (not forgetting their casual acceptance that the accusations hold merit).

Bebe in “Bebe’s Boobs Destroy Society” (Season 6, Episode 10)

Initially, Bebe Stevens was primarily a silent character in the early seasons of the show. However, her role started to evolve slowly without making significant changes. For example, in “Sexual Harassment Panda” from Season 3, she joined several others in involving Gerald Broflovski in a sexual harassment lawsuit. In “Chef Goes Nanners,” a Season 4 episode, Bebe offered her friend Wendy some advice on how to move past her brief crush on Cartman.

In “Bebe’s Boobs Destroy Society” from Season 6, Bebe plays a crucial part in the storyline. As she undergoes physical changes, it causes quite a reaction among the male characters, making them act as if they’ve stepped back into prehistoric times. However, by the end of the episode, the novelty of her development fades, along with the attention it garnered. This role marks one of Bebe’s most significant contributions to an episode’s plot, with the exception of her major supporting roles in “Follow That Egg!” from Season 9 and “The List” from Season 11, after which she returns to being a silent presence or merely hovering around Wendy.

Towelie in “A Million Little Fibers” (Season 10, Episode 5)

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my feelings about an intriguing character from “South Park” – Towelie. Despite being adored by some or criticized by others, there’s no denying his unique charm. Initially appearing in his own episode, he wasn’t the lead character at that time. That role didn’t come until five long years later with the controversial episode titled “A Million Little Fibers,” which unfortunately is often seen as one of the series’ least appreciated installments to date.

The episode “A Million Little Fibers” primarily revolves around three characters: Towelie, Oprah, and two specific parts of Oprah’s body. Interestingly, the usual quartet of boys is absent from this storyline. At first, fans might have been disappointed, but it’s important to remember that there are episodes of South Park that are less impressive. Some viewers might argue that Towelie, despite his significant role in the Tegridy Farms plot with Randy over the past 15 years (starting from Season 5), is no longer a supporting character in this episode and Season 14’s “Crippled Summer.” However, it’s worth noting that in “Crippled Summer,” Towelie shares the spotlight with Jimmy.

Satan in “Hell on Earth 2006” (Season 10, Episode 11)

Ever since South Park’s very first season, with the introduction of “Damien,” Satan has been a constant presence. He undeniably played a significant role in Season 4’s “Do the Handicapped Go to Hell?” and “Probably.” However, it wasn’t until Season 10’s “Hell on Earth 2006” that he truly took center stage. In essence, this episode was all about Satan.

Satan intends to host an extravagant party in the style of “My Super Sweet 16” on Halloween at the W Hotel. In the process, he discovers that his pride can swell just as much as a typical 16-year-old American girl. Despite not receiving a Ferrari cake, he undergoes a complete transformation in character.

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2025-03-29 10:40