The twentieth season of the American animated sitcomSouth Park premiered on Comedy Central on September 14, 2016, and ended on December 7, 2016, containing ten episodes.[1] As with most seasons of the show, all episodes are written and directed by series co-creator and co-star Trey Parker.
Like the previous two seasons, this season features an episode-to-episode continuity, but unlike the previous two, the continuity is more linear, as if the whole season is one story arc. This season featured recurring themes focusing on Internet trolls, nostalgia, and the 2016 United States presidential election.
This season also had planned "dark weeks", weeks where no new episodes would air, which has been done since the 19th season. These were after episode three, episode six, and episode eight.[2]
Marketing
To promote the season, Comedy Central had mobile billboards placed in key locations in seven cities around the United States. Each billboard featured an image from the series that bore a connection to the location in which it was placed.[3]
In Buffalo, New York, a billboard was placed in front at the United States' border with Canada, whose culture and relationship with the United States has been parodied in the feature film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and various episodes such as "Royal Pudding" and "Where My Country Gone?"[3]
All of the billboards included the caption "We've Been There." In some of the locations, personnel of the organizations were displeased to have the billboards outside their locations and asked the billboard operators to leave, including the Los Angeles and both Washington, D.C., landmarks. Comedy Central's Chief Marketing Officer Walter Levitt stated, "That was all expected, and we completely understand why. We knew it was risky. We did this stunt because we thought it was a great way to remind South Park fans of all the amazing moments of the past 19 seasons and truly a perfect way to celebrate the 20th season."[3]
The national anthem is rebooted by J. J. Abrams. Mr. Garrison attempts to throw the 2016 presidential election against Hillary Clinton. Cartman is believed to be an Internet troll known as Skankhunt42 who attacks local girls on the school message board, but Gerald Broflovski is revealed to be the real troll.
Gerald begins to expand his trolling globally. The boys decide to take down Cartman, who they still believe is the troll. The girls plan to take action against the boys thanks to the damage Gerald has caused.
Cartman and Heidi begin spending time with each other as they both are isolated from others with social media. Gerald faces consequences for his trolling and Mr. Garrison prepares for the presidential debate.
Cartman fears that Heidi will discover his past. Randy and Mr. Garrison attempt to destroy member berries, and Gerald's troll team faces dire consequences.
Mr. Garrison is elected President and the member berries are responsible. Gerald is sent to Denmark as a spy to eliminate Troll Trace but he is betrayed. Cartman asks Butters for help to prevent Heidi from finding out his secret.
Mr. Garrison deals with the aftermath of being elected President. Gerald attempts to escape the wrath of being captured by Troll Trace, and Cartman and Heidi prepare to go to Mars together.
Butters tries to convince Cartman that Heidi might turn her back on him, while Kyle and Ike deal with their mother's frenzy after Gerald gets Ike framed for being the troll. Gerald discovers the Troll Trace leader's true intentions.
Kyle and Ike team up and gather multiple groups to take down the Internet and Troll Trace. Cartman tries to stop the SpaceX program.
Reception
The season received mixed reviews from critics and fans.[15][16][17] Jesse Schedeen with IGN rated the entire season an 8.4 out of 10, noting "Season 20 proved that South Park has lost none of its edge over the years, as the show targeted everything from Donald Trump to the dangerous allure of nostalgia. Though the finale failed to properly tie everything together, South Park's ability to adapt and course-correct to real-world developments served it well this year."[18]
Home media
This season was released in its entirety on DVD and Blu-ray on June 13, 2017.[19]
