South Park: 10 Most Controversial Moments

While there are times where South Park jokes are misinterpreted and received overreactions, they also have jokes that the writers likely knew would upset people. A strong example of this is a quick visual gag from the episode Hell On Earth 2006, where Steve Irwin shows up on-screen (grouped with rows of other dead celebrities) with a stingray hanging from the center of his chest.

This episode aired approximately six weeks following Irwin's passing, so there was some (inevitable) backlash, primarily Irwin fans who felt the joke was unnecessary and distasteful. Even Steve Irwin's widow Terri Irwin voiced her disapproval, stating that she feared her children would one day see the episode.

Each viewer's personal reaction likely depended on just how dark they'd consider their personal sense of humor. It's obvious that Stone and Parker never pull any punches, even when it involves certain tragic events like Irwin's death. And knowing them, they likely knew the reaction they'd get to it, and (without a second thought) kept it in.