South Park: 10 Times Eric Cartman Got What He Deserved
This one's for you, Scott Tenorman.
Eric Cartman’s character is something of a paradox on South Park.
He’s fully loathed by almost all the residents of South Park and yet they keep on giving him the attention he craves whilst letting him get away with his criminal schemes over and over again. And it’s the same for us viewers. Several times we’ve been frustrated by his ignorant, racist, mean-spirited ways but deep down, we know the comedy sitcom would not be the same without him. He is, after all, the show's answer to Bart Simpson, Stewie Griffin or Bender the robot.
With all that being said, whenever Cartman is put in his place, you just can’t help but feel satisfied. Considering Eric gets away with racism, murder, selfishness and torment on a daily basis, it is quite refreshing to see him being embarrassed or defeated. And the whole point of the show is that Cartman is SUPPOSED to be ridiculed and loathed. He's not exactly morally ambiguous.
He’s potentially the evillest cartoon character ever created and if he lived anywhere else in the world other than the mountain town of South Park (a place ran by literal idiots), he would have been locked up permanently for all his disturbing behaviour. And while he doesn't quite get that sort of punishment, sometimes he does get what he deserves...
10. Kyle ‘Beats Up’ Cartman
Episode: It’s Christmas in Canada (Season 7, Episode 15)
Cartman hates almost everyone but Kyle might be the contender for his ultimate most hated.
Cartman is pushed to his limits when he is roped into his friend’s misadventures as they go to Canada to look for Kyle’s missing brother, Ike. This occurs on Christmas Eve so Cartman makes a serious threat that if they’re not back home in time for Christmas, he will fight Kyle.
With relief, Ike is safely reunited with his brother Kyle, at the expense of missing Christmas day, but Cartman is selfishly infuriated that he’s missing his presents. It gets heated as Eric literally throws off his gloves and jacket with fists at the ready. Kyle very reluctantly gives in to his threatening speech and throws the lightest punch possible. Cartman’s reaction? To immediately stop fighting and begin wailing out in agony whilst calling for his mom.
We’ve seen Cartman take a punch before (more on that later) and we’ve seen him take it without crying but this particular instance is utterly hilarious because he’s been toughly berating Kyle with the threat of a beating and yet turns out to be a complete coward the second he receives the lightest hit. It’s typical Cartman – all bark and no bite.