Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for Comedy Central, "South Park" is the third longest-running animated series in the United States behind "Arthur" and "The Simpsons." (Photo : Reuters)
Fans waiting for "South Park" season 19 premiere, which is expected to be on Sept. 23, should look out for how Comedy Central adult animated sitcom creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone will deal with the controversial Charlie Hebdo massacre and the recent Charleston church shooting.
With a Peabody Award and five Primetime Emmy Awards, "South Park" has been known for frequently depicting taboo subject matters, mocking liberal causes, disregarding conservative sensibilities, and portraying religion for comic effect.
Among the controversial issues featured by "South Park" are the sexual orientation of Scientologist Tom Cruise, the cocaine-snorting Buddha, bleeding Virgin Mary and the satirical depiction of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.
Earlier this year, the French satirical publication Charlie Hedbo made headlines after being victimized by a terror attack, which was condemned by several Hollywood comedians including Jon Stewart and Conan O'Brien.
According to Washington Post, the Charlie Hebdo editor, who was one those killed by the terror attack, said before his death, "I prefer to die standing up than live on my knees."
More recently, nine African Americans were killed by Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white male, at the historic black church, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The church's pastor, South Carolina state senator Reverend Clementa Pinckney, was one of the victims, Huffington Post reported.
It is yet to be seen how Parker and Stone will condemn terrorism in "South Park" season 19. The two attended the recent E3 2015 press conference but they did not talk about the upcoming season of the Comedy Central series. Instead, they promoted the "South Park: The Stick Of Truth" game sequel "South Park: The Fractured But Whole."
