A “South Park” writer recently opened up about a joke she now regrets from the show’s early days. Pam Brady, who helped create the hit animated series, admitted to Fox News that one line from the 1999 movie “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” crossed the line. The joke, delivered by teacher Mr. Garrison, mocked women with a crude line about menstruation. Brady called it a “misogynistic frat boy joke” but claimed the team tried to “reclaim” it through satire.
Comedy has changed dramatically since the 1990s, and Brady says writers now have to be “smarter” to avoid backlash. She admitted some old “South Park” episodes couldn’t be made today due to modern sensitivity standards. While criticizing “cancel culture,” she argued that ditching outdated stereotypes—like racist phrases used by grandparents—is a positive evolution.
Brady praised “South Park’s” writers’ room for always having equal numbers of men and women. She pushed back against claims that Hollywood excludes female talent, stating studios care more about making money than gender politics. Her new Prime Video show, “#1 Happy Family USA,” continues her work in boundary-pushing humor.
The writer acknowledged that earning audience trust is harder now. Jokes need to make everyone feel “in on the punchline” instead of attacking groups. Brady believes comedy isn’t dying—it’s just requiring more creativity to navigate today’s cultural minefields.
At the South by Southwest festival, comedians debated the state of their industry. Some called out stars like Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish as overrated, while others defended edgy humor. Brady’s comments highlight the tightrope comics walk between free speech and political correctness.
“South Park” famously mocks everyone equally, from Lizzo to Prince Harry. Brady’s regrets show even shock comedians face limits in the 2020s. The series recently sparked controversy by replacing Eric Cartman with a Black female character—a move some fans called “woke nightmares.”
Despite tighter rules, Brady insists laughter still unites people. She compared modern joke-writing to solving a puzzle: finding ways to make harsh truths funny without causing harm. Her career proves that raw comedy can survive if it’s clever enough to outsmart the outrage mobs.
As Hollywood leans into safe, sanitized humor, “South Park’s” team keeps pushing buttons. Brady’s mix of regret and defiance mirrors a cultural moment where comedians balance artistic freedom with crowd-pleasing caution. The lesson? Offend wisely—or risk becoming the punchline yourself.
