The world of South Park has never shied away from poking fun at real-world figures and cultural crazes, and Season 27 continues to prove that Trey Parker and Matt Stone still have a sharp instinct for mixing satire with absurdity. 
The freshly dropped trailer for Episode 4 confirms two major storylines colliding: the chaotic rise of Labubus plush toys and the ever-persistent parodying of Donald Trump.
For those scratching their heads, Labubus are collectible plush figures created by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung. Sold in blind boxes and spread through platforms like TikTok, these odd-looking toys have become a global sensation, with children (and many adults) frantically chasing them down. Inevitably, as with any craze, counterfeits have hit the market, and South Park appears eager to lampoon both the obsession and the knockoff culture that follows. In the trailer, chaos at South Park Elementary mirrors real-world headlines about frenzied collectors and parents battling over plushes in stores. The subtext is clear: consumer mania is as ripe for ridicule as any politician.
But of course, no modern South Park season would feel complete without Trump making an appearance. Episode 4 shows the former President disembarking from Air Force One, side by side with none other than Satan – a pairing that highlights the show’s taste for blunt symbolism. This imagery follows a premiere so sharp in its mockery of Trump that it reportedly drew a reaction from the White House itself. Far from backing down, Parker and Stone seem intent on testing the boundaries of parody in an era when politics often feels stranger than fiction.
Production-wise, Season 27 has been unusual even for South Park. Episodes are being released bi-weekly, and fans have noticed only three installments dropping across the first six weeks. This slower pace comes from Parker and Stone’s hands-on, week-to-week creation style. They have admitted that trailers sometimes include footage created only for marketing, never intended to appear in episodes, underscoring just how fluid their creative process can be. Paramount, however, appears satisfied: despite the reduced output, the ratings have been among the strongest in recent years, cementing the show’s cultural relevance nearly three decades on.
At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Parker described the uncertainty and stress of plotting each new episode, noting that ideas are often finalized at the last possible moment. Yet that unpredictability is also what keeps the show razor-sharp, capable of responding to cultural shifts within days. And with a $1.5 billion deal in place to produce 50 episodes over five years for Paramount, the pressure to deliver has never been higher.
For many fans, the excitement isn’t just about whether Trump will be roasted again but also about how deeply the show will dive into the Labubu craze. There’s even speculation about whether Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny will regain the spotlight, after some seasons leaned heavily on secondary characters like Randy. Longtime viewers argue that the show shines brightest when it balances political satire with the misadventures of its four central kids, and Episode 4 might provide that blend.
What’s certain is that South Park thrives on polarizing reactions. Whether you think the Trump material is comedy gold or overplayed, or whether you see Labubus as silly fun or creepy fad, the show’s willingness to push buttons is exactly why it continues to dominate cultural conversations. Episode 4 airs Wednesday, September 3, on Comedy Central, with streaming available the following day on Paramount+.
1 comment
Labubus? never heard of em til now, are ppl really fighting over stuffed demons? lol