TV News: Comedy Central Renews ‘South Park’ Through 2016

CHICAGO- The longest running animated show in cable history is going to set the record even further. Comedy Central announced today that the long-running comedy series “South Park,” which is currently on its 15th season, will have new episodes coming to fans through 2016 and a milestone 20th season.

The announcement came this afternoon from Comedy Central President Michele Ganeless, who was thrilled to have the show and its creators (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) signed on for five more years: “The collective genius of Matt and Trey knows no bounds,” said Ganeless. “Week after week and season after season they continue to surprise and delight ‘South Park’ fans, and that includes all of us here at Comedy Central. We’re thrilled that the adventures of Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman will continue through 2016.”

“South Park” began in 1997 when creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were creating episodes with stop-motion animation in the grueling technique of taking a picture, making a slight change, and taking another picture. In the fourteen years since the series debut, computer animation and speed of creating each episode now allows Parker and Stone to create new episodes in six days time.

Parker and Stone, who have also created “South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut” “Team America: World Police” and the 2011 Tony Award winning musical “The Book of Mormon,” also commented that they were excited to have “South Park” renewed: “Comedy Central has been our home for 15 years and we love working there,” said Parker and Stone. “’South Park’ is a blast and we can’t wait to make more.”

[10]	By TIM MARTENS [11] Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com [10]