Charlie Kirk praised South Park for mocking him. Now, his team says the late conservative leader would want the episode returned to television.
Comedy Central quietly pulled the episode, titled “Got a Nut,” from reruns after Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University.
It remains available on Paramount+ and on demand.
Andrew Kolvet, producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, said Kirk embraced the parody.
“He loved that he was featured in South Park. He told me many times. He would want the episode back up,” Kolvet said.
Kirk had personally called the episode “hilarious” after its August 6 premiere. He described the lampooning as a “badge of honor.”
The half-hour featured Eric Cartman copying Kirk’s hair, podcast persona, and debate style. In one scene Cartman wins a fictional “Charlie Kirk Award for Young Masterdebaters.”
Kirk amplified the bit by sharing clips online, as the Los Angeles Times reported.
Supporters say his reaction showed he viewed mockery as proof of cultural relevance.
Comedy Central pulled the episode from its cable rotation shortly after his killing.
That decision drew criticism from fans who argue Kirk himself would have wanted it aired.
Kolvet urged Paramount to restore the episode to reruns. He said canceling the parody undercuts Kirk’s own view that satire is a form of recognition.
The network has not commented publicly on its reasoning. Media insiders speculate it was an act of caution following Kirk’s death.
Conservatives point out that Kirk always showed tolerance for being the target of comedians. They say the removal sends the wrong signal at a time when free expression is under scrutiny.
Kolvet repeated his stance that Kirk took pride in the parody. “He loved it. He embraced it. He would want it back on,” he said.
Some cultural critics argue the removal diminishes the power of satire. They note that comedy often intersects with tragedy, and pulling content risks rewriting context.
Others see it as a larger battle over how media companies react when politics and entertainment collide. They argue networks are increasingly quick to avoid controversy rather than stand by their own programming.
Supporters of Kirk highlight that he consistently portrayed himself as unafraid of criticism. They believe restoring the episode would more accurately reflect his public image.
The episode’s absence from reruns has turned into another culture war flashpoint. What began as satire now raises questions of censorship, respect, and who controls the narrative after a public figure’s death.
Kirk’s allies say honoring his memory means honoring his reaction. They argue he viewed parody not as an insult but as proof of his influence.
