Even 'South Park' Gets Censored

Even South Park, the crudely animated hit on the cable network Comedy Central, gets censored.

TV Guide reported that the cartoon's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, had planned an episode in which the character Stan was set on fire by another character, but cut it because the cable network feared kids would imitate the act.

Parker and Stone also told TV Guide why the character Kenny gets killed in every episode.

``We just like to kill him,'' Stone says. ``And we really like the line, 'Oh my god, they killed Kenny!'''

Parker said that viewers will finally get a look at Kenny, who usually has his parka hood pulled up tight.

``It will be like Darth Vader in 'The Empire Strikes Back,''' he said.

South Park debuted on the cable network on August 13, 1997. The show soon developed a "cult" following among adult viewers who found the dark humor of the cartoon a stark contrast to its cheerful Colorform-like images.

The show chronicles a group of third-graders in a fictional Rocky Mountain town, and has been likened to Peanuts "on acid."

Although critics have targeted the show as too violent for children, South Park has won several accolades, including a CableACE Award for Best Animated Series. The show has also been frequently listed on television critic's Top 10 lists, including those featured by Newsday and The New York Times.

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