The oldest episode of South Park is "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe". This groundbreaking episode first introduced the world to the unique humor and distinct characters that would define the long-running animated series.
Debut and Early Reception
"Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" premiered on Comedy Central on August 13, 1997. Despite its eventual success and iconic status as the series opener, the pilot episode initially garnered a less-than-enthusiastic response, receiving poor results from test audiences.
This inaugural episode laid the foundation for South Park's signature style, which combines social commentary, satire, and surreal humor. While "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" marked the very beginning, other notable early episodes, such as "Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo," which introduced the memorable character Mr. Hankey, debuted a few months later as the ninth episode of the first season.
For a quick overview of the debut details:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Episode Title | "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" |
| Debut Date | August 13, 1997 |
| Channel | Comedy Central |
| Significance | First episode of the South Park series |
