Why Rick and Morty’s ‘South Park’ Rule Is a Genius Strategy

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There’s always been some form of friendly rivalry or lighthearted jabs between the most iconic and cherished animated series throughout history. Notably, South Park once jabbed at Family Guy by suggesting one of its writers was a dolphin, crafting the show’s unique non-sequitur humor through random prompts. Similarly, South Park’s beloved episode featuring Butters as Professor Chaos saw him foiled repeatedly with the phrase “Simpsons Did It” whenever he attempted to cause chaos.

Drawing inspiration from pop culture and nostalgia, the animated series Rick and Morty incorporates numerous references to other cartoons across its episodes. One such example is the “Kung Fu Godhood Stink-Stink Otters,” a nod to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Despite this, the show primarily carves out its unique identity, refraining from making too many parallels with well-known animated programs. Lately, the series creator Dan Harmon has revealed that they abide by a “South Park rule,” which keeps them separate from their peers in the animation industry.

‘Rick and Morty’ Has a Strict ‘South Park’ Rule

The “South Park Rule” refers to a strategy or approach in creating content that’s quick, relevant, and capable of making timely comments on mainstream topics. Dan Harmon, the creator who shared this concept with Cinemablend, admires South Park for its ability to execute this strategy effectively, even suggesting that no one else, including Rick and Morty, can do it better in terms of speed and relevance.

We follow a South Park principle: ‘It’s wiser not to create a South Park-like game since they can produce and execute such content more swiftly and skillfully than we can.’ This rule applies when something, like Squid Game costumes, is a clear homage. Predicting these instances can be tricky because when a cultural phenomenon becomes influential, it often endures timelessness or feels relevant. Whether people understand the reference or not, its significance doesn’t necessarily depend on it.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: In the interview, Harmon explained that if a writer proposed a joke linked to a recent controversy such as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s drama, it would be swiftly rejected because South Park moves so fast in tackling hot issues that their jokes can become painfully outdated. Moreover, Harmon pointed out, since Season 10 has already been scripted, any topical joke intended for that series wouldn’t have the same impact years later. To maintain relevance and establish itself as a dominant force in animation, Rick and Morty chooses to focus on timeless pop culture references instead.

‘Rick and Morty’ or ‘South Park,’ Who Approaches Pop Culture Better?

The production of the popular series South Park has been fully detailed, with an exceptional speed of approximately six days from scriptwriting to animation and airing. Consequently, South Park seasons are relatively brief compared to most other animated shows due to their rapid creation and the enormous financial success they’ve brought the studio. When a new episode of South Park is released, it turns into a significant cultural moment, frequently offering biting satire on American society that resonates deeply at the time. An example of this impact can be observed in its varied reception, ranging from acclaimed comedic episodes to the critical dismantling of certain figures; the portrayal of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their “Worldwide Privacy Tour” is a notable instance.

While South Park may provide fewer topics overall, it’s reasonable to think that their method could result in certain episodes becoming less relevant over time because they can be quite specific. However, the most successful South Park episodes will continue to resonate: the masterful transformation of Mr. Garrison into Trump will remain pertinent until further notice, but the gag about Jason Russell’s meltdown from Kony 2012, where he was seen naked in public, is now merely a fleeting reference in American culture’s history.

Rick and Morty uses humor based on long-lasting pop culture references, meaning that while some jokes might be missed by those who aren’t familiar with certain aspects of popular culture at a given time, the show’s humor should still hold up well in the future. Both ways of telling a story have their merits, but it ultimately boils down to personal preference.

Have ‘Rick and Morty’ or ‘South Park’ Ever Referenced Each Other?

Sure thing!

Alright, take it easy, we understand you might be asking “But what about…?!” following the statement that the shows haven’t really exchanged any kind of insults. Although there’s a rule called the “South Park rule,” Rick and Morty has acknowledged South Park, but it seems more like a tribute than an attempt to replicate their successful approach or make fun of them. In particular, during Season 6, Episode 7, Morty made a joke about the pilot episode of South Park titled “Jesus vs. Frosty.

Besides brief cameos of characters from various other animated series, such as South Park, Futurama, and Bob’s Burgers, have also appeared in Rick and Morty. Interestingly, South Park has yet to acknowledge Rick and Morty, which could be a smart move given the challenges that Rick and Morty has experienced throughout its eight-season tenure.

In July 2025, you’ll find South Park on Paramount+, while you can stream Rick and Morty on Max or Hulu.

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2025-06-07 22:34