South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone celebrating their Emmy victory
Awards & Red Carpet

'South Park' Scores First Emmy Win in Over a Decade After Roasting Donald Trump

Trey Parker and Matt Stone ended an 11-year losing streak at the Emmys before poking fun at the former president online.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

*South Park* is officially back in the winner's circle at the Emmy Awards after more than a decade of snubs, taking home the coveted trophy for Outstanding Animated Series at the Creative Arts Emmys. Trey Parker and Matt Stone's long-running satirical comedy shattered its cold streak with a major victory for Season 27. The triumph marks the animated juggernaut's first Emmy win since 2013, officially ending a frustrating stretch where the show scored eight consecutive nominations without bringing home a single statue. The big Emmy comeback followed one of the show's most outspoken and aggressive political arcs in recent television history. Season 27 pulled zero punches throughout its run, taking direct aim at Donald Trump and his prominent allies. Among the most talked-about storylines was a headline-grabbing episode that depicted Trump literally in bed with Satan, alongside relentless caricatures of political figures such as JD Vance. Television Academy voters clearly responded to the sharp humor, handing the franchise its sixth overall Emmy award. Never ones to pass up a chance for a viral joke, the creative team behind *South Park* immediately took to social media following the ceremony to celebrate the win in true irreverent style. They publicly mocked Trump by sarcastically congratulating the former reality star on the honor. The team jokingly praised the "two-time Emmy loser" for finally bringing a trophy home, referencing Trump's past failed Emmy bids during his years hosting *The Apprentice*.

Why did South Park win an Emmy award The major honor caps off an impressive run for the franchise, which originally claimed five Emmy statues between 2005 and 2013 before hitting an unexpected eleven-year dry spell. Industry observers note that the show's willingness to tackle high-profile political figures head-on gave Season 27 the edge it needed to reclaim the top spot in the Outstanding Animated Series category. The massive Creative Arts Emmy victory serves as a launching pad for the irreverent series as it dives straight into its next wave of episodes. Fresh off their big night in Los Angeles, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are keeping the momentum going by rolling out the show's 29th season, which carries the sarcastic new title *South America* as a direct poke at political renaming efforts.

When does South Park Season 29 premiere on TV Fans will not have to wait long to see how the show follows up its award-winning run. Season 29 premieres on Wednesday, kicking off a brand-new slate of episodes on television and streaming platforms. Cable subscribers can catch the broadcast premiere on Comedy Central, while cord-cutters can stream new episodes on demand shortly after they air. With Parker and Stone riding high on their latest Television Academy glory, the upcoming season promises to deliver the same unfiltered, relentless commentary that put the show back on top.

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The backstory

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South Park at the Emmys: The Nominations, the Wins and the Scientology Row

The Emmy record starts in 1998. Five wins follow between 2005 and 2013, with trophies for satire about life support, online gaming and the financial crash.

  1. The first nomination lands

    South Park — The first nomination lands

    “Big Gay Al’s Big Gay Boat Ride” brings South Park its first Emmy nomination, for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less). The series, which debuts in 1997, leaves without the trophy.

  2. Flashpoint

    A life-support battle delivers the first win

    South Park — A life-support battle delivers the first win

    “Best Friends Forever” wins Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour), giving South Park its first Emmy. The episode puts Kenny on life support and satirizes the battle over Terri Schiavo; it premieres on March 30, 2005, the day before her death.

  3. Flashpoint

    Scientology satire gets a nomination

    South Park — Scientology satire gets a nomination

    “Trapped in the Closet” earns a nomination for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour). The episode, first broadcast in November 2005, mocks Scientology and depicts Tom Cruise refusing to leave a closet. Comedy Central pulls a scheduled repeat in March 2006, putting the episode at the center of a censorship dispute.

  4. Warcraft brings trophy number two

    South Park — Warcraft brings trophy number two

    “Make Love, Not Warcraft” wins Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour). The episode mixes the show’s usual animation with World of Warcraft game imagery as the boys devote themselves to defeating a player who keeps killing their characters.

  5. Imaginationland wins in the longer category

    South Park — Imaginationland wins in the longer category

    The three-part “Imaginationland” story wins Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More). Originally broadcast across three episodes in October 2007, it gives South Park its third Emmy.

  6. The financial crash becomes Emmy material

    South Park — The financial crash becomes Emmy material

    “Margaritaville” wins Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour). The episode turns the financial crisis into a satire of economic faith, consumer spending and collective panic, securing the series’ fourth Emmy.

  7. Raising the Bar takes the fifth

    South Park — Raising the Bar takes the fifth

    “Raising the Bar” wins Outstanding Animated Program. First broadcast in October 2012, the episode pairs Cartman’s embrace of a mobility scooter with James Cameron’s underwater mission to raise society’s standards. It becomes South Park’s fifth Emmy-winning installment.

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People also ask

Did South Park win an Emmy for Season 27?
Yes, South Park won Outstanding Animated Series at the Creative Arts Emmys for Season 27. The victory broke an 11-year streak without an Emmy win for the show.
How many Emmys has South Park won total?
South Park has won six Emmy Awards total throughout its run. Five of those wins took place between 2005 and 2013, with its sixth coming for Season 27.
When does South Park Season 29 premiere?
South Park Season 29 premieres on Wednesday on Comedy Central and will be available for streaming online following the TV broadcast.