South Park's Kenny Replacement Character Only Became Great After Kenny Came Back

South Park brought in Butters to replace Kenny after his death, but when Kenny eventually came back to the boys’ main group, Butters became an even better character. In the first few seasons of South Park, it became a beloved running gag that Kenny would be killed in every episode, then come back in the next episode without any explanation for his resurrection. But in season 5, episode 13, “Kenny Dies,” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone decided to kill off Kenny for good.

Kenny eventually came back in season 6, episode 17, “Red Sleigh Down.” Despite being absent for the entire season, South Park maintained its policy of never explaining Kenny’s resurrections and just went on as normal (although the series would later provide a lore reason for Kenny’s immortality in season 14). During Kenny’s absence, Parker and Stone elevated Butters to the main cast and made him the new fourth member of Stan, Kyle, and Cartman’s group. He got kicked out shortly thereafter, but it set him on the path to becoming one of South Park’s best characters.

South Park Replaced Kenny With Butters, But Butters Only Became Awesome After Kenny Returned

Butters Is Up There With Randy & Cartman As A Fan-Favorite South Park Character

Replacing Kenny with Butters, and giving Butters more of a well-rounded personality, ended up turning him into a fan-favorite character on par with Randy and Cartman. Butters’ transformation into one of South Park’s greatest characters began before he’d even replaced Kenny. After Kenny died, Parker and Stone gave Butters the spotlight in the season 5 finale — season 5, episode 14, “Butters’ Very Own Episode” — to prepare him to join the main cast in season 6. The episode parodies ‘50s sitcoms with a very dark spin, juxtaposing Butters’ sweet naivety with the unspeakable horror of his dysfunctional home life.

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Sometimes Butters steals the show with a line, and other times he wins the equal screentime he shares with stalwart characters like Eric Cartman.

This twisted dynamic was perfect for South Park’s sensibility and presented endless comedic opportunities for Butters’ character. Even after Kenny came back, Butters went on to headline some of South Park’s best episodes. Season 7, episode 11, “Casa Bonita,” sees Cartman putting Butters through hell just to go to a Mexican restaurant. Season 8, episode 1, “Good Times with Weapons,” sees Butters taking a ninja star to the eye — and his day only gets worse from there. Butters became one of South Park’s most beloved characters, and he owes it all to Kenny’s death.

Why Butters Didn't Work As South Park's Direct Replacement For Kenny

Kenny Brings A Unique Energy To The Dynamic

As lovable as Butters is, he didn’t quite work as a permanent replacement for Kenny, because he’s nothing like Kenny. Kenny is the coolest and most laid-back member of the group. By replacing him with the dorkiest and most anxious character in the show, South Park introduced the complete opposite kind of energy to the dynamic. It was an interesting change of pace for a while, but it wouldn’t have worked if Kenny had stayed dead and Butters had stayed in the main cast.

Beginning in 1997, South Park has become one of the most successful and popular adult animations ever. The five-time Emmy-winning series follows Stan Marsh, Eric Cartman, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick, as they find themselves in unbelievable situations in South Park, Colorado, while trying to navigate the world as fourth graders.

Cast Trey Parker , Matt Stone

Seasons 27

Writers Trey Parker

Directors Trey Parker