Sickofancy
| "Sickofancy" | |
|---|---|
| South Park episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 27 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Trey Parker |
| Written by | Trey Parker |
| Production code | 2703 |
| Original air date | August 20, 2025 |
"Sickofancy" is the third episode of the twenty-seventh season of the American animated television series South Park and the 331st episode of the series overall.[1] It premiered on August 20, 2025. The episode focuses on Randy Marsh and Towelie attempting to save Tegridy Farms through technological rebranding, and parodies the tech industry's use of ketamine.
Plot
[edit]After the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest the majority of the staff of Tegridy Farms, its owner, Randy Marsh, tells his family they may have to sell the farm. His wife, Sharon, tells him that while they have always supported him, having a marijuana farm was his dream, not theirs. Randy resolves that they should talk to someone about their marriage, but instead of a counselor, he consults ChatGPT, much to the ire of Sharon, who says that the sycophantic artificial intelligence (AI) software indiscriminately praises everything he says. Randy and his one remaining employee, Towelie, rebrand Tegridy Farms as a tech/entertainment/marijuana company named Techridy. To bolster their focus and creativity, they also begin frequent microdosing of ketamine, which causes occasional disorientation for Randy.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump sees a line of guests who shower him with gifts and praise, in particular the affirmation that he does not have a small penis. However, when he gets into bed with his lover, Satan, his abusive conduct drives Satan to also consult ChatGPT for help. Since marijuana remains illegal in many U.S. states, Randy sends Towelie with a gift to convince Trump to reclassify marijuana. However, when Towelie presents Randy's recorded message to Trump, the message reveals that Towelie himself is the gift. This horrifies Towelie, who is relegated to use as a rag for cleaning Trump's semen after he masturbates, a fate from which Satan solemnly tells him there is no escape.
When Sharon finds Randy in a ketamine-induced stupor, she adopts the pandering tone of ChatGPT, prompting him to confess that he has failed to change his company, and that they have to sell the farm to pay their debts. After she agrees to do this for him, he gives her his cell phone, realizing he should stop using ChatGPT. A satisfied Sharon holds the phone, telling ChatGPT, “Fuck you, bitch!”
Reception
[edit]Wren Graves of Consequence gave "Sickofancy" a positive review and praised the episode's satire of AI, enjoying its realistic depiction of ChatGPT: "It's already programmed to kiss your ass, and if it's willing to tell you that your dream of selling salads made of french fries is wonderfully exciting and sure to succeed, do the writers even need to write a joke?"[2] Zach Vasquez of The Guardian called the episode's portrayal of overreliance on AI "refreshingly clear-eyed, if not particularly incendiary". He also commended its timely commentary on recent events, particularly the declared emergency in Washington, D.C., adding that "no show has ever worked harder to have its finger on the nation's pulse."[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Hibberd, James (August 20, 2025). "'South Park' Heads to a Militarized D.C. in Next Episode, Then Will Skip Yet Another Week". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ^ Graves, Wren (August 21, 2025). "South Park Goes on a Ketamine Bender to Thrash Silicon Valley". Consequence. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ Vasquez, Zach (August 21, 2025). "Satire at its finest: South Park takes on Trump's martial takeover, AI and tech bros". The Guardian. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
External links
[edit]- "Sickofancy" at IMDb
- "Sickofancy". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 20, 2025.