Kenny Dies

Season 5, Episode 13, Aired
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Episode Summary

Cartman comes into possession of a truckload of fetuses that he can't sell thanks to a recent government ruling on stem cell research. When Kenny is diagnosed with a terminal illness, Stan has trouble dealing with it, but Cartman uses it to lobby Congress to restore stem cell research.moreless
9.4
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Cast & Crew

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  • Trey Parker

    Voice of Stan Marsh; Eric Theodore Cartman; Herbert Garrison; Officer Barbrady; Terrance; Timmy; Ned Gerblanski; Satan; Randy Ma

  •

    Matt Stone

    Voice of Kyle Broflovski; Kenny McKormick; Gerald Broflovski; Pip Pirrup; Jesus; Jimbo Kearn; Phillip; Saddam; Various Others

  •

    Isaac Hayes

    Voice of Jerome "Chef" McElroy

Fan Episode Reviews (33)

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  • perfect

    10
    "Perfect"
    By futuramarama, Jan 17, 2011 Report Abuse
    Kenny becomes seriously sick, and in the hospital, and doctors do not think he has much time to live. Stan can't live with this fact. Cartman tries to supposedly help Kenny. Is there anything anyone can do? Or is Kenny about to really be dead?

    Good episode. Someone I talked to said that this episode was satirical, but I don't care; it was a sad episode. Whether or not it was trying to be, it was. It had some funny parts but it was also a pretty sad episode, I think so. And the plot was good. So, my final grade for this episode is an A+moreless

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    0 0

  • Best ending of a South Park episode.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By jawsthecabbie, Oct 26, 2010 Report Abuse
    Kenny dies slowly, painfully and for real in this episode, and Cartman paints a revealing portrait of himself in one of the sickest and funniest episode endings of an installment of South Park. Working feverishly with stem cells obtained from a truckload of aborted fetuses, Cartman manages to grow his very own Shakey's pizza franchise while Kenny kicks the bucket. This was a four star howler of an episode and one of the most memorable episodes of the series. One derives a major sense of satisfaction as Kyle beats the holy living snot out of Cartman in retaliation for being such an amoral little piglet as his little friend lay dying. I laughed myself into a hemorrhage! Four gold stars!moreless

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    2 0

  • "Where's Stan"

    10
    "Perfect"
    By johnofempires34, Sep 12, 2008 Report Abuse
    Oh my gosh. This episode proves what many of South Parks' detractor's thought impossible. South Park's got Heart. The episode starts with the words, "And now a very special episode of South Park". I thought they might parody the very special episode to pieces, but this really is a serious episode. There are a few jokes here and there but mostly it's just really sad. The social commentary isn't hard to see. But I found Cartman's own lack of conscience at the end unbearable. If it wouldn't have had that last "joke" the episode would have been absolutely perfect.

    In the end, this really is a very special episode of south park.moreless

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  • I liked Kenny

    7.2
    "Good"
    By Shinigami124, Aug 15, 2008 Report Abuse
    Yeah Kenny was awesome but the death scenes were getting a little old but they were funny for awhile. Thats why i'm glad in the later seasons, they kill him but they don't kill him as much. Anyways Kenny died and we were all suppose to assume this meant forever but i'm glad they brought him back, having butters and twitch replace kenny wasn't that good of a idea. I think they both suck. Cartman of course doesn't care and trys to take advantage of kennys death. If this was permently the death of kenny i would probably get it a higher ratingmoreless

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  • This was the most emotinal epsiode EVA!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By FrigginGodess, Jun 30, 2008 Report Abuse
    Seriously! Kenny dies every single episode (not really, but still...) but comes back, like a little useless character. But, this episode had made everyone care about a terminal disease Kenny has. Stan was the most emotional, as he thinks he is Kenny's worst "f-f-f-friend." Kyle, though also emotional, bottles it up and still keeps a happy exposition, until the very end. And Cartman - though is still a bass n this eppoe - still goive a crud to Kenny! He even sang to Congress! It made me cry until Stan went, "hy! I'm not Kenny's worst f-f-f-f-riend! Cartman is!" It made me laugh and cry and... this episode is perfect!

    If you wanna escape the from comedy of South Park once in a while, this episode has the perfect touch. Hope this episode makes you cry... You cannont not cry in this ep.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • This is the first time Cartman considers himself to be best friends with Kenny. Edit
    • This is the first (and probably only time) that Kyle hugs Cartman, and vice versa. Edit
    • At the beginning when the woman is in the operating room getting an abortion, she has a white blanket. But when she says the line "I'm sure it'll help others." the blanket turns the same color as her dress, then it changes back to white. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Episode Songs: The song Cartman sings before finding the aborted fetuses is called "Morning Train," originally recorded by Sheena Easton. The song that Cartman sings in front of Congress is "Heat of the Moment" by Asia. Edit
    • Alternate title: Cartman Testifies Before Congress Edit
    • This is the first time Cartman uses the phrase "You're breaking my balls." Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Principal: Hello, boys. Stan: Wait, what's going on here? Kyle: Alright look, we don't know for sure why Cartman is ditching school, but it has something to do with abortions.That's all we know. Mr. Mackey: You didn't do anything wrong, boys; We just need to talk to you. Have a seat. (Stan and Kyle sit down) Mr. Mackey: Well boys, your little friend, Kenny, went to the hospital last night, m'kay? And well...he's pretty sick. Kyle: Kenny's sick? Stan: Well, how sick? Chef: Children, Kenny has been diagnosed with a terminal disease. Stan: But the doctor's are gonna make him better, right? Sharon: Oh, dear. Stan But mom, that's what hospitals are for, they can make him better. Sharon: Oh, Randy. Randy: They don't think so, Stanley. Your friend is terminally ill, and that means--well son...that means he's gonna be going to Heaven soon. Kyle: Wait, Kenny's going to die? Gerald: He might, Kyle. Stan: But he's our f-f-friend. Mr. Mackey: We know, and that's why he's going to need you boys to be strong for him, m'kay? He needs you now, more then ever. Stan: No! This can't happen! Kenny can't die! Kenny can't die! (Stan begins sobbing into his dad's shoulder) Edit
    • Kyle: Alright, Cartman, what's so important that you had to pull us away from lighting cow crap on fire? Cartman: Oh, you guys, you're not gonna believe it! Stan: What? Cartman: Guess what I have, sitting in my backyard. Kyle: A trampoline? Cartman: Better. Stan: A boat? Cartman: Better. Kenny: (muffled) A football machine? Cartman: Better. Stan: Well, what, Cartman? Cartman: Thirty-three aborted fetuses. (Stan,Kyle and Kenny look at him blankly) Oh yes. Kyle: (closes his eyes) What?! Cartman: Mint-condition, tax-free. Stan: Cartman, what the hell are you doing with aborted fetuses? Kyle: I'm leaving, right now. Cartman: Well, I guess you don't watch the news, Kyle. Kyle: You've never watched the news, fat-ass! What the hell does that have to do with anything?! Cartman: Stem-cells, numb-nuts. Stan: Stem-cells? Kyle: Oh, and what do you know about stem-cells? Kenny(muffled): What the f--k are stem-cells? Kyle: They're cells that come from fetuses, and some research shows that they could be used to treat diseases. Cartman: It's been proven, Jew! I saw it on 321 contact, and with all the research that's going on, stem-cells are worth three times their weight in gold. What I have in my backyard, is an aborted treasure chest. Kyle: I hate you, so much. Edit
    • Kyle: (Talking about Kenny) They say, he might die. Cartman: Kenny… die? Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Stem Research Ban The episode seems to be loosely based on the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem research lines developed after August 9th, 2001. The ban was placed by President Bush. Edit
    • Brian's Song: Cartman: I love Kenny McCormick, and I want you to love him too. This refers to the 1971 film Brian's Song when Gale Sayers is making a speech on his friend Brian Piccolo's behalf. Edit
    • The Benny Hill Show: At the beginning of the episode, when the woman is at the clinic, the TV in the background (where the laughter is coming from) appears to be showing Benny Hill. He's slapping an old bald guy on the head, which was a frequent gag on The Benny Hill Show. Edit

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