The show follows the exploits of four boys, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman and Kenny McCormick. The boys live in the fictional small town of South Park, located within the real life South Park basin in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. The town is also home to an assortment of frequent characters such as students, families, elementary school staff, and other various residents, who tend to regard South Park as a bland and quiet place to live. Prominent settings on the show include the local elementary school, bus stop, various neighborhoods and the surrounding snowy landscape, actual Colorado landmarks, and the shops and businesses along the town's main street, all of which are based on the appearance of similar locations in the town of Fairplay, Colorado.[4][5] Stan is portrayed as the everyman of the group, as the show's official website describes him as an "average, American 4th grader". Kyle is the lone Jew among the group, and his portrayal in this role is often dealt with satirically. Stan is modeled after Parker while Kyle is modeled after Stone. Stan and Kyle are best friends, and their relationship, which is intended to reflect the real life friendship between Parker and Stone, is a common topic throughout the series. Cartman loud, obnoxious, manipulative, racist and obeseis often portrayed as an antagonist whose anti-Semitic attitude has resulted in an ever-progressing rivalry with Kyle. Kenny, who comes from a poor family, wears his parka hood so tightly that it covers most of his face and muffles his speech. During the show's first five seasons, Kenny would die in nearly every episode before returning in the next with little or no definitive explanation given. He was written out of the show's sixth season in 2002, re-appearing in the season finale. Since then, the practice of killing Kenny has been seldom used by the show's creators. During the show's first 58 episodes, the boys were in the third grade. In the season four episode "4th Grade" (2000), they entered the fourth grade, where they have remained ever since.[10][11] Plots are often set in motion by events, ranging from the fairly typical to the supernatural and extraordinary, which frequently happen upon the town. The boys often act as the voice of reason when these events cause panic or incongruous behavior among the adult populace, who are customarily depicted as irrational, gullible, and prone to vociferation. The boys are also frequently confused by the contradictory and hypocritical behavior of their parents and other adults, and often perceive them as having distorted views on morality and society.
Eric Cartman: Hippies.They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.
Chef: Don't do drugs kids. There is a time and place for everything. It's called college.
Jewish Kid: Is anyone else having problems concentrating on this? I just can't seem to concentrate. Cartman: Maybe we should send you to a concentration camp.
Eric Cartman: I would never let a woman kick my ass. If she tried something, I'd be like, HEY! You get your $%@#% ass back in the kitchen and make me some pie!
Cartman: I'm not fat. I'm big-boned. Stan: No, Jay Leno's chin is big-boned. You are a big, fat ass.
Announcer: Oh, the referee is calling that a touchdown! Oh wait, now another official is signaling that's a safety! Fan: Oh, nice job, replacement refs! Announcer: They're gonna have to sort this one out with the side judge. Side Judge: **** it, it's a ****ing field goal!