Comedy Central orders more 'South Park'
More 'South Park'
SepT 9, 2005
Comedy Central has inked a deal with the creators of "South Park" to bring back the long-running animated series for three additional seasons, the network announced Thursday.
Executive producers and co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker will write, direct and edit 42 more episodes of "Park." Currently in its ninth season, "Park" will stay put through 2008, producing 14 episodes each year over the next three years.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is expected to be one of basic cable's biggest producer paydays with revenues from "South" DVDs and merchandise thrown in. The series is also about to enter syndication later this month.
Since it launched in August 1997, "Park" emerged as a pop-culture sensation that practically put Comedy Central on the map. Its foulmouthed fourth-graders -- Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny -- have tackled many hot-button subjects with considerable content latitude befitting its 10 p.m. slot.
"I was at Comedy Central when we launched the first season of 'South Park,' and I am thrilled to see them continue through 2008," said Doug Herzog, president of Comedy Central and Spike TV. "Matt and Trey are creative geniuses and a huge part of the Comedy Central family, and we look forward to continued success."
Negotiations are still ongoing for the show's third executive producer, Anne Garefino. "We hope to make an announcement shortly," a Comedy Central spokesman said.
In 2003, Parker and Stone had signed a two-year extension with the option for a third year (HR 3/31/03). That option was not exercised, but the new deal covers 2006, the year the option would have been in effect. The second half of "Park's" ninth season launches in October; the 10th season is expected to begin in March.
With 2008 marking 12 seasons and nearly 200 episodes, "Park" is one of basic cable's longest running series. Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" has been around longer, having launched in 1996.
Parker and Stone are repped by their WMA and their attorney, Kevin Morris of Barnes, Morris, Klein, Mark, Yorn, Barnes & Levine.
Executive producers and co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker will write, direct and edit 42 more episodes of "Park." Currently in its ninth season, "Park" will stay put through 2008, producing 14 episodes each year over the next three years.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is expected to be one of basic cable's biggest producer paydays with revenues from "South" DVDs and merchandise thrown in. The series is also about to enter syndication later this month.
Since it launched in August 1997, "Park" emerged as a pop-culture sensation that practically put Comedy Central on the map. Its foulmouthed fourth-graders -- Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny -- have tackled many hot-button subjects with considerable content latitude befitting its 10 p.m. slot.
"I was at Comedy Central when we launched the first season of 'South Park,' and I am thrilled to see them continue through 2008," said Doug Herzog, president of Comedy Central and Spike TV. "Matt and Trey are creative geniuses and a huge part of the Comedy Central family, and we look forward to continued success."
Negotiations are still ongoing for the show's third executive producer, Anne Garefino. "We hope to make an announcement shortly," a Comedy Central spokesman said.
In 2003, Parker and Stone had signed a two-year extension with the option for a third year (HR 3/31/03). That option was not exercised, but the new deal covers 2006, the year the option would have been in effect. The second half of "Park's" ninth season launches in October; the 10th season is expected to begin in March.
With 2008 marking 12 seasons and nearly 200 episodes, "Park" is one of basic cable's longest running series. Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" has been around longer, having launched in 1996.
Parker and Stone are repped by their WMA and their attorney, Kevin Morris of Barnes, Morris, Klein, Mark, Yorn, Barnes & Levine.
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