South Park is not typically a show that is associated with romance, as Trey Parker and Matt Stones’ groundbreaking adult animated series has been acclaimed for its resistance to sentimentality. While even rival shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy are capable of some genuinely emotional moments, South Park is refreshingly devoid of self-seriousness, which has helped the series retain its satirical value for nearly three decades.
Nonetheless, South Park has matured over time, and several characters have been established as couples. Instead of letting this limit the narrative possibilities, Parker and Stone have allowed their romantically involved characters to be in even more ridiculous situations. In addition to showing the growth of some of the younger characters, South Park has increasingly fleshed out many of the parents, teachers, and other members of the show’s community. Here are the ten best South Park couples ranked.
Release Date
August 13, 1997
Network
Comedy Central
Karri Turner
Liane Cartman / Wendy Testaburger / Mrs. Crabtree (voice)
Kyle Broflovski / Kenny McCormick (voice)
10
Saddam Hussein and Satan
Relationship status: Separated
One of the funniest jokes in the theatrical film South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut revolves around a relationship between Satan and Saddam Hussein, two figures that are depicted in most media to be indisputably evil. Although South Park has often gotten into hot water because of the way in which it has mocked religion, dealing with controversial events involving the Middle East crisis allowed the series to be even more topical.
Satan and Saddam break up by the end of South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, as Kenny is able to convince the former to get out of an abusive relationship that he does not benefit from. Nonetheless, both characters would be prominently featured throughout the series; in the fourth season’s episode “Probably,” it is implied that Satan still longs for his former partner, despite the fact that he has committed a number of horrific war crimes.
9
Big Gay Al and Marc
Relationship status: Dating
Another amusing relationship introduced in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut revolves around Big Gay Al and his boyfriend Marc, who initially serves as his piano accompanist when he is recording a song in front of the troops. This is a rebound for Al after he broke up with Mr. Slave, who had previously been dating Mr. Garrison.
Marc added amusing moments to Al’s musical career, as he was capable of playing the piano to fit the tone of whatever is going on in his life. One of the most hilarious instances is when Marc performs a very sad song in the South Park episode “Cripple Fight,” after Al realizes that his career as a scout may be over; later, Marc is given the chance to play a more jovial tune when Al’s luck turns around. While this pair hasn’t appeared in many recent episodes, they are an integral part of South Park history.
8
Gerald and Sheila Broflovski
Relationship status: Married
The Broflovskis are actually one of the more normal married couples in South Park, as they don’t have a particularly contemptuous relationship when compared to the other sets of parents. The amusing aspect of their dynamic is that while Gerald is very soft-spoken and timid, Sheila is very opinionated and often makes broad generalizations and proclamations as she casts judgment on others. Sheila’s intense overprotectiveness is an amusing quality, as she is one of the key parents who declare war on Canada in the 1999 film.
Gerald and Sheila aren’t implied to be particularly happy with one another, as Gerald at one point becomes an Internet troll who makes disgusting comments. Nonetheless, they provide a relatively normal home life for their children, Kyle and Ike, who turn out to be some of the more emotionally mature children in the South Park community.
7
Steve and Linda Black
Relationship status: Married
South Park has made a conscious effort to become more diverse in recent years, as the show has always done a great job at lampooning racist people, such as Cartman. As the parents of Tolkien, Steve and Linda Black are probably the happiest couple in South Park, as their marriage has endured without any major conflicts.
Steve and Linda share a love of The Lord of the Rings and the world of Middle-earth, which is what inspired them to name their son after the author J.R.R. Tolkien in an episode that changed the course of South Park. Although they have not engaged in some of the more disastrous activities that some of the other parents are guilty of, Steve briefly competed with Randy Marsh when making a competitive marijuana farm to counter Tegridy Farms during the events of Season 25.
6
PC Principal and Strong Woman
Relationship status: Dating
South Park pulled off one of its best recurring storylines through the introduction of PC Principal, the new leader of South Park Elementary School, who became a thorn in the side of Kenny, Cartman, Kyle, and Stan. Although PC Principal claims to be a radical ally who refrains from intimate behavior, he develops a relationship with “Strong Woman,” who herself is designed to be a caricature of radical feminism.
The relationship between PC Principal and Strong Woman was actually a great decision, as it allowed both characters to become more complex, as they did not fall into easy stereotypes. They both have also shown a willingness to adapt to the feelings expressed by their students, as raising a child together helps them both to realize that some of the ideals that they had held on to are a little bit ridiculous.
5
Stephen and Linda Stotch
Relationship status: Married
Stephen and Linda Stoch are one of the most hilarious couples on South Park, as being the parents of Butters means that they have to deal with all sorts of strange behavior from their rowdy child. Although Butters is considered to be very strange, even by the standards of South Park, it’s not all that surprising to understand why he acts out when looking at the people who raised him.
Stephen and Linda are described as being extremely religious, leading them to put strict parameters on what Butters is allowed to do and say. Despite appearing to be quite conservative and puritan in their behavior, it is implied that Stephen has a more fluid sexuality that he is hiding from his wife, as he admits to his son in the episode “Cartman Sucks” that he is attracted to both men and women.
4
Sharon and Randy Marsh
Relationship status: Married
Randy Marsh has become a fan-favorite character on South Park because of his unpredictable behavior; the series is often satirical of how adults can often be more immature than their children, and Randy consistently sinks to new lows as he embarrasses Stan.
Randy and Sharon have a very unusual relationship, as they have moved locations to start a marijuana farm, converted to different religions, and expressed support for various political candidates. Although Stan manages to have a fairly healthy adolescence and does not often bicker with his parents, there is considerably more tension within the family in the later seasons, when Sharon appears to be either oblivious or ignorant of how wild Randy’s decisions have become. Nonetheless, the couple has gotten into some major fights, including a controversial moment when Randy does not understand why Sharon is so upset about the frequent school shootings at South Park Elementary.
3
Tolkien Black and Nichole Daniels
Relationship status: Reunited
Tolkien Black and Nichole Daniels have a very unusual relationship, as they are initially not attracted to one another, and only appear to be friends. However, Cartman becomes obsessed with the idea that the school’s two Black students should be in a relationship with one another, and tries to convince them to fall in love in the controversial South Park episode “Cartman Finds Love.”
The relationship between Tolkien and Nichole eventually grows more sincere, as Kyle is able to show them how Cartman had been manipulating the situation. Although they briefly break up after Nichole assumes that all the boys in the school support the actions of the Internet troll, it is revealed that they are reunited in the episode “Dead Kids.” Although there is no word on how this rekindling has changed, it is possible that the upcoming Season 27 could address the future of their relationship.
2
Tweek Tweak and Craig Tucker
Relationship status: Dating
After years of speculation, South Park finally introduced its first LGBTQ couple with Tweek Tweak and Craig Tucker after several girls at South Park Elementary drew erotic fan art of them together, in an acknowledgment of what some actual fans had done. Although at first Tweek and Craig are in denial about the ways in which they are attracted to one another, they eventually develop a legitimate relationship after facing off with homophobic bullies at school.
Tweek and Craig appear to have a normal and healthy relationship, as they have not had any major disagreements since the episode “Tweek x Craig,” which firmly confirmed their feelings for one another. In fact, many of the “Post-COVID” specials of South Park revealed that they were still involved with one another as adults, which cannot be said about many of the other youthful relationships in the series.
1
Stan Marsh and Wendy Testaburger
Relationship status: Dating
No relationship on South Park has evolved quite as dramatically as that of Stan Marsh and Wendy Testaburger, as their romance has had many highs and lows over the course of the series. They are two of the most independent and progressive South Park characters; Stan is often the most articulate member of his group of friends, and Wendy is often advocating for important issues.
Stan and Wendy are broken up and reunited several times, as Stan becomes completely devastated when she decides to start a brief relationship with Tolkien. Stan and Wendy have been in a consistent relationship ever since the episode “Skank Hunt,” in which Wendy faced pressure from her friends to forgive Stan. Wendy’s role within the show has become more significant within the past decade, as she and Stan often work together as superheroes during many of the alter ego episodes.
