South Park is gearing up for a new season that will see the mainline show return for the first time since 2019, and promotional efforts are picking up where the main announcement left off by showcasing a new full orchestral rendition of its signature theme song.
Just a few days ago, South Park's 25th season was announced with a February 2 release date, sticking to the animated series accustomed time slot on Comedy Central. Since going on break after the start of the pandemic, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have still found time to buy Casa Bonita and work on the first series of COVID-themed movies that are part of the $900 million deal the duo signed to keep South Park going strong at least until 2027.
This new clip featuring a 30-piece orchestra recreates the original lyrics to South Park's theme song. It even makes room for non-family-friendly lyrics Kenny has been spouting in between for years, specifically the ones from the show’s first couple of seasons. The video sees the boys enjoy the performance from their box seats, all while some of the orchestra’s members can’t avoid laughing and others look completely stoic as they sing the lyrics.
So far it’s unclear whether this leveled up version of South Park's intro will replace the original entirely. If not, perhaps it might be used in one of the new six episodes in this season 25 run. After all, South Park tends to switch up its opening sequences based on events and characters that have been recently introduced or that are part of the current season.
Although it’s fairly obvious now that Parker, Stone, and the rest of the show's creative team were working hard during the pandemic, it’s still a complete mystery how the South Park Pandemic Special, Vaccination Special, and both Post-COVID movies will alter the small town's landscape, since it’s barely been confirmed the first two are technically season 24. Considering, the time travel shenanigans from the latter two, plus the fact that South Park has only adopted a more lineal timeline in recent years, anything is possible.
Let's not forget that Parker and Stone are also busy working with rapper Kendrick Lamar on an untitled project, as well as an upcoming South Park game with a new studio that could feature multiplayer elements not seen The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole.
South Park season 25 will launch on February 2, 2022, on Comedy Central.
Source: South Park Studios | YouTube