via Comedy Central
South Park is in the midst of an epic 20th season, where any and all topics are under fire. The presidential election, online trolls, movie reboots, faux-nostalgia, Colin Kaepernick and the national anthem are just some of the topics that Trey Parker and Matt Stone of skewered this season.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, in an effort to promote the 20th season, which premiered three weeks ago September 14, mobile billboards have been placed in seven locations around the country depicting scenes that coincide with the trucks’ placements.
Of the seven locations where they posted the billboard, three of them did not go over so well: The White House, The Lincoln Memorial, & the Church of Scientology. The billboard in front of the White House featured the South Park version of Barack and Michelle Obama.
The billboard outside of the Church of Scientology featured a scene from maybe one of their most famous episodes, 2005’s “Trapped in the Closet,” in which the church and its most famous follower, Tom Cruise, were skewered.
Walter Levitt, chief marketing officer for Comedy Central told The Hollywood Reporter:
“We knew it was risky. We knew some locations might not be pleased to have us out there, but we thought this was a perfect way to celebrate everything the series has covered in its 19 seasons.”
“In some cases, the locals were not pleased to have us outside their locations and asked us to leave, but that was all expected, and we completely understand why,” Levitt said, confirming “personnel” from the three aforementioned locations asked the trucks to leave the area.
“We did this stunt because we thought it was a great way to remind South Park fans of all the amazing moments of the past 19 seasons and truly a perfect way to celebrate the 20th season.”
Truly ingenious marketing by the folks over at South Park. Not that were surprised by their level of genius at this point.
The other billboard locations include:
Colorado: South Park and Casa Bonita
Salt Lake City: Mormon Church Headquarters
Washington, D.C.: Lincoln Memorial and the White House
Silicon Valley: Facebook Headquarters
New York: Trump Tower and Hillary Clinton’s N.Y. headquarters
Los Angeles: Church of Scientology, Whole Foods, Hooters, PF Changs, KFC
Buffalo: Canadian Border
South Park began airing its TWENTIETH season this year, which is a feat only a
[H/T: The Hollywood Reporter]