Since its premiere in 1997, South Park has been stunning audiences — and not always in a good way. Fans of the show think it's hysterically brilliant, while some viewers have been offended by its antics since day one. Unfortunately for the latter, their outrage only added to the show's soaring popularity. Twenty-six seasons later, South Park has joined The Simpsons as one of the longest-running shows in TV history. In addition to its offensive content, South Park's enduring success is owed to its crudely original animation style, its clever satire on current events, and its colorful cast of characters.