By Robert Scucci
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South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have all the time had a bent to base their characters off of individuals they knew in actual life, and the ever-wholesome Leopold “Butters” Stotch isn’t any exception. For those who dig by means of sufficient interviews, you’ll discover that faculty steering counselor, Mr. Mackey was based mostly off of Parker’s highschool counselor, Stan Lackey, who was recognized for his signature catchphrase, “m’kay.”
Even Kenny McCormic’s loss of life in each early episode was based mostly on a childhood buddy of the identical identify, who was the poorest child in class, wore an orange parka that muffled his voice, and sometimes skipped class, which made his classmates joke that he in all probability died, just for him to indicate up in school the following day.
Butters, alternatively, was truly impressed by South Park’s very personal animation director – now producer – Eric Stough after Parker and Stone realized he would make an amazing character for the present due to his innocence and fame for being such a “goody goody.”
From Eric To Butters
Although the character design for Butters was proven on display from the very first episode of South Park, “Cartman Will get an Anal Probe,” he wasn’t formally given a reputation till the Season 3 episode, “Two Guys Bare in a Sizzling Tub,” three years into the present’s run, simply three weeks after South Park: Greater, Longer & Uncut noticed its theatrical premiere. In actual fact, the character was merely known as “Puff Puff” and “Swanson” earlier than being formally named, and these names have been dedicated to scripts and storyboards interchangeably till he was given a extra distinguished position within the Season three episode and known as Butters.
So how did Butters come to be because the South Park character we all know and love at the moment?
Eric Stough, South Park’s animation director on the time, was recognized to be a healthful geek of the very best order, leading to Parker and Stone ripping on him, usually referring to him as their little buddy. Over time, they began calling him their little Butters, saying issues like “Who’s our little Butters?,” and “Who’s a superb Butters?” alongside the way in which to get below his pores and skin. This playful ribbing developed into full-blown character growth when Stough, towards the needs of Parker and Stone, determined it was a good suggestion to go away work early with present crew members to attend the premiere of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace whereas the creators have been working tirelessly on their characteristic movie, in addition to Season 3, which was additionally in the midst of an energetic run.
Formal Introductions
Vexed by the truth that their animation director jumped ship throughout a vital level within the present’s run and the film’s manufacturing, they determined to convey his character into the present to proceed ripping on him. Simply three weeks after Greater, Longer, & Uncut premiered, Butters had his first “official” look in South Park within the iteration that we’re aware of. Impressed by Stough’s unwillingness to offend, and his total healthful countenance, Butters was launched to South Park as a everlasting character, and voiced by Matt Stone transferring ahead.
Identified for his ever-present sense of innocence and naivety, Butters would grow to be recognized to utter out minced oaths like “oh, hamburgers” and “gee whiz,” like a baby character from a 50s sitcom who needed to specific frustration with out ever saying any profanities.
It wouldn’t be till Season 5’s finale, “Butters’ Very Personal Episode,” that we’d catch a greater take a look at the character’s household life, explaining his sheltered disposition due to his overbearing dad and mom when his mom, Linda, tried to drown him by crashing her automobile right into a lake after discovering out that his father, Stephen, was going to questionable therapeutic massage parlors below the guise of looking for a marriage anniversary current. To at the present time, “Butters’ Very Personal Episode” is one in every of South Park’s darkest entries, though Butters stays in excessive spirits after your complete ordeal, which is an apparent continuation of the joke that Eric Stough is just a lovable goofball who usually finds himself in extraordinary conditions past his management.
The Relaxation Is Historical past
Because the South Park creators would later study, Butters turned out to be the right foil for Eric Cartman, who’s a textbook sociopath, and Parker has incessantly gone on file stating that the episodes involving the 2 happening adventures collectively are his favourite episodes due to the conflict of character between the 2 characters. From “The Demise of Eric Cartman” and “Tremendous Enjoyable Time” to the legendary “Casa Bonita,” Cartman and Butters incessantly butt heads as Cartman manipulates the narrative in his favor whereas dragging Butters alongside as an unwilling participant who’s so afraid of getting grounded that he’ll cautiously take part on the journey, realizing full effectively that his dad and mom are actually going to let him have it when all is alleged and executed.
As South Park approaches its twenty seventh season, Butters is a collection mainstay, and it’s laborious to think about the present with out his sunny disposition and sickeningly candy character that always serves because the voice of motive when issues go off the rails in his small mountain city. And to suppose, all it took was three years of jokes at Eric Stough’s expense earlier than he would ultimately grow to be one of many collection’ most beloved characters.
