South Park is already making fun of LeBron James for his China comments


South Park just couldn't wait to ridicule LeBron James over his controversial China comments.
The Comedy Central series, which has been mocking the Chinese government throughout its most recent season and is famous for its episodes' quick turnaround, on Wednesday called out the NBA superstar for criticizing Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's tweet supporting the pro-democracy Hong Kong protesters. When the NBA initially distanced itself from Morey's tweet, the league was roundly criticized in the United States from those who said it was kowtowing to the Chinese government.
James weighed in Monday, and subsequently came under fire, by saying Morey was "misinformed." He also said, "Yes, we all do have freedom of speech, but at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you're not thinking about others and you're only thinking about yourself."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The creators of South Park were quick to mock James for this, doing so by inserting his quote into the mouth of the notoriously vile Eric Cartman, notes The Hollywood Reporter. In the new episode "Let Them Eat Goo," Cartman, furious about students protesting for healthy options at lunch, uses James' quote word for word, saying, "Yes, we all do have freedom of speech, but at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you're not thinking about others and you’re only thinking about yourself!" Cartman also sings and dances about "Taco Tuesday," which James tried and failed to trademark.
South Park already aired an episode earlier this season highly critical of China and of American companies who tailor content to appeal to Chinese censors, an episode that subsequently got the entire show banned on the Chinese internet. But creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone only doubled down, in the very next episode having Randy Marsh declare, "f— the Chinese government."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
‘How can I know these words originated in their heart and not some data center in northern Virginia?’
instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Can Trump deliver a farmer bailout in time?
Today's Big Question Planting decisions and food prices hang in the balance
-
Tips for seizing control of your digital well-being
The Week Recommends A handy mix of technology and self-motivation
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literature
Speed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
One great cookbook: ‘The Woks of Life’
The Week Recommends A family’s opinionated, reliable take on all kinds of Chinese cooking
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91
Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
How digital ID cards work around the world
The Explainer Many countries use electronic ID to streamline access to services despite concern by civil rights groups they ‘shift the balance of power towards the state’
-
A guide to the Great Wall of China
The Week Recommends Experience this architectural feat
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclub
Speed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills
Speed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone
Speed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees