There is not much that goes on in this world without South Park poking an animated finger of fun in its direction and sometimes the real-world response can be as surreal as the programme itself.
The latest episode of season 27, Conflict Of Interest, aired last night (September 24) in the US and took a swipe at prediction markets, the increasingly popular peer-to-peer gambling platform where users lay money against the chances of a particular event happening.
Predictably, the prediction markets themselves went into overdrive, laying odds on whether the new episode of the satirical series would mention any individual companies by name, with Kalshi, Myriad and Polymarkets among the favourites.
There were even odds quoted for how many times certain words such as ‘Predict’ or ‘Trump’ would be used in the show.
So Where Does Kyle’s Mom Fit In?
Conflict Of Interest is the fifth episode of season 27 and finds the boys eagerly checking out the latest prediction markets on offer, with a non-plussed Kyle asking what the fuss is all about.
America has been asking the same question and South Park goes on to explain everything in around 20 seconds.
“Prediction Market app dude,” says Cartman. “You know, online peer-to-peer betting.”
Stan chimes in with: “Yeah, social platform betting.
“People can make any bet they want, and then other users take them up on it.”
It’s then back to Cartman, who else, to reveal some of the current offers on the app.
Swiping past the chances of the girls’ soccer team winning a match and whether there will be a snow day this month, he lands on: “Will Kyle’s mom strike Gaza and destroy a Palestinian hospital.”
The Story So far…
Prediction markets are just the vehicle to get the episode going, though it may be worth pausing to consider that in the first six months of this year, the sports prediction markets trade at operator Kalshi was over $2 billion.
With its usual close to the knuckle comedy, South Park turns its attention to Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission who recently put pressure on ABC to kick Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air.
Carr’s trip to the White House sees him caught up in President Donald Trump’s attempts to abort his own lovechild with Satan, while JD Vance is on hand to make Carr an offer he can’t refuse.
Just another ordinary day for the lads in South Park.
But what about Kyle’s mom I hear you say?
Well Sheila does appear, and she DOES go to Israel to see prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but after that… no more spoilers.
Episode five of season 27 is available to watch now in the US on Comedy Central and will be available to stream in the UK on Paramount+, with a subscription.
How Did The Prediction Markets React?
Before Conflict Of Interest aired, prediction markets were effectively taking bets on themselves, with odds on which of the current operators may possibly be blessed with a namecheck.
On Polymarket there were odds of 71% on words such as ‘Predict’ and ‘Prediction’ being uttered 10 or more times in the show, while there were 45% odds on ‘Trump’ having three or more references.
In reality, or virtual reality, it was Polymarket itself that received a mention along with prediction market rival Kalshi, the firm that just so happens to have Donald Trump Jr as a strategic advisor.
After the show aired, Polymarket could barely contain its excitement at being featured, pinning a screen grab of the show on X and even changing it’s header to the same picture.
Perhaps the most poignant line belongs to Kyle, who at the outset is disturbed by the rise of this new wagering phenomenon.
Disgusted at the idea of betting on conflicts, Kyle declares: “Jews and Palestinians are not football teams!”
As is always the case, South Park co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone never miss an opportunity to point a disruptive finger.
