In an amusing piece of TV history, George Clooney made a surprise cameo in a “South Park” episode that you might not recall. The episode, titled “Big Gay Al’s Big Gay Boat Ride,” features Stan, voiced by Trey Parker, who adopts a dog named Sparky. Sparky quickly becomes a beloved member of Stan’s life, showcasing all the traits of a great pet: loyalty, friendliness, and excellent training. However, trouble brews when Sparky’s behavior in public raises eyebrows—he tends to hump other male dogs, prompting a series of juvenile, homophobic reactions from Stan’s friends.
The humor is rooted in the innocence of the characters, who are just eight years old and inherently limited in their understanding of sexuality. In an attempt to understand his beloved dog’s behavior, Stan consults his teacher, Mr. Garrison, who shockingly labels queer individuals as evil. This leaves Stan confused and scared, leading him to lament the situation at home. In a turn of events, Sparky hears Stan’s self-doubt and runs off, ending up at a shelter for rejected LGBTQ+ animals run by Big Gay Al, voiced by Matt Stone. The episode lightheartedly navigates stereotypes while ultimately sending a message of acceptance and love, making it a groundbreaking moment for television in 1997. Despite its controversial elements, both the episode and Clooney’s involvement were recognized with Emmy and GLAAD Award nominations.
Clooney’s contribution came in the form of Sparky’s barks and howls, a surprising yet fitting cameo given the show’s storytelling style. South Park is known for its tongue-in-cheek humor that often pokes fun at celebrities rather than allowing them to step into the spotlight for glamorous guest appearances. The show’s creators, Stone and Parker, sought to set themselves apart from “The Simpsons,” which frequently featured major celebrity cameos. They opted for Clooney to lend his voice to a non-speaking dog role, which worked in favor of the show’s overall irreverent tone.
But Clooney’s connection to the creators runs deeper. He was a fan of “South Park” even before it premiered, having supported their earlier work, “The Spirit of Christmas.” His enthusiasm was pivotal in boosting the exposure of Stone and Parker’s short film in Hollywood, helping to establish the duo’s reputation. Stone reminisced about Clooney’s enthusiasm, noting that he helped spread the short by copying it and sending it to friends, contributing to its grassroots popularity.
Clooney also made a memorable appearance in the 1999 feature film “South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut,” where he humorously portrayed a doctor resembling his character from “ER” who hilariously mishandles an operation on Kenny, voiced by Stone. True to the show’s style, Clooney was not spared from the creators’ satire. In a later episode titled “Smug Alert!,” Parker and Stone lampooned Clooney’s 2006 Oscar speech, critiquing his call for celebrities to use their platform for social justice. While Clooney has stayed mum on the parody, one can’t help but wonder about the current state of his relationship with the creators of “South Park.”
