Portal:Comedy/Selected article/27

"Damien" is the tenth episode of the first season of the animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the U.S. on February 4, 1998. In the episode, Damien is sent by his father Satan to find Jesus and arrange a boxing match between the two. Most South Park residents bet on the muscular Satan to win, but he throws the fight to win their money. Directed by Trey Parker (pictured) and written by Parker, Matt Stone and Dave Polsky, the episode satirizes religion, commercialism and the cult of celebrity. "Damien" received generally positive reviews and was the highest rated cable program the week it aired, viewed by 3.2 million households. The episode marked the first appearance of Satan, who would become a recurring South Park character, as well as the character of Damien, inspired by the antagonist of the 1976 horror film, The Omen. Parker and Stone said the episode introduced several key characteristics of the Cartman character that have endured throughout the series. Michael Buffer, the boxing ring announcer best known for the catchphrase "Let's get ready to rumble!", makes a guest appearance in "Damien" as himself.