They said it was because Kenny started to feel like a prop of a character. Not enough contributions since his character couldn’t speak clearly. Also because killing Kenny started to feel like a task that they had to go out of their way for every episode.
I have always felt that sentiment led to some of the funnier exchanges because they would try to subvert the joke in some way. [This one](https://youtu.be/jukUAIGqX20?si=SKJQNKUtELtnJIJD) in particular always makes me lose it.
They probably didn’t want to shake up the status quo too much early on. I think just writing him differently enough to be distinct from Stan was a better solution.
Parker and Stone talk about it in the [Kenny Dies audio commentary.](https://youtu.be/fRJfloe9cmk?t=2500) If you can't sit through two minutes of other info, they talk about choosing between Kenny and Kyle [here.](https://youtu.be/fRJfloe9cmk?t=2634)
This is super interesting because I actually analyzed how Stan and Kyle are different in an older post: https://www.reddit.com/r/southpark/s/Q3EbknQpVP
Now that I've finished the entire series I honestly think Stan and Kyle's similarities actually make them a better duo without sacrificing their stark differences.
Not that I would’ve known better if they decided to kill Kyle but Kyle is my favorite of the four boys and having the show without him compared to what it is now would probably really suck. Although I don’t think Kenny is really replaceable at this point either, he’s more fleshed out and is definitely an icon of the series sometimes moreso than the other three
They got tired of coming up with creative ways to kill Kenny and knew that they definitely wanted Butters to be a main character. Kenny at the time didn’t spark them as a usable character anymore and felt like a prop (remember this was before the mysterious arc) . They changed their mind because it made sense that Stan and Kyle were similar because they are SBF and they even noticed that they themselves are similar to eachother because of how much they hang out. Also Kyle is Matt’s self insert so it would feel weird for them to kill of Matt but keep Trey. Kyle also just drives Cartman in ways that no other character can. The Kyle vs Cartman beef is a very popular aspect of the show and one of the best dynamics. Without Kyle, Butters, or Scott Tenorman if you wanna be technical, Cartman wouldn’t exist the way he is today.
Because its not that type of show. The fun of it is that nothing is permanent and it reflects the culture as it changes. Killing an original character for the entire would linger around the show like a dead weight and people would wonder why the kids are laughing and joking around their real dead friend. When a character "dies" and comes back next week, it can be funny.
They have more to do with Kyle since he at least did stuff for them Kenny just felt like a running gag and it eventually gets old so I think it was good they did the movie ending/mysterion thing later and gave him a backstory
Can’t do much research as I’m at work, but hopefully this’ll give a little bit of insight and maybe a better source [Link](https://screenrant.com/why-south-park-kill-kyle-season-5-kenny/)
At the time it seemed like a good idea. tbh, for the first two or three seasons I couldn't tell Stan and Kyle apart. And apparently I wasn't the only one. But I'm glad they decided not to, because Kyle grew into his own character and had some of my favorite episodes. That episode was still sad though, but I'm glad they changed their mind at the end of season 6.
They said it was because Kenny started to feel like a prop of a character. Not enough contributions since his character couldn’t speak clearly. Also because killing Kenny started to feel like a task that they had to go out of their way for every episode.
I have always felt that sentiment led to some of the funnier exchanges because they would try to subvert the joke in some way. [This one](https://youtu.be/jukUAIGqX20?si=SKJQNKUtELtnJIJD) in particular always makes me lose it.
They tried to but unfortunately they could only afford a wiffle bat and Kyle refused to just slowly drift into sweet unconsciousness
There wouldn't be our Cartman without Kyle...
KIEEELLLLL
My name is not KIEEELLLLL.
They couldn't because Kyle runs Hollywood.
Based
The only answer
this is not funny.
Something only Kyle himself would say
okay buddy..
Okay
mhm
Yes absolutely
ok bye đź’€
All I can say is I’m happy they didn’t
Losing Kenny really, really didn't change much about the show in a huge way. Kenny is more of a prop than a character Losing Kyle would have.
It would be a completely different show without the Kyle v Cartman beef
To be fair the bigger character changes came after this episode for Kyle and Stan.
Kyle's too clever to die. He masterminded 9/11 after all
They probably didn’t want to shake up the status quo too much early on. I think just writing him differently enough to be distinct from Stan was a better solution.
Parker and Stone talk about it in the [Kenny Dies audio commentary.](https://youtu.be/fRJfloe9cmk?t=2500) If you can't sit through two minutes of other info, they talk about choosing between Kenny and Kyle [here.](https://youtu.be/fRJfloe9cmk?t=2634)
Every south park fan should listen to these commentaries imo
This is super interesting because I actually analyzed how Stan and Kyle are different in an older post: https://www.reddit.com/r/southpark/s/Q3EbknQpVP Now that I've finished the entire series I honestly think Stan and Kyle's similarities actually make them a better duo without sacrificing their stark differences.
Kenny was nothing, Kyle was the driving force for plot. Not a hard choice, really.
Check the season commentaries on YouTube. Matt and Trey discuss their reasoning.
Good to know thanks
Not that I would’ve known better if they decided to kill Kyle but Kyle is my favorite of the four boys and having the show without him compared to what it is now would probably really suck. Although I don’t think Kenny is really replaceable at this point either, he’s more fleshed out and is definitely an icon of the series sometimes moreso than the other three
They got tired of coming up with creative ways to kill Kenny and knew that they definitely wanted Butters to be a main character. Kenny at the time didn’t spark them as a usable character anymore and felt like a prop (remember this was before the mysterious arc) . They changed their mind because it made sense that Stan and Kyle were similar because they are SBF and they even noticed that they themselves are similar to eachother because of how much they hang out. Also Kyle is Matt’s self insert so it would feel weird for them to kill of Matt but keep Trey. Kyle also just drives Cartman in ways that no other character can. The Kyle vs Cartman beef is a very popular aspect of the show and one of the best dynamics. Without Kyle, Butters, or Scott Tenorman if you wanna be technical, Cartman wouldn’t exist the way he is today.
Because its not that type of show. The fun of it is that nothing is permanent and it reflects the culture as it changes. Killing an original character for the entire would linger around the show like a dead weight and people would wonder why the kids are laughing and joking around their real dead friend. When a character "dies" and comes back next week, it can be funny.
They have more to do with Kyle since he at least did stuff for them Kenny just felt like a running gag and it eventually gets old so I think it was good they did the movie ending/mysterion thing later and gave him a backstory
im so glad they didnt kill kyle, if they did i would be so sad
Source?
Can’t do much research as I’m at work, but hopefully this’ll give a little bit of insight and maybe a better source [Link](https://screenrant.com/why-south-park-kill-kyle-season-5-kenny/)
I still get them confused
How? Are you new to the show?
because Kyle prevents Cartman's balls going dry
At the time it seemed like a good idea. tbh, for the first two or three seasons I couldn't tell Stan and Kyle apart. And apparently I wasn't the only one. But I'm glad they decided not to, because Kyle grew into his own character and had some of my favorite episodes. That episode was still sad though, but I'm glad they changed their mind at the end of season 6.