When it comes to the colorful cast of the animated comedy South Park, there are few more foul and mean-spirited than Cartman. Often the source for the show's edgier and controversial moments, Cartman stands as the bully and nuisance of the group. It's tough to think of episodes in which Cartman doesn't display some sort of reprehensible behavior or engage in an awful act - let alone prove sympathetic. Yet, there is something about this spoiled and typically hateful kid that's somehow likable. His goofy, over-the-top ways, his foul mouth, and his blunt brand of humor make him a character fans love to hate. Really, it's these traits that often anchor the show itself and act as its depraved, satirical core.
With that said, let's take a look at 5 instances in which viewers may actually feel bad for this lover of Cheesy Poofs. We'll also highlight 5 of the most prominent cases - among many - that make him easy to hate.
10 Felt Bad For Him: Waiting Forever To Find Out Who His Dad Is
Though Cartman is certainly spoiled, he's seemingly never had the chance to grow up with a father - or really any sort of father figure. This culminates at the climactic conclusion of the show's first season, which strings along both Cartman and South Park's viewers. By this point, both parties are dying to know just who on earth Eric Cartman's father could be.
Yet, it takes a series of shenanigans - along with a Terrance and Philip-centered "April Fools" episode in place of the supposed reveal - to finally find out. The revelation is, well, not what most would expect, to say the least...
9 Hated Him: Lying His Way Into the Special Olympics
It's difficult to pinpoint just where to begin when it comes to detestable Cartman moments, as they're in such high abundance. Yet, a stint in which he pretends to be mentally challenged to take part in the Special Olympics is certainly a good start.
Cartman's typical shameless behavior reaches a new level of absurdity in the laugher known as "Up the Down Steroid." Not only is he making a mockery of special needs kids, but he manages to cheat (or at least try to cheat) an entire lineup of innocent kids - including his own friend Jimmy. Stay classy, Cartman!
8 Felt Bad For Him: Getting Turned Down By Wendy
The unthinkable seemingly happens in the season 4 episode, "Chef Goes Nanners." In it, Stan's girlfriend Wendy ends up having feelings for Cartman - much to her dismay. Following a town debate to change their racist flag, Wendy helms the side of the debate to change it, which Cartman - believe it or not - supports, by teaming up with her. It turns out that Cartman just wanted to be her partner in order to irritate her, but as the episode goes on, he begins to like her.
After swiftly kissing him to "get it out of her system," Cartman looks genuinely bummed as she finds she's free of these feelings and gleefully walks away.
7 Hated Him: Exploiting Tourette Syndrome By Pretending To Have It
It seems there's no disability or condition that Cartman won't exploit and/or poke fun at for his own gain. One episode sees him actually pretending to have Tourettes, in order to get away with shouting whatever (usually lewd or offensive) statement comes to mind.
Once again, he manages to undermine the issue - and those actually affected by it. In the same measure, he threatens to spout hate speech about Kyle's Jewish heritage and bluntly badmouths his parents. He somewhat gets his comeuppance in the end - as his lack of a filter begins to actually make him blurt things out uncontrollably. Still, it's a small price to pay given his shamelessness.
6 Felt Bad For Him: Getting Ignored By His Friends And Thinking He's A Ghost
While Butters is often the definitive punching bag - in "The Death of Eric Cartman," it's Cartman who gets ganged up on and conspired against. Of course, the argument can be made that he basically has it coming, considering his actions in countless other episodes.
Still, it's tough not feel for him at least a bit here, as all of his friends conspire to ignore him, making him sincerely believe he's dead. This prompts him to embark on various good deeds in order to properly "pass on." Being the naive kid his he, Butters isn't in on this, so Eric uses him as a means to transmit messages.
5 Hated Him: Getting Butters To Hole Up So He Can Go To Casa Bonita
Speaking of Butters, he really manages to get the shaft in the episode "Casa Bonita."
After Cartman finds, much to his dismay, that Kyle won't invite him to one of his favorite restaurants, he conspires to replace Butters as the 4th friend to tag along. He achieves this through a devious plot and lie that only someone as twisted as Cartman could come up with. After tricking Butters into thinking an earth-devastating meteor is about to hit, he scares him into taking shelter in an underground bunker for days. Even on the verge of being rounded up by police, he still makes one final detestable move. He makes a mad dash through the park and restaurant, doing a speed run through each attraction.
4 Felt Bad For Him: Getting Bullied And Outplayed By Scott Tenorman
This is a rare episode in which most viewers actually root for Cartman - at least until the ending when he mounts his revenge on his bully in a pretty horrific way.
Still, at least before that shocking moment, one can't help but feel for Cartman as he constantly gets outplayed and pranked by the annoying Scott Tenorman. Even Cartman's own friends turn on him to side with this mean-spirited bully, laughing at him and helping him get publically humiliated.
3 Hated Him: His Awful Abuse Towards Kyle In "Ginger Cow"
This is one of the stranger - and more disturbing - episodes of South Park, which certainly says a lot. In short, Cartman has dressed up a cow to resemble a redhead, which turns out to be some awe-inspiring prophecy that brings peace to the Middle East. Kyle yearns for this to continue, but this peace is soon in jeopardy as Cartman threatens to announce the cow's unique appearance is not real.
What follows is a series of awful pranks and exploitation as Kyle begs Cartman to keep the origins of the cow's look a secret. Some of these cruel and grotesque stunts are truly tough to watch, especially for Kyle fans. These include farting in Kyle's face multiple times and forcing him to say derogatory things to his mother.
2 Felt Bad For Him: Crying In Juvenile Hall
There's seemingly a slew of reasons Cartman should be in jail - yet throwing a blow at his friend Token probably isn't too high on that list. Regardless, since this move is swiftly deemed a hate crime, Eric is thrown in juvenile hall. After being forced to smuggle cigarettes up his rectum and expel them into a toilet, he learns the kid he's helping won't assist him in escaping.
Though he ends up getting out, his intense bout of crying upon finding this out is actually somewhat saddening.
1 Hated Him: His Hitler-Esque Escapades
It's tough to find a more reprehensible act than sincerely emulating Hitler and seeking to replicate his actions. Yet - Cartman being Cartman - he manages to succumb to this ultimate new low. Not only does he dress and act the part, but he seems hell-bent on actually implementing his new "final solution," even at the expense of his Jewish friend Kyle.
The fact that this transformation was inspired by way of just watching a film tells you all you need to know about Cartman.
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