If you grew up watching early South Park, you probably remember the massive cliffhanger that ended season one. The whole town was gathered, Dr. Mephesto was about to reveal the DNA results, and then—boom—he gets shot. It was the ultimate troll by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. For over a decade, fans lived with the "official" answer given in season two, but that answer was a total lie.
So, who is Eric Cartman father? Honestly, the real answer is way more twisted than the hermaphrodite cover story we got in the nineties.
The man is Jack Tenorman.
If that name makes your stomach churn, it should. Jack was a right tackle for the Denver Broncos. He was also the guy Eric Cartman famously murdered, turned into chili, and fed to his own half-brother, Scott Tenorman, in the legendary season five episode "Scott Tenorman Must Die."
The 201 Reveal That Changed Everything
For years, the show let us believe that Liane Cartman was intersex and had fathered Eric herself. It was a bizarre, gross joke that fit the show's early vibe. But when South Park hit its 200th episode milestone in season 14, the creators decided to pull the rug out from under everyone.
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In the episode titled "201", it’s revealed that the "hermaphrodite" story was a massive conspiracy cooked up by the entire town, including the Denver Broncos. Why? Because back then, the Broncos were having a legendary season. The town didn't want the scandal of a star player having an illegitimate child with the "town slut" to ruin the team's momentum.
Basically, the town chose football over Eric's right to know his dad.
Jack Tenorman had a secret fling with Liane during a "Drunken Barn Dance." He wasn't some mysterious stranger; he was a local hero. When the truth finally comes out in "201," the irony is devastating. Cartman has spent his entire life being a sociopath because of his daddy issues, only to find out he literally ate his father.
Why This Reveal Matters for Cartman’s Character
You've gotta realize how much this messed with the show's lore. By making Jack Tenorman the father, the show turned Cartman from a random "fat kid" into a tragic, albeit murderous, figure.
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- He’s half-ginger. Scott Tenorman’s red hair makes sense now. Cartman has spent years mocking gingers, not realizing he carries those same genes.
- The Chili Incident. This is widely considered the moment Cartman went from a brat to a full-blown monster. Knowing he killed his biological father adds a layer of Greek tragedy to the whole mess.
- The Half-Brother Dynamic. Scott Tenorman isn't just a rival anymore; he’s family. Their rivalry is literally a blood feud.
It’s kinda wild that one of the most censored episodes in TV history—"201" is notoriously difficult to find on streaming services like Max or Paramount+ due to the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad—contains the single most important piece of character development for the show’s protagonist.
What Most People Get Wrong
People still quote the season two ending like it's canon. It’s not. The intersex/hermaphrodite plot was a "red herring." In the South Park universe, Liane is a biological woman. The town elders simply lied to protect the Broncos' reputation.
Jack Tenorman was a nice guy, surprisingly. In his brief appearances before being turned into a meal, he seemed like a standard, friendly dad. His only crime was a drunken mistake with Liane, which ultimately led to his grisly end at the hands of the son he never knew.
Where to See the Proof
Since "201" is banned from most mainstream platforms, many newer fans are totally in the dark about who is Eric Cartman father. You usually have to hunt down the physical DVDs or find "unofficial" clips online to see the full reveal. The show hasn't really brought it up much in recent seasons, likely because the episodes they'd need to reference are locked away in a vault.
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If you want to understand the full weight of this, go back and watch "Scott Tenorman Must Die" with the knowledge that Jack is Eric’s dad. It turns the funniest episode in the series into a dark, psychological horror show.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a South Park completionist, your next move is tracking down the Season 14 DVD. Watching "200" and "201" back-to-back is essential for understanding the modern version of Cartman. Also, keep an eye on the newer specials; Matt and Trey love to bring back old lore when people least expect it.
Honestly, knowing the truth makes Cartman's hatred of Scott Tenorman even more fascinating. It wasn't just a prank gone wrong; it was a family destroying itself.