The Damned (South Park)

"The Damned" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on November 8, 2000.

The episode satirizes corporate sponsorship and morality within the context of a small-town American community. The primary plot revolves around the boys, Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny, starting a boy band called "Fingerbang" and becoming increasingly obsessed with fame and money. They are approached by Lou Pearlman, a character based on the real-life music mogul, who offers them a lucrative record deal. However, Pearlman manipulates and exploits them, ultimately leaving them feeling disillusioned.

Concurrently, the episode explores the town of South Park's growing discontent with the influx of corporate sponsorship, particularly a Wal-Mart-esque mega-store called "Our Town" that is detrimental to local businesses. The townspeople struggle with the dilemma of cheap goods versus supporting their community.

The episode utilizes dark humor and exaggerated situations to criticize the exploitative nature of the entertainment industry and the negative effects of consumerism on small towns. It also touches upon themes of greed, morality, and the loss of innocence. The title, "The Damned," alludes to the moral compromises made by the characters in pursuit of wealth and fame, suggesting they are sacrificing their integrity for short-term gain.