Kick Ass!

Howdy Ho! More South Park

from E! Online

Dave Chappelle may have called it quits, but at least Comedy Central's still got South Park.

The network announced Thursday that it had reupped the raunchy 'toon series for three more years, carrying Cartman and the gang though their 12th season on the air.

The new contract calls for 14 new South Park episodes a year through 2008, with creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone continuing to write, direct and edit the show.

"I was at Comedy Central when we launched the first season of South Park, and I am thrilled to see them continue through 2008," Comedy Central President Doug Herzog said in a statement. "Matt and Trey are creative geniuses and a huge part of the Comedy Central family, and we look forward to continued success."

Renewing the show was something of a no-brainer, seeing as the antics of foulmouthed foursome Cartman, Kenny, Kyle and Stan consistently pull in the network's highest ratings.

Since its inception in 1997, South Park has made a habit out of pushing the envelope on conventional limits, perhaps most notably with its season-five premiere in which the unbleeped S-word was uttered 162 times.

However, respite for the squeamish cartoon viewer is in sight, as a kinder, gentler version of the show is headed for non-cable airwaves in the near future. The series has been approved for syndication in markets including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago and cleaned-up episodes begin airing Sept. 19.

For those who prefer South Park in all its crass glory, the latest season of the show kicks off on Comedy Central on Oct. 19.