South Park: Kyle's Hair Explained
Jessica Wilkins Kyle Broflovski's hair is one of the most distinctive of any South Park character. There's a fun behind-the-scenes reason for his "untameable" hair.
Kyle Broflovski’s hair is one of the most distinctive looks of the South Park characters, and there’s a fun behind-the-scenes reason for his unique hairstyle. Premiering in 1997, South Park is one of the longest-running comedies in TV history. Since each episode is written and produced in the week that it airs, South Park is able to tackle much more current events than the average animated series (via CNN). Kyle is one of the show’s main characters, and along with Stan Marsh, he often fills the role of the voice of reason opposite the wacky, brainless antics of the rest of the town.
While Randy Marsh, Butters Stotch, and Eric Cartman are often named as the best South Park characters, Kyle is one of the most crucial parts of the show. In landmark South Park episodes about censorship, like season 10, episode 4, “Cartoon Wars Part II” and season 14, episode 6, “201,” the show’s creators have used Kyle as a mouthpiece to voice their thoughts on free speech. As a result, Kyle has become as much of a cultural staple as those other characters. One of the most memorable details in Kyle’s character design is his unmistakable hairdo.
Kyle's Hair Is Modeled After South Park Co-Creator Matt Stone
Kyle’s hair was first revealed in season 5, episode 10, “How to Eat with Your Butt.” On picture day, the photographer forced Kyle to remove his hat, revealing a big, frizzy mop of ginger hair. Described on the South Park Studios website as “untameable curly hair,” Kyle’s hair was modeled after that of South Park co-creator Matt Stone – not the color, but the shape. The color of the character's hair is a significant part of Kyle's dynamic with Cartman; it gives Cartman one more reason to hate Kyle because he has a well-established prejudice against people with red hair.
Stone Is Also The Inspiration For Kyle's Background & Personality
Not only did Stone inspire Kyle’s unkempt hair, but he also based a lot of the character’s personality on his own mannerisms (via The Jewish News of Greater Phoenix). Kyle has a low tolerance for ineptitude and doesn’t hesitate to make his opinions known. Stone explained, “I can totally sympathize with Kyle. I mean, I’m pretty much him. We’re both reactionary, short-tempered, and impatient.” A lot of South Park’s storylines revolve around Stan and Kyle reacting to the zaniness in the world, reflecting Stone and co-creator Trey Parker’s own reactions to current affairs.
Like Stone, Kyle is Jewish, which is a big part of his characterization, especially in South Park episodes about religion. Over the years, South Park has used Kyle to represent issues like reckoning with religious identity and growing up as a religious minority – issues that Stone dealt with in his own childhood. Stone said, “On Christmas Day, for my entire life, I’ve had nothing to do.” Kyle’s role in South Park reflects that loneliness, since most of the other kids in town are Christian. By drawing from Stone’s own life, Kyle has been rounded out as one of South Park’s most three-dimensional characters.
