The fifth season of South Park, an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on June 20, 2001.

According to Matt Stone and Trey Parker, they were running out of ideas for creative ways to kill Kenny and in general had grown tired of his character, not seeing a point to keep him around.

Season 6 focused on the other boys coping with Kenny's death and trying to find a replacement (first Butters, then Tweek).

Due to outcry from fans, he was eventually written back into the series at the end of the season 6 finale.

Big Gay Al takes over as the boys' new troop leader; a new kid with disabilities starts to irritate Timmy.