Bill Hader on Writing the "South Park" Kanye Fish-Sticks Joke | The New Yorker Festival

Introduction

In a recent conversation, Bill Hader shared insights into his experience writing for "South Park," particularly the memorable Kanye West "Fish dicks" episode. Hader, who floats in and out of the show’s writing team, spoke about how creative processes unfold during the unique retreats that the team holds. These retreats are organized in lovely hotels where the writers brainstorm ideas in suites.

During one of these retreats, Hader recounted an amusing moment when Trey Parker, one of the creators, took the team for an outing to a Salmon Ladder. As they watched salmon swimming upstream to spawn, Trey became captivated, documenting the experience in his booklet. While the other writers observed Trey with anticipation, the brainstorming began, leading to the idea behind the "Fish dicks."

The conversation quickly evolved when Matt Stone proposed an amusing visual of a salmon on an Evel Knievel bike. Hader chimed in, suggesting the pun "fish stick," but Parker corrected him, declaring it to be "fish dick." This led to a mix-up about whether Hader was referencing an edible fish stick or the anatomical term, adding layers to the idea.

Excited by the pun's potential, the team collectively pondered whom they could poke fun at, eventually zeroing in on Kanye West. The premise was simple yet clever: if someone asked if you like fish dicks and you said yes, it would lead to the humorous conclusion of being labeled a "gay fish."

The storyline expanded to illustrate how everyone else grasped the joke except for Kanye West, who famously reacted with frustration during a press conference, firmly stating, "I am NOT a gay fish." In a twist of humor, the episode concludes with Kanye embracing the joke and singing underwater as a fish, representing the comedic genius embedded in the "South Park" series.

Keywords

• Bill Hader
• South Park
• Kanye West
• Fish dicks
• Creative retreats
• Salmon Ladder
• Brainstorming
• Humor
• Gay fish

FAQ

Q: What was the inspiration behind the "Fish dicks" joke?
A: The inspiration came during a "South Park" retreat when the writing team observed salmon as they swam upstream, leading to a brainstorm about wordplay involving fish.

Q: Who were the key figures involved in creating the joke?
A: Bill Hader, Trey Parker, and Matt Stone were the key figures involved in developing the "Fish dicks" concept during the retreat.

Q: How did Kanye West react to the joke?
A: Kanye West did not grasp the humor of the joke initially and held a press conference to assert that he was not a "gay fish," showcasing a comedic misalignment.

Q: What is the significance of the "gay fish" in the episode?
A: The "gay fish" concept highlights the irony of someone who doesn't understand a joke, while everyone else does, culminating in Kanye's eventual acceptance of the absurdity in a humorous way.