Stan is portrayed as the everyman of the group,^[4] as the show's official website describes him as "a normal, average, American, mixed-up kid".^[5] Kyle is the lone Jew among the group, and his portrayal in this role is often dealt with satirically.^[4] Stan is modeled after Parker, while Kyle is modeled after Stone. Stan and Kyle are best friends, and their relationship, which is intended to reflect the real-life friendship between Parker and Stone,^[6] is a common topic throughout the series. Cartman—loud, obnoxious, and obese—is often portrayed as an antagonist,^[7] and whose anti-Semitic attitude has resulted in an ever-progressing rivalry with Kyle.^[4] Kenny, who comes from a poor family,   Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire   wears his parka hood so tightly that it covers most of his face and muffles his speech. During the show's first five seasons, Kenny would die in nearly each episode before returning in the next with little or no definitive explanation given. During the show's first 58 episodes, the boys were in the third grade. In the season four episode "4th Grade" (2000), they—along with the other main child characters—entered the fourth grade, where they have remained ever since.^[8][9]

Plots are often set in motion by events, ranging from the fairly typical to the supernatural and extraordinary, which frequently happen upon the town.^[10] The boys often act as the  Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire   voice of reason when these events cause panic or incongruous behavior among the adult populace, who are customarily depicted as irrational, gullible, and prone to vociferation.^[2][11] The boys are also frequently confused by the contradictory and hypocritical behavior of their parents and other adults, and often perceive them as having distorted views on morality and society.^[3][12]