7 Shocking Facts About The 'What What (In The Butt)' South Park Episode And Where Samwell Is Now

Few cultural phenomena from the early days of YouTube have the staying power, controversy, and sheer absurdity of "What What (In The Butt)." In December 2025, over a decade and a half since its debut, the song and its subsequent parody in the long-running animated series South Park remain a touchstone for discussions on internet fame, copyright law, and the golden age of viral content. The *South Park* episode didn't just reference the video; it cemented its place in pop culture history, leading to a major legal battle that defined the boundaries of parody and fair use in the digital age.

This deep dive explores the full, uncensored history of the song, the specific episode that immortalized it, the landmark court case that followed, and the surprisingly grounded current life of the original artist, Samwell. You might remember the catchy, repetitive chorus, but the true story—including the millions of dollars Canada was demanding from "Internet money"—is far more complex and hilarious than you recall.

The Man Behind the Meme: Samwell's Complete Profile and Viral Origin

The original "What What (In The Butt)" video, which premiered in 2007, was a product of the nascent viral video scene. It starred Samuel Johnson, an American entertainer, who became instantly recognizable under his stage name, Samwell. The video’s unique aesthetic—a disco-inspired backdrop, Samwell's earnest performance, and the explicit but repetitive lyrics—made it an instant sensation that captivated millions of viewers globally.

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• Full Name: Samuel Johnson
• Stage Name: Samwell
• Known For: The viral song and video "What What (In The Butt)"
• Debut Year (Viral Video): 2007
• Video Creators: Andrew Swant and Bobby Ciraldo (Brownmark Films)
• Genre: Pop/Novelty/Viral Internet Music
• South Park Parody Debut: Season 12, Episode 4, "Canada on Strike" (2008)
• Current Occupation (As of 2025): Flight Attendant
• Legal Precedent: Subject of a landmark fair use lawsuit against South Park Digital Studios.

The original video was an early example of a phenomenon that was too bizarre, too catchy, and too widely shared to ignore. It was this inescapable cultural saturation that made it a perfect target for the satirical genius of *South Park* creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

The 'Canada on Strike' Episode: Butters' Rise to Internet Fame

The *South Park* episode that features the iconic parody is "Canada on Strike," the fourth episode of Season 12, which aired in 2008. The entire premise of the episode was a brilliant satire on the emerging concept of "Internet money" and the monetization of viral content—a concept that was still being figured out by platforms like YouTube at the time.

In the plot, the entire country of Canada goes on strike, demanding a share of the "Internet money" generated by viral videos, including classics like "Charlie Bit My Finger" and "Leave Britney Alone." The boys—Cartman, Kyle, Stan, and Kenny—decide to make their own viral video to raise the demanded money and end the strike.

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The character chosen to star in their video was the perpetually innocent and naive Butters Stotch. Butters, dressed in a disco outfit identical to Samwell's, performs his own version of the song, asking the now-immortal question, "What, What In the Butt?"

The *South Park* version perfectly replicated the low-budget, earnest, and slightly unsettling vibe of the original, instantly becoming a viral hit within the show's fictional universe. The episode's commentary on the arbitrary nature of internet fame and the financial value of absurdity was spot-on, but it also directly led to a massive legal headache for the show's producers.

The Landmark Fair Use Lawsuit: South Park vs. Brownmark Films

The parody's success was not without consequences. Brownmark Films, the creators of the original "What What (In The Butt)" video, sued South Park Digital Studios for copyright infringement. This lawsuit, which began in 2010, became a crucial test case for the legal limits of parody and fair use in the digital era.

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The legal argument hinged on whether *South Park*'s use of the song constituted a transformative work—a key factor in fair use law. Brownmark Films argued that the show's version was essentially a direct copy, while *South Park*'s defense claimed it was a clear parody, satirizing both the original video and the broader culture of viral internet content.

In a victory for satire and free expression, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of *South Park*. The court determined that the *South Park* version was indeed a parody, adding a new, satirical meaning to the original work. The judges noted that the episode used the song to ridicule the "commercial exploitation of the Internet" and the "arbitrary nature of internet fame," making it a highly transformative use.

This ruling set a significant legal precedent, shielding creators of satirical content from similar infringement claims, provided the parody clearly adds new meaning and commentary to the original work. It is a landmark case often cited in discussions about copyright law and internet content creation.

The Enduring Legacy and Samwell's Life in 2025

The story of "What What (In The Butt)" is a perfect encapsulation of early 21st-century internet culture: rapid, bizarre, controversial, and legally complex. The song itself, the *South Park* episode, and the subsequent lawsuit have collectively secured its place in the annals of pop culture history. The episode's themes about the financialization of internet fame are even more relevant today with the rise of OnlyFans, TikTok, and the creator economy.

As of late 2025, the most fascinating update comes from the original viral star, Samwell himself (Samuel Johnson). After his brief but intense period of internet celebrity, Samwell has since moved on to a surprisingly grounded career. Recent reports indicate that he is now working as a flight attendant.

He has openly discussed the reality of his viral fame, reflecting on what it’s like to be recognized by passengers while working his day job, nearly two decades after the video's release. He noted that he made very little money from the viral sensation itself, further underscoring the *South Park* episode's point about the arbitrary nature of "Internet money" for the creators of the content.

The fact that a figure who was once the center of a global internet craze and a landmark court case is now leading a quiet, professional life is a powerful, full-circle moment. It shows the fleeting nature of internet fame and the ability of people to move beyond their most defining, and often strangest, moments of virality.

The 5 Most Searched LSI Keywords and Entities Related to the Phenomenon

To fully understand the topical authority surrounding this subject, here are the key entities and related concepts that tie the original song, the episode, and the legal battle together:

1. Fair Use Doctrine: The legal principle that protects the right to use copyrighted material without permission for purposes like commentary, criticism, and parody. This was the core of the *South Park* defense.
2. Butters Stotch: The innocent *South Park* character who performs the parody video, serving as the satirical vehicle for the show's commentary.
3. Brownmark Films: The production company responsible for creating the original viral video with Samwell, and the plaintiff in the lawsuit against *South Park*.
4. Viral Video Culture: The broader cultural phenomenon that the "Canada on Strike" episode was satirizing, focusing on the early, often absurd, content that gained mass popularity on platforms like YouTube.
5. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals: The specific court that ultimately ruled in favor of *South Park* Digital Studios, solidifying the fair use precedent.

The entire saga—from Samwell's initial performance to Butters' rendition, and finally to the courtroom—is a perfect historical snapshot of how traditional media (television) grappled with, and ultimately influenced, the new frontier of internet content and copyright law.