South Park, the cartoon that introduced the “anal probe” to animated grade-schoolers in small-town Colorado, won a Peabody Award this week for “distinguished achievement and meritous service.” Clearly, the world would be a far more dangerous place without their constant vigilance against organized religion, zombies, cow cults, and Mecha-Barbra Streisand. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone accepted the award from fellow Comedy Central star Jon Stewart who praised their ability to consistently shock audiences into laughter after ten seasons. 

Also winning a Peabody: the NBC News team for their coverage of Hurricane Katrina.