Tonsil Trouble/Trivia

Trivia

 * Kyle states that AIDS isn't funny even though AIDS had been officially declared funny in the episode "Jared Has Aides". He says this because he knows that he can die from it.


 * The hat and scarf Cartman wears are a reference to the movie Philadelphia, about a man fired for being gay/AIDS positive, where the main character wears it.
 * In the episode "Red Sleigh Down" Kyle's cousin Kyle said if Cartman cured Cancer and AIDS he would still owe Santa 2 presents.
 * This episode may have been the creators protest that many pharmaceutical companies have cut funding to research AIDS treatments, and how if a cure for AIDS was discovered then it would cost too much for people in places such as Africa (where AIDS is a major problem), who would not be able to afford the cure..

Running Gags

 * Cartman saying "HIV-positive", which agitates Kyle to the point of punching Cartman in the face
 * Cartman and Kyle are confused for lovers to each other, starting at the hospital, and ending at Airport Hilton

Continuity

 * Cartman acknowledges how he has broken into Kyle's house many times before, something which he has not noted before despite having been seen numerous times, including "Casa Bonita".


 * Cartman squirts his blood into Kyle's mouth. Blood transfusions normally cause serious problems when not crossmatched, but Cartman has the same blood type as Kyle, as stated in Cherokee Hair Tampons. Because of this, Kyle suffered no problems from ingesting Cartman's blood.


 * Cartman's Xbox also reappears, having been seen previously in "Tsst" . Clyde Frog is also seen, having his head ripped off by an enraged Kyle, once again inferring Cartman's love of his stuffed toys.


 * A flag with a picture of a cow on it and the words "Cow Days" appears in Cartman's room. This is a reference to the South Park festival and episode entitled Cow Days.

Cultural References
Cartman's Philadelphia Baseball Cap and Scarf worn during the majority of the episode is a reference to the movie Philadelphia in which Tom Hanks plays a man infected with AIDS.

Jimmy Buffet appears in this episode twice singing "AIDSburger in Paradise" and later "Cureburger in Paradise", this is a pun on his song "Cheeseburger in Paradise".

Production
This episode features a new opening sequence. It begins with the camera zooming out of Stan's eye as the characters fall into place like in the original version. Then various clips from past episodes are played out like in the Season 6 - 11 opening. As the boys sing their lines they move about across the screen while minimized clips are played out. The crowd scene is also redesigned and includes future atheists, The Lollipop King and Jesse Jackson amongst others. The theme music remains the same as the one introduced in "Make Love, Not Warcraft".

South Park Studios tried their best to keep this episode's plot a secret until broadcast, just as they did with "With Apologies to Jesse Jackson", but it was still revealed, albeit later than usual.