 After seeing _Alferd Packer: The Musical (1996)_ (qv) (aka Cannibal!  The Musical), producer Brian Graden (qv) wanted  Matt Stone (I) (qv) and Trey Parker (I) (qv) to create a show  that was similar to the film. When the first pilot was completed,  Graden thought it work better as a Fox Kids show. After making  another pilot geared towards kids, Fox Kids passed on the show.