There's a reason Stan's father Randy Marsh is one of South Park's funniest and most popular characters. His combination of eccentric, silly, and impressionable mannerisms often make him an amusing focal point for the wacky happenings in this small Colorado town. Randy's truly become a driver and centerpiece for many of the show's crazy plots, particularly, in recent years.
His silly demeanor and often ill-advised antics frequently have viewers shaking their heads. Yet, he also has his charming and whimsical moments - coupled with a naivety that's almost endearing. His tendency to be a victim of his own incompetence - along with bouts of bad luck - can make it quite easy to sympathize with him, as well.
Felt Bad For Him: His Divorce(s)
Though Randy tends to be hyperbolic when things go wrong, one can't help but feel a bit bad for him when he and his wife Sharon end up divorced. And while both instances are pretty brief, the fact that this occurs twice - in "Clubhouses" and again in "A** Burgers" makes it all the more brutal. In both cases, Stan's dad clearly has a tough time dealing with this new reality, as does their son, Stan.
Of course, given Randy's naivety and crazy hijinx, it's a marvel that Sharon only decided to part ways with him twice. Regardless, it's harsh to see the Marsh family go through this on multiple occasions.
Hated Him: Getting Into Brawls With Other Dads In "The Losing Edge"
There's certainly the occasional instance where a parent may take the sporting event of their kid a bit too seriously, even making it about them at times. However, Randy takes this to extremes in the amusing episode, "The Losing Edge." In it, he pushes his son and their friends to play a painstakingly long and boring season of baseball in the hot sun, even after it's pretty clear they'd rather be anywhere else.
As the episode goes on, he inevitably makes this about himself, as he gets in literal fights with a number of fathers whose kids play on opposing teams. Though he ends up helping Stan break from this drudgery in a roundabout way, his obliviousness and aggressive ways are nonetheless aggravating.
Felt Bad For Him: Being Scapegoated In "Spontaneous Combustion"
Despite his vital work as a Geologist, Randy doesn't seem to run into much pressure or hardship when it comes to his line of work. Yet, early on in the series, Stan's dad becomes quite the scapegoat, as he's unfairly targetted for being unable to pinpoint the reason for a spontaneous combustion outbreak.
He eventually comes to the conclusion that holding in one's gas is the reason for this outbreak. Yet, this recommendation only causes another problem - a hole in the ozone. This only directs more hatred and blaming his way, forcing him to come up with another plan. Randy just can't seem to win in this one.
Hated Him: His Alcoholic Escapades In "Bloody Mary"
The hilarious episode "Bloody Mary" is a classic case of Randy's impressionable, hyperbolic ways getting the better of him - and in this case, dragging Stan down with him. After getting pulled over for drunk driving, Randy is forced to attend an AA meeting, whose lectures have him convinced he's harshly and hopelessly disease-stricken.
His defeatist attitude - and attributing alcoholism to a physical illness - soon have him spiraling into destructive behavior. Desperate for a cure, he scrambles to a supposedly miraculous curing Virgin Mary statue - even barging through and cutting in front physically ill people waiting in line.
Felt Bad For Him: The Fallout From His Wheel Of Fortune Flub
Randy's horrific utterance of a racial slur on Wheel of Fortune is certainly cause for a backlash. Yet, given his highly naive ways, and the fact that he genuinely thought the word he blurted out was the answer, one can't help but feel for him when he's forced into a literal rear-kissing public apology for a newspaper photo op.
Not only this, but he's also turned down at a convenience store and chased down by gun-wielding truckers who didn't take kindly to his televised flub. Randy's stupidity often gets him into trouble, though it definitely reaches a fever pitch in this case.
Hated Him: His Lude Musical And His Intentions
When Randy discovers that musicals contain subliminal messages to make women aroused, he naturally takes Sharon on a massive Broadway tour, going to the show "Wicked" a whopping 23 times. It might seem like a nice enough gesture, but given his intentions, it certainly reveals a rather desperate and ugly side to Mr. Marsh.
But he even takes this one step further by becoming a "Broadway Bro" himself, creating a musical that's almost comically lude and overtly sexual. While he's certainly at the top of his comedic game here - Randy's sex-obsessed, juvenile, and selfish ways in "Broadway Bro Down" are also rather repellent.
Felt Bad For Him: Booted From His Boy Band For Being Too Old
Much of the episode, "Something You Can Do with Your Finger" revolves around Stan and the gang's desire to form a popular boy band. Yet, in the final act, the show takes an unexpected turn and becomes a somewhat somber look into Randy's troubled past as an ex-boy band member. Apparently, this band was showered with fame, accolades, and wealth, until he suddenly got the rug pulled out from under him and forced to quit.
The reason? The label had deemed him "too old," despite being only 19 at the time. Just the recollection of this chapter in his life was enough to infuriate him - as Stan's request to perform at the mall causes Randy to shout "NO!" before destroying furniture in a rage.
Hated Him: Cheating In The Pinewood Derby
Randy can be a charming and likable guy, though he's clearly not above cheating and manipulation to achieve his ends. The episode "Pinewood Derby" reinforces this, as he steals a superconducting magnet and hides it inside their constructed car figure so it can move at lightning speed.
This device is apparently so powerful that it sets a new speed record and flies off into space, drawing the attention of an alien being. Despite this blatant attempt at cheating, Randy continues to lie and insist all the parts assembled are legitimate, even as this lie causes things to spiral out of control.
Felt Bad For Him: Going Nuts As His Blockbuster Remains Empty
The Halloween-themed "A Nightmare on Face Time" sees yet another one of Randy's endeavors crashing and burning, as he buys a Blockbuster video rental store and attempts to get it off the ground. Given the rapidly-falling popularity of movie rentals (even dating back to its 2012 debut), most viewers expected this investment to backfire for him.
Still, most couldn't have anticipated Mr. Marsh going completely Jack Torrance-style nuts as he and his family oversee a completely vacant store. While there are plenty of laughs to be had, it's oddly a bit heartbreaking to see such an excited, hopeful Randy spiral into madness as it becomes clear his Blockbuster will see no business, aside from the occasional ghost.
Hated Him: Blowing Up The Locals' Marijuana Fields
Much like the previous entry, Stan's dad gets caught up in a business endeavor that utterly consumes him. In the case of his weed-centric "Tegridy Farms," however, he actually sees some success.
Yet, this eventually gets to his head, to the point where he seeks to literally burn down all competition by igniting and even defecating on neighboring farms. His denial and attempts to weasel his way out of the inevitable trouble with the law only makes him more detestable here.