"South Park" becomes a gem

Denver Post ^ | March 19, 2007 | John Wenzel

[EveningStar]

"South Park" fans take for granted that the show consistently shocks and amuses in an environment flooded with distractions and imitators.

Watching the Comedy Central series' Emmy-winning ninth season reinforces why. Creators and former CU-Boulder film students Trey Parker and Matt Stone position their pop culture texts violently against the grain, smartly engaging their characters in taboo topics of race, gender and sexuality.

The duo's biggest asset? Their writing encompasses more more than shock value or self-amusement. Yes, potty humor and cheap shots fly left and right, attacking soft-skulled liberals and myopic conservatives alike. But the boys always make an intelligent comment in the end - however brutal the path...

[EveningStar]

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[GOP_Party_Animal]

I recall that Parker and Stone were interviewed after "Team America" and had much to say about poking fun of people. They said that conservatives were so used to being made fun of, that they hardly complain about it. Liberals, particularly Hollywood liberals, get really steamed when you make fun of their sacred cows.

It really is nice to see a show where both sides get hit, not just the political right.

[mainepatsfan]

I wonder why now all of sudden Parker and Stone are receiving all this media coverage.

[mainepatsfan]

That's precisely why some libs can't stand the show. You could rip conservatives 99% of the time but that 1% you slam a lib point of view automatically makes you a member of the VRWC.

[dynachrome]

The article doesn't mention this season's opener. I have seen very few articles on it. I think because of the subject matter, it has gone down the memory hole.

[SevenofNine]

Probably taking on Scientolgy and Tom Cruise

[SittinYonder]

They said that conservatives were so used to being made fun of, that they hardly complain about it. Liberals, particularly Hollywood liberals, get really steamed when you make fun of their sacred cows.

Offer the merest bit of criticism on Free Republic about the sacred cow of the South Park fans, and you will find very quickly that they are the ones who "really get steamed."

For instance, if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes, all sorts of indignant bile would be flung my way.

It's funny how these South Park freaks will go on and on and on about how "Matt and Trey" poke fun at everyone and everything, but if you say anything about South Park, those very same freaks nut-up.

[Jaxter]

[49th]

"For instance, if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes, all sorts of indignant bile would be flung my way."

And well it should for you would deserve it! A comment like this clearly shows that you don't watch the show and thusly don't know what you are talking about. You are like a child who has wandered into the middle of a film and has absolutely no frame of reference.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

For instance, if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes, all sorts of indignant bile would be flung my way....It's funny how these South Park freaks will go on and on and on about how "Matt and Trey" poke fun at everyone and everything, but if you say anything about South Park, those very same freaks nut-up.

I can't speak for other South Park fans, but my only objection to what you say, indignant or not, would be that "South Park" is often very incisive and far from juvenile. But, yes, there are often fart jokes.

[Ramius]

...if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes...

Why you miserable little piece of...

Heh. But there's you're problem right there. Of course it is juvenile and full of fart jokes, but it would be just plain inaccurate to say this captures the show "at best". Sure, sometimes they cross lines that maybe oughtn't be crossed. Sometimes it makes even me wince. But I always come around in time to see the point being made, and there's always a larger point.

And if you don't like it, well, you're just a poopyhead. :-)

[chasio649]

Quiet down Terrence...or are you Phillip? ;)

[SittinYonder]

LOL ... That didn't take long.

[af_vet_rr]

>> I wonder why now all of sudden Parker and Stone are receiving all this media coverage.

>Probably taking on Scientolgy and Tom Cruise

Taking on Scientology and Tom Cruise and winning.

Parker and Stone are still employed by Viacom. Tom Cruise is not.

[jmc813]

For instance, if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes, all sorts of indignant bile would be flung my way.

You have to be somewhat intelligent to enjoy the political and social satire. Therefore, it is not a "juvenile" program. I was the first few seasons, but now it really isn't.

[jmc813]

You are like a child who has wandered into the middle of a film and has absolutely no frame of reference.

At least you didn't tell him to shut the f&*# up.

[Clemenza]

Last two episodes were classics, although the scene between Cartman and Butters last week was still quite disturbing.

[Calvin Locke]

My mind's going what was it about? The wheel of fortune opening? Not one of their better attempts, imho.

Better than the hockey one from last year, but not by much. They might have set expectations too high with Hell on Earth, WOW, and WII.

[FreedomPoster]

Don't be a nagger.

;-P

[KosmicKitty]

[BJClinton]

A great adventure is waiting for you ahead
Hurry onward SittinYonder, or you will soon be dead
...
The road ahead is filled with danger and fright
But push onwards SittinYonder with all of your might

[Abundy]

Your problem is that you criticize the show, without recognizing that amongst the juvenile humor and potty language, which truly is irrelevant to an inciteful critique of the show, they have a very incisive, sarcastic humor that takes real intelligence to recognize.

Maybe that's your problem? You can't recognize the humor and therefore fixate on the irrelevant?

[dfwgator]

Gary's speech at the end of "Team America" summed up Foreign Relations better than any policy wonk ever could.

[murdoog]

For instance, if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes, all sorts of indignant bile would be flung my way. I would not fling "indignant bile" at someone just because they did not like South Park.

If you were to say that South Park is just too vulgar and no amount of good political satire makes up for that, I might disagree with you, but you would still have my respect. (Michelle Malkin has taken such a position.)

But to say it is "juvenile at best" implies that it is nothing BUT potty humor. This indicates that you don't know what you are talking about, and thus deserving of indignant bile.

[dynachrome]

Actually, I loved the "nagger" show. I thought the "praying the gay out" was lame and pretty obvious except for the picture of Cartman sub plot. Just MHO.
;)

[dynachrome]

"The road ahead is filled with danger and fright"
And listen to the Sparrow King.....

[Calvin Locke]

"Nagger"? I just don't get it. Except for JJ scene and "emperor" comment. Other than that, it was pretty lame.

Last week's epi pushed the line. But that was fourth graders "experimenting" with gayness, and not a representation of a schizophrenic 7th century murdering pedophile, so it was "ok" with the powers that be of the Comedy Channel.

I wonder if the CC execs got to vote at Sundance for the Dakota Fanning rape scene?

[dynachrome]

Well, the tiebreaker will be tonite! Headlice? Could be one of the grosser ones.

[HairOfTheDog]

You are like a child who has wandered into the middle of a film and has absolutely no frame of reference.

Exactly right... Shut up SittinYonder, you are out of your element ;~)

The fart jokes are not the issue here. :~D

[Calvin Locke]

At least it's head lice and not crabs.

[ecurbh]

[dynachrome]

"not crabs." This thought just traveled thru the vasty open areas of dynachrome's skull.
Lice = baby crab people?

[Calvin Locke]

Now that would be a gross epi.

I heard a science show last week about crabs coming originally from gorillas, and the evolutionary biologist used a term like "unseemly acts" as a slight possibility of how the parasite jumped species.

[HairOfTheDog]

"unseemly acts"

My sociology professor in college had a similar theory about the origins of bigfoot :~)

[Calvin Locke]

Crabs can live off the host for about 24 hours. The more polite explanation is that some early man utilized a vacated gorilla's nest, and picked them up that way.

But, sort of getting back to the "other way":

"How did you get crabs from a contemporary gorilla to compare DNA?"

"We had to go to people that worked with [protected] gorillas and asked them. They were on very good terms with some gorillas."

"I guess they'd have to be."

"Yes they were."

Head lice branched off from chimps, btw, as "man" lost body hair.

[MarkL]

Offer the merest bit of criticism on Free Republic about the sacred cow of the South Park fans, and you will find very quickly that they are the ones who "really get steamed."

Actually, your criticism hasn't been so much about South Park, but of the fans themselves, not quite getting into personal attacks, but coming close. You don't "get it." They do. Get over it. If you don't like South Park, then don't watch it. Which it appears that you don't. But that still doesn't keep you from commenting on it, or the people who do "get it." You seem to be looking for something to get your panties in a wad over. Sounds to me like you've just got too much time on your hands.

For instance, if I were to say that South Park is juvenile at best and full of fart jokes, all sorts of indignant bile would be flung my way.

Of course it's juvenile. That's simply one of the best things about it. Because they'll often approach serious issues in such a juvenile way. Sometimes "grownups" don't see how stupid their actions and policies are. This juxtaposition is one of the things that those who "get it" like the most.

The funny thing is that with the exception of the "fart jokes" and "potty humor" comments, your criticisms are about what's normally heard about the "3 Stooges" comedies. Again, some people get it, others don't.

Mark

[MarkL]

But I always come around in time to see the point being made, and there's always a larger point.

Or a cheap shot, like last night... I kept waiting to see if AlGore or ManBearPig was going to show up.

Mark

[MarkL]

Oh sure, bring up Harlan Ellison!

Mark

[MarkL]

It's funny how these South Park freaks will go on and on and on about how "Matt and Trey" poke fun at everyone and everything, but if you say anything about South Park, those very same freaks nut-up.

So, come on... Fess up. Which one are you, Matt or Trey? You guys were great in Orgasmo! I really hope that there will be a sequel! And Baseketball?!??! A cinematic masterpiece! I loved the scene on "Free Range Chicken Night" at the ball park, when they were "collecting" the chickens! And I swear I couldn't breath from laughing so hard the first time I saw the hospital scene!

Mark

[MarkL]

I wonder if the CC execs got to vote at Sundance for the Dakota Fanning rape scene?

Her performance in "War of the Worlds" was enough to make me never want to see her in a movie again. There's just something about her that really annoys me.

Mark

[SittinYonder]

your criticism hasn't been so much about South Park, but of the fans themselves, not quite getting into personal attacks, but coming close

There's no question that on this thread my initial statement was about the fans of the show. However, it has always been my intention on South Park threads to stay away from personal insults. If I've insulted you in a previous thread, I'm very sorry about that. I have tried very hard to not insult people simply because they like a show that bases its humor on fart jokes and portrays filthy-mouthed elementary school students.

I just don't understand why adults would spend their time watching a juvenile cartoon. Talk all you want about the "political satire" ... but where's the political satire in kids having lice? Why the nasty, personal attack on Angelina Jolie?

Or was she somehow representative of liberals and the fly landing on her crotch with the lice was actually incisive political satire that I "just don't get"?

[HairOfTheDog]

Why the nasty, personal attack on Angelina Jolie?

Only they know for sure... Maybe she was rude to them at a party. :~)

[SittinYonder]

What has happened to your tagline?