South Park: Classic or Dud?

Yesterday's syndicated episode was the one where Butters tries to concoct diabolical plans (as Professor Chaos) but discovers that all his ideas had already been used on "The Simpsons". Do Matt and Trey have issues* with "The Simpsons" too?

*yes, I know they technically have issues with everyone and everything

I know it's hard to believe that SP would mention something without taking shots at it but I think it was actually a compliment to the Simpsons.

The Simpsons parody is actually rather affectionate. And slightly pointless (the other storyline about the sea monkeys in that episode is much funnier).

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That and the slapfight were really classic; everything else... eh.

Manatees with idea balls definitely post here.

When a joke goes on for too long on "Family Guy", I usually find the uncomfortableness amusing. The whole thing with Bush and Jesus was wildly telegraphed in part I with the whole "THERE WILL BE REPERCUSSIONS" stuff (given that this is South Park and they like to make everything ridiculous, symmetrical and usually involve something coming out of at least one ass) and as such I didn't think it was as funny as Matt and Trey probably hoped I would.

They completely wasted the Bart character, I thought.

The Muhammed cartoons, and Family Guy are just another way to mask their underlying point which is that the 1st amendment stands for the principle that they should be free to mock any religion they want without their episodes getting yanked by offended people in power. I think this season is brilliant so far, maybe not as laugh out loud funny as others, but very nuanced.

it's weirdly appropriate (or appropriately weird) that comedy central is the Most Vital Political Network on tv right now. i don't like carlos mencia much, but even his little intro skit last night was smarter about immigration than anything on cnn.

The representation of the White House presscorps was righteous, tho it's impossible to discern an attitude toward W from having him explain the First Amendment. (I haven't seen the rest of the season.)

worse than "smug patrol"? no wai. not one of the best however.

Also, that Terence is still fat.

For all of their "absolutely nothing is sacred- everything is fair game for poking fun at" they seem to be taking their own show a tad too seriously. I think certain episodes, especially circa 2002-2004 or thereabouts were totally genius, and I was mightily impressed by "Team America", but lately the show is pretty blah for me.

Plenty of things are funny, but the problem with our culture is that there is little satire. Satire, in its highest form, is the most moral of art forms, and it isn't entirely concerned with laughs. Trey and Matt aren't too liberal, but they are far from the closet conservatives people make them out to be. I remember the episode where the priest went to the pope to change the holy document of vatican law, and at the end, Stan says, "does this mean we have to go to church again?", and Stan's Dad replies "No son, it means we get to" Now, granted, he shits out of his mouth after saying this, but i've always found that shit to prevent the show from being too preachy. Another example is the brilliant katrina episode, where Stan tries to admit to starting the flood, but the town only thinks he is speaking symbollically (i.e. We all started the flood), and Stan gets mad when he can't accept responsibility because everyone is so blind to it.

Both of those cases show South Park's noble concern: Personal Morality and Responsibility. Again, NO ONE has the right NOT to be offended if a society decides support free speech. I think South Park went from being a wierd, funny little show about Anal Probes and Aliens to possibly the best Satire American Television has ever produced.

But I do agree that the last few weeks have been rather preachy, but the offenses made against Matt and Trey in the past few weeks are much worse.

"jihad, jihad!"

The “South Park” controversy, which came up numerous times during the talk and question-and-answer session, stems from two episodes that aired earlier this month, which lampooned “Family Guy” and included a scene where its writers are depicted as manatees.

ntroducing MacFarlane, Director of the ASSU Speakers Bureau Adam Kahn, a graduate student in communication, expressed gratitude for the fortunate timing of the event.

“Four days ago our speaker was accused of being a manatee,” he said. “After dinner, I can assure you that he’s not a manatee.”

MacFarlane took his show’s criticism with the candor of a fellow satirist.

“They shit on everybody like we do,” he said, adding that to cry foul would be “hypocritical.”

http://daily.stanford.edu/tempo?page=content&id=20075&repository=0001_article

These cartoons get embarrassing when you detect a sense of pretension from them. Especially F.G. though as (as someone else mentioned on a blog posted here recently) it's humor, while potentially hilarious, is no more sophisticated or funny than that of a typical YTMND.

The absurd + "pseudo-offensiveness" + 80s pop culture = WIN and GOLD. And, as if this needed to be mentioned, having a cult college audience in America in no way correlates you with the "thinking crowd." That implication needs to stop.

Not quite as nuanced as Cartoon Wars, but not without its charm.

Yeah, the Towelie/Oprah one sounded like it could be a good one, but it was painfully unfunny. Those guys are losing it.

"It's PRINNNNCESS!"

Also, all the Cartman parts were way good.

They've almost redeemed themselves with this one, in my book...though I guess the "season" is over now? After a lousy six frickin episodes?!

They must have a fat contract...which is fine by me...though I hope they take advantage of the leisure time to do more films in the vein of Team America.