Posted on 04/09/2006 2:06:16 PM PDT by Dark Skies
For those of you not familiar with Comedy Central or their flagship cartoon 'South Park,' a brief introduction. The show was created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, two film students from the University of Colorado. The rampant liberalism of the film department at Colorado contributed to Parker and Stone's rejection of many of modern liberalism's pieties, and they emerged as right-of-center libertarians. 'South Park'--often crude, vulgar, and depraved, but usually funny--is their outlet for a dissatisfaction with modern political and social hypocrisy and demagoguery. Think of it as 'The Simpsons' for an even more desensitized culture--social commentary for the jaded child of post-modernism.
The show takes place in South Park, Colorado, a sleepy mountain town with four elementary school children as the main characters.
Which brings me to this week's episode. Entitled "Cartoon Wars," the show starts with a town-wide panic while everyone gathers their valuables and heads to the local recreation center for shelter. We find out that Fox is going to air a 'Family Guy' episode featuring a depiction of the prophet Muhammad, causing the parents of South Park to fear for the safety of their families. Fox censors the image of Muhammad, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. The writers of 'Family Guy' insist on airing an episode the next week dispalying the prophet again, and panic sets in once again. Everyone is concerned with showing the Muslim community across the world that they are not part of the audience of the show, thus avoiding any retaliation. The mayor comes up with a plan; in order to ensure that no Muslim will think the citizens of South Park complicit in the heresy, truckloads of sand will be brought in and everyone will line up and bury their heads in it. Everyone is issued snorkels and the burying commences. Granted, it's a little ham-fisted as far as it goes; but hey, I never said it was subtle social commentary.
The episode is part 1 of a two-part series. What will next week hold? Will a courageous citizen point out the need to stand up to thuggish intimidation? Will anyone teach the citizens of South Park that cowardly self-sensorship in the face of tyrannical brutality is the response of a slavish people? Tune in next week for the dramatic conclusion.
Oh sure, pick on the Religion of Peace ... that's brave. Even a dutch cartoonist will pick on the muzzies.
If SP really wants to be cutting-edge, let's see them try to poke fun at Catholics. Or Scientology - they'd never touch Scientology.
Parker and Stone are scared to take on anyone except the turn-the-other-cheek, pacifist Islamaniacs.
Nice synopsis. I'm eager to see who the 'writers' for "Family Guy" are going to be. Is this a chance to expose Al-Quada as a force that promotes hostility, hatred and intolerance; or is this going to be another opportuntiy to bash Pres. Bush?
Somehow, I doubt Pres. Bush will be the target of ridicule, as Trey and Matt seem to be more 'Right' than communist. Either way, the last episode was pretty darn funny. Especially the 'Big Wheel car chase scene'.
I don't often watch "SP" because it is a little too crude for me. I frankly am surprised they are doing one on the Muzzies, maybe they do have a little courage after all.
They animated Mohammed a few years ago on the "Super Best Friends" episode. I guess they figure they missed out on the controversy so they'll try again.
They already did. The Catholics were outraged because SP gave the statue of Mary a menstrual cycle, and Chef quit the show because he was a Scientologyist (they killed his character off) .
I think SP should stand up to the Islamofacists. That's what the show is about. The truth (plus a lot of crudeness that lets them successfully get away with it.)
They've repeatedly gone after Saddam Hussein (Satan's boy friend) in many episodes going back many years and after 9/11 they did a pretty good number on bin Laden. They've also depicted (with no riots) Pedo Mo.
Well, maybe they're brave enough to make fun of Catholics and Scientologists, but they'd never try to tease the Muslims.
You oughta see the spoof of Bin Laden(Damn! I just got on another watch list...)It all boils down to Bin Laden being mad at the western world because he has a little penis...
Especially the 'Big Wheel car chase scene'.
That was great! I think that episode had something for everyone. I can't wait to see the conclusion especially since Trey and Matt dropped the gauntlet with the phrase: Will Comedy Central puss out?
I'm curious. I was disappointed the show was continued. I was hoping they'd use their right to free expression. If anyone can get away with it, it would be SP.
They could just have Hammond walking back and forth in the background, without REALLY saying it was suppose to be him. That way, they could have the best of both worlds!
I can't tell if you're trying to be funny. They skewered Scientology and its adherents (Tom Cruise and Issac Hayes [voice of Chef]) big time.
I'll wait to see Part 2 to decide whether or not I'm disappointed, but I can't believe I will be. I've never been disappointed in South Park, but frequently surprised. I didn't expect Chef to be ripped in half by a mountain lion and a bear, but I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Besides, while I enjoy the political satire, all I'm really looking for is a good laugh ... and Wednesday's Part 1 made me laugh pretty hard.
I see they're too scared to touch Islam, though.
The American Public seemed to be the target of that episode.
Muslims were target #2 by going after the chicken-sh!t, appeasing, Kum-Bay-Ya Americans.
I also loved the big wheel scene.....I recently caught the episode about smug....LOL
I cant wait till next week. They have made fun of our side (half of the time I have to agree with there take on us too) but for every one time they do a show on us there are 4 or 5 on the left. Car chase was classic as well, I also loved the mayors plan of burying everyones head in the sand. Sounds like something Bill "Mayor West" White would do.
Family Guy is written by....
CRAAAAAAAAB PEOPLE! CRAAAAAAAAAAAB PEOPLE!
Personally, I can't wait until Family Guy fires back.
My two favorite shows in a comedy war? Front row seat, please.
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