Why you should all give South Park a try.
Yes, it's a South Park post. But no, I'm not trying to convert you. I myself hated South Park for years on principle. But when I started watching it I liked it and then loved it. This post is for anyone judging the show merely on heresay, or those that haven't got around to watching it yet. I urge you all to give it a try. Don't worry - I'm not going to send you into the show blind - do that and you could nose dive right into an unfunny, disgusting episodes (yes, they are there, I don't like them either). I'll give you a list, and links to, the best episodes, ones that make me think, laugh, and look at the world just a bit differently. And here's why you should all give South Park a try.
Firstly, it's perhaps one of the most important satires of our generation. It provides up to date, insightful and ridiculing commentary on current events. South Park hasn't got a politcal agenda - it makes fun of every ideology equally. Which means we get a great perspective. Not only that, it reveals aspects of human nature and American culture that everyone should be aware of. South Park is like one massive political cartoon. Think Punch with a good dose of Monty Python thrown in, and that's the satire side of South Park.
~About Last Night~ (season 13) is a great example of this. It retells the aftermath of Obama's election and totally turns the story on its head. Also, the commentary on the Democrats v Republicans (have I got that right?) is hilarious.
Having said this, because South Park is told from the POV of children, there is a lovely innocence to the satire. However edgy, filthy or nasty the kids can get, at the end of the day they're children who are just growing up and trying to make sense of the world.
~Chef Goes Nanners~ (season 4) is a great episode for this. It touches on an important issue - should we censor the past to prevent racism? As the entire debate rests on the children, the end will make you re-evaluate your own views, and is both insightful and hilarious. Also, Wendy gets a crush on Cartman which is fun. And the portrayal of the KKK is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen.
~Tooth Fairy Tats~ (season 4) is another great childhood episode, and possibly my favourite ever. After learning that the tooth fairy doesn't exist, the children embark on a foolproof money making scheme, while Kyle, distraught at losing his beliefs, questions his reality and the world itself (for philosophers this is a brilliant episode - Kyle's story basically takes the piss out of Descartes in a fond and hilarious way).
South Park may not seem like a feminist program. And it's not. There's no feminist propaganda or agenda. But women are treated equally - although the show's protagonists are male, there are female characters that play important roles, often portrayed as cleverer or more sensible than their male counterparts (Stan's mum is a good example of this). And then there's this episode.
~Breast Cancer Show Ever~ (season 12) Now THIS is my favourite episode. Wendy, after years of being bullied and repressed by Cartman, finally gets her own back, fighting for both herself and a righteous cause. It's just... Wow. If there's any episode you should watch to persuade yourself the show is awesome it's this one.
~Eat, Pray, Queef~ (season 13) kinda icky, but a great comment on the ongoing inequality of women in the modern world.
As well as feminism, South Park makes excellent comments about other issues.
~Best Friends Forever~ (season 9) this episode was actually written while a similar situation was going on in the States. Kenny, chosen by heaven to conduct its defence to hell's attack, is chained to Earth as a vegetable when he is revived and put on life support. Soon a very different kind of battle is waged - should we continue to help Kenny live or let him die? South Park's own conclusion to the debate is brilliant in its simplicity and wit, and Kenny as heaven's Keanu Reeves is perfect.
And this leads us onto religion...
~Go God Go~ (season 10) this link will take you to part one of an excellent two part story. Cartman gets catapulted into the future, a future where atheists rule. Both episodes are both a hilarious satire of cracky sci fi movies, and a great comment on human nature. Be warned though - there is at least one sex scene.
Talking of religion...
~Cartoon Wars~ (season 10) this is an epic three part adventure centering around the censorship of the media. Specifically, Family Guy wants to show an image of Muhammed, which is forbidden in Islam. This explodes into a massive debate which the boys naturally get sucked into. A great set of episodes that make fun of Family Guy, censorship and South Park itself. Also excellent to see Eric Cartman totally pwn Bart Simpson.
And no list would be complete without...
~The Coon~ (season 13) Cartman tries his hand at being a superhero, but his plans fall apart when he encounters a real life hero. But who is Mysterion? An excellent piss take of all superhero films, which leads into the excellent superhero trilogy of season 14, which made me sooo happy.
Of course there are episodes that are just plain fun.
~Gnomes~ (season 2) the second episode I ever saw, and the one that persuaded me South Park was awesome. When a new Harbucks store opens up in town, this threatens to send Tweek's Coffee out of business. The debate against corporate America yet again rests on the boys, who enlist Tweak Tweek to help them. But they may get their answers from another more magical source... Sweet and hilarious.
~You have 0 Friends~ (season 14) an episode that examines the world's obsession with Facebook. And despite Kyle's claims that "you don't get sucked into it!!!!", Stan does get sucked in, in a very real way...
~Rainforest Shmainforest~ (or Choir Tour, as it is known in England) (season 3) guest starring Jennifer Aniston. The boys go on a trip to the rainforest and discover how dangerous it can truly be.
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I think that's about it! All I can say is - give South Park a chance! Yes, it can be gross at times but it can also be hilarious, insightful, satirical, sweet and just plain awesome. Give it a try. You might just like it!
Or just read this post to humour me. It took me hours!
Wendy thanks you for your time.
Firstly, it's perhaps one of the most important satires of our generation. It provides up to date, insightful and ridiculing commentary on current events. South Park hasn't got a politcal agenda - it makes fun of every ideology equally. Which means we get a great perspective. Not only that, it reveals aspects of human nature and American culture that everyone should be aware of. South Park is like one massive political cartoon. Think Punch with a good dose of Monty Python thrown in, and that's the satire side of South Park.
~About Last Night~ (season 13) is a great example of this. It retells the aftermath of Obama's election and totally turns the story on its head. Also, the commentary on the Democrats v Republicans (have I got that right?) is hilarious.
Having said this, because South Park is told from the POV of children, there is a lovely innocence to the satire. However edgy, filthy or nasty the kids can get, at the end of the day they're children who are just growing up and trying to make sense of the world.
~Chef Goes Nanners~ (season 4) is a great episode for this. It touches on an important issue - should we censor the past to prevent racism? As the entire debate rests on the children, the end will make you re-evaluate your own views, and is both insightful and hilarious. Also, Wendy gets a crush on Cartman which is fun. And the portrayal of the KKK is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen.
~Tooth Fairy Tats~ (season 4) is another great childhood episode, and possibly my favourite ever. After learning that the tooth fairy doesn't exist, the children embark on a foolproof money making scheme, while Kyle, distraught at losing his beliefs, questions his reality and the world itself (for philosophers this is a brilliant episode - Kyle's story basically takes the piss out of Descartes in a fond and hilarious way).
South Park may not seem like a feminist program. And it's not. There's no feminist propaganda or agenda. But women are treated equally - although the show's protagonists are male, there are female characters that play important roles, often portrayed as cleverer or more sensible than their male counterparts (Stan's mum is a good example of this). And then there's this episode.
~Breast Cancer Show Ever~ (season 12) Now THIS is my favourite episode. Wendy, after years of being bullied and repressed by Cartman, finally gets her own back, fighting for both herself and a righteous cause. It's just... Wow. If there's any episode you should watch to persuade yourself the show is awesome it's this one.
~Eat, Pray, Queef~ (season 13) kinda icky, but a great comment on the ongoing inequality of women in the modern world.
As well as feminism, South Park makes excellent comments about other issues.
~Best Friends Forever~ (season 9) this episode was actually written while a similar situation was going on in the States. Kenny, chosen by heaven to conduct its defence to hell's attack, is chained to Earth as a vegetable when he is revived and put on life support. Soon a very different kind of battle is waged - should we continue to help Kenny live or let him die? South Park's own conclusion to the debate is brilliant in its simplicity and wit, and Kenny as heaven's Keanu Reeves is perfect.
And this leads us onto religion...
~Go God Go~ (season 10) this link will take you to part one of an excellent two part story. Cartman gets catapulted into the future, a future where atheists rule. Both episodes are both a hilarious satire of cracky sci fi movies, and a great comment on human nature. Be warned though - there is at least one sex scene.
Talking of religion...
~Cartoon Wars~ (season 10) this is an epic three part adventure centering around the censorship of the media. Specifically, Family Guy wants to show an image of Muhammed, which is forbidden in Islam. This explodes into a massive debate which the boys naturally get sucked into. A great set of episodes that make fun of Family Guy, censorship and South Park itself. Also excellent to see Eric Cartman totally pwn Bart Simpson.
And no list would be complete without...
~The Coon~ (season 13) Cartman tries his hand at being a superhero, but his plans fall apart when he encounters a real life hero. But who is Mysterion? An excellent piss take of all superhero films, which leads into the excellent superhero trilogy of season 14, which made me sooo happy.
Of course there are episodes that are just plain fun.
~Gnomes~ (season 2) the second episode I ever saw, and the one that persuaded me South Park was awesome. When a new Harbucks store opens up in town, this threatens to send Tweek's Coffee out of business. The debate against corporate America yet again rests on the boys, who enlist Tweak Tweek to help them. But they may get their answers from another more magical source... Sweet and hilarious.
~You have 0 Friends~ (season 14) an episode that examines the world's obsession with Facebook. And despite Kyle's claims that "you don't get sucked into it!!!!", Stan does get sucked in, in a very real way...
~Rainforest Shmainforest~ (or Choir Tour, as it is known in England) (season 3) guest starring Jennifer Aniston. The boys go on a trip to the rainforest and discover how dangerous it can truly be.
---
I think that's about it! All I can say is - give South Park a chance! Yes, it can be gross at times but it can also be hilarious, insightful, satirical, sweet and just plain awesome. Give it a try. You might just like it!
Or just read this post to humour me. It took me hours!
Wendy thanks you for your time.