A Decade Too Late

(Originally written: April 15, 2011) If you ask anyone from my group of close friends what I've been talking about for the past month they'll all answer the same thing: "South Park" (they may also answer "I haven't been listening, I usually just tune her out" {Madi I'm talking to you!}). Yes it's true, I've become one of those people who actually watch South Park. I know, I'm a decade late but who cares?! It's an awesome show and since it's been the only thing on my mind for the past little while I figure I should at least mention it in a blog post. I will give props to Madi and Reggie who were the ones who introduced me to this comic gem. Reggie had first told me about it like a year ago but I told him that I thought it was stupid. It was only when Madi (the one who likes absolutely nothing) told me that she actually enjoyed the show that I decided I should give it another try. Thanks guys! You just helped me waste a month of my life! ;)

So I was going to try and be original and deep and go into some rant about how South Park has such deep messages and blah blah but there are three problems with that. #1: I'm not deep enough of a person to actually notice the messages unless they're spelled out to me ("We learned something today..."). #2: Most South Park episodes do have messages but most of the messages are actually really stupid and so again I wouldn't appear to be a deep person. #3: Cartman should always come first. I think he's the one thing from the show that people know of regardless of whether they watch it or not. Eric Cartman (aka the fat kid) is a pop culture icon and how could he not be? With his famous “Respect my authoritah” and “Screw you guys, I’m going home” and his general sadistic/psychopathic/racist/anti-Semitic/anti-hippie/anti-poor people attitudes, this nine year old has made me laugh more times than I’d like to admit. He’s also the character with the most songs on the show and I don’t think I’ve heard one yet that I haven’t LOVED. As an example he makes a Christian rock group [Faith + 1] with such classics as “The Body of Christ”, “Jesus Baby” and “I Wasn’t Born Again Yesterday” and honestly, they are some of the catchiest songs ever! It doesn’t hurt that Cartman’s voice is one of the most whiny, annoying, southern-drawly and childish you’ll ever hear. (Although "Gay Fish" by Kayne West was definitely awesome!)

As far as episodes go, I don’t know if I could pick a favorite. I’ve now seen every episode and they were all good (with two major exceptions which I probably won’t mention) but there were certain ones that really stand out in my mind. “Ladder to Heaven” happens to come to mind but it’s probably because Karina and I went to see Alan Jackson in concert and Alan Jackson was made fun of in this episode. The boys try to build a ladder to heaven to see their dead friend (only because they think he has their winning ‘candy lottery’ ticket, not because they miss him) and all the adults in South Park (and the world) think it’s touching. Soon the media’s involved, filming their attempt to get to heaven via a ladder and Alan Jackson shows up to sing about the endeavor (“Where were you, when they ran out of stuff to build the ladder to heaven?”). I really enjoyed “Toilette Paper” where the boys TP a teacher’s house and Kyle’s guilt starts getting to him so Cartman decides they have to kill Kyle so he doesn’t tell on them. Cartman then goes and buys a foam bat (I guess he couldn’t slurge that extra two dollars and buy a wooden/aluminum bat) and starts hitting Kyle over the head with it. Of course it does nothing to him and for the remainder of the episode Cartman keeps whacking Kyle with the foam bat. 

For those of you out there reading this and thinking "Geez Victorialune, aren't you a bit old to be watching cartoons?" all I have to say is "Screw you guys, I'm going home". Nah just kidding. It's true that South Park's a cartoon but the content is so adult that it might as well not be. Not saying that I'm defending myself, I'll admit I'm childish for my age but who cares? It's friggin' funny and that's good enough for me! And for those of you still shaking your head, here's a tidbit for you! South Park has won 4 Emmy's, been nominated for 4 Emmy's and been nominated for an Oscar. The South Park Movie was nominated for the "Best Original Song" category for its song "Blame Canada" and lost to Phil Collins ("You'll Be in My Heart", you just can't compete with Tarzan!). The next episode that was aired (after they lost the award) made fun of Phil Collins. Yup that's losing with your head held high.

Anywho to end my rant about South Park I'd just like to point out that I know many (and I mean many) people twice my age who sit at home watching The Simpsons or Family Guy and they (even in their 'old' age) still find it funny. I would also like to give a shout out to Matt Stone and Trey Parker! Thank you both for this awesome show! I'm excited for season 15 to premier but I'm also hesitant to get my hopes up. Seasons 13 and 14 were starting to slip (with many episode exceptions like "You Have 0 Friends" which completely makes fun of FaceBook), comedy wise, so I fear that they might've jumped the shark. Oh well, all shows must come to an end eventually (except for The Simpsons I guess, what is it like season 25 already?!).