Weekend Pick or Pass: South Park (1997) on Moviebox

Welcome to South Park: A Different Kind of Comfort

How about specific kinds of TV shows that somehow become embedded in our culture, like a weekend fixture? In its own unique, highly inappropriate way, I can definitely say that "South Park" is that. Back in 1997, when "South Park" first premiered, it changed the game. Everyone had seen cartoons and comedy shows before, but nothing like this existed. It was like the perfect storm. Here is a show that surprises you week in week out, delivers comedic value, but it also has this unique ability to deliver a laugh in a not so nice, easily understood way. "South Park" was a phenomenon that, with its unique animation style, quickly gained a massive audience. It was a show that was so unique, it gained its first network so much mainstream audience that cable numbers hadn't seen up until that point. Early episodes, like "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", and "Starvin’ Marvin", were not just episodes... they were events. Because of this, Quadruple viewing parties... yeah people had them.... and ratings went thru the roof. When the episode “Cartman’s Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut” was released, it set basic cable's highest rating record, for a non-sports show, ever... because of course it did. This was differently unapologetic.... and that's exactly what the world needed. "South Park" became a cultural revolution and evidently was the missing piece of the comedy game.

What kind of evening can you expect from South Park? Well, nothing quiet or calm, that's for sure. This show's style demands that you be fully present. It’s not about complex plotting or striking visuals. This show demands that you be present from the first moment. It is entertainment with a distinct, rapid wit, which means you'll snicker and smirk, and maybe even wince a bit. It is entertainment that all but discourages you from thinking, yet manages to entertain you. This show is the perfect Friday evening entertainment for those who are ready to embrace what is ridiculous, and a perfect Saturday night for those ready to celebrate it. Trey Parker and Matt Stone's audacious spirit is what inspired this show the most. This is a unique blend of juvenile humor and sharp critique which you can witness at its best through the most absurd and improbable to occur scenarios (like aliens, talking animals and celebrity send-ups). This is not about a simple show. This is the comedic mindset that finds the humor in humanity's greatest flaws and foibles. This is not about a typical show. This is a unique, distinctly clever mental and verbal comedy show complete with many episodes.

The Art of the Irreverent Jab

The thing that makes South Park so special is how timeless it is. Decades after its creation, the show stays relevant. Satire is hard to pull off, but South Park does a great job at it. The show is so quick to poke fun at events before they even happened. One of its biggest strengths is how fast episodes are produced and how much live commentary on the world seems to be included in the show. Because of that, South Park is able to create a unique mirror to society. Audience members have joked that South Park is actually fun and smart commentary on society’s mirror and not just episode ideas*. This is all thanks to Parker and Stone. The duo has perfected the art of watching the world and capturing their commentary with scalpel-like precision as ghoulish children. They then present it to the world in the most delightfully amusing way. Hysterical jerks who ruthlessly mock people might conceptually seem a bit harsh, but that is what makes South Park so special. All of South Park’s ruthless, funny, and smart commentary comes from a place of wit, intelligence, and clever writing. So despite how appalling some of the jokes are, the show is still so creatively written that it lessens any guilt for laughing.

While choppy, the animation actually works in the show’s favor. It helps them stay quick with production as they are able to adapt to events that are going on in the world, especially with response times that are unmatched. It also has created a unique style that has really remained consistent and charming over the years. It doesn’t have visually stunning art. It has an intentional quirky art style. The voice acting of Parker and Stone is excellent throughout the show. It is able to add strange yet relatable personalities (or at least interesting personalities) throughout the show. The show has amazing writing as it has insightful messages about humans that are usually covered up with shock value. The crudeness of the show has a direction and a Meaning that is smart and funny and almost insulting and it is amazing to see a show that able to do that so well. It is impressive that it is able to retain fans even after having a drop in ratings. This show has amazing quality that can transcend casual fans and become a cult classic.

Where the Snow Gets a Little Too Deep

Though South Park has some significant issues, like the latent nature of its humor, it's not for everyone, and that is fair to say. The main reason some people will not enjoy the show is because of the complete lack of filter or restraint that South Park exhibits. Without a doubt, there are worse things to be guilty of than being a little too vulgar and scatological, but for all the more refined viewers out there, this does cause problems. It's a harmful show that often mocks some people. While often, the creators of South Park do mean to mock the people they are showing, and there is some form of social commentary to it, the show does often lack the ability to be self restrained and as a result become rather grating. For first time visitors of Moviebox, a wave of South Park episodes can be terrifying because of the immense back catalog of South Park episodes. The quality of the episodes is excellent, but as expected, older episodes have a lack of focus, and are rather dated when compared to more modern South Park episodes. Cynicism, while funny, can also become tiring. The best advice for newcomers is to view episodes in the order that South Park is shown.

South Park knows its audience and knows its show. It gives no apologies for its content. There’s a reason why there are no ads. Parental Advisory is there for a good reason. It is a show dripping with transparent social commentary, intelligence, and wit. It isn't a show for everyone. For those who are offended by nudity and swearing, there are probably better options out there for you. There are more intelligent ways to cover social commentary. But for those of you who like bold, edgy humor, then you have struck gold. South Park makes a great addition to any television schedule. If this description of the show isn't a good fit for your night, then maybe turn on something a little less invasive.