HOLLYWOOD—When it comes to animated series “The Simpsons” remains at the top of the list. I mean let’s face it, it has been around for over 25 years. Other series like “Family Guy” and “American Dad” have pushed the boundaries in the animated arena, but no show compares to Comedy Central’s “South Park.”
Can you believe “South Park” is no in its 18th season. Yes, 18 seasons. This series finds a way to unnerve the audience and bring public awareness to the masses about issues that we discuss, but don’t really decipher the way it should be.
I think the one thing that brings me back to this series each season is the fact that the episodes tackle some of the most current hot button topics in America like the whole cliché of the Kickstarter campaigns that celebrities and everyday people have launched to gather funds for projects. Cartman, Stan, Kenny and Kyle decided to launch their own program it creates a bit of friction with the Washington Redskins team owner who is determined to take down Cartman and their crew.
While that episode was funny, it had nothing on the series take on the entire Ebola crisis and gluten free foods. I mean the Ebola crisis has been in the news much more than we’d like to hear the past few months so to see the animated crew tackle this subject in a humorous light was well worth every minute. A recent episode tackling the automotive industry caught a bit of flack as the focus turned to the handicapped Timmy and not the popular foursome. While some of the jokes and antics were funny, it doesn’t compare to the laughs presented by the pouty mouthed foursome.
In perhaps one of the most controversial episodes to date, the series decided to tack the issue of being transgender in America. The entire ruse revolves around Eric Cartman who is determined to use the bathroom in piece so he chooses to venture into the ladies bathroom arguing that he is woman trapped in a boy’s body.
This ends up angering many of the girls in Eric’s school who voice their concerns to Principal Victoria. As a resolution, she gives Cartman his own bathroom, but he soon learns he is not the only person who is indifferent as Stan comes to grip with his identity. Stan soon learns an alarming secret about his father Randy, who happens to be pop superstar Lorde.
For a series that has no limits to what topics they will tackle or invoke dialogue about, “South Park” seems to have a unique message at the end of each episode. It might not always make sense on the first watch, but if you take a second and think about it, the relevance comes to mind. Without a doubt, this series is not for children. The use of bad language, sexual topics and over-the-top gross out hi-jinks might be too much for some adults in various cases.
“South Park” airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central. Bring tissues you’ll need them from the bellyaches of laughter that will be delivered.
By Donald Roberts
