South Park - Funny as hell or too far?

[Jayems]

At the risk of totally running the simpsons trailer thread off course, I thought this topic deserves its own thread.

South Park has, in recent episodes, satired the death of Steve Irwin. Some have found this to be totally offensive and inappropriate, others think its the nature of the show.

From scientology to the prophet Muhammed (sp?) to gay dog and the KKK, southpark has covered a variety of topics.

Their ability to write and produce the show in 1 week enables them to be current with events.


But do they go too far? I don't think so. I think thats what makes the show and why I think it is by far my favorite show on TV.

There are a lot of topics covered in the show that would personally offend me, but I still think the way they do it is absolutely halarious, and there is always a message hidden in the show.

Anyway, I thought it was tasteless, offensive, and way too soon to pull the Irwin jokes, but thats what makes this show South Park.

[Cheese]

Ive never enjoyed the show at all. Maybe its simply the way the characters are presented, I just dont see the comedy at all. Offensive yes...funny no.

I have never seen the scientology or Mohammed episodes so no comment there. Im also of the same opinion for Family Man or any of the other "New cartoons".

In saying that I do quite enjoy the Canadian show called "Puppets who Kill"...I must be sadistic....or Atheist LOL.

[Scrambler]

Southpark = best show on cable TV

[Table 5]

The day South Park stops "going there" is the day it gets cancelled.

[Flashpoint]

No such thing as "too far". If you can't laugh at satire you aren't mature enough to have an opinion.

Or at least you shouldn't express it.

You don't have to find South Park funny to realize it is intended in jest. Personal taste in humor is varied. If nobody was gleaning enjoyment from South Park, it wouldn't be on the air.

[troutman]

Norm MacDonald on the Crocodile Hunter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stAueHY2QaQ

"44 is a ripe old age for a crocodile hunter . . ."

[habernac]

as I said in the other thread, I'll never watch the show again after the very tasteless satire of Steve Irwin's death. He never did anything to hurt anyone.

[socalwingfan]

I think it's the funniest show on TV - I watch it every night to numb my mind before going to bed - works like a charm. They do go too far sometimes, but it's just a damn cartoon and it doesn't really bother me the next day

[Burninator]

I think South park is funny as hell. Easily my favourite show on tv right now. They are really the only show that has no line, which one of the reasons I like it. I am not easily offended by any means, and there are times when Southpark has gotten close to offending me. But they poke fun at everyone, no one is untouchable or a topic taboo. Great show.

[Regulator75]

Honestly, I have maybe watched 1 full episode.

Can't be bothered. I thought it was canned years ago...

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Honestly, I have maybe watched 1 full episode.

Can't be bothered. I thought it was canned years ago...

That was my impression long ago. I couldn't care less, and never saw what all the hoopalah was about the show.

Then, when I had no TV, but internet, i looked for shows to watch on my computer, and started watching episodes of southpark..

I've been hooked ever since. Watch about 4 or 5, hell even a full season, and your bound to see something you like enough to keep going back.

[RougeUnderoos]

You can't really go too far if it's funny, but just being offensive isn't necessarily funny.

The show is really inconsistent. Some of them just aren't funny IMO, but some of the episodes are absolutely brilliant. That Mormon episode is the funniest thing I've seen in years. That one where they are prowling around like anime characters was also excellent.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Burninator

I think South park is funny as hell. Easily my favourite show on tv right now. They are really the only show that has no line, which one of the reasons I like it. I am not easily offended by any means, and there are times when Southpark has gotten close to offending me. But they poke fun at everyone, no one is untouchable or a topic taboo. Great show.

Yep, no one is safe, which is what I love about it.

Some people love to catigorize it as offensive (not refering to anyone in this thread specifically), when it takes a run at something they care about.

The Mormon and Scientology episodes are must sees.

Cheese, I'd suggest you go get them off Youtube, because I promise even an old man like you will be laughing out loud at them.

[AC]

Bill Maher did it too.

[Burninator]

For those who haven't watched the show in years, it has changed since the couple of seasons. They consisted of the same jokes every episode, basically fart joke type of humor. But since the 5th it has really picked up. Most are about current events and while they still keep the 'fart jokes' style of humor, they poke fun of the event/person and usually give a different take on the situation.

An example would be the episode where a person from the future traveled back in time to southpark to look for work. This person would work for nothing and put the money in a bank account so his family in the future would be beter off. So then more people from kept coming back in time and doing the same thing, taking everyones job in the present day. This is of course a parody on the United States and the Mexican immigrants. The show has gotten very clever. It is far from being canceled mind you as it is finishing up its tenth season with plans for an eleventh.

[jroc]

The show is hilarious, and you really have to take it for what it is.

it would be a different story if they were constantly poking fun at the same religous groups or races the entire time, but like mentioned above, nobody is safe and they do and will poke fun at every sort of group there is.

I liked the episode about family guy where cartman was getting very upset because Family Guy makes fun of different religions and how wrong it was.. haha that was funny

[troutman]

Originally Posted by AnthonyCook

Bill Maher did it too.

New Rule: Stop hassling me about my Halloween costume. [photo of Maher in Dead Steve Irwin costume] Yes, you've seen it on the Internet. I went as the Crocodile Hunter with the bloody stinger in my chest. Because people who really love animals understand that if you get killed by one, chances are you were doing something to it you shouldn't have been. You want me to apologize for making a joke? Who do you think I am? John Kerry?

People often make light of tragic situations, and it does not mean they did not respect the subject or their accomplishments. I suppose there is a line that can be drawn between offensive and appropriate, but black humor is way for many to deal with grief.

[habernac]

well, I've never been a big Bill Maher fan either. He can continue to hang out at the Playboy mansion and pretend he's important.

[Staypuft]

It's a shame that "not funny" wasn't an option.
Give me Futurama any day of the week over SP.
I think it was the pooping out of the mouth that did it.

Edit: Granted I haven't watched South Park in a long time...it might be better now...who knows.

[CaptainCrunch]

I think south park is brilliant, they're not afraid of attacking anything. The episode where they killed the Chef character because of Isac Hayes leaving the show over his scientology beliefs, was both mean spirited, but at the end was a nice indictment over how someones beliefs can ofen get in the way of friendships.

I watch that show with a healthy dose of Robot Chicken