I have often wondered what sort of ritual Trey Parker and Matt Stone go through to develop a South Park episode. I confess that I have envisioned them getting together with the South Park writing staff in front of a bank of LCD big-screen TVs, all set to news channels, smoking bowl after bowl of weed in a giant glass bong, and choosing current events to malign by whichever story gets the biggest laugh.
After watching this week's episode, "The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs", however, I realize that there is likely no ritual at all. In this episode, the boys sit down to write the most offensive novel that has ever been written because, after being forced to read "The Catcher in the Rye" (recently available at their school after having been banned because of its foul language and vulgar themes), they realize that the world has a distorted view of what is really offensive. Trouble ensues when the boys' parents discover the novel and read it to the accompaniment of uncontrollable vomiting. The boys think they're in trouble so they tell everyone Butters wrote the book, only to discover that everyone considers it literary genius with timeless themes of conservative v. liberal/elites v. working classes/you pick the theme.
As with most of the South Park episodes, this one is funny. Also, to my surprise, I think Trey and Matt are trying to tell the viewers something: South Park has no theme; episodes are developed because they are funny, not because they're trying to make a statement.
Just like "Catcher in the Rye", South Park has its vocal critics who bemoan the vulgarity and casual violence, the lack of moral grounding (though I would argue Stan plays that role pretty well), and the usual litany of whiny fear-mongering. Matt and Trey have never really wasted time trying to defend the show against these self-hating haters. Yet, in "The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs", I think they've taken a bold step and pointed the finger at their fans instead.
Most people watch South Park because it is funny. Some fans, however, take a high-brow approach to the show and try to point out how the show is culturally relevant ... how Trey and Matt are, in fact, brilliant social commentators. I have fallen into that group myself, and I think I (and the other elitist fans) have secretly been defending ourselves instead of the show. Maybe we were just embarrassed by our propensity to watch cartoon comedies at the age of 35. Well, here is our wake-up call. According to Trey and Matt (I think), we should be watching South Park because it is funny, not because it is socially relevant. Does this mean "Catcher in the Rye" was really just a boring story about a middle-class crybaby? I may have to reevaluate my 20s.
Message received, gentlemen!
P.S.
Erica Durance, I love you.
There are three types of South Park episodes:
ReplyDelete1. "Relevant" Episodes- War, Celebrity, Politics
2. "Fantastic" episodes- End of the World, Manbearpig
3. South Park "Kids Being Kids" Episodes- This week's episode or the episode where Cartman jumps off the roof.
The first episodes are often brilliant satire. The second type is hit or miss. The third type make me laugh the most.
-Watson
I remain amazed at Trey and Matt's ability to combine insightful social commentary with a never-ending stream of pooh jokes. They've found their niche.
ReplyDeleteI give the show five Courics.