Support NeoGAF

[EmpressInYellow]

Nah man. South Park is gonna make fun of everyone, including you. Me too. And it's gonna be funny as fuck.

EDIT: You know what? It's not worth it. I'm just gonna say that I find this viewpoint, especially RE: that one episode, profoundly ignorant and leave it at that.

 

[Tom Nook Sawyer]

I knew even while watching the episode that some Hilary diehards weren't going to be fans of it, despite the show being comparatively kind to her.

I thought the episode was pretty good overall, and I'm especially impressed how well Stone & Parker can weave together multiple real-life issues into a single coherent narrative.

But, y'know, "A Modest Proposal" would be a much less effective piece of satire in a society which already considered Irish babies a delicacy.

A Modest Proposal also isn't funny at all.

 

[Rich!]

Amazing episode. And hilarious how people are getting so bothered by it.

South park makes fun of everyone. Deal with it.

 

[Maximo]

Just like with every new Southpark season the episodes are only half the fun, the community threads are the other.

 

[SynthFetish]

Spoiler

Holy Shit that ending! What a twist!

 

[timetokill]

Y'know I always thought that history proved them wrong HARD on the Turd Sandwich vs Giant Douche episode and to double down on it in this fucking election is just absurd.

Considering these are like the two least liked candidates in history, it seems pretty damn apt.

 

[Klyka]

Apparently in this thread, people take South Park jokes serious and care about it's "message"

 

[Fuzyfrog]

Considering these are like the two least liked candidates in history, it seems pretty damn apt.

Yup the general sentiment outside of the USA is lol at America when this is your two options.

 

[Red Frost]

...what "science"? We're talking about 11 years ago. Trust me, the "science" hasn't really changed.

Classifications certainly have, such as Gender dysphoria now only applying to discontent.

I'm saying that "they criticize everyone equally" isn't a get-out-of-criticism-free card. "Off limits" isn't what I'm saying. However, yeah, the reality is you have to be more careful when dealing with certain things than you do with other things. This should come as a surprise to precisely no one. That's not to say you CAN'T deal with those more difficult things, but...well, y'know, you better get it right.

Can't agree when it comes to what South Park is doing. You don't need to apply tact to any subject when we're talking about comedy, regardless of what said subject is. Rather than making sure something isn't offensive, it's better to make sure it's funny.

And as a creator, I sure as hell do think "Am I making this worse?" is a question you should probably ask yourself.

How someone reacts to a work isn't the responsibility of the creator, it's the responsibility of the audience. It becomes its own entity when it leaves the creator's hands. This is how all pieces of fiction (or any work really) should be.

 

[Maximo]

Apparently in this thread, people take South Park jokes serious and care about it's "message"

They do when the message aligns with their own beliefs, everything else is funny and free game!

 

[Shard]

Family Guy wishes it could piss people off like South Park does. That being said, I am genuinely confused at the polls stuff as, you know, Hillary has always led in them. A lot of it just felt five months out of date.

 

[TheVampire]

Didn't reall Like this episode.

This is why I reckon they should just do more wacky school yard stuff instead of American current events

 

[Shanks D Zoro]

Great episode, as always.

Was so great when it was Gerald. I actually expected it to be Stan.

I really feel for Kenny, he is completely dead.

 

[EmpressInYellow]

Can't agree when it comes to what South Park is doing. You don't need to apply tact to any subject when we're talking about comedy, regardless of what said subject is. Rather than making sure something isn't offensive, it's better to make sure it's funny.

How someone reacts to a work isn't the responsibility of the creator, it's the responsibility of the audience. It becomes its own entity when it leaves the creator's hands. This is how all pieces of fiction (or any work really) should be.

So just to be clear: so long as some people find them funny, comedians are beyond criticism?

Are there any other professions that get a pass like that? 'cause that sounds like a pretty sweet gig.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Yup the general sentiment outside of the USA is lol at America when this is your two options.

Well not in the UK, here it's "However bad clinton is, trump is infinitely worse, how is this even a contest".

but we don't say it too loud anymore, as the country voted for brexit so what the hell do we know

 

[Fat4all]

So just to be clear: so long as some people find them funny, comedians are beyond criticism?

Are there any other professions that get a pass like that? 'cause that sounds like a pretty sweet gig.

one of the unspoken rules of comedians is that most people don't mind if they bend the rules on modern moralities. That does not equal a free pass, as a jokes intent is still important.

If you think you can do it, by all means give it a go, but comedy obviously has it's lines drawn around the humors intent.

 

[deli2000]

one of the unspoken rules of comedians is that most people don't mind if they bend the rules on modern moralities. That does not equal a free pass, as a jokes intent is still important.

If you think you can do it, by all means give it a go, but comedy obviously has it's lines drawn around the humors intent.

Holy shit. thanks for reminding me of that thread. That one was one for the ages.

 

[Klyka]

one of the unspoken rules of comedians is that most people don't mind if they bend the rules on modern moralities. That does not equal a free pass, as a jokes intent is still important.

If you think you can do it, by all means give it a go, but comedy obviously has it's lines drawn around the humors intent.

wow. that's a thread alright.

 

[RocknRola]

What a twist!! Seems we're in for a long story this season too haha!

I do hope we get some more "Girls vs Boys" episodes out of this. Some of the best episodes, for me, are when the girls and the boys clash in the school

 

[Shanks D Zoro]

one of the unspoken rules of comedians is that most people don't mind if they bend the rules on modern moralities. That does not equal a free pass, as a jokes intent is still important.

If you think you can do it, by all means give it a go, but comedy obviously has it's lines drawn around the humors intent.

flipping hell

 

[EmpressInYellow]

one of the unspoken rules of comedians is that most people don't mind if they bend the rules on modern moralities. That does not equal a free pass, as a jokes intent is still important.

That was exactly my point. The intent of the joke matters. What's the target? What is the joke actually SAYING?

I think a lot of professional comedians would be pretty irritated to hear that those things don't actually matter.

But you know what? This isn't the philosophy of comedy thread, and I've spent enough posts explaining my problem with some of the attitudes surrounding the show. I don't mean to drown out discussion of the actual episode, so I'll call it a day.

(And incidentally, I don't really mind the Hillary stuff - I might find the show's political bro-pinions kind of teenage wannabe-edgy, but they don't actually bother me.)

 

[Fat4all]

I think a lot of professional comedians would be pretty irritated to hear that those things don't actually matter.

I really don't see why they would be irritated, the contrast presented in the show what pretty obvious.

 

[DICKS AHOY]

It wasn't as strong an episode as the previous episode since so much of it was focused on setting up for later episodes, but it was also a lot more mild in its critique IMO, so the responses in this thread are weird to me, unless people are just now learning that Matt and Trey aren't remotely Clinton fans.

I don't agree it's a douche and turd sandwich scenario just because of how hilariously awful Trump is and some of what gets brought up about Hillary seems reaching (I vaguely remember Matt and Trey being Drudge Report fans after all), but it still made for a really funny joke. There's no denying that people in the middle generally aren't jazzed about either of these candidates.

Interesting to see where the internet trolling subplot goes. Surprised GAF would take issue with that when it's pretty clearly putting the girls/Kyle in the right for their protest while Cartman's his typical little shit self reveling in the situation while the real culprit is a full grown adult who should know better.

 

[EmpressInYellow]

I really don't see why they would be irritated, the contrast presented in the show what pretty obvious.

I'm...not entirely clear on what you're referring to here. I was saying, "I think a lot of comedians would be irritated to hear that the actual substance and meaning of their jokes don't matter."

 

[Fat4all]

I'm...not entirely clear on what you're referring to here. I was saying, "I think a lot of comedians would be irritated to hear that the actual substance and meaning of their jokes don't matter."

but that's exactly what i said in my original post.

their intent and meaning is just as important as the joke, but that doesn't mean it will always work against modern moralities. That's why they are usually given wiggle room to explore what their comedy can interrupt people with.

 

[EmpressInYellow]

but that's exactly what i said in my original post.

Right, I know. I was agreeing with you and disagreeing with the premise suggested earlier in the thread.

 

[Fat4all]

Right, I know. I was agreeing with you and disagreeing with the premise suggested earlier in the thread.

ah, well... i'm too lazy and drunk to go back right now, so I suppose I'll just end this here.

 

[MBison]

Memberberries is a cute nod to The Chris Farley Show on SNL back in the early 90s. Sit, stand or kneel during anthem was funny. The rest was garbage. Sick of this anti-SJW shit and Trey Parker working 2 sides of every topic as usual. It's old, choose a side... grow a pair of balls on your vagina and show your personal opinion already. Douche and Turd... got it.

They do have a side, libertarian. They've said many times they had conservatives and liberals and they've done numerous episodes how much both presidential candidates are the choice between ass and more ass.

 

[Brinbe]

I was super-skeptical after seeing the anthem preview, but that was actually pretty solid. M+T are entitled to thinking both parties suck and that view was represented through Stan, but they gave the impression that Turd/Clinton's probably a better choice, but Douche/Garrison-Trump is an unprepared idiot that improbably gets support, which makes sense.

And they overall came out pretty supportive of the girls/people sitting/kneeling during the anthem to make a statement.

I guess this is the overarching plot to the season and it'll be interesting to see where they go with the member-berries/Gerald and everything else.

It was also interesting to watch the episode knowing the 'twist' at the end. Everything Cartman did, like the school meeting, was actually genuine (for all we know). But he went about it all in a completely stupid, sexist and Cartman way, which made it all the more hilarious.

After all this time, they still got it. #VoteTurdSandwich

Also, I hate to say it, but I'd wish people would stop bitching about them doing current events and American-centric stuff. It's an American show, of course they're gonna focus on that shit. That's been their thing forever now. Even in their prime, the kids being kids episodes were the exceptions to the norm. I wouldn't expect to 'get' everything from watching something from England/Australia or wherever.

 

[Bluth54]

I thought it was a good premier. I enjoyed it when they had previous season long story lines and I'm guessing we're getting that again.

 

[Nvzman]

Trey Parker is registered to the Libertarian Party, and iirc when asked about it he responded with "I hate conservatives, but I really fucking hate liberals".

 

[Shanks D Zoro]

The Garrison dancing scene was amazing.

 

[Dishwalla]

Trey Parker is registered to the Libertarian Party, and iirc when asked about it he responded with "I hate conservatives, but I really fucking hate liberals".

Pretty sure that's a Matt Stone quote actually, but they both hold similar viewpoints.

 

[DICKS AHOY]

Trey Parker is registered to the Libertarian Party, and iirc when asked about it he responded with "I hate conservatives, but I really fucking hate liberals".

They've also explained (admittedly in a now 6 year old interview) that they intentionally said that to piss people off:

"It was just lame, that's exactly what we're talking about--people trying to claim the show," said Matt, who in 2005 announced "I hate conservatives, but I really fucking hate liberals." When I asked him about the quote, Trey responded, "It's all based on saying the shocking thing. We used to have a great time going to Hollywood parties and saying 'I think George Bush is doing a great job.' We'd clear out the room. I used to love it."

Both men were adamant that the show has no political affiliation. "I would never want the show to be a Democrat show or Republican show, because for us the show's more important than that. It isn't for everybody else in the world, but it is for us. We don't want you to come to it thinking, 'These guys are going to bash liberals,'" Matt explained.

I believe they've also said before they come across as ripping on the left so much more because so many of their contemporaries tend to be left-leaning and do it towards the right.

 

[MBison]

I love how both conservatives and liberals think South Park sides with them. They're libertarians have share views with both and anyone that has watched all of their shows and movies can easily see that.

 

[Podge293]

.....
After all this time, they still got it. #VoteTurdSandwich

Also, I hate to say it, but I'd wish people would stop bitching about them doing current events and American-centric stuff. It's an American show, of course they're gonna focus on that shit. That's been their thing forever now. Even in their prime, the kids being kids episodes were the exceptions to the norm. I wouldn't expect to 'get' everything from watching something from England/Australia or wherever.

I'm with you on this man. I'm from Ireland and have a passing interest in US politics but I always find that South Park makes it hilarious. They should keep it up

 

[Polari]

Great start to the season. People here seem to be getting worked up about Turd Sandwich vs. Giant Douche - it's South Park folks, they're going to go all in on both like they always do.

 

[ldcommando]

I'm with you on this man. I'm from Ireland and have a passing interest in US politics but I always find that South Park makes it hilarious. They should keep it up

Brazilian here and I also echo this sentiment. It's awesome seeing stuff that gets discussed in this board being made fun of the following week on South park.

 

[fisheyes]

I'm not bothered by the use of current events - in fact I think South Park does it bloody well - but man the Americanism can get overbearing at times. I'm disappointed they were so quick to throw out the idea of something like a Pokemon Go episode - something which would be relatable worldwide, but are instead going with the American controversy of some American playing an American sport sitting during the American National Anthem. America! Fuck yeah!

 

[Ryuuroden]

He's the troll behind it all.
He went to his computer and signed in as Skankhunt42

Wonder if hes like South Parks Milo or something

 

[Pedersen]

I'm not buying Cartman thinking girls have balls. In the episode where they came up with a plan to steal the cuteness list from the girls, having butters kick a girl between the legs and in the next scene Cartman comments that they've learned that girls do not have balls. Really sloppy from M&T.

 

[lucebuce12]

I'm not buying Cartman thinking girls have balls. In the episode where they came up with a plan to steal the cuteness list from the girls, having butters kick a girl between the legs and in the next scene Cartman comments that they've learned that girls do not have balls. Really sloppy from M&T.

Clearly Cartman wanted Kyle to catch on. This is all just part of a greater conspiracy.

 

[Dynasty]

The episode overall wasn't that good for me, the best bit about the episode was knowing when it finished a ton of Hilary supporters would be annoyed. I also kind of like Kyle's dad being the troll, going to be interesting to see how Kyle handles it when he finds out.

 

[ReplacementPelican]

Amazing episode. And hilarious how people are getting so bothered by it.

South park makes fun of everyone. Deal with it.

Yes but the issue is that the show's cynicism is not just always overblown but empowers a relatively young pseudo-intellectual fanbase to approach politics, culture and society at large with a sneering apathy. The show is definitely funny but that doesn't mean that it should be free from criticism nor should you - or anyone else - handwave that criticism as 'hilarious' as there's a dialogue to be had.

I feel like the messages of this specific episode were a bit muddled and reductive of real world issues which is when I think South Park is at its weakest and least funny and yes this is mostly about the Clinton/Garrison stuff.

 

[smokeymicpot]

I'm not bothered by the use of current events - in fact I think South Park does it bloody well - but man the Americanism can get overbearing at times. I'm disappointed they were so quick to throw out the idea of something like a Pokemon Go episode - something which would be relatable worldwide, but are instead going with the American controversy of some American playing an American sport sitting during the American National Anthem. America! Fuck yeah!

They did a Pokemon episode years ago. It is a American show.

 

[RocknRola]

Clearly Cartman wanted Kyle to catch on. This is all just part of a greater conspiracy.

I know this may be a joke post, but with SP it's clearly possible They always loved their complex yet silly conspiracies. Easter bunny anyone? hehe

 

[Murkas]

Spoiler

"Member when South Park used to be funny"

 

[Lothar]

And they overall came out pretty supportive of the girls/people sitting/kneeling during the anthem to make a statement.

I think this is a case of everyone wanting to believe the show is on that side. You believe they were supportive of people sitting and kneeling during the anthem? I don't see how they could have made more fun of it or made it look more ridicilous, haha.

 

[Shanks D Zoro]

Spoiler

"Member when South Park used to be funny"

A few hours ago

 

[Sapiens]

Y'know I always thought that history proved them wrong HARD on the Turd Sandwich vs Giant Douche episode and to double down on it in this fucking election is just absurd.

John Kerry was the Mitt Romney of Democratic candidates.

Any way - a funny episode made even funnier by some peoples reactions. South Park doesn't have to be a safe space people. And if you expect to walk into any episode of SP expecting your beliefs to line up with those of the creators/writers, you're going to have a bad time. But maybe they can get JJ to reboot SP for you so it can be the way you remembered it in season 1.