The Big Picture: Out of the Park

[orangeapples]

odd, I never saw South Park as a source of political views as much as it was a "that's funny, lets make an episode about it," or "that's funny, throw it in."

What I don't like is how people take a joke WAY out of proportion.

remember when they had Cthulu kill Justin Beirber (I seriously have no idea how to spell the last name)? That was ALL anyone on internet news was talking about.

The creators at south park will make fun of anything (political, religion, celebrities, current events, etc), as long as it is funny. They only get mean spirited if they are personally attacked.

 

[Redd the Sock]

Bob, the I'm smart and everyone else is stupid almost qualifies as a philosophy at this point. It's certainly dominant throught the internet, especially in political topics. Even so, the stupidity of people that try and use fiction to back up their positions is unreal. It's not that there aren't things to learn from fiction, but we do have to remember that fiction is choriographed by the author, and as such loses credibility. When I hear professional econmists and politicians hold up Atlas Shrugged as "proof" of the dangers of socialism, I need to slam my head against something. It works in the book because the author made it work, but that might not carry over into reality where unforseen outcomes can happen and the line between productive and parasite isn't clearly defined.

But then again, that's why they turn to it: real life is messy without clear heroes and villans. No one wants to openly admit that there are costs to either side of an arguement, and that we aren't arguing on ideals, but trying to shift the consequences to someone else. That the rich aren't all evil businessmen out to screw over everyone, but neither are the poor simply just too lazy to get rich. TV has replaced religion as our comfort pablam to tell us how right we are and how wrong everything else is, so now they hold up South Park instead of the bible.

 

[mronoc]

I have to disagree. The over-arching idea isn't "Everyone is stupid, but us", just "Everything is Stupid, Period." They do actually poke fun at themselves from time to time. The entire existence of Terrence and Phillip is basically a parody of the crude humor and animation of the show, and the absurdity of the fact that it's actually had some kind impact on the political world, and don't forget the "all preachy and up its own ass with messages" line. Overall, it's definitely a piece of entertainment more than anything else, but I do think there is a coherent worldview, but it's a refined and nuanced world view that isn't based as much on a single ideal as you'd see from other works.

 

[Swifteye]

I find that a south park episode can make an interesting discussion point sometimes.

 

[SurrealFactory]

Do you know what I think? (This is the internet so I'm going to tell you anyway) It's not wise to take anything you hear completely verbatim. I don't take my views and values from one source, I listen to a LOT of people, and then form my opinions based on that. Even then though I prefer to have them remain flexible, because I know that you can always learn more and have your mind changed.

That said, South Park has some great social commentary that, while it may not present a focused political ideology, can give you a great perspective on certain topics and events. And to clarify, the Mormonism episode and the Scientology one don't contradict each other at all. The creators denounce Scientology as a legitimate religion because for the simple fact that it's essentially a business.

 

[NicoDK]

Great episode as allways, and i quite literelly lol'ed at the scout comment.

 

[Harry Mason]

Man, I love South Park...

But yeah, South Park is two guys skewering things they find funny, NOT a unified political philosophy.

I have to disagree strongly on what you said about their position on Mormonism Vs. Scientology, though. Yes, it was more subtle, but they are nothing if not ever MORE vicious when it comes to the things that Mormons actually believe. On of their comedies that no one seems to remember is Orgasmo. It just seems like they have a stronger familiarity with Mormonism, and can therefore speak about it with a little more finesse.

Also, I'm super impressed with the reference to "All In the Family." I was pretty sure no one else saw that show for the deeply political satire that it is.

 

[kwagamon]

Personally I'd prefer being associated with the Scout than JFK. No offense to JFK or anything but he's the freakin' Scout and is awesome!

 

[Draconalis]

I think, you shouldn't maintain the broadcasting voice at panels.

I think half the reason we love meeting people IRL is getting a taste of what they are really like. And your accent is part of what you're really like.

 

[RandV80]

Yeah I always found South Parks political 'messages' to be more about taking a middle ground and pointing out the obvious flaws of the polarized American political landscape. You can pick spots to point out the fallacy in a Republican/Democrat viewpoint, but they aren't exactly providing a firm 3rd party platform. As comedians they simply poke non-partisan fun at both sides and do a pretty fair job to it, compared to Simpsons for example which usually takes a much more liberal view on everything.

On the other hand I've never known 'kids' to be forming their views entirely from South Park.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

...People take South Park seriously?

...Not to say that I'm not a fan either, mind you. Though I shouldn't be surpised that people take this sort of thing literally...

 

[castlewise]

Scout is a spy!

This would have been nicer earlier if South Park wasn't about to finish its series.

More Brooklyn Bob!

More like Boston Bob!

 

[Aulleas123]

I'm really not surprised that you take this viewpoint. Sorry Bob, but there are people who intelligently counter typical liberal speaking points. The fact that the creators themselves said "Yeah, we dislike conservatives, but we really hate liberals," shows that yes, they probably do disagree with you.

It's OK though, I love Star Trek and I'm a libertarian.

 

[crudus]

Does anyone else think bobs real voice sound like he is sending his broadcast voice through the fast-forward feature of a Walkman? Not that it is a bad thing. It is just the first thought that popped into my head when I first heard it.

 

[walsfeo]

Bob, great episode but I disagree.

Sure they are arbitrary, and often mean, but Southpark most definitely has a single driving philosophy and perspective. Their message is larger than just one show can contain.

In other words it is impossible to grasp that philosophy by inspecting the content of any given episode. You have to look beyond the specific people, things, and ideas, that they ridicule and inspect the kinds of things they go gunning for.

Southpark's driving philosophy is very reminiscent of Penn & Teller's Bullshit. Be Skeptical of the current trend, don't believe something just because it's popular. They even make fun of their own show and put forth ideas so dumb they wouldn't expect anyone to buy into them completely.

 

[GeorgW]

Wait, people actually take SP seriously? Seriously??
Also, I like the Boston accent, but prefer your regular one.

 

[Joshimodo]

Good episode. Very true, too.



Not sure whether it's a good or bad thing that Boston is widely represented by a class in an FPS over previous generation's representation of a president.

 

[kara_bulut]

Bob the lord of movies needs to make a voice over for Meet The Scout

 

[jovack22]

I've had americans tell me I sound like a CNN broadcaster. They are quite surprised that most Canadians don't have the "aboot, eh" accent.

 

[TJF588]

Okay, that cutaway was olde news ta me, but the last part would've had me LOLing if I wasn't holding back a mouthful of mac & cheese.