South Park? Yes.

I was contemplating this topic for so long, and I knew that there were a million different things I could choose, but when it came down to actually remembering one to focus on under pressure, I was having difficulty. So many films, songs, and works of art offer blatant social criticism, and I couldn’t think of a measly one, until I went to watch my nightly South Park episodes on Netflix with my boyfriend…it dawned on me. How didn’t I think of this before?
            Okay, so South Park isn’t exactly a “work of art” or anything, but since it’s so loosely defined in this topic, I would say that it counts as art. It’s an expression of emotion intended to entertain an audience and prove a point. If plays, films, advertising, and songs are art pieces, then why not a television show? As long as it’s not a reality show that wasn’t well prepared and based on a script, I think it can fit under the classification. South Park may be raunchy in the eyes of many, but it is still a comedy that has influenced our generation.
            South Park goes places that many wouldn’t dare to go in today’s society. They hit on social issues that many wouldn’t bring up in a even the most casual conversations for the sake of being “politically correct” or seeming bias or irrational, and they don’t discriminate with their bashings, either.  This show will focus on issues in today’s world that are sometimes overlooked or misunderstood by the majority of the population, and brings them to light in a humorous fashion. I think that one of the best, if not the absolute best way to convey a message is through humor, especially in this generation. Not too many care about the political mumbo-jumbo and are bored by even the slightest indication of it, but South Park can capture the attention of even the least intellectuals and steer them into thinking a certain way. Can this be bad? Possibly, since South Park mostly focuses on the faults of the government or certain happenings, but they also focus on the fault of the people for not understanding or correctly interpreting social situations.
            The people of South Park, especially the adults are often shown overreacting or misunderstanding a situation in a way that is relatable to society. Sure, they go a bit over the top with the plots and actions, but that’s where humor plays it’s role, and they are often very real issues. In one episode, “The China Problem,” it shows the townspeople portraying the irrational American fear of the Chinese, and this is a common theme in episodes. The irrational racism of Americans is brought to light and is a very influential form of social commentary.
            They bring political issues out of the dark too, there are episodes pertaining to Osama Bin Laden as well as just about every president or political figure. South Park definitely provides a humorous form of social criticism in every episode, some more serious than others. And I think that it really is influential, because I, for one, don’t know much about political issues because they are of disinterest to me, but when I see a South Park episode I don’t want to sit there and just automatically conform to their point of view, so I research the situation to get some background info on what they’re talking about. So, I can see where it can be dangerous for the show to target not only intellectuals, but the “not so intellectual” side of our country, but either way they get the point across.
            My questions are: What are your thoughts on the significance of South Park in our generation beyond that of a humorous, obscene television show, IF you have any at all? And do you think that the way that they approach their target audience is appropriate or crafty? And, obviously, it is targeting a limited audience, but, for the purpose it serves, is this a large enough span of individuals, since it is definitely covering a larger audience than many social criticisms?

Marley