South Park is a very curious and unique artistic achievement, but totally inappropriate for a lot of people who would be naturally attracted to it — children specifically. It's a cartoon about a bunch of fourth graders with exceedingly foul mouths which are among the least objectionable elements of the show, what with the drug and sexual and violent themes.
Of course, it's labeled MA for "Mature Audiences." It's not really designed for children, who really don't need to be seeing the tale of Lemiwinks and his mystical journey through Mr Slave's colon. No parent with any sense of responsibility would be letting their pre-teen children watch South Park.
But you know that a lot of young kids nonetheless do watch South Park - but that's probably good. Parents who would be letting their children watch South Park are probably letting them watch a lot of other crap that they really shouldn't be seeing. Plus, such kids are probably seeing a lot of stupid crap in their own home that they definitely should not.
But to the extent that kids are taking South Park to heart, it's likely to be something of an antidote to some of the other bad things they're seeing. Note how the chillen of South Park tend to have to show better judgment very often than their foolish parents.
Yes, Eric Cartman says and does a lot of mean, evil stuff - but mostly ends up hurting and humiliating himself consistently worse than anyone else as a result of his wickedness - and his assumption that other people are as bad as him. Consider his slide show at the end of the "Cartman Sucks" episode, for example. The idea of the photo that Cartman engineered to humiliate Butters by supposedly proving him gay only ended up utterly humiliating himself. It's raw and funny — but even a pre-pubescent child would probably get the point that Cartman was a jerk, and that you wouldn't want to be like him. The joke pretty clearly ends up being totally at his expense.
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Article comments
1 - Eric Cartman
This guy Al Burger sucks ass
2 - Al Barger
Eric- You are certainly welcome to make profane schoolyard taunts, which are generally an appropriate response to any article about South Park. However, this one was just unworthy. The real Eric Cartman would have something much more creative, some baroquely grotesque metaphor.
Again, do feel free to blast me with your best South Park schoolyard type taunt, but I would urge you to put a little more thought into it to make it worthwhile or maybe even memorable.
3 - Carter
while I don't agree with all of your article, I do agree with the fact that they are using these hardcore images to paint a picture. And that there is a sense of morality to South Park and I think people like that. The perfect example is Butters. He is probably the second most popular character next to Cartman. Butters is my personal favorite. He is very moral and always tries to do the right thing.
And truth be told I would like to see him give a couple more speeches about the way he see's life like at the end of the episode "Raisins".
If you need to see a clip just go to South Park Studios.
4 - Al Barger
Oh yes, the "Raisins" episode was classic.
Butters quick but pointed philosophical statement: "I'm sad, but at the same time I'm really happy that somethin' could make me feel that sad. It's like, it makes me feel alive, you know? It makes me feel human. And the only way I could feel this sad now is if I felt somethin' really good before. So I have to take the bad with the good, so I guess what I'm feelin' is like a, beautiful sadness."
And of course the perfect little (rare from Butters and politely stated) insult to finish off: "Well, thanks for offerin' to let me in your clique, guys, uh but, to be honest, I'd rather be a cryin' little pussy than a faggy Goth kid."
5 - PanchoV
I'd let little kids watch South Park before I'd let them go to Church.
At least no one is trying to say South Park is real. There is no mistaking it for fiction and it teaches good lessons without being misleading.
6 - kitkat
kids should watch south park..it is most of all funny..besides..on comedy central..all the things are being revived and censored for viewing pleasure..besides..who would try out the south park stunts??(like the stunts ok Kenny)
7 - MaZi
There is no point in regarding one program as a problem, in my opinion little children should watch little or no television at all. And the content of the shows they are watching is second problem. Television is fine as long as your keep children part of a social environment, but now a days parents use it as a cheap baby-sitter. Whether they watch south park, porn, or the teletubbies, dealing with the content can be equally as hard when they're on their own. When they loose touch with their surroundings and get sucked up by the screen, then you have a problem. But if the parents can let their children watch responsively there is not a problem with any show at all
8 - o.o
My dad let me watch South Park when I was 11, and I thought it was hilarious. It really isnt that bad, its funny!! I mean if I cursed like they do on the show, I'd be in soo much trouble. I know not to say that stuff in front of people, but its just FUNNY!!!!! best show ever
9 - Al Barger
o.o- Thanks for your comment. There's a reasonable point of wanting to protect our younguns - but we also need to give them some credit for being able to understand how to take things. And South Park in particular is generally pretty good at being clear about saying exactly what they mean so plain that even a child can understand it.
10 - April
i think people children under age should not be able to watch south park cause as of an example my little sister watched it then repeated what they said on there to my auntie........!
11 - Kayla
I think some should that explained to others that they really are mature enough to watch south park.....!
12 - Robyn
If parents think kids are old enough.
13 - nbcw
it is how we talk when adults are not around in private to other peers so it paints a realistic picture
14 - Foulger97
Of course it is. It's on at 9pm to 9:30pm (in England) and its on comedy centralX. Everyone knows south park is inappropriate, it's a waste of time to comment on the show. If its inappropriate then dont allow your children to watch it.
15 - Gaybasher
Dick weed
16 - Al Barger
Dear Gaybasher, I assure you that I have no weeds growing from my penis.
17 - Ominous
South Park is what many can call "genius". Like many, I support the show entirely, and yes, the show is inappropriate, but then again, aren't a lot of things inappropriate in this world? There are many people who can interpret things in a right way or a wrong way, it's all 'bout one's perspective and how they use it. Now, as for mine, I say South Park is more to a tool than a weapon to my future children. If used correctly, I believe I can glue in with my kids more slowly about the real world while introducing it in a less realistic and more comical way. It keeps the kids more knowledgeable of the world and points out what they should and shouldn't do, but at the same time, still retain that kid in them. That's the "genius" in South Park.
Btw, I like how you calmly mock people in a way that isn't stooped down to their level, Al Barger.:P
18 - Al Barger
Thank you for your kind comments, Ominous. The key phrase there may be "used correctly." In any case, Parker and Stone are geniuses. Also, "Hasa Diga Eebowai" was the feel-good hit of 2011!