Morality of 'South Park'

I love South Park, they don't subscribe to the "Herd". They point out so much of what is wrong with the "Herd" and do a damn good job making fun of them. I've honestly always believed they take a very common sense view to Social issues, they rock!

I wholeheartedly agree. They expose morality for what it is. I find it interesting how simple comedy can exose the truth and poke huge holes in what is popularly regarded as the "norm".

South Park isn't quite the most moral show on television (I'd have to give Battlestar Galactica that title), but it's surely the funniest. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are geniuses -- no doubt in my mind.

Great at showing the true absurdity of so many issues. And attacking stereotypes with a vengeance. I agree with Fremen that they are perfecting their craft and as a result, getting more attention because of it.

I agree that Southpark points out lots of problems with some of the thinking in society.

And although I'm not drawn to toilet humor, I suspect that the people who are drawn to it probably don't get as much "intelligent content" as mentioned above in the same program with any other show... Certainly not Jackass, from what I've seen of it.

I don`t like southpark. It reminds to much of how kids in real life really act. My own included. Smart mouth, disrespecting teenagers.

Yeah, I can see where it wouldn't necessarily discourage that.

I think that the best point of view for episodes with that in mind would probably be from the character Butters. He's one of the younger kids, more naive and not mean spirited - But he gets screwed over a lot too.

In my opinion, I'd rather have kids being fans of Southpark, rather than Jackass, for example.

I was shocked when I saw that my girlfriend let her kids watch South Park, her response was enlightening: "I watch South Park and I am always with my kids and hide nothing from them. If they have a question about something, they ask me and I tell them an honest answer." I have since noticed that her kids laugh at things kids laugh at, like a talking poo and a boy dressed like a girl, but the humor they don't understand isn't interesting to them and they have no qualms about asking anything of their mother when they want clarification. It's shocking now to see the effect an engaged parent has on her kids' well-being. I now think that hiding things from kids in an overt manner (telling them that what they see or think isn't real) is somehow disconcerting for children and creates a rift between their experiences and expectations of their parents. If it is none of their business, that's one thing, but expecting them to turn off their curiosity or their perception - that's criminally negligent.

I love South Park. When it comes down to it all, it is a political cartoon that displays a particular view towards various issues. I hear people claiming that they can't stand it because it is discimating, rascist, et cetera. From which, I say as one once stated: that is not true, they hate everyone the same.

Tonight's episode of SP is an instant classic. Cartman and the gang infiltrate a Somalia pirate crew. The episode was as poignant as it was funny.

Haha, sounds great. I'll download that off Rapidshare or something and watch it tonight (I live in Europe and South Park episodes take ages to get here, which sometimes makes them seem slightly out of context.)

I also love South Park. Trouble is that sometimes I find it a bit tough to make out just what they're trying to make fun of, again this is probably because I don't live in the states.

Well does this mean that you folks in the EU aren't getting your "Fair share" of South Park? Hmmm maybe you should try capitalism and allow the demand side of the market deliver the goods!
So what country are you currently enjoying all the benefits of Euro-Socialism in?
Now let me guess - the UK since you at times "find it a bit tough to make out just what they're trying to make fun of". I have the same problem sometimes when I watch programs on BBC America - but generally speaking I enjoy the unique wit and humor provided.

CAPITALISM!!!........sells cartoons!!!!

(which are broadcast over the government regulated cable lines, only on the proper government approved channels)

It's not the UK, but I don't blame you for not guessing. You probably don't even know my country even exists

Then again maybe some episodes aren't really making fun of anything in particular. Case in point: in one episode I watched recently giant Guinea Pigs attack the US because all the Peruvian Flute bands, which used to keep the beasts at bay, were removed from the country by an evil plot from within the Pentagon.

I mean wtf is that about?

JoeConti wrote:

Your English is too good for most Europeans unless they have a background in language or communications, so I guessed at the UK. So what country are you from? Granted many Americans lack geographical knowledge but I fortunately am not a product of public education and have traveled extensively both professionally and privately. Why would you think I (we) wouldn't know your country even exists? Care to enlighten us all?

I'm not a big fan of Southpark. Even though the show is really funny, I don't like some of the ways they attack people and some very delicate issues.

Because we're tiny, our population barely exceeds 400,000. Ever heard of Malta?

And thanks for the compliment about my English. We used to be a British colony until 1964, which is why English is our second national language after Maltese.

But of course, but then again I happen to be a fan of Dashiell Hammett and the Discovery Channel (which covered the Megalithic Temples many years ago). If memory serves isn't Malta also supposed to be where the city of Atlantis once was?

JoeConti wrote:

Yes, I am familiar with Malta and had considered visiting it during my last trip to Spain. But time didn't allow it unfortunately. Next trip to the Mediterranean area will certainly include it, any suggestions what to visit or do? I avoid the standard tourist fairs and prefer getting more into local culture and people when traveling.
Although it is a small country in both size and population it is significant for many reasons. I have watched several documentaries concerning your country all of which were positive in nature. Recently Anthony Bourdain covered your local cuisine on his Travel Channel series - food looks great!

Hey we all were British subjects at one time or another!

That's great that you guys have heard of us, every time I visit the States most people return a blank stare whenever I tell them where I'm from.

Yeah, mentioning the Maltese Falcon usually helps when trying to explain where I'm from.

Our Temples are the oldest free standing buildings in the world, older than the pyramids, stonehenge... The lot!

It depends what you're looking for really. My suggestion would be to visit village bars which we call "kazin", which is usually a local band club or political party bar where you can meet some real locals. The smaller island of Gozo is also a must, things there are done differently to the main island (Malta) since everything seems stuck 30 years in the past, which is great!

During the summer there are village feasts (dedicated to each village's patron saint) practically every weekend, so that's definitely one thing you can't miss out on if you visit during the summer.

If you want history then the list is endless.

I didn't know he visited, I wonder if I can find the episode somewhere online..

Haha, true!

Thanks for the tips - I prefer the local pubs etc as the people there are usually "real" people. I have been fortunate to be able to travel on both business and pleasure and have made some real lasting friendships over the years.

I am not sure if the Travel Channel archives Bourdain's episodes, but it is worth checking out. I like him as he is a real unpretentious guy, just into eating, drinking and being real!

Maybe you should put together a tour for some of us here on RtH so we could visit your country! I would be up and in on that.

It is great to have you participating here by the way, its always nice to have a different perspective presented.

Thanks! It's always a pleasure engaging in proper discussions like the ones that take place here, I'm just glad I found out about the forum.

Being an RtH tour guide sounds like fun, I'd love to Anyone else interested?

I don't watch south park continously. When time permits i will watch. I don't be a big fan of it .

Most think i like in south park is the animations style.

South Park is one of the only shows that talk about taboo subjects. I remember the episode based on the Terri Schiavo Case where Kenny was on life support. He was supposed to die and help heaven win a fight against hell, but they put him on life support in a persistent vegitative state. That episode aired 12 hours before Terri Sciavo died, yet still got it's point across. The wishes of Kenny were not to make a public spectacle of him, which ended up happening anyway. I feel that South Park really does have morals, and touch on them in a different way.

As far as i am considered they really annoy and attack people and therefore I'm not a big fan of Southpark.I know that the show is really funny and enjoyable but this has lead to serious issues also many a times

They attack, annoy and make fun of everything and everyone.  I believe it does society well for what it does is make issues of race, color, sexuality, religion, etc. all non issues which is as it should be.

I don't think South Park has any morality at all. It's not my kind of show, and I have great dislike for their recent death show.