Wednesday, June 18, 2008

South Park

Oprah's 'Minge' Pulling a Gun
Obviously, Comedy Central's long running animation series chronicling the absurd adventures of petulant and pithy pre-pubescents draws fire from Christian moms hellbent on playing God with the television listings.  My belief is that the show could realistically be found offensive by viewers not too far from the target demographic.  By design, the show goes beyond the established limits with a frequency that mocks the unwritten rules. But it's smart; and thanks to their up to the last second production schedule it is breathtakingly current.  So I am with Trey and Matt and whatever absurd narrative they cook up.  With that said, any TV critic or fan would be remiss not to note the dips in quality as the show is currently in its twelfth season.  Personally, I revel in thankfulness for the show's continued existence and remain a loyal viewer.  Plus, the new episodes air in a manner that makes them a hot commodity - which has a lot to do with the aforementioned timely subject matter.  Although, Comedy Central lacks the ability to actually develop new and sustainable content to replace South Park, so I am confident the show is safe.
Lazily, I will just expound on my point with one example.  The pictured screencap from a 2006 episode, entitled "A Million Little Fibers", shows the climactic scene where Oprah's 'minge' (vagina- for those less clear on what exactly is wielding that handgun) holds a group of torch-bearing Oprah audience members hostage.  I think it's reasonable to conclude that this could be genuinely inappropriate.  After all, Oprah is an inspiring, self-made, rags-to-riches billionaire with no credible vicious rumors or scandals to her name save the James Frey deceit to which this particular episode owes its inspiration.  I am posting to say that it is completely appropriate to so vividly depict Oprah's reproductive parts as characters with voices and personalities.  When someone gets as commercially massive as Oprah has and gains the influence that inevitably goes along with it, it is mandatory for someone (preferably smart someones like the South Park team) to tear them down and critique them from every angle.  In the name of democracy and free speech, the right is reserved for anyone to call them into question and make them human.  If something valid and revealing is suppressed based on going a little too far in the name of comedy and making a point, then the freewheeling spirit of the American brand of self-indulgence-cum-genius is dead and there is no point going any further.