South Park as Parody of Society

federation commons began airing in 1997. The commercials that preceded it gave the impression of it beinganother stupid resume however, when I began watching, I realized big issues were being coered by dint of the repeated behaviors and actions of its characters, through the influences these actions could select on the ravishers, through the reinforcement and rejections of original stereotypes, through the long-term effects that could result from watching the program, and through its consideration of social reality.Some of the repeated behaviors and actions of the characters include one of the children (Kenny) dying during individually episode (followed by Stan yelling, Oh, my God Theyve killed Kenny (South Park) the children ragging the over pitch kid the African-American chef obsessing nigh sex and the geneticist performing insane experiments in his spooky laboratory. Kenny has been shot, run over by a train, impaled on a flag pole, beheaded, crushed by Mir, and taken by Death himselfto name a few. Cartman, the overweight kid, has been called fatty ass, lard ass, and the fat kid (South Park). in that respect atomic number 18 numerous references to his weight throughout each episode he eats continuously, give convey to his Mothers readiness and offering cookies, chocolate-chicken pot pies, and Cheesy Poofs. Each time Chef (voice of Isaac Hayes) offers to explain important issues to the kids, he breaks into a song about making sweet have it away to a woman. This leaves the children wondering just what the heck he is trying to say. in that location ar references to his having sex with every available (and even unavailable) female in the town. There is a take-off of The Island of Dr.Moreau with a geneticistmimicking Marlon Brandoconducting bizarre experiments creating monkeys with four asses creating mutant, militant turkeys and fermenting meat-eating(prenominal) zombies to life. There are both ostracise and positive influences these repeated behaviors and actions could have on an audience. One negative effect could be the numbing of the viewer to childrens deaths it is such a common occurrence on the show until it is expected. some other effect could be the instilling of negative feelings toward the overweight the audience could be learning that it is acceptable to verbally attack a person with a weight problem.Also, in a time of AIDS, promotion of sexual promiscuity is a dangerous thing never have the writers mentioned the use of condoms by Chef during his encounters. Finally, because of the recent advances in genetic research and its awakening of new fearfulnesss in the public, South Parks burlesque of the geneticist could further play on peoples fears. Despite the potentially negative influences of these behaviors and actions, there could be a positive influence alive in the form of catharsis.American society has suffered from the rules of political correctness, the fear of AIDS, and the fear of knowledge (the f ear of going excessively far into Gods domainthanks to our Puritanical background). Maybe South Park gives us release from repression by allowing us to laugh at the things we fear the intimately death, ridicule of our differences by our peers, the contracting of deadly diseases, and advancements in science. (I am sure that most of us need release from the built-up tensions of daily life South Park has give us this release. Despite South Parks cathartic influence, it reinforces several negative stereotypes the wakeful African-American male, the self-serving public official, and the gun-happy redneck. As I wrote above, Chef has little make over his libido this is an extremely negative stereotype of the African-American male. If Chef were Caucasian (let us say an Irish-English-German-Swedish-Scottish-etc-American), the stereotype could be avoided entirely. The mayors decisions are based solely on her looking substantially in the public eye.For example, when a volcano erupts, she uses humbug concern for the children on the mountain to look like a care person on Entertainment Tonight she calls for continuous re-takes even though ET is broadcasting live. Uncle JimBo and Ned are the gun-toting Bubba types when they take the kids on a camping trip, they uprise drunk and shoot at will. JimBos philosophies are, hunting without drinking is like fishing, and thanks to those damned Democrats, we can only shoot certain animals that impose a threat therefore, when you see an animal, you have to yell, its comin right for us then you shoot (South Park).At least one episode attempted to reject a negative stereotype homosexuality is a bad thing. Stans chase after, Sparky, turns out to be gay. throughout the episode we hear the evils of homosexuality preached by the towns people Sparky runs away. Stan realizes that his turn in for his bounder is more important than societys negative views. Stan is counted on to win the big football game game. He does not show up bec ause he is searching for his dog (YES What a message football does not fit highly in the great scheme of things. He finds Sparky at broad Gay Als Big Gay Animal Sanctuary and brings him home. Stan shares his new pitch understanding with the citizens, and they accept his view. every the gay pets return from Als to be with their owners. The owners apologize for being so press minded. This episodes message is quite profound. The gay episode is one episode which may be obvious in its message and is quite easy to delve however, the long-term effects from watching this program could go in both directions.First, there is the possibility that children (and adults) watching this show would imitate the bad actors line and sometimes antisocial behaviors of the characters without realizing the important subtexts of the episodes. For example, Kyle is labeled a fecal-phile in the Christmas episode. He has a friend he calls Mr. Hankey. Mr. Hankey comes out of the toilet to bring Christmas ch eer to all the little Jewish boys. Unfortunately, Mr. Hankey is a gather of feces, and as he dances around, he leaves marks on the walls, floor, and sink he, also, writes NOEL on the bathroom mirror.Of course, Kyles parents blame Kylethey do not believe in Mr. Hankey. Kyle is institutionalize for fecal-philia. Here, the problem could be kids thinking that it is cool to be in love with your own feces and cool to share it with others. They could miss the message found in the subtext the fact that political correctness has gotten out of hand. This episode allows the inhabitants of South Park to express their dislikes over every aspect of Christmasmainly, that each persons rights are being infringed upon by someone elses beliefs.The political correctness is what drives Kyle to his belief in Mr. Hankey, not the fun of playing in his own filth. Second, the audience could perceptiveness the subtexts in these episodes and come to terms with their own morals and belief systems. There is a line spoken by Lex Luthor in Superman that makes good sense A man can read War and serenity and come away believing it is a simple adventure bill another man can read the ingredients on a manduction gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe (Superman).The fact is that South Park is out there it is ultimately our responsibility to make of it what we will. It may be our responsibility to do with South Park what we will however, this program reflects what already exists a society full of prejudices and fears which are embedded within its communities and how these valet de chambre short-comings are passed on to children( Hatley). Fortunately, in most of the episodes these negative actions and beliefs are dealt with in a manner that seeks to alleviate them. Unfortunately, this manner of lleviation is found in the subtext, and most people are not willing to look that far it requires too much effort. Frighteningly, the show is a parody of society itself. In film, parody is u sually the death-knell of a particular genre. Years ago, I read that Ren and Stimpy (another cartoon) was trial impression of the decline of our civilization because of its attacks on societal norms. Could South Park be further proof of this decline, or is it just a funny cartoon that allows us to laugh at ourselves while dealing with our fears? ( Pineda)