'South Park' - 'You're Getting Old': Getting ready to say goodbye?
Last night's episode played like it could have been the series finale
A scene from last night's "South Park."
I haven't been a regular "South Park" viewer in a long time, but I happened to catch last night's mid-season finale - which many people on Twitter said felt like a series finale - and I have some quick thoughts on it and the state of the show coming up just as soon as I save those britches...
So, yes, if I didn't know there would be another 7 episodes of this 15th season, I would very much wonder if "You're Getting Old" was Trey and Matt's way of saying goodbye. Both the Stan and Randy Marsh storylines were all about getting older, getting sick of the same-old, same-old, with a lot of commentary on how repetitive "South Park" itself is.
Of course, it's been 15 years, which is a long time for a show that made a name for itself being shocking and subversive. Of course it's going to repeat itself. But you could get the sense watching it that Trey and Matt - who have had some success in the movies, and now have a runaway Broadway hit in "Book of Mormon" - have gotten tired of the whole thing.
Because of the way "South Park" episodes are written on the fly in the days leading up to each airing, it's entirely possible that the guys were just in a dark place this week, and that when they regroup for the back half of season 15, they'll feel re-energized. It's even possible that the idea of such a serious close to the episode - with the Marshes splitting up, Stan being rejected by his friends and Kyle and Cartman finally seeming to enjoy each other's company - was actually a sign that they're already feeling excited about the show, and that they want to see if they can really shake things up instead of hitting the weekly reset button that Randy and Sharon were complaining about. Or it could be that we'll return in a few months with the Marshes back together, Kyle and Cartman hating each other, everyone acting like this never happened, and the show moving onto a new celebrity target.
But what was interesting about Stan's existential crisis, and how he struggled to like anything, is that the show's philosophy has often largely been about how other people care too much about things, and that many of our big problems and scandals would go away if everyone could just relax and feel less passionate. Yet here, Stan's lack of passion - and the Marsh parents' - was clearly shown to be a bad thing for them. And that could be the biggest signal of all that the guys are feeling like they're close to the end, or, again, it could signal a move into a different, maybe more mature era of the show.
Then again, given how the episode chose to depict Stan's view of the world, maybe "mature" isn't the right word - nor the kind of tone that "South Park" fans, even 15 years in, would want.
What did everybody else think? Did "You're Getting Old" feel like a signpost towards the end of the series? And, if it winds up going away in the next year or so, are you ready to say goodbye?
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Next 137 CommentsDan J. Friedman
June 9, 2011 at 9:48AM EST Reply to CommentIt felt like the kind of bittersweet, albeit toilet-themed, note that Matt and Trey can hit really well sometimes, when they're trying. If this does signal the end, I hope that the show goes out on exactly this kind of trajectory: funny but sad, sweet, and beautiful.
Charles Well said. Hard to add anything to that.
June 10, 2011 at 11:38PM EST(Oops, did I just fart? Sorry.)
Haynie
June 9, 2011 at 9:52AM EST Reply to CommentAfter 15 years with Stone and Parker it's hard to know what to think. Last night's episode could have been an honest statement of their feelings about the show just as easily as it may have been a tease to get us talking. You never know with them.
What I found so interesting about the episode was the Kyle/Cartman bonding. It reminded me of Pete Venkman standing in the mayor's office and yelling, "dogs and cats living together; mass hysteria" when describing the end of the world. If this episode was a "signpost" for the end of SP's days, then Kyle and Cartman becoming best buddies would be the greatest sign of the apocalypse.
They definitely grabbed my interest, and obviously yours as well based on this rare review. So even if it's just a hype-seeking hoax, give Trey and Matt credit for knowing how to work the crowd.
June 9, 2011 at 2:24PM ESTMike
June 9, 2011 at 9:55AM EST Reply to CommentWould it be that surprising if Matt and Trey just decided to end the show early without announcing it? Seems like for a long time they have been able to do whatever they want since SP was such a big part of Comedy Central's success. It seems like they could have something in their contract to get out of the last half season if they really wanted to. Of course I have no real information on the subject.
velocityknown
June 9, 2011 at 9:57AM EST Reply to CommentI've followed Parker and Stone's path somewhat closely and have noticed a bit of bitterness that has grown when talking about "South Park". I don't think they hate the show, just all the responsibility it comes with. People want to know what point they're making, who they're making fun of, and why. And they don't even always know, they just write the episodes.
This episode though, man, did it catch me off guard in a big way. I really hope that they can change because I would love to see a serious dynamic change in an animated series. I don't even remember an animated series doing something like this since King of the Hill killed off Cotton, something they never actually did anything with which is my concern for this plot thread.
But then again they've done this before. They killed Kenny for real in "Kenny Dies", kept him out for a season and then brought him back. There's no telling how long this change will last, but I do think it will be present when it returns in the fall. Though the episode, "Kenny Dies" didn't have anywhere near close to the finale feeling this one did (though it was just as depressing).
I hope that with the recent repetitiveness of the show and them wanting to take their work more serious (stemming from Broadway success) that they feel compelled to take this more seriously and run with it in a really ambitious way.
Then again we are talking about the guys who just spent 30 minutes making crap and fart jokes about movies and music. You never know what to expect from Stone and Parker. I may not want to say goodbye to South Park, but I respect the work of its two creators so much that if they think it's time to end it, I'll believe them. But if they want to keep going, I'll probably always be a loyal viewer.
Eric S.
June 9, 2011 at 10:08AM EST Reply to CommentI started this season literally not being able to make it through an episode because somewhere along the way they lost the low level, but still sweet, smart, and funny attitude, and just became flat out disgusting. A giant trapper keeper coming to life and threatening to destroy the world is clever and funny. The Humancentipad with people sewn together, is disgusting and stupid.
The last 3 episodes in a row, however, I did make it all the way through simply because there was nothing to make me turn it off. The episodes were neither disgusting, nor sweet, nor funny. Just kind of empty. So its very interesting to me to see this kind of episode immediately follow. To answer Alan's question: Yes, I am ready to say goodbye.
Andrew The human centiPad joke is no more disgusting than the film it was riffing on (at least what I understand from reviews, Human Centipede has never been a film I have any desire to see.)
June 9, 2011 at 10:51AM ESTI wouldn't mind if South Park was produced somewhat more like Curb Your Enthusiasm. Whenever Matt and Trey want to produce a season let them. Heck, since the production schedule is so tight, if they're inspired to do so, let them decide when they want to do an episode with a few days lead time. Promote and throw it up on TV with a couple of days of notice.
spforever Instead of viewing the show as over for the creators maybe the episode was saying their cynical fans who look for some unatainable perfection every episode that you should just stop watching. They don't need your cynicism. They have created one of the best and longest running shows on television, a blockbuster movie, and a hit broadway show. They don't need your worthless approval. If you don't like it, its not their fault its yours. Grow up and find something else to watch.
June 9, 2011 at 11:45AM ESTRev. Slappy The Human CentiPad offered up some spot-on satire about Apple. I guess a lot of viewers were unfamiliar with the movie they were parodying.
June 9, 2011 at 1:31PM ESTLee Harvey I loved this episode. Even though this season has so far been hit and miss, it's contained a few gems. The commentary on college sports, agents, etc. was one of the best. And then this one just hit like a ton of bricks. I was so glad they chose such a downbeat ending.
June 9, 2011 at 1:47PM ESTJim The main reason that the Human Centipad episode is a sign of their laziness was that the show was not even the first to make fun of that movie. Tosh.0 made fun of the movie last season. Maybe they just tapped the well.
June 10, 2011 at 11:14PM ESTjae Jim: don't even start with the "Tosh.0 did it first" kinda complaint. They can make a joke without worrying if someone made fun of it before them. That shit doesn't matter.
June 11, 2011 at 1:12PM ESTBesides, they made a good point about the internet, "People couldn't believe how easy it was to take their videos, music, and photos, and all their shit, and share it, with other people, who could do the same with all their shit" think about the humancentipad.. If you don't get it, please stop watching South Park.
the minister Simpsons did it!
June 16, 2011 at 8:00PM ESTscarlett I def agree with eric. The last couple of seasons have not been up to standard, and trey and matt know it...why else would they do an episode about things getting old, worn out...they even had randy and sharon do an apology about their latest stuff right into the camera. They know its time to quit, before they do indeed become like the Simpsons...
June 22, 2011 at 8:49PM ESTTim Well i don't think the last few seasons have been disappointing at all. The Mysterion trilogy last season was fantastic! This season has been ordinary; i didn't really enjoy City Sushi, but others like Royal Pudding were good, if not particularly brilliant. I hope Matt and Trey don't decide to end South Park any time soon, cause its really the only good catoon political satire out there... then again, i guess i can be satisfied with 15 exceptional seasons...
October 21, 2011 at 8:05AM ESTPhs
June 9, 2011 at 10:38AM EST Reply to Commentits a two-part episode, obviously the things unresolved will be explained properly in the 2nd part.
esfurniss
June 9, 2011 at 10:55AM EST Reply to CommentThe ending of this episode reminded me of the cliffhanger where we were to learn to who Cartman's Dad was. Everyone tuned into the next episode and got a Terrence and Phillip episode instead. It wouldn't surprise me if this was Parker & Stone pulling a joke on the audience. Whether it's because their attention was on the Book of Mormon or they just had an off year, this season of South Park was one of the weakest. The finale was definitely a highlight and I don't remember Parker & Stone ever having such saddness in an episode before. The ending wasn't quite the "what the bleep?" moment the fade to black in the last Sopranos was but it definitely has left me wondering what the heck is going on.
Mike
June 9, 2011 at 11:05AM EST Reply to CommentI am very ready for the show to end. I don't know if I have really enjoyed it since probably the World of Warcraft episode. While all the earlier episodes were obvious parody, it felt like later episodes focused even less on the personalities of these characters that had been developed and were just overdone overt references to pop culture without attempts to creatively weave it in to a story about these kids. Some of it almost makes me think of any movie by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, and that is a scary, scary thought.
As for this episode, maybe I am cynical, but I am a 21 year old college student and even though the message and the tone of the episode was great, I almost had to turn it off a number of time mere because I hate listening to that much farting and seeing that much shit. I understand it was a way to tell a story, a story that I thoroughly enjoyed, but it was just grating the entire episode. I hope that this is the beginning of the end because in my opinion the end couldn't come soon enough.
c Wow, you're the oldest 21 year old ever. I'm 31 and I'm younger than you!
June 9, 2011 at 11:29AM ESTJC I'll bet you drive a prius and love the smell of your own farts...
June 9, 2011 at 11:44AM ESTroidnugs Seriously, you are 21 going on 60.
June 9, 2011 at 11:52AM EST
June 9, 2011 at 2:29PM ESTAlex This comment was hilarious...
June 9, 2011 at 3:34PM ESTMike I don't drive a prius, I ride a bike! No but seriously, listening to farts for 20 minutes is just really, really fucking annoying.
June 9, 2011 at 4:56PM ESTButSrsly Well you are right about their latest seasons and I'd say that the focus on the "Tween" years is a sign that they recognize the lack of spirit they've shown in recent episodes. I might even say the episode is a hint to the end of the bullshit.
June 9, 2011 at 10:12PM ESTHowever, the show is still under contract until 2013, so what Trey and Parker do between now and then will probably reflect "You're Getting Old".
Ashley Of course you ride a bike...you're probably also either one of those creepy Earth Day people who hypnotize people into loving the Earth, or a member of PETA, where you love animals so much you mate with them....
June 9, 2011 at 11:20PM ESTDavid H That's pretty much why I watch South Park -- the fart jokes. That & small children swearing. The fact that they're now releasing uncensored versions on their website is the greatest thing ever to happen in the universe. Hearing City Wok guy say "What the fuck" is unbelievably funny to me. Go figure.
June 10, 2011 at 1:39AM ESTpbrain c'mon, your all 15 years older since the 1st episode aired. M & T are 15 yrs older since they started it.
June 15, 2011 at 10:09AM ESTI'm 50 and still smell my own farts, but my nose is not as good as it used to be. I would never drive a Prius though I know someone who does and there is smug pride there when he mentions it - tit!
Grohl You do realize that your opinion isn't based on fact? Some people tend to forget.
June 18, 2011 at 3:31PM ESTDrew
June 9, 2011 at 11:22AM EST Reply to CommentI'm a regular South Park viewer, following it through ups and downs, and this first half of the season has had its share of both. Last night's had me laughing hysterically before the first commercial break, then started to drive its main joke into the ground, as has happened quite often the last few years, but the third act definitely caught me off-guard.
I'd say that it was a signal of the beginning of the end, except that they're under contract for two more years after this one (although Chappelle has already proven that a deal with Comedy Central isn't iron-clad). A part of me wants to say that Matt and Trey are just screwing with the audience, but it's rare, if ever, that they make an episode that emotionally hard-hitting, and it will certainly have me wondering until the show comes back in the fall.
klg19
June 9, 2011 at 11:24AM EST Reply to CommentI had a really hard time sitting through a lot of that episode--I have a low tolerance for turd humor--but as it became clearer what was happening, especially as Stan sat woefully watching the turd bee alight on the turd flower, I started thinking it was actually the most moving episode I'd ever seen.
I'm not sure it felt like an ending, but it definitely felt like a transition.
I do disagree with you here, though, Alan: "But what was interesting about Stan's existential crisis, and how he struggled to like anything, is that the show's philosophy has often largely been about how other people care too much about things, and that many of our big problems and scandals would go away if everyone could just relax and feel less passionate. Yet here, Stan's lack of passion - and the Marsh parents' - was clearly shown to be a bad thing for them."
I'm not sure that's true. Stan's problem wasn't a lack of passion, it was an inability to find anything to focus that passion on. Little kids find it easy to get passionate about all sorts of things that really ARE crap (I remember suffering through the disastrous "Horton Hears a Who" film with my 9-year-old nephews, who LOOOOOVED it). Stan is "putting away childish things," as it says in 1 Corinthians, and hasn't yet found the things that he can be passionate about. But it certainly can't be denied that television, movies, and pop culture offer an awful lot of crap.
As for Stan's parents: Randy does tend to suffer from an excess of passion, which tends to lead to disastrous outcomes. Last night didn't seem about a distancing from Randy's passion, but a recognition that those excesses came from a place of great unhappiness. Stan's parents' separation--and, I'm sure, eventual divorce--may well lead to them rediscovering passions that come from a more centered place.
And Stan's inability to see anything that isn't crap could be as much his getting older as his awareness of his parents' unhappiness and growing incompatibility (given that such things tend to be obvious to the kids long before they are to the spouses). So the story was also a commentary on how a couple's split affects their children.
It was a devastatingly sad episode, and one that used "Landslide" to powerful emotional effect, which is something else I'm not sure I would have expected from Matt and Trey. But maybe they, too, feel it's time to put away childish things.
Drew There was a profile of Matt and Trey in The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year that spoke a lot to their level of maturity relative to where they were when South Park started. To paraphrase a line from it, they were in their 20s when it started and are now approaching middle age. They truly aren't in the same frame of mind anymore.
June 9, 2011 at 11:32AM ESTThe article also speaks a lot about the distaste they have for South Park when they're in the middle of making it, especially this year, and I think that speaks to Alan's theory that they may have been in a particularly bad place when making this one.
Normally before the start of a season, they have a writers' retreat where they at least spitball ideas before starting work on the actual episodes. This year, there was no retreat, because they were prepping The Book of Mormon, so they've literally been writing, recording, and animating everything in the week leading up to the episode.
Couple that with the blogosphere's almost incessant comments that the show has long since lost its way and should go away but quick, it's not hard to imagine where they drew their inspiration for this episode.
Truck
June 9, 2011 at 11:27AM EST Reply to CommentI've already said goodbye. When people talk about South Park it doesn't even register in my head as the same show that I used to watch and love. Comedy Central in general has just completely fallen off my radar. I regularly watch at least a dozen comedy programs throughout the year, and not a single one of them is on the network with Comedy in their name.
Jake So this comment is basically relevent, how?
June 9, 2011 at 12:47PM ESTTruck Maybe because the last sentence of Alan's article is "And, if it winds up going away in the next year or so, are you ready to say goodbye?".
June 9, 2011 at 9:47PM ESTnath What's with all the comments calling people douchebags for not falling over themselves to praise this show?
June 11, 2011 at 5:05AM ESTRev. Slappy
June 9, 2011 at 11:42AM EST Reply to CommentCoincidentally, yesterday I was reading a Hollywood Reporter interview with Trey and Matt that was written in the spring around the time Book of Mormon was in previews. The article talks about BOM being a much deeper piece of work for them. Hell, some critics are calling Mormon the best musical comedy ever on Broadway. Watching the episode tonight I couldn't help but wonder how much of an effect the Mormon experience had on them. I don't live in NY so I haven't seen Mormon yet, but from what I've read they were able to very effectively blend the subversiveness of South Park with a story that's genuinely heartfelt and moving in the end. Here's a telling quote from that Hollywood Reporter interview: “Once you get yourselves into things that are working on a deeper level, you just have to keep going,†Stone reflects. “When you reach that deeper level, you can’t go back.†It will be interesting to see where the soon-to-be Tony Award winners take South Park in the fall.
Also, Zookeeper does look like a turd in a microwave and the Sandler/Carrey trailers were awesome.
June 9, 2011 at 2:34PM ESTtcrane
June 9, 2011 at 11:47AM EST Reply to CommentFor the past few episodes, I've been wondering, WHERE THE HECK IS KENNY!!!??? Did he just vanish? He always comes back to life, did they just kill him off? and if he was there, for some reason, he's been getting NO LINES AT ALL! He's hardly shown at all!
Trey and Matt have TRUELY killed Kenny. You bastards.
R.I.P Kenny
Alex K You can't do much with a character who pretty much can't talk. There were Kenny-centric episodes, like "Major Boobage", but there's only so much they can do with him.
June 9, 2011 at 2:19PM ESTDaggor
June 9, 2011 at 11:55AM EST Reply to CommentI also noticed in an episode earlier this season, the opening scene was Terrance & Phillip farting on each other, and Stan & Klye commenting it was the "best episode ever" of Terrance & Phillip. There was no doubt in my mind that they were referencing the fact that fans tend to enjoy the more repetitive episodes than the more unusual ones. We'll see what happens. I remember the episodes that aired after they had been working on "Team America" were pretty weak.
Andrew
June 9, 2011 at 12:06PM EST Reply to CommentThey clearly don't care anymore and made that know at the beginning of the season. They're goal was to get kicked off the air by going so over the top. I think they lost passion and this season hasn't been that great so far. As a huge fan I don't want it to end but I think it's time. I just hope they aren't setting anything up to ruin the series. I think they need to end it with everyone dead...except Kenny of course.
Da real SP fan Any "huge fan" would not want this show to end. If you don't get sad and pissed off at the prospect of something this special coming to an end, you don't even deserve to call yourself a fan.
June 9, 2011 at 10:56PM ESTTravis
June 9, 2011 at 12:30PM EST Reply to CommentI got that feeling I got when watching the end of The Wonder Years...and never ending coming of age story is finally ending. Although South Park is so much more than that...what would be more fitting then to avert the impossible hype of a series finale and just end it on an 'any-other-episode'? If the show is just going in a new direction, I hope it's something in a serial format. Then again, if that was the ending, I kind of hope it doesn't comeback and they never give it to new writers. It would've been Matt and Trey's baby from cradle to grave with their own version of the Soprano's cut to black ending...
gymleadergir
June 9, 2011 at 12:44PM EST Reply to CommentSame here, this episode really felt like "this is it." The heart and soul prevalent in the past seasons just was not there this time around. I think it may have to do with episode 201 where the whole episode was eviscerated by censorship and the dvd release commentary was almost completely bleeped out. Although Comedy Central was trying to protect Matt and Trey, it basically looked like they lost creative freedom with the show. Thats my two cents anyway.
Luke
June 9, 2011 at 1:07PM EST Reply to CommentAfter watching this episode, I hope the next 7 episodes are the last. But Parker and Stone have now put themselves in a place where those 7 episodes better be great. Because with the ending of probably the best 21 minutes of South Park in several seasons, fans won't stand for a repeat of the "who is Cartman's Dad" incident. "You're Getting Old" was everything I've ever loved about South Park.
Kevin O
June 9, 2011 at 1:11PM EST Reply to CommentI felt the same way most fans did that it felt like a series finale. I honestly got sad while I was hysterically laughing. I've loved this season so far. Between this season and "Book of Mormon"is anyone putting out more creative, funny, and original material as the South Park camp? Maybe Jon Benjamin and his soon to be 3rd show "Jon Benjamin Has a Van"--though Archer and Bob's Burgers aren't his creation he's great in both. After 15 seasons it's amazing that I'm thinking this is one of my favorites.
ron
June 9, 2011 at 1:32PM EST Reply to CommentYes it really is a new exciting chapter in the story lines of south park. kudos to matt and trey for getting out of the repetition by returning to an old south park story line where the marshs get a divorce.
If you are really concerned about the show getting overly formulaic, quit feeling the daily show pressure to comment on absolutely everything trending on google. Did we really need a "jersey shore" episode? No one watches south park for the interesting and evolving storylines nor to formulate opinions on current events. Just do what you do well... make jokes.
ron
June 9, 2011 at 1:34PM EST Reply to CommentYes it really is a new exciting chapter in the story lines of south park. kudos to matt and trey for getting out of the repetition by returning to an old south park story line where the marshs get a divorce.
If you are really concerned about the show getting overly formulaic, quit feeling the daily show pressure to comment on absolutely everything trending on google. Did we really need a "jersey shore" episode? No one watches south park for the interesting and evolving storylines nor to formulate opinions on current events. Just do what you do well... make jokes.
Heather M. Jordan
June 9, 2011 at 1:38PM EST Reply to CommentI really hope that this isn't the end. So much of my world view and philosophy have been shaped by Southpark...and I'm a 26 year old female. This episode brought a tear to my eye as did "Eat, Pray, Queef". I feel like they have so much more to say. I agree with a previous poster that the network should cut a deal to let them produce whenever they want...honestly, they're comedic geniuses and they've earned it.
Hostess Caked Up You may very well be my soulmate.
June 9, 2011 at 11:00PM ESTRuan couldn't agree more - the messages in their episodes almost always relate to how I view the world
June 10, 2011 at 1:08AM ESTDavid H You're a princess, Heather. My wife & I love South Park: The Movie. It's the equivalent of our "song." I hope this show never goes away. Their worst episodes are still better than most crap on TV. Which is shitty.
June 10, 2011 at 1:46AM ESTDjidja
June 9, 2011 at 2:10PM EST Reply to CommentI love the show and always supported it, but if it must end, Id like it to end this season with recurring elements from this episode, the show was one of the greatest ever and it would be better to end it this way than to simply say "we didn't sign any new contracts" or "comedy central cancelled us"
aseroff
June 9, 2011 at 2:22PM EST Reply to CommentThis episode felt tonally reminiscent to me of season 5's penultimate episode, where Kenny "dies" legitimately, which lead to a brilliant season 6 as all the plots were serially relevant to the absence of Kenny in their friend group. I see this episode as a chance to do all or most of what you mentioned: create a "cliffhanger," shake up the reset button, grow and mature (a little).
I'd like to think that M&T looked back to what episodes or seasons they thought were the best (or possibly took the fans' opinions into account, as their website ran a "year of the fan" promotion which rewarded fans for picking their favorite dozen or so episodes), and determined that their minor serial elements made for good episodes, and decided to do it again. As far as the diegesis of elementary school kids go, a parent separation is one of the more drastic changes they could have made [short of the death of a friend (S05-S06), and moving away (which has been used as a bogus jeopardy in several episodes)].
I'm a sucker for South Park sentimentality (partially due to the massive contrast with the cheeky show, partially because of the magnitude of the show in span and effect), but I think this isn't the beginning of the end. They have a contract to do 2 more full seasons after the conclusion of S15. I think they realized that shaking things up usually results in better-received episodes.
Matt
June 9, 2011 at 2:38PM EST Reply to CommentI can't see how Matt and Trey could end south park now. In south park they have a weekly oppourtunity to speak their minds about whatever they want, be it something happening during the week or something bigger they want to talk about. There have been a couple of times where south park has looked like its over and yet come back again even stronger, and as far as satire goes, south park is still the smartest and funniest show on tv, I disagree that it's not as good anymore, their humour has become more paradoxical over the years but it still shits all over everything else on TV.
Last nights episode just showed how brilliantly evocative they can be and I get the feeling they're screwing with us, but I do hope they pull the plug before they descend to the level of the simpsons, which has been painful to watch for about 5 years now.
alynch
June 9, 2011 at 2:40PM EST Reply to CommentIt was a truly brilliant half-hour of television. They took a funny gag, and rather than running it into the ground they instead used it as a jumping off point to comment on aging and getting joy out of life. The fact that they were actually able to get some emotional resonance out constant scatological gags is a miraculous achievement of comedic balance and tone that I can't see many other shows ever approaching. It's probably the best comedy episode I've seen so far this year.
And to answer Alan's question, if South Park ending means I'll be getting seven more episodes like this in the fall, then I'm absolutely ready to say goodbye.
japao86
June 9, 2011 at 2:48PM EST Reply to CommentAm I the only one insanely excited for Randy Marsh to be a bachelor!? They;ve opened themselves up for so many great storylines there.
Epeerat Southpark did it...
June 9, 2011 at 6:56PM ESThailtorandy fuck yeahhh!
June 12, 2011 at 5:06PM ESTricky Totally!
June 26, 2011 at 11:30AM ESTthecove
June 9, 2011 at 3:05PM EST Reply to CommentAre we really trying to find a deeper meaning to a South Park episode? I've been a fan of the show and of Matt's and Trey's for a long time and their idea of funny is a bit that leaves people scratching their heads. Trying to find a deeper meaning in a show that had a Taco that crapped Ice Cream, a talking towel that gets high, conflict with Oprah's mange, bloodthirsty critters, goobacks, Ben Affleck making love to Cartman's hand, I can go on and on. Matt and Trey are probably looking at all the reaction they are getting from last nights episode and laughing their butts off.
alynch Well yeah. They use humor, often of the profoundly silly variety, as a tool to convey some sort of underlying meaning. That's kind of how satire works.
June 9, 2011 at 3:19PM ESTthecove I understand how satire works but what underlying meaning is there about a Taco that craps Ice Cream? What was the underlying meaning of Lemmiwinks? LOL They're just hysterically absurd images that make you say WTF? I wouldn't put it past them to do an episode like this just to leave everyone puzzled. Kind of like when they killed off Kenny, only to have him magically reappear several episodes later and it was just accepted as fact. There is no sense to it and that's what makes it genius.
June 9, 2011 at 3:38PM ESTDavid H They're just hysterically absurd images that make you say WTF?
June 10, 2011 at 1:50AM ESTThis is a perfect description of what is, for me, the most hysterical type of comedy, and what South Park does so well. The Inception episode comes to mind.
jason_bliven
June 9, 2011 at 3:10PM EST Reply to CommentThis is one of the best episodes I have ever seen. I've watched the show since I was 7 and I can tell when they believe what the characters say and when they don't. They mean everything that Stan, Randy and Sharon said. They're about to do some insane episodes to close us out. I say we all sit back and enjoy the insanity that is to come
CHaz-sp-bell
June 9, 2011 at 3:39PM EST Reply to Commenti'm a uge fan of southpark, i've seen evrey one, i love the toilet humour and its not because im 13 its because its original and present like, say if something happens on the news, about a wekk later they would make a episode about it. i think this might be a prequal to the last episode or, tis be the sequal for the last episode which might be called, im getting younger lol i dont know but still...
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