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South Park

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

South Park is renowned for its dark humour, cheap animation and scandalous plots, following the shocking antics of four elementary school friends - Eric Cartman, Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski and Kenny McCormick - as they struggle through some of the more extreme pitfalls of growing up.

Although at times the cult classic can be shamefully immoral, it does voice some interesting opinions on the idiosyncrasies of modern life - it was one such opinion on the Church of Scientology that was behind the late Isaac Hayes leaving the cast in the 10th season.

This episode is no different in terms of shock factor, highlighting preconceptions towards life-changing diseases when Cartman's tonsil removal is botched and he contracts AIDS. Writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone then pit cancer against AIDS in terms of what disease is more "fashionable" in today's society. Yes, it is a little twisted, but it doesn't make fun of the sufferers - more how they are treated by everyone else. It also spawns another classic line from Cartman: "I'm not just sure, I'm HIV positive."

At the end of the day, South Park has never been the kind of show to sit down and watch with your grandparents, and it definitely isn't advisable for the easily offended amongst us. However, it has found its niche over the years, attracting a loyal fan base, as well as a just as avid group of detractors.

South Park airs on SBS on Monday, August 25, at 8:30pm.

Richard Burns, August 2008

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