Grid Effect

One thing I have always admired about the creators of South Park is there willingness to mock or denigrate culturally lauded people and entities. Sometimes they hit their mark (”Cancelled”, a parody on America’s fascination with reality television) and occasionally they miss (”A Million Little Fibers”, the bizarre and indescribable take on the James Frey fabricated memoirs scandal). Usually they fall into the former, and last night was no exception.

In interest of full disclosure here, I have never disliked 24. I watched it a couple of times, wasn’t overly impressed but definitely understood the appeal: Hyper-masculine super agent Jack Bauer defeats the bad guys through means of sheer will in the span of a single day. But the fact the show became so universally heralded as “the best show on television” and all other such nonsense, my disdain has exponentially grown for all things 24 related. I have no idea whether Parker and Stone are fans, after all, the episode last night could fall under the “Imitation is the best form of flattery” motive for its creation. but the mimicking they did on that series was second to none. Right down to every specific, inconsequential detail.

To be honest, its not the fact that the parody was so successful in execution that made it great (though it certainly did not hurt), its the fact that everyone else seems afraid to. I am not sure when it happened but it was long before last night, South Park has a pass to say whatever they want about anyone or anything and manage to allude all significant public criticism and repercussions.

Not to mention the complete and utter character assassination of Hilary Clinton and her presidential campaign (not too mention the current president, but they have done that numerous times). Will it ever come to fruition? Nope. Will she or anyone else around her comment or even acknowledge last nights episode? I really wouldn’t count on it. She is running a political campaign and has bigger fish to fry, but can you imagine if SNL pulled something even remotely as crude? It would be publicly denounced as inappropriate. Again, Parker and Stone have never made their politics clear to their fan base (though you can tell where they stand on varying issues based on the conclusions of most topical episodes, it’s hard to determine whether they lean left or right of center), but it really isn’t the point. In fact it would almost ruin the joke because it would appear they were pushing an agenda. It’s just their indifference to conceptually humiliating a often hated, yet also often beloved female politician.

Between Cartman’s torture techniques, the use of MySpace in tracking potential terrorists, the Die Hard: With A Vengeance reference (i.e. the Russians pulling the ruse of distracting local and national officials with the threat of bombing an elementary school) and all the aforementioned reasons, I enjoyed this episode and so far this season immensely and is dually compensating for the lackluster finish to the tenth season.