“It’s okay because there are very few of them” was how I remember it being described as a child. Same with “It’s okay because they’re white” for why it’s okay to make Polish jokes.
Exactly, it’s like how South Park worked as well, everyone knew they didn’t discriminate but took shots at everything. That way they got to be offensive as hell without anyone taking offense.
Now everything is a micro aggression and writers have to be super careful making a joke for general consumption. So it’s not surprising that the PG-rated comedy market leans so heavily on slapstick, fart jokes and mild pop culture references.
I’m not denying that it was offensive (the show was designed to be offensive), but that people “took offense”. It wasn’t taken off the air, was it?
I think it’s a bit harsh on SP to classify it for
rebellious teens and adults who pretend they “think differently”
as it always has been a satire show in the guise of “edgy and offensive”. Few other shows were willing to take on Scientology, images of Mohammed etc.
For all that the show is juvenile and stupid, it uses that stupidity to barbecue sacred cows.
It was very clearly written for males aged 14 to 18 and 18 to 25. Some 25 to 35 as well. TV shows are written for demographics and "rebellious teens and adults who pretend they ‘think differently’ " is a category. If you fit into the category, it may be hard for you to tell.
Bro, people have been getting offended by South Park since it came out. Like let’s go back to Marvin the Starvin’ - it’s a pretty shitty and lazy depiction of Ethiopia, and the entire joke of the episode is “Sally Struthers is fat.” Is there anything in that episode that isn’t “slapstick, fart jokes and mild pop culture references”? The episode after that was Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo! You better believe people were offended by talking shit on TV!
Sure, they used to be able to get away with showing Muhammad on the show (the concerns there are more ahem, macro aggressions). But I don’t see anything in modern South Park that really seems to indicate that they are pulling their punches (other than it’s just not as good, barring the games which are pretty great)
I’d also quibble with the characterization that they “take shots at everything” - Matt and Trey’s politics are obvious when you watch the show. You don’t find things in South Park offensive, because you likely share their ideology. I can say as a young trans person watching “Eek! A Penis!” for the first time was a pretty unpleasant experience.
Yeah, and when that became the prevailing sentiment, they ripped that apart, too, with ‘PC Principal’. They just take the current issues and poke holes, because there are always holes and our polarised society tends not to appreciate that.
I just think a joke was a joke, and most things were fair game.
The prevailing sentiment was of acceptance, and real prejudice was condemned. Twitter didn’t invent the idea of being a decent human.
“I like my beer cold, my TV loud, and my homosexuals flaming!”
–Homer J. Simpson
“It’s okay because there are very few of them” was how I remember it being described as a child. Same with “It’s okay because they’re white” for why it’s okay to make Polish jokes.
Hehe I get jokes
Exactly, it’s like how South Park worked as well, everyone knew they didn’t discriminate but took shots at everything. That way they got to be offensive as hell without anyone taking offense.
Now everything is a micro aggression and writers have to be super careful making a joke for general consumption. So it’s not surprising that the PG-rated comedy market leans so heavily on slapstick, fart jokes and mild pop culture references.
Uh, everyone was offended by South Park originally. That’s the point. It’s for rebellious teens and adults who pretend they “think differently”.
It’s elementary school children swearing their asses off. Just the concept alone is offensive to many people.
I’m not denying that it was offensive (the show was designed to be offensive), but that people “took offense”. It wasn’t taken off the air, was it?
I think it’s a bit harsh on SP to classify it for
as it always has been a satire show in the guise of “edgy and offensive”. Few other shows were willing to take on Scientology, images of Mohammed etc. For all that the show is juvenile and stupid, it uses that stupidity to barbecue sacred cows.
It was very clearly written for males aged 14 to 18 and 18 to 25. Some 25 to 35 as well. TV shows are written for demographics and "rebellious teens and adults who pretend they ‘think differently’ " is a category. If you fit into the category, it may be hard for you to tell.
Nuts and gum? That sounds delicious!
Someone get me a Tubbbbb!
Bro, people have been getting offended by South Park since it came out. Like let’s go back to Marvin the Starvin’ - it’s a pretty shitty and lazy depiction of Ethiopia, and the entire joke of the episode is “Sally Struthers is fat.” Is there anything in that episode that isn’t “slapstick, fart jokes and mild pop culture references”? The episode after that was Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo! You better believe people were offended by talking shit on TV!
Sure, they used to be able to get away with showing Muhammad on the show (the concerns there are more ahem, macro aggressions). But I don’t see anything in modern South Park that really seems to indicate that they are pulling their punches (other than it’s just not as good, barring the games which are pretty great)
I’d also quibble with the characterization that they “take shots at everything” - Matt and Trey’s politics are obvious when you watch the show. You don’t find things in South Park offensive, because you likely share their ideology. I can say as a young trans person watching “Eek! A Penis!” for the first time was a pretty unpleasant experience.
Yeah, and when that became the prevailing sentiment, they ripped that apart, too, with ‘PC Principal’. They just take the current issues and poke holes, because there are always holes and our polarised society tends not to appreciate that.