In a Halloween-themed episode of South Park that aired recently, Satan is holding a costume party in hell when Steve Irwin walks in, complete with an impaled stingray sticking out of the late Croc Hunter's trademark khaki shirt.
Now, according to UK publication the Daily Mall, there is a huge public outrcry ringing through the streets, calling the episode "grossly insensitive."
Phones are ringing off the hooks. Protesters are making their disgust known.
John Bayer, director of Mediawatch mentions that, "It is not what the family would want to see."
Is he implying that the Irwin family considered South Park part of their regular viewing schedule?
This kind of content does not shock me from a show that has already redefined the boundaries of "bad taste". South Park has a track record of demeaning cripples, homosexuals, Christians, and even Jesus Christ, otherwise known as "the world's punching bag".
So why is everyone so surprised? Why do show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone get a free pass on everything else, but NOW people are offended? Just read some of the responses:
"Is there no decency any more? This is a very sick sick joke, that is not funny."
Was South Park EVER decent? The entire show is a "sick sick joke".
"It is sad state of affairs that this is what the show has sunk to. I will never be watching this again!"
This coming from a person who obviously has watched every demeaning joke on the show without taking offense until now.
"Many seem to have forgotten, there is a very smart little girl who lost her daddy. If for no other reason, they should have considered her feelings. Right or wrong, children watch this show."
You think the soul-less writers would stop their reckless satire to actually consider how their actions will affect someone's FEELINGS? Maybe they should consider the feelings of Christians, or all the other minorities they assassinate under the banner of "satire".
And what KIDS are watching this show? At least, WITH their parents knowledge? Animation lost its innocence years ago. The show is rated TV-MA for the love of holiness!
Amidst all of this outrage, it's ironic (and sad) that Comedy Central is the only one who makes sense in their defense of the show: "It has offended people in the past and probably will again. Regular watchers would not be shocked."
Trey Parker and Matt Stone's hardened hearts are too far gone for feelings.
Rant Ravings will not dignify South Park's creators with the posting of any images related to this show. To see a picture from the episode, check out the article on the Daily Mall.
Hey B. I read a similar write-up on this South Park episode on CNN. Unsurprisingly...my response was much like your own. South Park is a program that thrives on such controversy. The fact that the Steve Irwin appearance has caused an outrage feeds the show's popularity. Comedy Central's comments on the program are truly the most sensible ones. Though I certainly would not defend Parker and Stone as being decent producers of entertainment, I do think their niche in the industry is clever and uncanny. Anyone who is outraged at this latest portrayal is certainly not a regular watcher of South Park and might as well get over it.
Posted by: Tim | October 28, 2006 at 07:59 PM
The irony of it all is that the Irwin family may have never known about this episode had it not been for the public outcry and media attention.
Posted by: Brad | October 28, 2006 at 08:02 PM