Let it be known that I am a south park fan, a fanatic through and through. I have been watching the show since the mid nineties, and I love everything about its content and subject matter; where its been and where its going. Tonight’s episode was a masterful launch for Season VII.
The funniest character, in my opinion, is Eric Cartman. His struggle with HIV was a tour-de-force in classic south park material. First and foremost, the classic Cartman vs. Kyle rivalry has been a successful plotline for many-a-memorable episode: “Cartoon Wars” and “ManBearPig” just to name a few. Tonight’s version of the storyline was artfully reconstructed and well-executed.
Other classic jokes included Butters in the role of Cartman’s coconspirator. Particularly moving-and hilarious- was the moment when Butters kissed Cartman on the cheek. Classic, classic Butters. Man I love that hilarious, blond, sunuvamanwhore.
Dead-on impressions of Hollywood celebs are another classic weapon in Matt and Trey’s arsenal. Michael Jackson and John Travolta are my personal favorite past likenesses: “J-J-Jam-on.” Tonight’s portrayal of Jimmy Buffett was dead-on. “AIDS Burger in Paradise.” Only in South Park. Magic Johnson was not as memorable, but still held up to the rest of the show.
One potentially negative aspect of tonight’s show, as I discussed, was its classic structure. The plot and some of the jokes were old ones. However I feel that the South Park guys gave it a sufficient new twist, allowing the show to escape its played-out format.
Equally played-out but deftly downplayed was the inclusion of a ‘message.’ Tonight’s being the cure for AIDS. Despite Jimmy Buffets song, it was not a Cure Burger in Paradise, but liquefied cash administered intravenously. Terribly unfortunate for the poor Ethiopians, who have no cash to liquefy-or to buy an indoor exercise pool, army of specialists or bedroom full of bills, like Magic Johnson.
The only other caveat of the Season 12 premiere was the overall funniness. “Casa Bonita”, or “Awesome-O”, for instance, were two episodes that had me hunched over, slappin my knee and stompin my foot. This one wasn’t quite up to the same level of constant hilarity. However, overall, I loved its new interpretation of a classic model, along with its impressions, character elaborations and revoltingly hysterical exploitation of the terrible suffering endured by the fatty and the Jew. This was one for the ages.
