Late Flashback Friday- South Park (1997-Present)

An extreme comment from an adult can often cause controversy. An extreme comment from a child can often makes the adults stop and think.

South Park premiered in 1997 and has yet to leave the air. Airing on Comedy Central and created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the focus of the show is four foul-mouthed 4th graders living in fictional South Park, Colorado. Stan, Kyle, Eric and Kenny go on out there adventures. While going on these adventures, they come into contact with a variety of other characters who only add to the hilarious and sometimes contentious situations.

I’m not a huge fan of South Park, but I can appreciate show’s impact. It’s nice to see a television program take on cultural and political issues in a way that points out the hypocrisy without hitting the viewer over the head while making them laugh.

I recommend it.

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The Book of Mormon Review

Most musicals have the same boy meets girl, boy gets girl narrative.

The Book of Mormon as a far from the traditional Broadway musical as one can get. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (aka the guys behind South Park), The Book of Mormon is about two Mormon missionaries who travel to a village in Uganda to convert the locals. Elder Price (Dave Thomas Brown) is confident and secure that he will be able to complete his mission. Elder Cunningham (Cody Jamison Strand) has the required enthusiasm for the job, but his social skills are not quite up to par as his partner.

When they get to Uganda, Elder Price and Cunningham are surprised that the locals are not exactly warming up to their message. In addition to deal with an AIDS crisis, famine and oppression, they also have a local warlord on their tail. Can they convert the locals or will they fail?

I was surprised about this musical. I knew that it was written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. I also knew that the humor can only be described as potty humor. While the first half was a little slow, the second half not only sped up, but also had the audience in stitches at certain moments.

It’s not the traditional Broadway musical, but that’s fine. But it’s also the type of show that certain audience members would find offensive.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

The Book of Mormon is playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theater (230 W 49th Street in New York City). Check the website for showtimes and tickets. 

 

Throwback Thursday-That’s My Bush! (2001)

One of the hallmarks of a true democracy is the ability to openly satirize those in power without fear of persecution. From my perspective, political satire is the best way to relieve stress, especially when the stress comes from the halls of power.

In 2001, the creators of South Park decided to add another show to their satirical television empire: That’s My Bush!.  The show was a sitcom-y view (complete with a pre-recorded laugh track) of then President George W. Bush (Timothy Bottoms), his wife Laura Bush (Carrie Quinn Dolan), his Presidency and the staff who worked in the White House.

Though the show was on the air for only one season, it was incredibly funny. Unfortunately, it was one of those shows that was not given the time to gain an audience and last beyond the initial episodes that the network agreed to.

Do I recommend it? Yes.