Jinger, Jersey, Jew
Admittedly, I did not begin watching Southpark until sometime during season 3. From the onset, I thought the show to be very crude and unwatchable. Maybe I was too young to get some of the humor used or perhaps I wasn't well versed in the social/political subjects the show often touches on. Whatever the reasons, it wasn't until the Chinpokomon Episode that I really took an interest in the show. Boy am I glad I finally did.
Since that date in 1999 I was hooked. Now entering its 15th season, Southpark is probably the best show on television. Sure its a cartoon. Sure it is as crude and offensive as anything that's ever graced mainstream media. But I think that is whats so alluring about it. The creators, Matt Parker and Trey Stone, hold nothing back. Nothing and no one is safe from ridicule, which incidentally, is the way it should be. More than that however is the way that political and social opinions are showcased.
A good portion of the shows episodes touch on some current event. The show effortlessly depicts the issue and simultaneously finds support for both sides of the argument via its characters; just how like in real life you have supporters on either side of an issue. What separates Southpark from other shows is that it will acknowledge valid points on both sides of an issue before settling on the opinion the shows creators hold. Not to mention they always do this in a hilarious and often absurd manner.
All that being said, it is the characters that make the episodes and a few landmark episodes have made the series what it is. So here's my top 5 favorite characters and episodes.
Characters
2. Randy Marsh
3. Sergeant Yates
4. Butters
5. Jimmy Valmer
Episodes
1. Season 5: Scott Tenorman Must Die
2. Season 14: Medicinal Fried Chicken
3. Season 8: The Jeffersons
4. Season 4: Traperkeeper
5. Season 3: Chinpokomon
All those can be found in full here: southparkstudios.com
The new season begins tomorrow night at 10 on commedy central. Giddy up.
