South Park - Politically Incorrect

South Park may be the most clever television show in the history of TV. Not only does it effortlessly combine the most serious subjects with the most crude and disgusting, but it manages to offend nearly every majority and minority group in the world, and gets away with it. Although some may not have the stomach for it, South Park is extremely refreshing in contrast to the bland media, and breaks through PC assumptions with total abandon.

The show does an amazing job of bringing together political and social views from multiple angles. The most important characters are the three boys, Stan, Kyle, and Eric Cartman, as well as their schoolteacher Mr./Mrs. Garrison, and Stan's father, Randy Marsh.

The creators of the show use Stan and Kyle to get their more rational viewpoints across. These two boys are pragmatic and logical - they look at the situation from an unbiased point of view and believe in justice and fairness. They reject any traditions that do not make sense and are compassionate for the actual victims of whatever situation they are in. They also do not put up with liberal or conservative phoniness.

This last behavior is carried out even further in the character of Eric Cartman. Cartman has absolutely no tolerance for phoniness and political correctness, especially from liberals. Cartman provides an outlet for the frustrations and biases of the normal white male - he calls it like it is and just lets it loose, normally in a very hateful way, although he sometimes ends up being the hero when Stan and Kyle are unable to save the day.

Mr./Mrs. Garrison is just an absurd character. He/She represents someone very confused and angry with their own sexuality and gender. While South Park is very sympathetic to homosexuals, Garrison represents those who obsess over sexuality, and is portrayed in a very negative light. The creators seem to be saying that homosexuality is perfectly OK and should be tolerated, but "not assholes like Garrison."

Finally, Randy Marsh often represents political correctness run amok. He is made to look extremely silly in situations regarding, alcoholism, global warming, immigration, drugs, voting and other issues. He takes extreme positions and exemplifies the irrational logic that takes place with both liberals and conservatives.

Overall, the great thing about South Park is that it encourages its viewers to take the side of Stan and Kyle - a calm, unbiased, practical view of the situations and issues...although Cartman's prejudices occasionally triumph. In short, it's a great show, and it's a miracle it hasn't been cancelled.