Going Down to South Park 3.20.08: Britney's New Look (03.19.08)
Posted by Jerome Cusson on 03.20.2008
If you liked this episode, proceed with caution.
So I wanted to write about the first two episodes of the 12th season of South Park. Unfortunately, the jackasses at Comedy Central did not air last week’s episode at 8:30 central time. Hence, I can’t make this a doubleheader review. I will find the episode at some point this next week and post a review soon. Tonight’s episode is making fun of Britney Spears. Trey and Matt are really stretching their creative muscles for this one as you can see.
It’s Decision 2008 in Chicago. Good start as we have a parody… nope, the boys don’t care. Stan’s dad talks about how important this debate is. Nope, this debate is over as it’s time for Britney watch. And Britney is in our little mountain town. This whole deal is quite funny. I’m glad we’re staying away… oh, the boys are going to try and get 100 grand for a picture of Britney. Butters tries to show some morality, but instead he gets to dress up as a squirrel so Spears will crap on him.
The paparazzi are not happy about the boys being there until they say they’re her kids. Britney sees the boys and realizes it’s a joke being played on her. She just wants to be left alone as the boys fight over whether or not to take the picture. Spears then apparently commits suicide and Cartman leaves after an awkward silence. Whoa! That kinda stopped the joke right in its’ track. Stan and Kyle bemoan the fact that they inadvertently killed Britney.
The doctor informs the boys that she is somehow alive. Her head is kinda blown off, but she’s still alive. But this won’t be awkward at all. Kyle and Stan apologize. Britney Watch continues as they advertise her latest look since she doesn’t have a head. Instead of focusing on her head, they focus on a scar, which I guess proves she had plastic surgery. The obsessed photographers try to take even more pictures when Britney’s manager walks in. The doctor encourages the boys to help get Spears out of the hospital.
As they try to get out of the hospital, the paparazzi continue to chase her. Stan and Kyle want to help her in any way possible while Britney’s manager wants her to get back in the recording studio. Stan and Kyle want this to stop. Everyone keeps making fun of Britney and only Stan and Kyle show her any sympathy.
We come back and it’s time for the MTV movie awards. Britney (without head) performs but everyone only seems to notice that she’s fat. The camera, of course, focuses on her stomach and ass. A reporter discusses the reaction to Spears’ performance. Britney’s manager tells her not to worry. Stan and Kyle stare at her. They decide to take her someplace to find some peace. They try to get tickets to the North Pole.
The latest Britney Watch has her running away and dressing like a slut. Camel toe jokes are made. Butters is picked up. He’s dressed as the squirrel, but everyone thinks the little squirrel is a little boy instead of the other way around. Kyle and Stan are still being stalked. A nice fake-out move by Kyle leads to a successful getaway. Everyone, including the manager, thinks Kyle is Ms. Spears. Kyle makes a big speech about these people killing her. He says it’s time to let this obsession go, but the paparazzi wants to Britney to die. Okay, now I don’t know what the fuck is going on as the Satan music is playing now.
Stan and Britney Spears are heading to the North Pole as we get a Jimmy Durante voice narrating. Nice Frosty reference there guys. The train’s conductor realizes who it is thanks to the camel toe. Kyle is very confused at why anyone would want or need Britney to die. It’s all about human sacrificing and wanting Britney to die/be sacrificed. The train stops, and the paparazzi chase after them yet again. Now they’re being surrounded by this freakish town. Oh God, this has better not be a two parter. Even Kyle’s mom and dad are in on this stupid sacrificing shit. Britney Spears is going to be harvested for corn? Wow, this isn’t funny. Everyone is continuing to take pictures of Spears. After a certain amount of time, she’s dead. At this point, she can be left alone.
During what I guess we’ll call the epilogue, it’s a new day in South Park. It’s an incredible amount of corn thanks to the…ahem…harvest. Hannah Montana… YOU’RE NEXT!
The “Screw You Guys, I’m going home” for best line/moment of the episode:
Cartman: (in response to the offer of 100 thousand dollars)That’s enough to buy slaves.
The Pip moment for worst line/moment of the episode: You read the review. Pick something out during act two and most of act three, and you’re probably right.
The “Oh My God, they killed Kenny!” moment: Kenny wasn’t even in this episode.
The 411: Remember when this show was funny? I’ve never been a big fan of the phrase “Jump the Shark” but for the love of God, how can you watch this episode and actually think this is funny? There’s a lot to be said about the media and people of this country. We’re clearly a celebrity obsessed culture that needs to actually focus on real important things. However, this stupid payoff and lame-o “sacrifice” crap ruined what looked to be a great show. You can leave your hate comments below cause I know I’ll be hearing about this one.
I totally agree with u man, this was just more sick and twisted and the only humor came out of the beggining and very final scene
Posted By: jcon (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 12:12 AM
This one was not funny at all. LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!!
Posted By: Apollo Creed (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 12:17 AM
pretty disturbing episode
Posted By: ok (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 12:44 AM
I personally think the show is still going strong, but without a doubt, the episode tonight was a huge miss. The jokes fell flat, the "message" was just way too obvious and in your face, and truthfully, it was one of the few times I disagreed with the message they were trying to get across. Not all of it. It's obvious that America is celebrity obsessed. We all know it, so it was blatant what they were trying to get across. And, I may sound like a jerkoff, but the whole "the media and fans driving Brittney to her bad decisions" was completely off-base. I got nothing against the girl, and do feel her lifestyle can be stressful with the media's obsession, but alot of it, IMO, seems to be her own fault. Maybe I'm trying to say that this episode was a bit too one-sided, which usually seems to be the case with alot of South Park episodes, but for some reason, this one in particular just annoyed me. Can't believe I'm saying this, but this episode came off as way too damn pretentious. I can't believe the editors or Trey and Matt didn't catch this. I hope next weeks episode recovers from this embarassing misstep.
Posted By: StrykersWeaponX (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 01:37 AM
This episode was great. Anyone who thinks this was not a great episode deserves to be sacrificed :>
Dominuusssssssss
Posted By: awesome episode (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 02:21 AM
No hate here Jerome, this episode managed the rare feat of both sucking and blowing at the same time. The only other episode from recent years that I can compare it to is the one about Oprah's freakin' vagina. That one basically ignored the show's regular characters entirely. The only regulars featured in this episode were Stan and Kyle. Newsflash for Trey and Matt: It can be funny to bash celebrities. At times it can be extremely funny. It has a much greater chance of being funny if it is being done by the characters that we actually watch the show to laugh at. This show is at its funniest when its characters are interacting with each other, while also interacting with grownups/celebrities. The funniest characters are Cartman and Butters. Stan and Kyle can be funny when interacting with Cartman, Butters, or other remotely entertaining characters. Stan and Kyle by themselves, or with Britney Spears, are not funny. The closest thing this episode had to a chance for a memorable moment was the first time Butters said "Leave Britney Alone!" but that was quickly run into the ground. Better luck next week guys.
Posted By: Jeff (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 02:44 AM
Forgot to mention in my previous lengthy post. Last week's episode was extremely funny. It took the premise the show established a few years back that enough time had passed and AIDS was finally funny, and ran the distance with it. Hopefully we see more Cartman/Kyle episodes this season, and less Stan/Kyle/Britney episodes.
Posted By: Jeff (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 02:47 AM
You never saw or read the Lottery or seen the original Wicker Man? Thats what the harvest references were for. I thought that was brilliant.
Posted By: Nick (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 03:31 AM
I think some people are upset because they didn't call her names and make fun of her like they did with paris on the "Stupid spoiled whore" episode.
This was dark social commentary with some humor but the point was very clear.
And maybe some SP faithful don't like it because they see themselves in the crazed possessed town folk wanting to see another young girl sacrificed. Hmmmm...maybe?
Laughing at the misery of a young woman, buying the tabloids, making the jokes.
Posted By: Guest#8958 (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 03:38 AM
haha this was a good episode. it really showed how greedy we are, how we really do love watching other peoples pain, and how once shes gone the cycle will start again. This episode isn't pretentious because I think it acknowldeges humanties faults as a whole--its not just a jap at the sleazy Princess Di Killers.
Posted By: fryindragon (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 04:07 AM
This wasn't a review. Just a list of what happened throughout the episode. Great Episode in my opinion!
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I agree that this was not a funny episode, but the point it made was a valid one: we build up our idols just to tear them down. We create celebrities - we make them into something more than regular people - and then we're disappointed or angry or disgusted when they do things regular people do. The point it not that Britney makes bad choices but that HER bad choices end up on the cover of People or US Weekly and we see that and say "what a trainwreck!" When Britney says "It's never gonna end," it's true and that's what makes the episode so brutal.
The problem is, everything that needs to be said about this happens in the 1st act, which is why this ultimately isn't a good episode. As soon as Cartman and Butters run out the door they take any and all comedic momentum with them. Stan and Kyle are the straight men - without Cartman or Butters or Stan's Dad nothing interesting really happens (see the Guitar Hero episode for an example). That makes for an incredibly dull final 2/3s with only one joke (the Hannah Montana joke). Full credit for trying to say something, minus 2/3s credit for not being funny. Last week's AIDS episode proves they can still be very funny.
Posted By: sullenjoe (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Seriously, you completely missed the point of the episode. They were NOT making fun of Miss Spears. This was not another "stupid spoiled whore episode". Matt and Trey, in their own special way, were on her side. Leave her alone. Right? You got that, right?
If you didn't pick up on that than you have no business reviewing anything. There is a big difference between "this is my view" and "I'm a lazy unperceptive writer". And, seriously, isn't Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" required reading to Graduate High School. If you don't have knowledge as basic as that and you have little in the perception department than you should not be writing reviews. Give the job to someone who understands the show or at least cares enough to try just a little. Ok?
Posted By: matthew (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM
This was a complete disaster. They killed funny. Bastards.
Posted By: Lisa (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I have never been a fan of South Park, but my roommate is totally crazy about them, so I watch it every now and then. At some point I thought they were funny, but that vanished in a blink last night. Britney's episode was not unly senseless but also the most disturbing experience I've had lately. I get the point, the irony with the media and all, but are these writers for real? Some people should have stayed on the strike...
Posted By: Someone (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Are people insane... it was incredibly well done and a social commentary... specifically telling the public to "LEAVE HER ALONE" well written... hysterical.
Posted By: Andrea (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Thanks for not disappointing me guys.
Look, I get the premise of this episode was to LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!! But Trey and Matt don't take into consideration that Britney brings so much of it on her own. They once again take a singular viewpoint and hammer that beat that point to death.
And yes, I haven't read The Wicker Man. Damn me to hell and take away both my high school and college degrees. Least I have something to add to my reading list.
Posted By: Jerome Cusson (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I found it even funnier after watching it a 2nd time. You can't please everyone but the continue to entertain me. It's the funniest show on TV and the extreme nature of this episode was hilarious and also relates to the real life treatment of certain celebrities. If you don't like it, then you don't have to watch... just don't ruin it for the rest of us. REPTUS!! DOMENUES!! CHEESY POOFS!!
Posted By: Puff (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Oh yes, forgot to mention 'The Lottery' angle...it was awesome.
Dark and not as funny as some of their shows, but still a great commentary.
It's also interesting that they said, YOUNG FEMALE SACRIFICE, therefore it wasn't just about celebrities in general, but what we as a culture like to do to young female celebrities.
Posted By: herenandnow (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 01:10 PM
this season so far hasnt been so great, and this episode was the worst one i've ever seen
Posted By: Guest#5206 (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Watching this show and hoping it will be funny has gotten worse than watching wrestling and hoping it will be more entertaining than stupid.
They made their statement in the first two minutes, and I disagree. She's a grown, rich woman and could walk away at any time if she only were a sane person. There are plenty of celebrities who lead mundane private lives and so go largely ignored. This episode was as bad as the 'Bono is a giant turd' one, or the Oprah or Hillary ones. To come off a long strike with nothing better than this is lazy and pathetic. I agree with all comments about Butters and Cartman being the best characters and central to any episode being funny. From here on I go with my gut. If after five minutes in I'm cringing and not laughing, I'll change the channel. I can see some people liking last weeek's show even though I didn't. But this one was overtly awful.
Posted By: Jason (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I think the fact you idiots missed the point mean that they HIT the mark.
Posted By: O'Dog (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 05:49 PM
All through this episode , I kept looking at my girlfriend and going "this is fucking insane", with her agreeing. I agree that the only funny bits were right at the beginning. Oh well, there's always next week.
Posted By: Steve307 (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Cartman only in it fofor 5 mins man did this ep suck I laughed once and thats when cartman said something about slaves
Posted By: Guest#1906 (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 06:56 PM
That was a hysterical episode. Anyone who doesn't agree simply just didn't understand.
Posted By: Randy (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 07:12 PM
I don't know what this says about me as a person, but it took Matt and Trey to get me to feel sorry for Britney. I thought this episode was good (if a little uncomfortable, with Half-Head Britney and the like), and the EVIL LATIN CHANTS OF DOOM~! were great.
Posted By: John (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 11:03 PM
I thought the harvest stuff was a pretty obvious Children of the Corn reference.
Posted By: Chopper (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 11:31 PM
ur right the only 2 funny part to these to last episodes were, im not positive im HIV positive and the end when they all start chanting over hannah montana
Posted By: rkontna (Guest) on March 21, 2008 at 12:17 AM
In my opinion the show hasn't been good for years.
Posted By: Daniel (Guest) on March 21, 2008 at 01:34 AM
Just because the episode "had a point" doesn't make it funny. This was not a good episode. They let the show get out of control and never reeled it back in. References to movies and short stories alone does not a good episode make.
Posted By: Ron Martin (Registered) on March 21, 2008 at 01:36 AM
Wow, this episode went completley over your head. Watch it again and do a proper review.
Posted By: Nick (Guest) on March 21, 2008 at 12:30 PM
"You never saw or read the Lottery or seen the original Wicker Man? Thats what
the harvest references were for. I thought that was brilliant."
With your post and others, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who caught on to this. There's no telling how much satire from PAST episodes the so-called South Park "fans" who didn't get this episode have missed. It seems that some just don't understand that satire is NOT always belly-laugh funny (or even humorous, for that matter). I, for one, am glad Trey and Matt are going back to the satirical nature of the South Park that made it famous in the first place. For a long time now they have been making the same mistake Nickelodeon did with Ren & Stimpy... they focused on the outrageous scat humor and neglected the satire.
My favorite moment: the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" reference in regards to the parasitic, souless paparazzi.
Posted By: David Burcham (Guest) on March 21, 2008 at 06:02 PM
Just watched this episode and felt it was really disturbing, which was the point.
Sure, Brit has the money to stop; I'll give you that. Personal responsibility is key. Though, what the show was saying was that, like in real life, it's only those who begin to spiral downward that get the knife stuck in even deeper. Tell me all your money can buy your way out of that kind of insecurity and pressure. I could write a whole paper on this episode alone; I felt it was that deep. In fact, this whole episode did its job based on the fact there have been several times that I got a chuckle by looking at 411Britney (which this site almost became).
Very well made; very telling of our culture; and some parts of it were so insane I couldn't help but laugh.
I thought that this was far better than Cartman Has Aids.
So to the reviewer:
it seems, by reading your material, that you are the kind of person with the thoughts and ideals and sense of humor that keeps a person from really getting South Park. Some episodes are too disturbing for you, whereas others suffer because they don't have Cartman. So maybe you should gracefully hand the reigns over to someone who does get the show and can thus properly review it. You seem better suited for something like Family Guy.
.. and I've seen every episode of South Park at least twice.
Posted By: Christopher Warrior (Guest) on March 22, 2008 at 11:29 AM
This episode was just kinda annoying.They basically beat a dead horse the whole time. I don't know if they were just out of ideas and figured they'd fall back on Britney for an easy way out or what, but this was just a lacking episode. The episode wasn't bad up until Britney "killed herself". Then it went down hill incredibly fast. Most of the people who would find this incredibly humorous are the ones who dwell on Britney's life. I really hope the first two episodes aren't a sign of thing's to come this season...
Posted By: Travis (Guest) on March 22, 2008 at 03:45 PM
And I have read the Lottery, I got the reference from the start of it, but I failed to see the great humor in it. I understand the message they were going for, didn't take much deep thinking to understand what they were going for with that either. But just because you reference somebody or take a stance that many other people believe doesn't mean you have instant success. But, I suppose I could understand why some liked this episode.
Posted By: Travis (Guest) on March 22, 2008 at 03:49 PM
This episode wasn't funny... for all you indignant "satire" fans looking down their noses at everyone else... i think there's a Mark Russell political special on PBS that you might find particularly biting... make sure you invite some friends for tea and crumpets and you all can say arrogant things to one another...
Posted By: Guest#8130 (Guest) on March 22, 2008 at 04:51 PM
For all of you who think South Park is only supposed to be dick and fart jokes, there's all sorts of juvenille, junior high notebook-inspired, shitty shows like "Suidbillies" on Adult Swim.
Posted By: David Burcham (Guest) on March 23, 2008 at 03:08 AM
This is episode was hysterical. For those of you who thought it was not funny and just "sick", you obviously do not understand South Park or get the references. This episode was one of the funniest ones in awhile.
Posted By: Dave (Guest) on March 24, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I didn't think this was there best episode, but I don't think it was the disaster everyone else is making it out to be. I personally loved the Latin chanting, and the paparazzi shrieking at them as they tried to escape. Needed Kenny and Cartman though.
Posted By: Guest#6501 (Guest) on March 26, 2008 at 07:20 PM
The only part that was funny was when the dissed out Britney's cameltoe. I loved the part on the train and that's about it.
Posted By: alexander0429 (Registered) on April 24, 2008 at 01:35 PM
