Last Friday night before heading out for the usual Halloween weekend bash, I heard something strange on the TV I had on for background noise. An anchor from Entertainment Tonight was discussing a particularly offensive new South Park episode. South Park? Offensive? “Wow, big surprise there,” I thought to myself. As I watched what remained of the story, I found that the episode was about a Halloween party of sorts hosted by Satan. One of the characters at this party happens to be the recently deceased Steve Irwin aka “The Crocodile Hunter.”
Irwin fans and network execs being interviewed on ET were claiming how South Park should have more couth in dealing with sensitive matters such as this man’s untimely death. He was a wonderful person; it’s not like he was a politician or celebrity—people whose misfortunes are standard on “harsh” comedy shows like South Park. However, the quote given by the South Park reps simply said that they have been and will continue to offend people for years, that’s how their money is made, and that’s how their shows will still run—people should just get used to this fact.
Wow. So much for compassion of television. Now, I’ll admit. I’m a huge fan of edgy shows similar to South Park (Family Guy being my favorite), but picking on poor Steve just mere weeks after his death is a little much. I mean, his 8-year-old daughter spoke at his funeral, which was replayed on the news for quite some time after. Millions of people were effected by his death, and apparently are not ready (and perhaps never will be able) to laugh yet. Myself included.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp1kt7yGtqs
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