South Park has been a thorn in the side of those in power for nearly three decades, never hesitating to mock politicians and institutions. The show’s latest season is its most vicious yet, taking aim at the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and even its own network, Paramount.
Despite facing backlash from its targets, South Park has seen record-breaking viewership. TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk and comedian Ashley Ray joined guest host Ali Hassan to discuss how the show’s boundary-pushing comedy reflects changing times and politics.
One key factor driving South Park’s renewed ferocity is the Trump administration’s re-election. As President Trump said, “I don’t know what more we could possibly say about Trump.” However, with a new administration in place, the show has found new targets for ridicule. The significant change is that this administration operates with much less guardrail oversight than the previous one.
Furthermore, South Park and Paramount secured an unprecedented deal worth over $1 billion for streaming rights to the show’s episodes, including future ones. This lucrative arrangement came at a time when Paramount ended Stephen Colbert’s late-night show due to its apparent attempt to appease the Trump administration in pursuit of a merger with Skydance.
Comedian Ashley Ray believes that South Park initially became a voice for those who felt powerless and were searching for an outlet to express their frustration. The show gradually evolved, tackling topics from war to liberal politics. As American culture shifted towards being more liberal, South Park started questioning its own role in authority, standing up for individuals who dared to speak out against the norm.
In recent years, however, South Park found itself at odds with some conservative audiences who saw it as their voice and ally. The show now realizes that this audience may not fully understand what it intends to convey. It is using satire to make fun of those who are often too afraid or hesitant to do so themselves. With its latest season tackling Trump’s administration, South Park seems more determined than ever to point out the absurdity in certain situations.
The future of comedy will likely be shaped by shows like South Park, which continually push boundaries and challenge societal norms.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/commotion/what-does-south-park-s-boundary-pushing-comedy-mean-for-politics-1.7609191