The cartoon series "South Park" has never been shy of courting controversy, but its latest episode has caused outrage by featuring the recently deceased Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
Swearing and random death and destruction are staples of the cartoon, which has been broadcast since 1997. Irwin, killed by a stingray's barb while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in September is the latest celebrity to be lampooned by the show.
The episode, aired in the U.S. earlier this week, shows Satan preparing to host a Halloween fancy dress party. Other guests include Princess Diana, Hitler and rapper Notorious B.I.G. Critics have been appalled by the Irwin character's depiction in a bloodstained shirt and with a stingray still attached to his chest.
John Beyer of UK TV watchdog Mediawatch said: "This is such bad taste and the makers of 'South Park' should review their decision to show it. Steve's family are still grieving.
"To lampoon somebody's death like that is unacceptable and so soon after the event is grossly insensitive.''
"South Park" maker Comedy Central defended the episode. A spokesperson for the company said: "It has offended people in the past and probably will again. Regular watchers would not be shocked."
The show holds the record for the most swearwords spoken in one program, and regularly takes pot-shots at celebrities and makes fun of politics and religion.
Some tamer examples include George Clooney, mocked for his politically-motivated Oscar acceptance speech, and lampooning Tom Cruise and John Travolta for their belief in Scientology. One episode with a depiction of a bleeding Virgin Mary so upset the Catholic Church that it was pulled from repeats of the series.
You know, when it comes to comedy, no one is safe. But, there are certain things that you just do NOT do. And this is one of them. They could have done the whole thing, and done someone other than Steve Irwin.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
I thought it was hilarious. The joke was that it is too early. Satan is having a Hell On Earth party and see's someone dressed up like Steve Irwin with a stingray through him. He goes up to the guy and says it's not a cool costume, it's too early. Then he says he really is Steve Irwin. So Satan kicks him out for not having a costume. Guess the worse thing is they depicted Irwin as going to hell.
So what's the waiting time? A year? Five years? Sure it's insensitive, but that's the nature of the show. Can't pick and choose what's bad form and what's not. The show mocks entire religions and races. But some dude gets harpooned and now that's over the edge?
Still, it's a cartoon. I'm still waiting for the Church to chime in on this one. They had cardinals and priests with naked children on leashes in the episode. And not part of their costume, either.
I just think that it's tactless... the dude JUST died, a I'm sure that Terry isn't happy with it. I could care less what the f'n church thinks... esp the catholic church. But, I do care what Terry, and all of Steve's family, thinks about it, and how it affects them, personally.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
We're talking about the same show that had Bush crap on Jesus, right?
They showed a cartoon version of a guy who some say made a career out of antagonizing frightened wild animals then was killed in a freak accident by an animal. He took the risk of being lampooned in life or death when he choose to bring his professional and sometimes personal life to television.
Not to mention in the same episode they showed Ted Bundy, Jefferey Dahmer and John Wayne Gasey acting like the Three Stooges and killing people. How many people are they responsible for killing? But here they are, being shown all funny like. But it's okay because an intangible moratorium on what's funny has been lifted over the years?
Have you seen the episode? I don't think it was so bad. Just had him standing there with a stingray tail through his chest. He was onscreen for like 10 seconds.
i saw it. it's not too bad. It's sorta bad form but it IS kinda funny. I mean they SAY that it's not cool to be dressed up as him b/c it's too early. I laughed and i don't like south park anymore.
"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." - Carrie Bradshaw
"The danger of an adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort" - Paulo Coehlo
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"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." - Carrie Bradshaw
"The danger of an adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort" - Paulo Coehlo
Live your life like it's your last day on earth
Life is not how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away.
10-27-2006 04:29 PM
Definitely in poor taste!!! It's just WAY too soon to do such a thing, in my opinion.
We're talking about the same show that had Bush crap on Jesus, right?
