Norman Lear to Co-Write 'South Park'
By ANTHONY BREZNICAN .c The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Archie Bunker, meet Cartman.
Norman Lear, the Emmy-winning producer of ``All in the Family,'' said Wednesday he will collaborate on several episodes of the Comedy Central satire ``South Park.''
Among the subjects he hopes to mock on the show are the U.S. push for war in Iraq, reality TV shows and immigration.
``This is a show that always has something on its mind - as funny as it is, as outrageous and ridiculous,'' said Lear, who began watching ``South Park'' several years ago with his 14-year-old son.
Lear, 80, is best known for such politically charged comedies in the 1970s as ``All in the Family,'' ``Sanford and Son,'' ``Maude'' and ``The Jeffersons,'' which confronted issues such as abortion, racial prejudice and anti-Semitism.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who created the cartoon world of ``South Park'' and voice most of the characters, said they became friends with Lear by appearing alongside him on panels to discuss censorship and the challenges of producing controversial programming.
``We just love his company and love people who have an opinion about things,'' Parker said.
Since its debut in 1997, ``South Park'' has made fun of religious extremism and genetic engineering anong many other issues while chronicling the antics of tubby, embittered Cartman, level-headed Kyle, nervous Stan and perpetually killed Kenny as they revolt against their parents and teachers.
The new season starts March 19 (10 p.m. EST) on the cable channel. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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