SP and the age barrior...

There is rift amoung SP fans, and it has do to the way we treat young people. Notice, that all these young folks here, can not grasp certain jokes to the fullest. It must somewhat ruin the experience for them, to not even be aware that they are missing out on some jokes. And I find it to be societies fault, buy hiding these truths from them, 'for their own good', which is a load of shit. It points out that our culture is failing in teaching the future generations, and that as a society, we have been failing them for quite some time now.

MMMMMMK!

JS wrote:

I do agree that children should be taught about sexuality, but at the same time, I see nothing wrong with children "being children", and making the gradual move into adulthood. I don't see why a 12-year-old should have to know the meaning behind "the little man in the boat". There's knowing about sexuality, and then there's knowing the crude jokes, and there is a chasm between the two.

It bothers me that when I wear my South Park T-shirt, almost all the recognition is from 10- and 12-year-olds. For heaven's sake, what on earth is wrong with something being for adults?

As for "failing" to teach future generations, judging by some of the woeful postings I've read on this newsgroups, far too many children should be turning off South Park and turning to their schoolbooks -- I think it's far more important that someone be able to spell and write a complete sentence that someone else can understand, than be able to understand a "man in the boat" joke on a cartoon specifically marketed to adults.

When I was a child I watched Bugs Bunny, and I laughed when Elmer Fudd got an anvil in the head. When I became older, I watched them again and realized that I'd missed 80% of the cartoons, because the jokes went over my head -- these cartoons were made for adults. "South Park" is the same way, except than in 1940 Bugs Bunny couldn't made thinly veiled sexual references, and so most of the jokes that went over children's heads were puns.

Rabbit

In article , [email] wrote:

recognition

I feel the same way: I stopped in Spencer's at the mall this weekend to look at their SP stuff (wretchedly overpriced, BTW-- I hope some of that money actually is finding its way into Trey's & Matt's pockets) and was practically stampeded by shoppers who weren't old enough to drive.

Also, for some strange reason, grocery store clerks always say something to me when I wear one of my shirts, but it doesn't seem to happen anywhere else. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the Japanese Mafia... :-)

boat" joke

Amen to that! Unfortunately, this lack of writing (typing?) ability extends far beyond this newsgroup and is becoming a real problem, both on-line and in the "real world."

realized that

than in 1940

I've noticed this with other cartoons, as well: The Simpsons, Animaniacs,
King of the Hill, and more. I *know* that I wouldn't catch a lot of the
stuff if I were in junior high or younger. Even today, when I watch a
Dennis Miller routine or a good episode of MST3K, a few of the references
will go right over my head. That isn't bad, though, because it always
reminds me that
   a) I don't know *everything* after all :-)  and
   b) as long as I'm still alive, I still have an opportunity to educate
and better myself.

Some of the things on SP probably aren't appropriate for a young child to see/hear, but that is not my call; parents should decide whether their kids should be watching. Frankly, if SP spurs some kids to ask questions about things they saw/heard and didn't understand, I would say that's a constructive byproduct of the entertainment.

I also think those who worry about SP and other shows ruining an entire generation of young minds should realize that, in most cases, these children are exposed to the same material-- and much worse-- at school and with their peers. At least at home, you have some influence on what your children see and hear; use it in a positive, constructive, and educational manner!

I shall now get down off of my soapbox because I need to put my dirty laundry in it and go to the laundromat. :-)

Fred

Don't get me wrong -- I don't think anyone's going to turn into an ax-murderer (how do you kill an ax, anyway?) just because they watch South Park. But I also don't believe the world should conform to a 7-year-old's level because some people don't restrict their children. I see nothing wrong with "adult only" stuff -- casinos, bars, pornography, and yes, cartoons that spout off stuff that I really believe isn't appropriate for pre-teenagers.

The world won't change because I feel that way, but that's my opinion.

Rabbit

In article , [email] wrote:

ax-murderer (how

With a big flame thrower... to "thin out their numbers." ;-)

I apologize if it sounded like I was aiming my little speech at you; I really had in mind people more like... well, like Kyle's mom and her cronies in the episode in which they protest against T&P. My bad!

people >don't

I agree-- turning the world into one huge "Barney" episode would be a *really* bad idea, at least for me. I think children should have their kind of entertainment, adults should have theirs, and each group should stay out of the other's.

This thought process makes me wonder how cartoons came to be viewed as "kids' stuff." Cartoons aren't written and drawn by 7-year-olds, after all; why shouldn't they be adult entertainment?

Maybe the world won't change, but hopefully-- if enough people feel the same way-- shows like SP will continue to provide a lot of laughs for adults and not be "Disney-fied" in order to gain young viewers (and sell merchandise!).

Fred

It was for all this that I loved what Kyle, Stan, and Kenny had to say in the episode where Kyle's mom & all the SP adults go to protest the Terence and Philip Show.

I hope that lots of current & future Moms and Dads did and will hear this -- 'cause not many adults are hearing kids saying it in real life. Kyle and Stan emphasized that it wasn't what was on TV that was the problem--it's that no adults were actually checking in and finding out what WAS going on in their kids lives.

I'd LOVE to know what Kenny did say about this--Stan replied "Good point, Kenny", and I bet it was, too. Anyone know what he said?

Alicia

Rabbit wrote:

I think that because it's a cartoon, adults won't watch it thinking that it is "below" them. Dumbasses 8^)

HA... Someone else feels the same way...

Isn't it interesting that SP is suppose to be for adults but its not produced as if it were. The man in the boat reference (along with a few other things) is a hint of what the show could be. It doesn't surprise me that kids recognize the SP characters, what is disappointing to me is that their parents don't. It's another example of parents relinquishing control.

Agree. I wouldn't have a problem with children watching this show if their parents were present. Some of the situations & dialog could be great opportunities for communication. But the realist in me sees that parents care as much about what the kids are watching on TV as they are in the quality of education they are receiving.

Maybe someone will pick up where SP has faltered, a real adult cartoon show that won't pull punches. I still enjoy watching the show but when I think of Matt & Trey caving in (some say they sold out) it makes me sad.

Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong. - Dandemis

the little man in the boat went over my head because I thought she said look for the little man in the phone. I thought when he said he found it and all the sudden the mayor went oooooh he had found the wrong thing. I had a good idea just what he found that made the mayor moan. but i couldnt figure out what the hell that had to do with the phone other than Barbrady is a imbicle.

Rabbit wrote: