South Park kills Jesus, again

By Brandon Green
Collegian Staff
April 18, 2007

Recently on Comedy Central, South Park aired an Easter special in which Jesus Christ was stabbed and killed by one of the shows main characters. South Park is currently airing its 11th season on Comedy Central, and many people believe it has now gone too far in what it depicts on television. Although South Park is only a cartoon, it should still be held responsible for what it airs and remain conscious of the many religious people who may take offense to an episode similar to that of the Easter special. I have seen many South Park episodes and I typically enjoy them. However, I was somewhat offended by the special and feel someone must step in and provide a voice of reason. Unless the issue is addressed, the writers will be free to air whatever concept they can imagine.

In the past two weeks, we have heard outrage at a since departed morning radio host’s comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team. The issue has hijacked media coverage, and the remarks have even caused the host to lose his job. Even though what Don Imus said was a highly ridiculous statement and was not called for, is it anything worse than what we have seen on South Park? I fail to see how. In South Park’s 11 seasons running I watched them air episodes making fun of just about anything. They’ve jumped from Bill Clinton to 9/11 and made racist, homphobic and even anti-cripple remarks. South Park remains on air, but a radio announcer makes one comment and is fired. This seems unjust. I have never seen anyone make Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the producers of South Park, apologize to any of the countless people they have offended on their program.

Cartoon or not, South Park needs some supervision and should be censored in order to prevent further offense. South Park airs on cable television just as Imus in the Morning did on MSNBC. People such as Imus, Mel Gibson and Rush Limbaugh say things and are instantly chastised in the media. I rarely have seen or heard about South Park in the media or anyone even protesting it. The South Park Easter special will most likely be the last episode I watch because I am tired of the show’s same old insults and the lack of accountability for what is aired. That does not make the other’s remarks acceptable, but I do not know how the show has lasted 11 seasons without outrage.

greenb2@lasalle.edu