It’s wild to think that South Park is near guaranteed to hit 20 seasons from Comedy Central. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are contractually obligated for three more, of course, after this upcoming 17th season of the hit animated show. What’s even wilder is that the show hasn’t lost anything of the serrated edge that has become the show’s hallmark.
It’s a simple premise, South Park. Four children (Kenny, Stan, Kyle and Cartman) live in South Park, CO, and have wacky adventures every week. Somehow each episode somehow manages to find a way into looking at some sort of recent event, from pop culture to politics, and slashes at it in a satirical manner. From the season opening episode, dealing with the sheer absurdity of modern airport security measures, the show takes a delicate but absolutely vicious slash to the heart.
And it’s insanely funny.
Many animated shows lose their edge and find a nice, comfortable groove they use to ride out for much longer than they should. The Simpsons has managed to find its way back after years of being subpar, and Family Guy has gone from “can’t miss” to “can DVR” in recent years, but South Park remains appointment television every week because Trey Parker and Matt Stone haven’t lost anything off their comedy fastball.
Considering they’ve had a hit film and a hit musical in between seasons of the show, with the musical (The Book of Mormon) set to become a film itself, it would be easy for South Park to take a nosedive. You’d think it would, as well, as no show is immune to a downturn in quality. South Park is getting better as the years go by because Parker & Stone know their characters so well, and are on point with what they want to say every week, that the show continues to be good. They aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel nor are they trying to just repeat the same formula.
South Park continues to be one of the funniest things on television, and a sneaky pick for the pantheon of comedic shows, because it’s meshing good jokes with better stories.
Some commentary tracks from Trey Parker and Matt Stone are included, as well as some deleted scenes.
Comedy Central and Paramount Home Entertainment present South Park: The Complete Sixteenth Season. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Starring voices of Trey Parker, Matt Stone, others. Running time: 308 minutes. Rated M. Released: September 24, 2013.
