South Park has two main types of critic. Much of the misguided public clamour which followed the first few episodes twelve years ago focused on the appropriateness of the show for children, as South Park was singled out by the first type of critic – angry PTA groups and prominent conservative figureheads – as symbolic of the decay of modern values and the dumbing down of kids’ culture. This despite the show’s post 10pm screening time, multiple content warnings and adult subject matter.

The show’s other main critic is the casual viewer, who enjoyed many of the early episodes, drawn in by the wave of media controversy and primetime coverage, but whose attention and laughter dissipated along with the sensationalism. (more…)