South Park: a Serious Look on the Ten Year Anniversary of the Popular Television Show

I was nine years old when South Park debuted. It went from being the taboo that was funny to talk about at middle school and elementary school to animated medium that brought humor to light of more recent events due to the quick turn-around in making episodes. Now, the random and often crude humor portrayed has been cast aside for poking fun at current events, celebrity scandal, religion and assorted issues in today's world.

Take for instance Eric Cartman, a character who's bigoted and often hateful stance belies a more sociopathic nature. Without a positive male role model, Cartman has gone from the fat and abrasive comic relief to something a little more where he displays manipulative and often times sociopathic tendencies. Considering the fact that his mother is indeed is father and assumes the role of his father, it's not a surprise he would endure some trauma. He's been displayed as someone who sympathizes with the Nazi ideals and is racist to horrifying extent. However, if he wasn't portrayed as nine year old boy, it would seem even more shocking.

Another character to keep in mind is that of Butters. Butters is a cheerfully optimistic young fellow who has endured a great amount of abuse and trauma. His parents constantly deride and abuse him, he's almost been murdered by his mother, and he endures an even greater amount of criticism from his supposed friends. Despite all of it though, Butters is still very optimistic, never seeing things in a negative light despite all the horrible things he's had to endure as a person.

Stan and Kyle, the series straight men have normally mundane lives. Aside from bullying of Stan's older sister and the almost constant censorship of Kyle's mother, they remain as relatively normal characters portrayed in a seemingly strange and hostile environment.

The constantly dying Kenny portrays the lower end of the social spectrum. Poverty stricken and having a father who drinks, it's somewhat surprising he isn't more cynical and harsh in attitude compared to his somewhat nonchalant expression.