Hillary Gets the South Park Treatment

Comedy Central is set to air what could be a classic South Park episode this Wednesday, March 28, at 10PM EST.  The episode, called "The Snuke," stars Hillary Clinton as she prepares for a campaign rally in South Park.

Comedy Central's synopsis:

"Cartman suspects the new Muslim student is behind a terrorist threat.... The clock is ticking as the citizens prepare for Hillary Clinton'sbig campaign rally. Every minute counts as Cartman uses his own methodsto interrogate the suspect. But could the plan to target HillaryClinton be just the tip of the iceberg?"

One never knows which way South Park will slant from week to week.  They've made their share of both liberal and conservative attacks which - at least in my opinion - makes them one of the most consistently credible places to get good satire.

I'll be curious to watch the episode on more than just an entertainment level - I'll be curious to see what kind of boost/slump Hillary might get after being targeted.  Of course, the primary concern will be whether she's playfully ridiculed or actually attacked in the episode. 

Additionally though, will the show's prime audience (which is of course 18-24 males) become more or less interested in the '08 Presidential run after being seeing the perspective.  Even a negative episode could give her a boost if she's willing to laugh it off and perhaps even address it.

Comments

[Steve Johnson]

I'll definitely watch it. I love South Park and I agree with you on the fact that they get credit for equally going after liberal and conservative views. The one thing that has irritated me is their refusal to poke fun at Bush. I think I remember reading an interview with either Stone or Parker, or both of them, in which they argued that Bush bashing has been done too much and it's not original anymore. I understand that, but with a show that pretty much makes fun of everything (even the topics everyone is already doing) that just seemed like a weak cop-out. Given, they did "That's My Bush" but that was extremely playful, and they hardly ever go that easy on people on South Park. It just seems weak to not stick it to arguably the most powerful man in America just because it's been done before. Sorry for the long commentary.

[Erick]

Long commentary is welcomed. I can see the point Parker/Stone make about Bush-bashing being "too easy." Look at late-night talk shows - Letterman, Leno, Ferguson, O'Brien, Daly, everybody makes the generic "So Michael Jackson and a little boy..." joke when it's in the news. Are any of them funny? Not really. It's too easy. South Park has done a lot of symbolic satire of Bush, not calling him out directly but using parables (not to make South Park feel too Biblical) to show the ignorance of the Republicans/Bush. The Schiavo / PSP episode a couple of years ago is probably one of the best examples of that.

--Erick.