South Park: The Streaming Wars

It's not South Park's best and it's the weakest of the television specials, so far. Cartman is usually a highlight of the show, but the subplot of him and his mom wasn't really interesting or even funny to watch. The comments on streaming services are funny and the special's way of portraying that is clever. I personally just didn't find it super funny, but still enjoyed it! If you're a fan of South Park, it's definitely worth the Paramount+ free trial.

...that I just watched South Park s**t on its parent company for 48 minutes straight, all the while poking fun at its viewers to continually show up for any content they put out, no matter what service it's on. South Park on Comedy Central is not enough...how about Paramount+ , who is personified by the not-so-subtle "Pi Pi". Most South Park is completely allegorical at this point, which hits or misses. This was a semi-hit with me, the best part is biting the hand that feeds and it just giving them more and more. This was purposefully a sub-par episode - err, "special" - that proves its own point.

I know that the last few seasons have been panned by audiences and critics, everyone loves South Park for their own reasons whether it be nostalgia, great jokes, toilet humor, whatever..

For me I have enjoyed the direction the show has gone and I'll try to help explain why it is better (with the exception of a few episodes). Although I was the first to be extremely upset in the constant reduction in episodes the quality of the content has gone up. They are able to connect the story over multiple episodes which has jokes references hitting twice. I suppose if you didn't like the first joke it won't hit hard a second time but it seems to me that half of the viewers do not understand the satire behind the jokes made. I understand the joke itself may not be a knock out with every viewer as people have become more sensitive about certain topics, do not care for toilet humor, or it went over their head, but believe me, the writing is still as solid as it ever was if not better. There are fundamentally multiple levels of storytelling here in streaming wars- first I appreciate the connections that go back to the last season that were comical for me and they worked here too. Second streaming wars is relevant with the entertainment industry's constant struggle with retaining and paying talent, becoming a monopoly, etc etc. Third, have you all not seen the actual "streaming wars" in the American west? Africa? General shortage of water? The reviews that I have been reading about how people aren't laughing anymore, I promise that half of you aren't laughing because you don't understand the joke references. The other half may be offended or just got tired of the story. Randy's Tegridy weed antics have about run it's course, but I appreciate that Towlie is now a recurring character, so win some lose some. The episodes that he is the prominent character I rewatch less of, but I still enjoy them. Don't give up on this series, if the jokes or the story isn't landing, try to see what they are referencing behind the reference. There is a reason Family Guy has never won an Emmy and South Park has a vault full. It's not for everyone but there is quality writing.

I know a lot of people found it dull, uncreative, repetitive, and too dependent on current trends in society and pop culture. But I disagree for the most part. They successfully found a fun way to bring elements from many previous episodes, and merge them together with a mockery of modern day streaming services as the glue. They make a lot of great critical points about streaming services in fun, hilarious ways. Like how anybody can "sell content" for streaming services, how quickly they get canceled, and how the content can be garbage and yet people will still pay for it. And don't forget how competitive the streaming business has become in such a short period of time.

On top of all that, you have the usual antics from Cartman, driven by his greedy, incessant need for attention and material gain. And the boys are the focal point of one of the three main story arcs of course that play a part in the mockery of streaming services. And the story of Tegridy Weed continues. And yes, I do agree, South Park should be all about the boys and not so much about Randy and his farm, but I don't feel like he really hogs the limelight.

And to those complaining about it being oversaturated with parodies and references to current news, where have you been the last 10 seasons? That's basically what they do now, and have been doing for some time.

Overall it's pretty funny, not the best, but when you take a step back to see what the creators are doing, it certainly becomes an episode worthy of watching. On a streaming service of course.

Yes, South Park has always been satiric. Fine. But the focus over the last few seasons has shifted from the core of Kenny, Stan, Kyle, and Cartman (and Butters) to Randy, Tegridy Farms, PC Principal, blah...blah...blah. I like good satire, but they have drained the storylines for all they are worth. Remember Jared beating a dead horse in Season 6? We are now at that point. Shift the focus back to the kids. Please....