South Park’s Pandemic Special Will Infect Comedy Central

Disclaimer:
This is an analysis of a trailer for a television special that is highly likely to satirise the effects of society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reader discretion is advised, along with a strong recommendation to show kindness and compassion to those in desperate need.
 
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have imprisoned us in fear, alienation and uncertainty, making 2020 a very difficult year to live in [8] [10] [27]. Aside from how we have to succumb to certain circumstances to save lives, there have been numerous coping mechanisms to keep mental health in check, including autonomous sensory meridian response [34], how a certain merc with a mouth from Marvel had his perspective featured by yours truly and the epic celebration of Mario’s 35th anniversary [36] [37] [38] [39] [40]. Recently, it has been discovered that another way to…somewhat cope in such a difficult year is the forthcoming one-hour special of South Park that will premiere on the 30th of September on Comedy Central [6] [22]. After all these years, the show has managed to somewhat remain fresh for twenty-three seasons [15], despite a few less than assuming or just downright unpleasant moments, as well as numerous controversies that resulted in huge consequences [11] [12] [23] [31] [32]. Considering how it has been on the air since 1997 after its two short predecessors from 1992 and 1995 [15] [17] [24] [25], it seems like there is no sign of the show dying as if it was Kenny McCormick [33]. Screw you, 2020! I shall analyse the premise of a new season premiere!

Could this be another coping mechanism in such a difficult year? Let us analyse what has been revealed in the announcement trailer and make our own predictions. [6] [22]

The prime plot of the forthcoming special is obviously about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as firstly hinted by Randy Marsh [6] [22]. Previously, we have discovered that he and his family moved to a weed farm [4] [5] [20], so he may be up to a new business scheme in the upcoming special. I think he and Sharon might end up on the rocks as she calls him “a child” in his car. As much as I want TikTok to be banned in the near future for how part of its community have encouraged impressionable people to follow risky and disgracefully offensive trends, such as the Autism Challenge and Skull-Breaker Challenge [2] [7] [35], I would not be surprised if there will be a side plot of any residents of South Park doing a challenge that is as shocking as any of those trends since I have been questioning their stupidity ever since I have gotten into South Park. We are all aware of how intelligently the writers of South Park have been handled a variety of issues in a satirical manner throughout the years, so I believe that the South Park interpretation of the coronavirus pandemic can be written quite exceptionally to some degree.

Of course, there just had to be a reference to the period of many people having to stay at home [8]. [6] [22]

There also seems to be a side plot involving the fourth-graders, including the four main characters [6] [22]. Cartman can complain about having to go back to school all he wants, but Kyle is in the right to try and keep his distance from him and order him to leave his house. We also see some of the students of South Park Elementary at class, but with a twist. They are wearing face masks at their desks that are at least two metres apart from each other. But oddly enough, the standards are kind of exaggerated as their desks provide layers of glass surrounding them. Detective Harris is shown to be their new teacher, which seems like an opportunity for some new character development from him. Other than the classroom scene, I still would not be surprised if there ought to be scenes of any South Park residents performing a dangerous stunt encouraged by a parody of TikTok at some point in the forthcoming special or in another episode that will air after its premiere [19] [30]. How can the other children besides Cartman and Kyle cope in such an unnerving time [6] [22], even if Butters could be at risk of getting grounded…again [33]?

Besides a poster on the wall that makes the upcoming special so 2020, this particular part of the trailer could lead to curiosity from the viewers. Could Detective Harris nail a new temporary job? [6] [22]

Any signs of humour and more conflict in the trailer? I think Sharon Marsh broke the fourth wall without realising it as she questions the title of her husband’s tactic just before the announcer the title [6] [22]. Since there was already a pandemic in South Park during its seventh season [16], there might as well be some small rehashes of the humour within the conflict of “Red Man’s Greed” [9] [29]. Additionally, I suppose one scene might as well somewhat recycle a specific joke regarding buying a Mr. Hankey load of toilet paper from the third episode of the seventh season that was titled “Toilet Paper” [28]. I also believe that there might be a scene of several Canadians [33], such as Terrance and Phillip in quarantine [19]. Of course, we can expect Kenny to die during the pandemic at some point [33], but there ought to be at least some more ironic moments of irony. Other than a few theories of how the rest of the loveable cast will spend their time during the coronavirus pandemic, I know how Wendy Testaburger felt when she asked if things were getting worse and worse in the eighth episode of the twenty-first season [3].

I honestly do not blame Sharon. Labelling a business tactic as a “pandemic special” sounds in poor taste, especially when people are living in fear. Well, unless it is a South Park episode. [6] [22]

Even though I doubt that I can stand living in this dangerous and devastating start of a new decade any longer [8] [14], I would be more than interested in watching South Park’s Pandemic Special with my significant other at some point in late 2020 or later as a fan of the cartoon that has come a long way since its two short Christmas specials [17] [24] [25]. I am sure that he and I will not find the overall outcome tasteless [41] [42], as long as it will provide outstanding writing and rather interesting takes on the characters’ portrayals when it comes to satirising the effects of society during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, could it count as part of a second edition of Josh Strider’s list of Darkest South Park episodes [23]? Or could it help us learn something after its conclusion? In the time of the new iPad Air that comes in a stylish shade of black, a snowy shade of white and the colours of the Powerpuff Girls is being marketed [1] [26], fans of animation for adults are more than ready to (virtually) come on down to South Park and leave their woes behind to behold the beginning of a twenty-fourth season [15] [21].

I remember complaining about references to having to follow certain circumstances to prevent spreading coronavirus being shown in an episode of My Little Pony: Pony Life and how it can potentially increase anxiety [41] [42], but can the forthcoming one hour special of South Park’s current era provide a valid commentary on how society has been affected by the pandemic? We shall find out soon. [6] [22]

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