South Park 'Rape' Episode Causes Controversy; Real Life Scarier Than Cartoon
Gawker's Richard Lawson points us towards a controversy brewing over this week's 12th season premiere of Comedy Central's South Park.
According to a post by Deadline Hollywood Daily's Nikki Finke and one by Los Angeles Times Show Tracker blogger Todd Martens, some people—especially at Paramount—feel that South Park auteurs Matt Parker and Trey Stone went too far in calling Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull a "rape" of a beloved movie franchise. The "joke" was compounded later in the episode by depicting George Lucas and Steven Spielberg as rapists—both of the Indiana Jones movies and of Stars Wars.
What no one seems to remember is that Mr. Spielberg was once the victim of a real-life stalker who may have threatened to rape him. Literally.
In 1998, Jonathan Norman was arrested near Mr. Spielberg's home and, according to CNN:
Police have testified that Norman was carrying handcuffs, duct tape and a box cutter at the time of his arrest. They said his car contained two more sets of handcuffs, razor blades -- items prosecutor Rhonda Saunders called a 'rape kit.'
Mr. Norman was sentenced to 25-years-to-life. At the sentencing hearing, Mr. Spielberg said, "So your honor, I'm here today because the prospect that Jonathan Norman might have another chance to carry out his intent is beyond frightening to me... As I testified at trial ... I was and still am fearful of Mr. Norman."
So, you know Mr. Spielberg didn't find the episode too funny.
who cares if steven speildburg was threatended to be raped its a fricken cartton that makes fun of everything so get overit you pussies
I'm thankful that people were offended by this episode. People being offended means that many were watching and paying attention. Free speech is not pretty sometimes, but necessary. It seems like South Park is pretty much the only outlet of true free speech out there these days. Honestly, if South Park were to have to "tone it down," then I would think that creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker would just stop production. However, if the show got watered down because of the pressure from Comedy Central's parent company Viacom, then the viewers would just stop watching (including myself). And as a result, I would be that much more disenchanted and unhappy with the powers that be...
South Park would never tone it down. Parker and Stone would just walk away before succumbing to the powers at be.. That's why there so great; they say what they want and don't care what anyone thinks.
SOUTH PARK is stupid, venal and obscene. Making fun of rape and mocking other people, including innocent and revered religious figures like Jesus Christ (which is something the Nazis did with the Jews), is obnoxious.
TV should be cleaned up; if the networks and stations won't do it, the people should step in and make their local and state governments do it.
wow. . .I guess the guy who wants the government to step in would have been happier if hitler won in '45. . .or if the Berlin wall was still up. Youre probably the pro-Reaganist type who wishes personal liberty with one hand and then shits all over it with the other in the voting booth. . .grow up. If you dont like whats being said DONT WATCH. This is America. . .not China
Ok... "TV should be cleaned up; if the networks and stations won't do it, the people should step in and make their local and state governments do it."
Government censorship? sounds like Facism... (which is something the Nazis did)
And random guy, you're right on with the, "if you don't like it DOn't Watch it" mindset, but pro-Reaganist type? really? Do you even know what you're talking about?
Censorship is not conservative... yea, the wacked out Christians do like to cause problems with things against their views... but lets not forget, Tipper Gore and her Ultra-Liberal buddies tried to censor the music industry... and it's not republicans that want to regulate the internet. (something to think about)
all in all, Matt Stone said it best "I hate conservatives, but I really fucking hate liberals"
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
The only thing that is funnier than this episode is the fact that people watched it knowing what it depicted for the sole purpose to get offend which then meant they could complain about it.
We all love a good moan.
Matt, Trey don't stop that thing you do.
People get raped all the time... (That's what Matt and Trey would say!) Get over it, it's just South Park and that's what makes it great!!!!!
This episode was hilarious and exactly right about the crystal skull it was the worst movie experience I have had to endure since I was dragged to The Passion of the Christ. As for the rape scenes I must differ to the late great George Carlin
"Comedians run into that shit all the time. Like rape. They'll say, "you can't joke about rape. Rape's not funny."
I say, "fuck you, I think it's hilarious. How do you like that?" I can prove to you that rape is funny. Picture Porky Pig raping Elmer Fudd. See, hey why do you think they call him "Porky," eh?"
South Park is the best show on TV.
Huh,maybe Spielberg should drop some cash on more security. I can think of dozens of episodes you could argue went way further. What about the Steve Irwin one? South Park is the shit and remember..."Did you see the refrigerator scene? It didn't make any sense!"
South Park Rocks! Matt and Trey just keep pushing further and further becasue they know it creates contriversy and thats what fuels them. They think something is funny and they share it with the world. And they dont care of it pisses people off!
I only came across this post to find the name of the rape episode, i stop watching south park for months when im busy but the moment its back in the media i start watching again. Mostly because the contriversial episodes normally have a good point to them, probably why they make them that way....TO GET THEIR POINT ACROSS AND IN THE MEDIA!!
Everyone that has a problem with it their are two very easy ways to fix it. 1. dont watch 2. get an axe, smash your tv with the axe, then when ur too stupid to turn it off it wont be a problem.
Oh i thought of another thing to do with the axe but you`ll probably do it and then ill be in the media getting sued for being contriversial! hahahaha
Dear Anonymous, Tips, Dave, Anonymous--
You're tar tars. There's nothing funny about being raped or being threatened with being raped. Dolts. Learn how to spell before you post -- idiots.
Anonymous is right...there is nothing funny about rape.
I don't have problems with South Park making fun of killing, torture, mutilations, peoples religion, race and lifestyles.
Rape is just going to far though. I feel as though Stone and Parker have just violated me.
'Make them do it'.. man your a facist and you dont even realise it..
Ive been raped... Some of my friends have been raped.. its real life and its something i have to live with.. but when i saw this episode... I LAUGHED MY FUCKING HEAD OFF.. this episode was comic genius... Big up Matt Stone and Trey Parker.. Bad Bois!!!