South Park Season 13 Info Thread

[Ryan]

Yeah, I have a bad feeling this might be a polarizing episode, or as Trey said in the S12 commentaries, "Either you're on the train, or your not", like Britney's New Look. One of people's main complaints from last season is that the show seemed to be trying to make memes out of every episode through running gags, i.e. "How do I reach these keeds?", "I'm HIV positive", "I'm so startled!", "Never shoot a guy in the dick!", "Boom baby!", "I'm not your friend, buddy!" (though that last one actually did catch on)

The current event episodes often seem like the ones to do it, so hopefully not...

[Mr Johannson]

That "yeah, no" stuff really got on my nerves. Hopefully it's not like those running gags like Homer5000 mentioned.

[Ryan]

Press images:



Looks like Randy will be a prophet of some sort...

[Ryan]

SPS hasn't updated with episode info yet, but there's a decidedly vague preview on the front page that has a bunch of epic clips of Cartman on a cell phone and a riled-up town meeting, and it specifically mentions the episode takes place on "Wednesday April 1st".

Whatever these clips are, I'm not expecting them to be in the show...

EDIT:
Oh, well, maybe:

From the Comedy Central Press Release:
IT’S APRIL FOOLS DAY
ON AN ALL-NEW "SOUTH PARK" ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 AT 10:00 P.M. ON COMEDY CENTRAL


NEW YORK, March 30, 2009 – THE 4TH GRADE BOYS ARE THE VICTIMS OF AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE in an all-new episode of "South Park" titled, "Eat, Pray, Queef,” premiering on Wednesday, April 1 at 10:00 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL. Someone played an April Fools joke on the boys and it didn’t go over well. Butters is incapacitated, Cartman is furious and the rest of the boys are afraid someone might do it again.

It doesn't sound like they'll screw us over on this one, interesting...

Preview clips:
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/222662/

[Sprocketeer]

Episode 1304 Announcement

From the Comedy Central Press Release:
IT’S APRIL FOOLS DAY
ON AN ALL-NEW "SOUTH PARK" ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 AT 10:00 P.M. ON COMEDY CENTRAL

NEW YORK, March 30, 2009 – THE 4TH GRADE BOYS ARE THE VICTIMS OF AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE in an all-new episode of "South Park" titled, "Eat, Pray, Queef,” premiering on Wednesday, April 1 at 10:00 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL. Someone played an April Fools joke on the boys and it didn’t go over well. Butters is incapacitated, Cartman is furious and the rest of the boys are afraid someone might do it again.

[Ryan]

This week's episode:

From the Comedy Central Press Release:
THE KIDS COME UP WITH THE FUNNIEST JOKE OF ALL TIME
IN AN ALL-NEW "SOUTH PARK" ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 AT 10:00 P.M. ON COMEDY CENTRAL


NEW YORK, April 6, 2009 – Creative differences ruin friendships in an all-new episode of "South Park" titled, "Fishsticks,” premiering on Wednesday, April 8 at 10:00 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL.

Cartman decides to help Jimmy with his comedy routine. Everyone loves the new joke they come up with. The joke starts to take off and it even hits all the late night talk shows. The boys are thrilled with how popular it’s become until somebody tries to take all the credit.

Launched in 1997, "South Park," now in its 13th season, remains the highest-rated series on COMEDY CENTRAL. "South Park" repeats Wednesdays at 12:00 a.m., Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. and Sundays at 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

Preview clip here.

Sigh, they just had to do this episode when Conan's off the air, didn't they? Though I hope they rip into Jimmy Fallon good...

EDIT: According to the promo image:

Kayne is the one who takes all the credit. He is gonna be pissed off...

[Mr Johannson]

It seems like it's going to be done several times, so hopefully this joke is actually funny.
Is the Kayne thing a reference to something?

[Disgruntled Goat]

THE KIDS COME UP WITH THE FUNNIEST JOKE OF ALL TIME

Wenn ist das Nunstruck git und Slotermeyer? Ja! ... Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!
/python

[Tyler]

eh ok sounds decent

[Ryan]

So, apparently this season is the Stan and Randy season. This could definetly be the dud we've been waiting for:

From the Comedy Central Press Release:
IT’S PINEWOOD DERBY TIME
IN AN ALL-NEW "SOUTH PARK" ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 AT 10:00 P.M. ON COMEDY CENTRAL


NEW YORK, April 13, 2009 – BUILDING A PINEWOOD DERBY CAR IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME GOOD OLD FASHIONED FATHER-SON BONDING TIME in an all-new episode of "South Park" titled, "Pinewood Derby,” premiering on Wednesday, April 15 at 10:00 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL.

RANDY IS DETERMINED THAT STAN WILL WIN THIS YEAR’S PINEWOOD DERBY. He comes up with a PLAN that will assure Stan a first place trophy.

An image:



I have a bad feeling there's going to be a conspiracy within the Pinewood Derby and Randy's going to get drunk and scream a lot...

EDIT: Preview clip!

Yep, exactly like Eat, Pray, Queef...

2ND EDIT:
Another image:

No other boys. I don't know. M&T better have something up their sleeves other than a conspiracy...

[Sprocketeer]

Man, Randy had an episode just three weeks ago! Obviously the synopsis isn't telling us much; it sounds totally uninteresting as is, and obviously there's something more to it.
But yes, I'd rather some more known boys be used instead of generic ones.

[NJ Pete]

This has been done b4 on Home Improvemnet and Malcom in the Middle



They will put a weight or something in the car or inject the wood with something..... No south park Randy will go gay for the scoutmaster or something

[Charlie]

Sigh, they just had to do this episode when Conan's off the air, didn't they? Though I hope they rip into Jimmy Fallon good...

Speaking of this, I was really, really surprised that they did end up using Conan and (from what I recall) had no Fallon at all - maybe that was their joke in itself, that they don't take any notice of Fallon and his crappy show?

[Mr Johannson]

Eh, it sounds okay I guess.
I don't see how its anything like "Eat, Pray, Queef".

[Ryan]

Eh, it sounds okay I guess.
I don't see how its anything like "Eat, Pray, Queef".

Randy/Stan dynamic while annoying Sharon...

[wallet inspector]

i don't know what you guys are complaining about. randy is the best character of them all. i haven't seen these new episodes yet, but randy has always been involved in the funniest stuff.

[Ryan]

Cartman gets pirate fever on the last new South Park for six months!

From the Comedy Central Press Release:
CARTMAN LAUNCHES HIS PERFECT PIRATE CLUB
IN AN ALL-NEW "SOUTH PARK" ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 AT 10:00 P.M. ON COMEDY CENTRAL


NEW YORK, April 20, 2009 – CARTMAN PLANS TO RUN AWAY FROM HOME TO LIVE THE LIFE OF A PIRATE in an all-new episode of "South Park" titled, "Fatbeard,” premiering on Wednesday, April 22 at 10:00 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL.

BUTTERS AND A SMALL GROUP OF RECRUITS JOIN CARTMAN IN HIS DREAM OF LIVING ON SKULL ISLAND WHERE THEY WILL FROLIC IN CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERFALLS AND DISCOVER BURIED TREASURE. CARTMAN PROMISES THAT PARADISE AWAITS IF THEY CAN JUST GET TO SOMALIA.

Preview clip here

Should have seen this coming. Looks like another episode where Butters replaces Kenny, though...

EDIT:
Preview Image #1


Preview Image #2


Looks like Kyle, but not Stan was clever enough to NOT embark on this adventure...

[Paul]

Could this be based on recent developments with the Pirate Bay?

[Sprocketeer]

Seems like they might throw in some current event material with Somalia, so let's hope they don't overdo it. This actually has some really funny potential if done right.

[Mr Johannson]

Pirates huh? Sounds like it could be good.

[Ryan]

Okay, so once again we have reached the end of the run. Just like last year, feel free to rate and review the season so far. First, a slightly random comment: SP seems less popular, as this thread is barely at page two. A year ago we were far beyond that. Season 12 seemed to scare people away, which is unfortunate because these seven weeks have (for the most part) served us up some good South Park. Job well done, M&T...

The Ring: 5/5 (Hilarious episode that I'm still quoting over a month later, great opener)
The Coon: 4/5 (Very funny spoof that includes some nice callbacks)
Margaritaville: 4/5 (the clever Jesus parallels and the payoff to Stan's subplot elevate this current events episode)
Eat, Pray, Queef: 4/5 (somewhat polarizing, I found this episode to be a fun, if at times repetitive episode)
Fishsticks: 5/5 (hands down, the best of the season so far. It sounds so "quote-y", but I kid you not, I laughed from the minute it began to the second it ended)
Pinewood Derby: 3.5/5 (so far, Season 13's "weak" link, and even this one wasn't so bad, and at times very funny, just suffering from a severe case of Randy-itis)
Fatbeard: 4/5 (despite a rushed story, this one delivers good random gags and plenty of laughs)

Overall, a strong start and let's hope they come back six months later just as fresh. I don't know why they were better overall this run. The only major change in staff was that SNL's Bill Hader (y'know, from Adventureland and cameos in a million Apatow flicks?) became a producer on the show, but apparently he doesn't work for them in the seven week runs (i.e. the actual production), but flings around ideas on retreats and such. So, maybe Matt and Trey were just in the right frame of mind...

[Mr Johannson]

The Ring: 3/5
The Coon: 5/5
Margaritaville: 2.5/5
Eat, Pray, Queef: 2/5
Fishsticks: 4.5/5
Pinewood Derby: 3/5
Fatbeard: 3/5

Other than "Queef", there wasn't anything bad this season. Definitely better than season 12 so far.

[Cole]

fishsticks
margaritaville
the ring
the coon
eat, pray, queef
pinewood derby
fatbeard

[Sprocketeer]

Umm...
The Ring: 4.5/5
The Coon: 4/5
Margaritaville: 3/5
Eat, Pray, Queef: 2/5
Fishsticks: 3.5/5
Pinewood Derby: 2/5
Fatbeard: 4/5

Just two real flubs, but nothing was quite as good as the premiere. Really, about on-par with the Season 12 runs, which were pretty average. The show's still good enough to rely on for laughs the majority of the time, but its prime may be steadily slipping away...

[Tyler]

First, a slightly random comment: SP seems less popular, as this thread is barely at page two. A year ago we were far beyond that. Season 12 seemed to scare people away, which is unfortunate because these seven weeks have (for the most part) served us up some good South Park. Job well done, M&T...

maybe just on the board, sp's more popular than ever here at my school.

the ring (5/5 - excellent opener, kenny episode, and just hilarious all around)
the coon (4/5 - nice superhero parodies and some clever jokes in this one, plus, chaos)
margaritaville (4/5 - paralells to jesus were very awesome and clever)
eat, pray, queef (3/5 - something was missing from this episode. the ending was great though)
fishsticks - (5/5 - absolutely awesome cartman episode. the gay fish song is the most i've laughed since...well, the ring.)
pinewood derby (2/5 - really? really? "well, that sucked" from randy at the end of the episode sums up my feelings. runs out of steam by the end of the first act).
fatbeard - (4/5 - clever episode, funny as well.)

overall, much, much better than s12. "pinewood" was the only one i'd consider "bad".

[Kayla]

the ring: classic south park. its random, satirical, topical, and makes great use of the boys. A+
the coon: good super hero parody, and while the ending was funny i felt jipped. A-
margaritaville: great jesus parallels, and a great ending. A
eat, pray queef: it had its moments, such as the meta reference about the april fools joke, the gender differences, but it was another one joke episode. B-
Fishsticks: It was fun to have another jimmy episode, and carlos mencia getting killed was icing on the cake. the end was classic A+
pinewood derby: started off okay, had a lame middle once the space cops showed up, but the end was chuckle worthy. C+
Fatbeard: A fun adventure episode, and cartman was in classic from. A

so far, really great and one of the best first halves since season 8. keep it up

[Disgruntled Goat]

I don't think there's been much to discuss in this thread really, just a couple of "that sounds good" on upcoming episodes. We only get the descriptions a few days before it airs anyway so there's little chance for pre-discussion.

After some brief thought, my ratings are:
The Ring: 3½/5
The Coon: 5/5
Margaritaville: 3/5
Eat, Pray, Queef: 4½/5
Fishsticks: 4½/5
Pinewood Derby: 2/5
Fatbeard: 5/5

[Ryan]

I don't think there's been much to discuss in this thread really, just a couple of "that sounds good" on upcoming episodes. We only get the descriptions a few days before it airs anyway so there's little chance for pre-discussion.

During the first half of S12, this thread ballooned to eight pages. The next half acquired only three.

That first half really turned people off...

[TriforceBun]

The Ring: 4/5 B
-Perhaps I don't quite like this one as much as a lot of people. It's generally pretty funny and creative in its use of Kenny, but the Jonas Brothers subject matter isn't very interesting to me, and the Disney stuff felt a little tired. Funny song and ending though.

The Coon: 3.5 - 4/5 B-/B
-Crafted a cool little mystery. The episode was pretty light on laughs throughout.

Margaritaville: 4/5 B+
-A creative and entertaining episode about the economy. The Biblical parallels were surprisingly well thought-out and clever.

Eat, Pray, Queef: 3.5/5 - 4/5 B-/B
-I liked it well enough. South Park should have at least one gross-out episode per half-season, and this one fit the bill. It was a little one-note at spots, but the insane sex scene + great song + Sharon driving the point home + the wedding all made for a very strong finish to an otherwise okay episode.

Fishsticks: 4/5 B/B+
-Celebrity episodes aren't my favorite, but this was among the better ones. Mencia and Kanye West were long overdue for the South Park treatment, and I enjoyed pretty much everything involving "gay fish," especially Kanye breaking down the insult on the dry-erase board, and the end song.

Pinewood Derby: 3/5 C
-Funny first act, but sort of peters out afterwards. The alien stuff was a little dry on laughs and didn't seem all that well-thought-out.

Fatbeard: 4/5 B+
-Very funny, and I love the premise. Third act wasn't quite as strong, but the laughs were still pretty frequent throughout, and I'm a sucker for pirate gags in general.

This has been a solid half-season for sure. The episodes are more or less very consistent, and mostly quite solid to boot. I just wish there was a single GREAT episode (in my eyes) this half-season...but even so, it's a very strong batch of shows, and the second half of seasons have lately been better than the first, so I'm excited to see what they bring us during the Fall!

[Tomacco]

My big problem with this run of episodes was that none of the episodes were amazing, and they all have kind of poor re-watch value, IMO.