Here is a clip our group has chosen to present to you. It’s from an episode of South Park titled "Smug Alert." To give you some background on the episode, Kyle's dad and many others in South Park have begun to purchase hybrid cars. Kyle's dad eventually feels that South Park isn't “open minded” enough and decides to move his family to San Francisco. There then becomes an issue when a different kind of “environmental danger” called smug begins to pollute the air. The clip picks up as the effect of the smug is becoming noticed. The clip also shows how Kyle and his family have begun adjusting to life in San Francisco. Take the time to fully examine the dialogue between the characters and the suggested meanings behind it. Ask yourself what kind of message the creators were trying to send in making this episode. Go back and view the clip a couple times to see if there’s anything you might not have picked up on the first time. Assuming you find the clip humorous, you may want to think about how that effected the way you felt about it. As expected, the clip has some content that may be perceived as very immature, enjoy.
http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104282/smuggy-san-francisco-town
29 comments:
The main literary device used in this clip is irony. Individuals who have purchased hybrid vehicles to protect the environment are now actually destroying it with their “smug.” The comedy used in this clip tries to entertain its viewer while still presenting its intended message to the audience. That message being that despite going to great extents to protect the environment, many environmentalists come across as being arrogant and selfish. The individuals portrayed in this clip believe that they are superior to other people just because they have purchased a hybrid vehicle. I believe that the creators of this South Park episode intended to make fun of conceited individuals who become overzealous of themselves just for doing a simple measure to supposedly protect the environment. The creators exaggerate the arrogance of environmentalists to provide comical entertainment to their viewers in order to make their intended message more persuasive. As a viewer, this clip had very little effect on me. The overall message was difficult to identify and the creators seemed to portray all environmentalists as being extremely selfish. This biased representation of their intended targets makes the general message of the episode seem very unbelievable and therefore unsuccessful.
The very clear and evident purpose of this episode was to poke fun at those environmentalists that believe themselves superior to any other individual. They go so far as appreciating everything natural, even down to the smell of their own farts. It's ironic that there children see how foolish and absurd these adults are acting while they don't, a common theme throughout many south park episode. However, I disagree with Cale by saying that the general message of the episode is unsuccessful. I feel that the audience of south park definitely will appreciate the humor, being surrounded by people who do find themselves superior for going green. Although they do exaggerate the extent to which these individuals behave, that is irrelevant. South Park does not aim to be accurate, they aim to be humorous. Therefore, they were successful in their goal of creating a funny portrayal of snobby environmentalists.
I think that the creators of Southpark did a fantastic job in mocking their target, the "green" group. They do a great job of mocking the elitist attitude of the environmental movement, going so far as to say that they love themselves so much they can't help but love the smell of their own farts. You have to appreciate the irony of the environmentalists actually destroying the environment through their smug attitudes, which is definitely far fetched but may be a metaphor for their turning people off by the elitist attitudes and the way they look down upon people that don't make all the same choices as they do.
The message that this clip was trying to get across is that even with all the steps that environmentalists take, they are still as responsible as other people for what happens to the world around us. However, as this clip shows, they think that they have no negative effect on the environment. The writers get this point across by having all the environmentalist like the smell of their own farts. By having them enjoy their own farts, it shows that they are so much better than us, their farts even smell amazing. I believe that this clip does a good job of getting the point across nobody is perfect and people need to stop thinking that they arent flawless. Also, the children show that sometimes when when think about ourselves too much and think we are the only thing that matters, we hurt the people around us by not loving them like we should.
This clip talks about a new kind of environmental problem related to air, called smug, which is produced by people. As we all know, we have air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust, but we never have air pollution caused by smug. After I watched this clip for several times, I got my understanding of what smug means. I think the smug actually refers to people’s brag and showing off, so this clip wants to criticize some kind of bad phenomenon in the society. People become arrogant and satisfied with current situation after they do a little good to the environment; however, the reality is far from optimistic. What’s worse, people are indulged in the fantasy world creates by them and ignore the new problem. We can see that in San Francisco, people are very proud of their contribution to the environment; they think they are the smartest ones in the country, and they believe their life is the best. The thing they always do is overstating their contributions, intelligence and feel contented. Nonetheless, they don’t realize that they have a new, serious problem, which is the smug. One thing that caught my attention is that people there even enjoy smelling their fart which is really an anomaly. In my opinion, the fart actually represents people’s brag, something bad. We can notice that every time after people brag and show off, they bend down to enjoy their fart. This shows that people don’t feel shame at all after overstating; they even feel contented and enjoyed. This exactly reveals the problem called smug. At the end of this clip, Kyle’s dad also follows other people and does the same thing. He is influenced by people in San Francisco and has adapted to the life there. This also gives me a point that bad things and habits are easily spread around and affect the majority of population.
Having watched South park before, I realize that their form of comedy usually makes fun of a small group. In this clip, the targeted victim was environmentalists. Posed as farting, smelling, loving group of tree huggers Kyle's extended family's group of new intellectual friends act quit differently. Mocking environmentalists with crude jokes, and with the stark contrast of the Kyle's drug friends, the author gets the point across that environmentalists are too smug to realize they are creating more problems than solving. By using hybrid cars and other green measures, environmentalists feel content that they are helping the environment. But as the video points out, if the environmentalists just concentrate on family affairs and their home life, they would be doing a lot more good to society and quit possibly the environment. Only drugs were mentioned in this clip, as a possible problem at home, but with such a severe example it leaves the viewer with the impression that other problems exist.
This South Park clip follows the typical form of satire in the show. The clip singles out environmentalists and their stuck up, "smug" attitudes towards everyone else. They carry themselves as though they are better than those that don't take part of the green movement. I agree with everyone who pointed out the arrogance of the environmentalists in the clip, and I agree with Zach that the clip also points out how children are affected by their parents' choices. I think the clip does a good job getting the point across, while throwing in some juvenile humor as South Park does best.
The makers of the SouthPark did an outstanding job in mocking the environmentalists by using a lovely, funny cartoon video. The environmentalists love their fart. They think the smelling of their fart is amazing. With no doubt, they are much better than the others. However, the smuggy attitude is destroying the world. Moreover, in the clip, all the ages of people are mentioned, such as the kids, the baby, the adult and the old people. I think the writer is trying to concern all the groups in the world. For example at the last part of the clip, Kyle smelled his fart in front of all the children, so what kind of effects will bring to the children?
The South Park clip is obviously a satire and criticizes those environmentalists who feel superior to others. They feel they are better than others because they purchase the hybrid cars. However, they are destroying the environment by their smug. They want to show they are close to nature and value our environment. However, the way they use is smelling their fart. The clip use the action that environmentalists smelling their fart successfully mock the arrogance of those environmentalists. I love Shuni’s opinion that fart represent smug, something bad. It is interesting that every time after they brag, they all smell their fart. I feel all the responder are all get the point the clip want to get across.
South Park never fails when it comes to mocking a certain group of people. They usually victimize politicians,movie stars, or religious characters but in the episode this clip is from they focus on environmentalists. The "smug" is used as a double meaning referring to the unhealthy air of San Francisco and the reputation of all the environmentalists that reside there. The modern environmentalists of San Francisco are conveyed as people who just don't believe their shit stinks, often why they are seen smelling their own farts. This humorous tactic is an amusing way of displaying how South Park creators view these people. They certainly got the point across of how self centered they believe these people are with examples of their kids blaming their parents for why they do drugs and choosing to discuss solely environmental issues at the gathering. I found it interesting that Kyle's dad became "smug" only being around the San Franciscans for a short period of time. This lead me to believe that environmentalists only wish to add members instead of focus on the actual problems of their surroundings.
This South Park clip satires the "smug" environmentalists in San Francisco by mocking at their "funny" hobbies of smelling their farts. They feel self-satisfied because they purchase the hybrid cars. However, they haven't realize that their "smug" pollutes the environment a lot. What they do is enjoying smelling their own farts. Also, the influence of adults is always great that in the ending of the clip, the children are going to have their first try of drugs because that their father smells his own fart. The music and the voice of the reporters are both interesting and reinforce the affect of irony.
The South Park clip draws the viewer's interest by presenting many ironical contexts and details. Most of all, the children's conversation significantly helps viewers catch not only the purpose of the clip but also the unrevealed voice. When the children told about the reason of their deviation, the clip stresses the harmless of "Smug". Also, the clip implicitly criticizes the prevalent problems of young people. In addition, the viewer can catch the point that there is a gap between the urban and the country, in watching the refusing boy to the proposal of other children suggesting deviation.
I think Cale brings up an interesting point, that the video clip is ineffective because the portrayal of the people of San Francisco is unrealistic, and perhaps Cale should elaborate a little more. But let me pose this question to everyone, do you think the point the creators were trying to make would have been weaker or stronger if they had been more realistic? So much of South Park includes hyperbole and exaggeration, does that then mean that every argument South Park makes is ineffective? Another question you may want to consider, do you think that the satire applies to just environmentalists, or perhaps a broader group of people? Notice how Los Angeles was also mentioned in the clip, what might that suggest?
Phil-
I think the exaggeration is what makes the humor in their argument effective. I don't think that south park's aim is to try to change the way a group behaves or acts. It seems that their goal or purpose in the show is to just expose flaws or funny circumstances relating to a group, in this case those involved in the green movement. Therefore, if southpark had decreased the amount of exaggeration it would have lost the humor and quality of the episode, therefore losing it's initial purpose of entertainment.
I belive the representation of the people of San Francisco is very biased. Not everyone who lives there is an arrogant environmentalist as the video portrays. People who believe that they are superior to others can be found in every city across the nation. However, I do agree that the use of exaggeration was one of the most effective methods that the South Park creators could have used considering the viewers of this episode were looking for entertainment and not something relaistic. Overall, considering the reason why the audience of this show is watching it to begin with (for entertainment), the creators did an effective job of exposing their intended targets while keeping the show amusing.
Do you really think the video was trying to say that everyone who lives there acts that way, or that maybe that kind of behavior is more likely to be seen in San Francisco? Do you think it would have made more sense to have set the episode in another city? And if they had chosen another city, could it then be said the creators were being biased towards that city? After all, Los Angeles also produced a lot of smug in the vdieo.
I think that this South Park clip is very effective in getting their point across. It shows that the people in the video using hybirds are "smug" and think that they are better than everyone else. Kyle's dad decides to move because there is no one else like him in South Park and feels that there are more people like him in San Fransico. I think it is very humorous that the adults smell their own farts because it just adds to the fact that they are "smug". The clip also shows that the parents are too worried about themselves and do not realize what their children are doing like using drugs. The children can see that their parents are taking the situation too far and the "adults" themselves do not even realize it. I know you guys suggested that directing the clip towards people in San Fransico is unrealistic, but do you think there is something more to making fun of them? Did the clip make you wonder why the decided to choose a city in California? And just another thought to think about, I know they are pin pointing environmentalist but do you think that the hybrid car is affective in helping the envrionment? I am just curious to know your thoughts on that.
@Phil
I believe San Francisco was a sound choice for South park to pick as the location for the smug alert. California's economy among other things aren't doing to well, yet the state is viewed as one of the country's most green states. Los Angeles also fits into this category and would also be a viable option. California has one of the highest sales taxes, at 10% and is trying for even more taxes to generate revenue to fix an unbalance budget. South Park must realize this and mocks the citizens of San Francisco about their current situation. Hybrid cars are being bought at state subsidised prices to help the environment, but yet the citizens can't fix the economy in which they reside. One would think the economy would be the first to item to fix but the state offers subsidiaries for buying a hybrid car. This seems quit contrary to what should be done, therefore South park pokes fun at the situation.
I also feel that the clip was effective in mocking and making fun of environmentalists. The main parts that I found interesting are their choice of states and cities where “smug” was becoming a problem. To my knowledge the state of California and the city of San Francisco have been in the 60’s and still maybe today are places where environmentalists/hippies have migrated to start a new way of life apart from the normal cultural practices of Americans. I also believe that California has more environmental protection laws than any other State other than, maybe, Alaska. Californian laws that protecting the environment while trying to clean up waste management, air, water and soils. I think that’s the reason why the clip shows California at the state with a higher alert with “Smug”.
I think you're all making excellent interpretations. But has anyone considered that maybe another reason why California and particularly LA have been shown in the clip is because many celebrities live there? We all know how critical South Park can be towards celebrities. Another bit of information from a different part of the episode that may be interesting to you is that there was a large smug cloud created by George Clooney's acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. Does learning this information change your initial interpretation of the video clip?
I highly agree with Olivia and Cale. Exaggeration is the most effective way for the SouthPark to mock the environmentalists and catch the audience attention. I think the creators chose California because it is one of the diversity states and the economy there is doing well. Probably the writers not only point to the environmentalists but also some other arrogant people. Cale made a really good point that all the places have some arrogant citizens.
Actually I don't quite understand why South Park choose San Francisco to be the subject. Why is San Francisco the most "Smug" city? I am thinking about what Zach said that South Park mocks the current situation of high tax rate and unbalanced revenue and expenditure. Probably that's the reason. What makes San Francisco "Smug"? I think it just mocks environmentalist.
@ Phil,
I don't think that they're necessary implying that they chose California because the celebrities live there. If they were, I feel as though they would have chosen LA, not San Francisco. I think that by having the George Clooney clip they are simply trying to say that it isn't just civilians who are involved in the creation of "smug", but even the celebrities are involved in the issue.
Phil
I believe that the humor is what makes this funny. If it would not have been exaggerated it would not have fit with southpark, and maybe would then be considered "fake" or looked at as if the writers were trying to be too serious. I also think that this satire goes beyond environmentalists and can be applied to almost everybody. It can be applied to everybody who thinks they are better than someone
I think Ryan hit it right on the head. It seems more probable that the targets are people who think they're "ahead of the curve," and the creators are saying that going green is just one of the requirements of being an enlightened individual to those kinds people. Because does simply owning a hybrid car really make you an environmentalist? And much of the behavior of the characters in the video didn't involve the environment. If you notice, many of the characters are farting into wine glasses before they take a whiff, much like they are wine tasting. Wine tasting is very popular in California and is seen as a very refined activity that is practiced among those in society who are more "polished." And I think Carolyn has made a fair judgement about the inclusion of George Clooney in the episode. But consider this, would a celebrity be more likely to create more or less smug than a regular person, hypothetically speaking? And perhaps I should have provided a little more information about that particular part of the episode. It is mentioned in the episode that in his speech, George Clooney basically talks about how Hollywood solves many of society's problems. Do you think this was included to simply make fun of George Clooney? or do you think maybe they're saying a lot of people in Hollywood are a little full of themselves? If you've ever seen the movie "Team America," which was made by the creators of South Park, then you may want to consider the way celebrities were portrayed in that movie. And perhaps the inclusion of this outside information may influence the way you analyze the clip one way or another, don't let something I say keep you from making your own judgments. But I think it may be helpful to consider these things as we've come towards the end of the analysis.
Phil:
I think the unrealistic portrayal of the people in San Francisco won’t make the clip ineffective because this clip is designed to use exaggeration and satire to show the funny phenomenon to us. Though it’s unrealistic, its exaggeration makes it pretty impressive and also makes us pay more attention to the issue mentioned. In addition, I believe that the satire is not only applied to environmentalists. Actually, in many areas in the society, people have the same problem as those environmentalists have in this clip. This clip only shows us an example, but I think it can be applied to many other groups of people who regard them as superiors only because of their tiny contribution to the society.
I believe that the video just doesn't apply to environmentalists, I think it relates to smug people in general. Los Angeles is known for having celebrities and rich people living there. Usually, these type of people are known to have a smugness around them. They are the ones who always have the nicest and newest things and they like to show them off. I think the writers of this skit did a really nice job with it and were very creative about it. I found it funny how they used smug alert instead of smog alert and this video was effective in making fun of people that are smug.
I agree with Katherine that the video applies to the "elitist" attitude in general. The smelling of their own farts after farting in a wine glass seems really weird and unrealistic, but the point Southpark is trying to make is that when people think highly of themselves, like the environmentalists, they do and think things other people look at questionably. Phil also makes a great point in saying that they think so highly of themselves just because they own a hybrid car. Simple choices make them better than everyone else in their own minds, but others just think they are stuck up (in this case, even their kids).
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