Last Tuesday, Barack Obama was elected to become the 44th President of the United States, and maybe more notably the first black President ever. At 11:00 on election night, Obama was officially declared to be the winner and the world watched as hysteria exploded at Grant Park in Chicago. People went nuts and justifiably so considering the amazing strides made in race relations over the past half century. Barack Obama is a man who is seen as God-like by a large part of America. It’s impossible to not look at this guy and feel inspired in some way. His story is an unusual one and seals his place in the hearts of millions. The tears of joy that were shed that night needed to come for civil rights, but this man isn’t God. Barack Obama is a politician first and South Park pointed that out last Wednesday night.
Just 22 hours after Obama’s win South Park aired their first overtly political episode of the season. It was great, but as an avid South Park fan, I saw it to be a little too same-old compared to the rest of the season. This season has seen many movie parodies that just wear thin. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are obviously movie buffs but need not show it off so much. This episode was a take on Ocean’s Eleven, portraying both candidates as international spies, as well as others they campaigned with. This plot line, in my mind, took the back seat to the other.
This is Randy Marsh.
My friends and I revere him as the best character on South Park, among stiff competition. He is used to show all of society’s obsessions rolled into one person. He has been almost physically dependent on the Internet as well as Guitar Hero in the past, but in this episode he depended on Obama.
Randy Marsh serves as warning to Obama’s proud, dedicated fan base. This is what happens when you let an idea vault you out of reality.
Over the next seventy-something days, Obama news will fluctuate and people will lose interest. His support will probably go down and hysteria will subside. So, Obama supporters, stay engaged.
Sarah Palin will not be there to laugh at and SNL will once again be hard to laugh at. Joe the Plumber will go back to (sort of) plumbing and the sun will rise tomorrow.
This Presidency is still the most important one in many of our lives but don’t take it for granted because the election’s over. Stop extolling the virtues of Barack and start questioning him. Don’t be Randy Marsh…
I think the satirist will find ways to make fun of Obama