South Park - Season Four

THE SHOW: TV on DVD is now officially the hottest thing since Britney french-kissed Madonna (actually, that’s old news too, but it’s the thought that counts). But after you’ve written about one season of Charlie’s Angels, The A-Team or Starsky and Hutch, haven’t you pretty much said all there is to say? With most series, that’s true, but South Park Season Four demands some special attention. Not only does it represent the pinnacle of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s taboo shattering comedic schtick it also features a number of “firsts” that simply must be recognized. The first appearance of Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld. The reunited team of Cheech and Chong (even if it’s only in animated form). The debut of Stan, Kyle, Cartman & Kenny’s boy band, Fingerbang. And the introduction of new fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Choksondik. You’ll find a full listing below, but what it won’t tell you is how $&#damn funny each and every one of these episodes is. Really, there’s not a loser in the bunch. And what’s more surprising is as South Park exposure grew, Parker and Stone’s humor became more outrageous, not less. Cartman Joins NAMBLA is a perfect example of their socially-conscious but equally morally objectionable sense of humor. And the Fat Camp episode in which Kenny agrees to spend six hours in Ms. Crabtree’s uterus is just plain disgusting. And $&# hilarious! THE TOOTH FAIRY TATS 2000 – When Cartman discovers the Tooth Fairy is paying a premium price for his lost teeth, he and the boys seize the opportunity to make some cash. Our little entrepreneurs build a thriving business by appropriating teeth from the less fortunate. When the boys attempt to expand their racket, they come face-to-face with Denver’s mob boss in the black-market tooth trade. Keep your eyes open for the first appearance of Timmy! CARTMAN’S SILLY HATE CRIME 2000 – Cartman is pursued by the FBI for committing a hate crime and lands in juvenile hall. As Cartman adjusts to life on the inside, he befriends his cellmate, “Romper Stomper.” Meanwhile, Stan, Keyle and Kenny try to break Cartman out of prison so he can be their team’s anchor in the kid’s “Gauntlet Sled Race.” TIMMY 2000 – When Timmy is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, it triggers a wave of prescription drug abuse at South Park Elementary. The result is a strangley passive, overly medicated group of children. Meanwhile Timmy becomes the new lead singer for a garage band called “The Lords of the Underworld” and propels them to overnight success. QUINTUPLETS 2000 – The boys are so impressed with a performance of 8-year-old controting quintuplets from Romania that Cartman decides to develop an act of his own. The quintuplets defect to the United States and when they seek shelter with Stan’s family, their father is brought in by the Romanian government to demand his daughters back. Before long, it’s Janet Reno to the rescue! CARTMAN JOINS NAMBLA – When Cartman decides Stan, Kenny and Kyle are too juvenile to hang out with, he goes on-line to find older, more mature friends. He is thrilled to discover lots of adult men who want to be friends with 8-year-old boys and soon Cartman becomes the poster child for NAMBLA. Meanwhile, Kenny actively tris to prevent his parent’s attempt to have yet another welfare baby. CHEROKEE HAIR TAMPONS – Kyle needs a kidney transplant and Cartman is discovered to be the perfect donor. Cartman gladly offers his kidney to Kyle – for the price of 10 million dollars. Stan, depressed about the inevitable loss of his best friend decides to take matters into his own hands and get Cartman’s kidney for Kyle. CHEF GOES NANNERS – Chef’s passionate protest declaring the South Park flag racist enflames the entire town. The kids separate into two opposing camps and prepare to debate the issue. Stan and Kyle champion the current flag while Wendy and Cartman head up the side for a new flag. Wendy finds herself strangley attracted to Cartman. DO THE HANDICAPPED GO TO HELL – Part one of two. Priest Maxi’s threats of eternal damnation have the boys racing to make their first confession and Holy Communion. Stand and Kenny are ready to accept any penance in an attempt to avoid the fiery depths of hell while Cartman is mostly interested in the wine and crackers. Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein returns to the underworld to rekindle his relationship with his former lover, Satan, the prince of darkness. PROBABLY – Part two of two. Satan is torn between two lovers as he tris to choose between his new boyfriends and his ex, Saddam Hussein. As a last resort, he looks to God for advice. Meanwhile, Cartman has taken the lead role of evangelist as he and the boys try to save their friends and assure their own place in heaven. FOURTH GRADE – Playtime is over when the boys enter 4th grade. Missing the carefree days of third grade, they come up with a daring and scientifically complicated plan to travel back in time a full year, with the help of Timmy and his electronic wheelchair. Meanwhile, their new teacher, Miss Choksondik, seeks advice on how to handle her class from their old teacher. She finds Mr. Garrison living in a cave facing down his own demons. TRAPPER KEEPER – A mysterious stranger warns Cartman that his Trapper Keeper is more than what it appears to be and could take over the world if not destroyed immediately. Of course, Cartman ignores the warning and the countdown to humanity’s destruction begins. Meanwhile, Mr. Garrison holds a students elections for Kindergarten Class President and finds it no easy task as both sides demand recount after recount. HELEN KELLER! THE MUSICAL – The 4th grade Thanksgiving play is in trouble and Stan, Kyle and Kenny are going to great lengths to make their production a hit. Cartman brings in a ringer from Broadway to make their holiday show unforgettable. But, meanwhile, Timmy tries his hardest to show the other kids that his new pet turkey, Gobbles, can be the star of the show. PIP – Pip gets a job at the Havisham Estate where he meets Estella. She cruelly spurns him with insults. Pip travels to London to becomes a gentleman and win Estella’s affections. He soon discovers Miss Havisham’s plan to break his heart and use his tears to power her “Genesis” device thereby exacting her revenge on all men. FAT CAMP – Our favorite big boned boy is going to Fat Camp! Cartman’s family and friends have intervened and are forcing him to trim down. While Cartman’s away, Kenny’s star is on the rise when he gets his own reality TV show. He stages a stunt for the finale where he spends six hours in Ms. Crabtree’s uterus. THE WACKY MOLESTATION ADVENTURE – The “Raging Pussies” are in town and when Kyle’s parent say he can’t go to the concert he calls the authorities and reports that his parants have been “molestering” him. Taking a cue from Kyle, all the children of South Park get their parents locked up and South Park becomes an eerie adult-less town with Cartman firmly planted in the mayor’s seats. A VERY CRAPPY CHRISTMAS – Mr. Hankey’s visit is delayed this year because he is all tied up with the new wife and kids. Without Mr. Hankey, the town of South Park is in a Christmas slump. In a desperate attempt to bring the “Spirit of Christmas” to the town, the boys make a video Christmas card. THE FEATURES: As with the Season Three collection, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone provide mini-commentaries, around 3 to 5 minutes in length for each episode. As they’ll be happy to tell you, it’s more than enough to get the gist of the inspiration behind each story. Plus it explains their frequent animated bashing of adult-contemporary crooner Phil Collins (he won the Oscar over Parker’s “Blame Canada” from South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut). FINAL SCORE: You’ve heard it a thousand times: “If you only by one DVD set this year...” This time you can believe it. Either that or I’ll kick you in the nuts.