From Spinal Tap To This?
If you're not watching South Park on Comedy Central you're missing the funniest show currently on the air. And the only entertainment program that regularly features libertarian/conservative politic views.
Last night's episode called 'Butt Out' was a classic. An anti-smoking group came to the kid's school to warn them about the dangers of smoking. They tried to be hip and cool but were lame (think Target Market). The kids were so put off by the group that they actually started smoking, fearing that they might turn out like the losers in the anti-smoking group if they didn't.
While trying to hide their smoking from the school counselor they accidentally burned down the school. Their parents were called in but they didn't really care that the boys burned down the school. Instead they were horrified that they were smoking. "I have no son" and "They're nothing worse you could do then smoke" were a few of their comments.
The parents decided that the kids must have been influenced by the evil marketing power of "Big Tobacco" and the kids, seeing a chance to avoid personal responsibility, used that as their excuse. Somehow Rob Reiner heard about it and comes to town to lead the anti-smoking crusade. In the process he tries to get smoking banned in bars and restaurants in Colorado as well. All the while he's lecturing about the health risks of smoking and second hand smoke, he's portrayed as grossly obese and is eating constantly.
The boys eventually go to the local headquarters of "Big Tobacco" (yes, it's actually named that in the show) and discover that tobacco companies aren't all that evil after all. They make a product that everyone knows is harmful to your health. If you want to use it you do so at your own risk. But it's your call.
At the end there's the usual showdown and a lesson learned, with the boys showing the townspeople the truth about the sanctimonious anti-smoking zealots. Best of all Rob Reiner is called a "tubby fascist bastard" by one of the boys. How can you not love this show?
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