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South Park FAQ: All That's Left to Know About The Who, What, Where, When and #%$ of America's Favorite Mountain Town
There are few modern animated television shows that could survive over a decade and a half and remain as funny... or as stupid... or as sick... or as depraved... today as when they started. Even fewer can claim to cater to “mature” audiences, while their critics complain that everything about the show is immature. And fewer still where, for the first decade or so, one of the main characters was killed off every week. Then returned, no worse for wear, seven days later.
That, however, is the world of South Park, and this is a book about that world. A journey through the lives, times, and catastrophes that have established the tiny mountain town of South Park, Colorado, as America's favorite dysfunctional community. A voyage into a universe where Barbra Streisand is reborn as a Japanese monster movie; where Kentucky Fried Chicken is a registered drug; where Canada is forever on a footing for war; and where we discover that even feces love Christmas. From Zebulon Pike to Chef, from Brian Boitano to Mel Gibson, from “Super Best Friends” to South Bigger, Longer & Uncut, it's all covered in South Park FAQ. Featuring A-Z coverage of the all the characters readers have come to know and the stories behind the episodes, it also includes an episode guide and an appendix of all of the songs featured in South Park.
Nothing is sacred and nobody is safe. Even physical and emotional disabilities are just another banana skin for someone to slip on, and the term “politically correct” has been translated into “oh good, you're getting annoyed.” It is a place where ... you get the picture. This is not Bambi!
That, however, is the world of South Park, and this is a book about that world. A journey through the lives, times, and catastrophes that have established the tiny mountain town of South Park, Colorado, as America's favorite dysfunctional community. A voyage into a universe where Barbra Streisand is reborn as a Japanese monster movie; where Kentucky Fried Chicken is a registered drug; where Canada is forever on a footing for war; and where we discover that even feces love Christmas. From Zebulon Pike to Chef, from Brian Boitano to Mel Gibson, from “Super Best Friends” to South Bigger, Longer & Uncut, it's all covered in South Park FAQ. Featuring A-Z coverage of the all the characters readers have come to know and the stories behind the episodes, it also includes an episode guide and an appendix of all of the songs featured in South Park.
Nothing is sacred and nobody is safe. Even physical and emotional disabilities are just another banana skin for someone to slip on, and the term “politically correct” has been translated into “oh good, you're getting annoyed.” It is a place where ... you get the picture. This is not Bambi!
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
About the author
Dave Thompson
271 books43 followersEnglish author Dave Thompson has spent his entire working life writing biographies of other people, but is notoriously reluctant to write one for himself. Unlike the subjects of some of his best known books, he was neither raised by ferrets nor stolen from gypsies. He has never appeared on reality TV (although he did reach the semi finals of a UK pop quiz when he was sixteen), plays no musical instruments and he can’t dance, either.
However, he has written well over one hundred books in a career that is almost as old as U2’s… whom he saw in a club when they first moved to London, and memorably described as “okay, but they’ll never get any place.” Similar pronouncements published on the future prospects of Simply Red, Pearl Jam and Wang Chung (oh, and Curiosity Killed The Cat as well) probably explain why he has never been anointed a Pop Culture Nostradamus. Although the fact that he was around to pronounce gloomily on them in the first place might determine why he was recently described as “a veteran music journalist.”
Raised on rock, powered by punk, and still convinced that “American Pie” was written by Fanny Farmer and is best played with Meatloaf, Thompson lists his five favorite artists as old and obscure; his favorite album is whispered quietly and he would like to see Richard and Linda Thompson’s “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight” installed as the go-to song for the sad, sappy ending for every medical drama on TV.
Kurt Cobain, Phil Collins, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett, David Bowie, John Travolta, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Bob Marley, Roger Waters and the guy who sang that song in the jelly commercial are numbered among the myriad artists about whom Thompson has written books; he has contributed to the magazines Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Mojo and Melody Maker; and he makes regular guest appearances on WXPN’s Highs in the Seventies show.
However, he has written well over one hundred books in a career that is almost as old as U2’s… whom he saw in a club when they first moved to London, and memorably described as “okay, but they’ll never get any place.” Similar pronouncements published on the future prospects of Simply Red, Pearl Jam and Wang Chung (oh, and Curiosity Killed The Cat as well) probably explain why he has never been anointed a Pop Culture Nostradamus. Although the fact that he was around to pronounce gloomily on them in the first place might determine why he was recently described as “a veteran music journalist.”
Raised on rock, powered by punk, and still convinced that “American Pie” was written by Fanny Farmer and is best played with Meatloaf, Thompson lists his five favorite artists as old and obscure; his favorite album is whispered quietly and he would like to see Richard and Linda Thompson’s “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight” installed as the go-to song for the sad, sappy ending for every medical drama on TV.
Kurt Cobain, Phil Collins, Alice Cooper, Joan Jett, David Bowie, John Travolta, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Bob Marley, Roger Waters and the guy who sang that song in the jelly commercial are numbered among the myriad artists about whom Thompson has written books; he has contributed to the magazines Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Mojo and Melody Maker; and he makes regular guest appearances on WXPN’s Highs in the Seventies show.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2014
From personal experience, I've found people either love South Park or hate it. I happen to be one of the people who enjoy it, something my teenage sons' friends find both pretty cool and a little scary. They're even more shocked that my favorite character is Cartman. Yes, South Park has offended just about everyone in some way, shape, or form, but it offends equally and without prejudice.
That being said, when I saw this book on NetGalley, I thought it would give me some laughs and a kind of 'behind the scenes' look at some of the episodes - and it did in some places. I was reminded of some episodes I'd forgotten, learned what happened to Chef, read about all the creative ways Kenny was killed, and how South Park was created - an interesting story. However, although it was obvious the author had done extensive research and really knew his topic, there seemed to be an abundance of information that went beyond the book description - things I skimmed through that felt more like information overload.
Someone who is a true, die-hard fan of South Park and interested in a more broad perspective of this show and the impact it has made on society would likely devour this book. Although a fan of South Park, I watch it purely for entertainment and was looking for more of a light-hearted read.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
That being said, when I saw this book on NetGalley, I thought it would give me some laughs and a kind of 'behind the scenes' look at some of the episodes - and it did in some places. I was reminded of some episodes I'd forgotten, learned what happened to Chef, read about all the creative ways Kenny was killed, and how South Park was created - an interesting story. However, although it was obvious the author had done extensive research and really knew his topic, there seemed to be an abundance of information that went beyond the book description - things I skimmed through that felt more like information overload.
Someone who is a true, die-hard fan of South Park and interested in a more broad perspective of this show and the impact it has made on society would likely devour this book. Although a fan of South Park, I watch it purely for entertainment and was looking for more of a light-hearted read.
This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 25, 2014
I don't know how popular South Park is anymore, but Jacob and I still watch every single episode. Matt Stone and Trey Parker are geniuses and I'll forever watching anything they create. This book is a very, very detailed look into the history of the show. While the background went into far more detail than I ever cared to know, I'm sure hardcore fans will appreciate it and it was presented well. My favorite parts include the list of celebrity storylines, character biographies, the A-Z breakdown of topics discussed throughout the series, the list of crimes each character has committed, and the chapter dedicated to Kenny's deaths.
I received this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
I received this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
September 21, 2015
This book was a pleasant read. I particularly enjoyed all of the background info on Trey and Matt before and during SouthPark, as well as the Book of Mormon musical, seeing as how they're some of the most inspired and stand their ground artists of all time.
I did find myself, however, flipping through some of the more tedious chapters, like the alphabet style ones (T is for Trey Parker... S is for Stan Marsh...) and I was a little bored by the 'brochure' style writings of South Park. They should have been awesome, but I found they dragged on a little too long.
Overall, the book was a nice refresher on the colossal giant that is the show and I thought it was well written and enjoyable.
I did find myself, however, flipping through some of the more tedious chapters, like the alphabet style ones (T is for Trey Parker... S is for Stan Marsh...) and I was a little bored by the 'brochure' style writings of South Park. They should have been awesome, but I found they dragged on a little too long.
Overall, the book was a nice refresher on the colossal giant that is the show and I thought it was well written and enjoyable.
June 27, 2014
This was an interesting book, some of it was here nor there. You either hate it or love it, I mostly enjoy it but there are also times it pushes your limits.
Most of this book is quite interesting and others just seemed page filling if your a fan, you might like it or a huge fan you might love it also. I really enjoyed reading about the celebrities they mocked you learn other things that you didn't know puts things in perspective and they are the interesting parts.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.
Most of this book is quite interesting and others just seemed page filling if your a fan, you might like it or a huge fan you might love it also. I really enjoyed reading about the celebrities they mocked you learn other things that you didn't know puts things in perspective and they are the interesting parts.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews