Yes, I'm going to use South Park and tasteful in the same sentence.

I'm sure by now a lot of you have seen the recent season premiere of South Park entitled "Dead Celebrities."

I had heard about the episode almost a day prior to it airing but I didn't hear any details. Then, about 2 hours before the premiere I heard that it was definitely going to heavily involve Billy Mays and Michael Jackson.

As a long-time South Park fan, I knew that this could really go either way. 
So I decided not to tell anyone about the episode in fear that Trey Parker and Matt Stone were going to completely disrespect my dad.

The episode begins and BM makes his first appearance very early on.  The relieving part was that they seemed to just flat-out parody him by having him pitch all these different products as a ghost, haunting Kyle's younger brother Ike.

Now, I've always sort of understood that the offensiveness of South Park isn't the main goal..
The Creators' objective seems to be blunt social satire.
They notice the glaring absurdities of popular culture, and human affairs in general, then put a magnifying glass to them in an attempt to expose the underlying irony.

In this case, it was the obvious obsession with celebrity death in the media this summer that needed a bit of harmless ridicule.

Besides one tasteless shot of David Carradine, I thought the episode also doubled as a tribute (in a twisted, SP kind of way) to all the fallen public figures recently.

I know that a lot of the families of the other celebrites may have been quite offended by the use of their loved one's image in such an mature-themed show, but I believe that most of the characters parodied in the episode would've been proud to be included in such a star-studded lineup.

My stance is that it goes to show what success my dad, and other lesser-known celebs, accomplished from more humble beginnings to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ed McMahon, Walter Cronkite, and even Michael Jackson.

Besides, it was clear that someone over at South Park Studios had some respect for Billy Mays judging by most of Cartman's dialogue.

Many people ask me about the very end in which all of the celebrities are taken to 'Hell.' (or South Park's version of it)  Honestly, that's South Park.  Giving that one final, offensive twist on the theme for good measure.

Anyway, everyone knows that 'Hell' in the South Park Universe is not exactly as serious as eternal damnation-
It's run by a flamboyantly gay and whiny Satan whose lover at one point was a very domineering Saddam Hussein....
Can you really take something like that seriously?

I speak for myself only when I say that South Park warmed my heart with a tasteful parody of my dad's image.  I can tell you from experience that he would've been flattered and humbled by being featured in such a historic show.  (Even if he didn't quite 'get it')

What we can all learn from this is not to take EVERYTHING so seriously... including ourselves.

If South Park is not your thing, don't even watch the episode.
But if you want to witness the hilarity, parody, and satire first-hand...
Click the link below at your own risk:
(Viewer discretion is advised)

http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/251632

~B3

Comments

[Morte42]

Don't forget, only Mormons go to South Park's Heaven.

[Duzell]

As I tweeted at you, in the SP universe, only Mormons go to heaven, as someone mentioned somewhere else regarding this episode. Everyone else goes to hell.

[James B]

I <3 Billy Mays!

[jlyn1980@yahoo.com]

You forgot to mention, "In 2 easy steps I can climb over these seats and kick you right it in F#%ing balls." When he's threatening Patrick Swayze so funny. Yeah like above posters only Mormons go to heavan. Heck I thought they were even nice to Michael Jackson.

[Adrienne]

That was Fhilarious!

[rfbandit]

I use Chipotlaway almost daily.

[dc.]

Good episode in my mind. I was wondering your opinions on it after it aired. Glad you posted this, and even happier to see you take it in good humor. <3

[Anonymous]

The celebrities going to Hell isn't a random gag; it's a reference to a previous episode where everyone went to Hell and only Mormons were allowed into Heaven. I think Heaven re-established this rule after their battle with Satan in which it was lifted for the time being.

[Phillip]

LOL Love the episode

[Anonymous]

Billy Mays has officially been immortalized. Even for people in twenty years who asks, "Who's Billy Mays?" If they happen to be South Park fans and the show is still airing new episodes. They will know who he is after watching the thirteenth season and eighth episode.

[GWP]

"Hi, Billy Mays fan here for the Dead Celebrities episode of South Park. Watch now, and we'll double your laughs. But wait, there's more! Watch within the next ten minutes, and we'll throw in, at absolutely no additional cost, an informercial for a product that should have been made, but wasn't: ChipotlAway. Here's how to order!"

I agree B3, they could have gone in a number of other directions, but didn't, and I can't help but think your dad would have gotten a kick out of it. I think I can see why you enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Does Chipotle really make your butt bleed?

[Anonymous]

Let's not forget the funny Ghosthunters mockery. XD

[doktorface]

I from Germany. Before that episode I didn't know Billy Mays.
So I looked him up in youtube.
Yeah! He's really awsome

[Heather]

I thought it was probably one of the best if not the best south park episode ever. I laughed so hard and frankly enjoyed it so much more because cartman was such a fan of Billy Mays.

two thumbs up

[Monica-MommyBrain]

I have to admit, knowing South Park, I was biting my nails when the episode started. I was pleasantly surprised at how the show turned out. I agree, they did like your dad. Who couldn't? Funny thing was, I was calling out the real
product to their parodies the whole show.
As a previous poster said, he's officially been immortalized and is now part of the SP hall of fame! Loved reading your post!
~@mommybrain

[Aldershot]

it was a good ep. i really liked it (im a huge SP nerd any ways). the show kinda made Billy into a bad ass "With just 2 est steps i can climb over these seats and kick you right in the F***ing balls!"

[San]

Im sorry for your lost.

Congratulations for people smart like you who actually understands the concept of the show and don't take it personal.

Santiago from Argentina (Five minutes after i watched SP ep I was looking for Billy Mays on the net. More people know him now)

[Tami]

SP couldn't have done a better job at honoring & immortalizing your dad. They did it with respect, and I think Billy would have loved it! He was the star of the show, and that's quite a compliment considering all the other celebs they could have highlighted. That quite honestly may be the best SP episode of all time! Billy Mays was THE BEST pitchman we'll ever see, and deserves every bit of attention he's received. God Bless Billy Mays!!! And while I still miss him, I can't help but feel lucky to 'know' him, and see what a solid guy he is.

[Barberelli]

I thought the SouthPark episode with your Dad in it was really funny! Your Father lives on! :o)