Because it’s never been taken off the air,South Parktechnically can’t be considered a nostalgic show. Yet, at the same time, since it’s entering its 25th season this year, the material from the beginning of its run is old enough to definitely be considered nostalgic. Case and point: fans are now getting orchestral arrangements from the show’s theatrical movie, which came out back in the 20th century.
For those who may be unfamiliar (because it was that long ago),South Parkhad a theatrically-released movie calledSouth Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncutback in 1999. The film not only covered the current events from the time period it came out, but it was also a musical. Knowing both Matt Stone’s and Trey Parker’s history with musicals -The Book of Mormonmusical for reference - the songs from this movie were as memorable as any other musical. The only difference is, of course, that the songs themselves areconsistent withSouth Park’s vulgar tone.
RELATED:South Park Theme Song Gets Orchestral Version Ahead Of Season 25
SinceSouth Parkhas been around for two and a half decades, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that original music from when the legendary show first started would make its way into orchestras eventually. Just recently, the show’s YouTube channel released an orchestral rendition of one of the more memorable songs fromSouth Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut, called, “Kyle’s Mom’s a B****” with opera singers as accompaniment. Given how old this song is, this is far from the first time anyone’s covered it specifically. This is just the first timethe creators ofSouth Parkthemselves have crafted a cover for their own material.
Even better, the video shows the characters themselves reacting to it, adding to the humorous spirit of the cover itself. This is definitely among the most clever ways the creators could have celebrated the quarter-century that the show has been on television. Whether you like it or not, it’s better than them acknowledging the achievement and nothing else.
It’s mystifying thatSouth Parkhas been on the air for as long as it’s been. Plus, unlike the other adult-themed cartoons that started around the same time, (The SimpsonsandFamily Guy), the show hasn’t shown its age that much, if at all, since starting in the ’90s. That might be its most impressive accomplishment. Then again, since the show has little to no limits at all regarding how far it can go with its material, it shouldn’t be a shock that its comedy is still cracking up its audience just as much now in 2022 as it was back in 1997.
Alas, all good things must come to an end at some point.South Park’s run on television has set the golden standard for how to stay consistently excellent for as long as it has, but who knows how much longer it can keep this up. Not that anyone is rushing them to. Unlike 99.99 percent of the shows that have ever aired, Stone’s and Parker’s influence is so strong thanks to the show’s success that those two can stop it literally whenever they want. Until they do, let’s just enjoy all the comedy genius thatSouth Parkhas left to offer.
South Parkseason 25 is scheduled to air on February 2nd, 2022.
MORE:South Park: The Stick of Truth - Where to Find the Kindergartners
