Tourette Syndrome on South Park
I don't watch South Park, so I'm a little late in catching up to this news. But apparently last week's episode of Comedy Central's crass cartoon based its plot on the idea that kids with Tourette Syndrome can say anything they want and get away with it.
That's what the character Cartman thinks, anyway. When he sees a boy spouting obscenities in a store and being excused not only by his mother but by everybody she explains his disorder to, Cartman figures this is his golden ticket to say whatever obscene drivel comes to mind.
There are three videos from the episode, "Le Petit Tourette," on the Comedy Central site right now: "Cartman's Plan," in which the falsely diagnosed tyke reveals that he's going to go on live television, say outrageous things, and be called brave; "Tourette's Syndrome," in which Cartman has the fateful meeting with the kid who actually does have TS; and "Tourette's Therapy," in which Kyle (above), who doubts Cartman's diagnosis, meets with some kids who explain that Tourette's is not voluntary, or fun.
Based only on these three segments, I'd say that -- especially considering the show's reputation for irreverence -- there's some good information being given out here. The therapy session includes kids with tics that don't involve spouting obscenities, and they say the right things about their struggles and need for support. On the other hand, there's a fair amount of fun had with coprolalia, and fun made of people who show understanding for kids with disabilities, and that's a little worrisome.
Of course, I haven't seen the whole episode. Have you? If you've seen this, I'd be interested to hear if you think it's good or bad news for kids who have Tourette's. If you have a child with the syndrome, has he or she seen the episode? Has anybody at school mentioned it? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Photo: Getty Images
I saw the whole episode, and I think the episode is good for kids with Tourette’s, especially the group therapy scene. It still can be funny, but it’s also dealing with the issue.
In my opinion, if South Park offends you, then you don’t get it, because it’s over your head.
I don’t feel like writing much more, but this is just one man’s opinion.
I saw the whole episode and there shouldn’t be anything in there that would offend someone that has Tourette’s or someone who has a child with Tourette’s. There is, of course, plenty of innaproriate comments made about the affliction, but it is very clear that Cartman’s perception of the disease is morally bankrupt and that the creators of the show had no intention of actually bashing or making fun of Tourette’s.
Yes, the group therapy scene does a very good job of showing the audience that it is not something to be made fun of, and it also does a good job of showing that Tourette’s is more than just blurting out obscenities.
But one of the things that makes South Park one of, if not the most, piece of intelligent social commentary of our time is their ability to point out the absurdities of America’s obsession with political correctness. Cartman’s plan to go on national television is facilitated by all of the adult figures around him being so blinded by their desire to be “sensitive” and “understanding” that they refuse to even consider that he could be faking. Then Kyle, the only person in the episode who has the sense to realize that Cartman is a liar, is demonized, chastised, and forced into group therepy to cure him of the “ignorance” that led him to call Cartman a fake.
In the end, Cartman starts actually losing control of what he says and learns first hand how horrible Tourette’s can be.
All in all, a very very funny episode. What makes South Park so great is that beneath the low brow comedy usually lies a legitimate moral lesson. I would encourage anyone that thinks of it as only a “bathroom humor” type show to give it a legitimate shot. Who knows, you might even laugh a little.
I saw the episode and thought is was funny and smart on the creators part. When I went back to school the next day people were acting like it was some kina funny disorder. Its not