I was on my way back from Blockbuster Wednesday night, “The Proposal” in hand (to watch with a girl, I swear), when I ran into a friend of mine who had just left Yogurt Oasis. We talked for a few moments, until I realized that it was 8:55 p.m., and I was about to miss the only must-watch show on television.

I am talking, of course, about “South Park.” I tried to explain my urgent need to get in front of a TV, but this particular friend of mine had never seen “South Park” and did not understand the crisis in the least. In fact, she claimed that the window for fan-ship of the show had passed her somewhere between seventh and eighth grade. “Preposterous,” I retorted. I did not have the time to argue my case, so I have decided to make my claim here to read:

I have been following the show ever since I discovered it during my more rebellious years in middle school, where I would sneak downstairs each Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. to watch a new episode on the big TV. Contemplating my entire experience with “South Park,” I have one thing to say: The show, while it may appeal to some as a slapstick cartoon for children, is much more than that. I do admit that at times it’s crude, stereotypical and fairly vulgar. Actually it’s always like that. But, it is full of social and political critiques, the news and pop culture. Much like in the most recent episode, where writers lampoon biker guys for obnoxiously revving their Harleys to get attention, the show fears no man. They even compare these “jerks’” need for attention to that of a 16-year-old girl’s. The episode’s true social message, in addition to the valid biker critique, seems to point at underlying issues surrounding the gay culture and misinterpreted hateful slang. Essentially, it routinely deals with issues that are not intended for a child-based audience. Also, despite its sometimes inflammatory subject matter, “South Park” is downright hilarious. It makes fun of pretty much everyone, especially liberals (listen up, Frannie).

As a cartoon, it can stretch the bounds of content and plot more than any live action series. It’s not real. So what? Neither is anything else on television, save sports, the weather channel and maybe half of the news. But the social and political messages are there, even if only to bring them to the forefront of your mind, and perhaps with a new perspective. It is perhaps because of its blunt nature that the show has won four Emmy awards and is the highest-rated and longest-running program on Comedy Central. My advice is, if you are simply turned off by dark humor, then it might not be for you. But, if you’re like many of the brightest people in the world (college students, etc.), then “South Park” is most definitely worth 30 minutes out of your week.

—Will Raliff is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. He can be reached at w.ratliff@vanderbilt.edu.