That last thread receives the most attention, with Parker and Stone clearly getting a kick out of the fact that last year's film "Christopher Robin" was banned from the country after memes circulated saying that President Xi Jinping looks like Winnie the Pooh. The most brilliant "South Park" moments have occurred when the series creators find inspired ways to make their larger points about society: A group of religious Christians unwittingly chanting Nazi slogans while supporting "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004's "The Passion of the Jew," the ludicrous scripture of Scientology being matter-of-factly explained and animated in 2005's "Trapped in the Closet," a smug global warming denier casually altering his rationalizations for opposing climate activism (as manifested by the character Manbearpig) before meeting a grisly fate in 2018's "Time To Get Cereal." A 'naked ballots' crisis triggered by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court just put 100,000 votes on the line in the key state, Nancy Pelosi : Trump created a ‘brazen invitation for something like this to happen’, Here's what you need to do if you experience voter intimidation on Election Day, Older people like President Trump are at more risk from COVID-19 because of how the immune system ages, Here's a list of White House officials who've been exposed to Trump -- and will need to quarantine, RNC chair Ronna McDaniel tests positive for Coronavirus, History offers 'sobering' insights on presidential succession: presidential historian, Here's why we should hope Trump survives his fight with COVID-19, Former GOP chief: Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis might force him to abandon his favorite thing, Trump's positive COVID-19 results send Twitter into a frenzy, Kingdom of Silence: 2 years after Khashoggi murder, new film explores deadly US-Saudi Alliance, Put down that dystopia: Let two short films challenge you with visions of a hopeful future. It’s through the generosity of our supporters that we’re able to share with you all the underreported news you need to know.

The “South Park” episode “Band in China” makes a pretty strong argument about the danger that Chinese censorship poses to American artistic freedom. Thank you. The end result is an episode that feels more like a lecture from Parker and Stone to their entertainment industry brethren than an attempt at making ordinary Americans laugh and think at the same time. Did you enjoy content from David Cay Johnston, Common Dreams, Raw Story and Robert Reich? Meanwhile, Stan starts a band to work out his frustration over having to move away from South Park.

WATCH: A snippet from ‘South Park’s’ highly controversial ‘Band in China’ episode Meanwhile, Stan, Kenny, Butters and Jimmy form a death metal band at home in South Park.

Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet, or click here to become a subscriber. Randy sees an opportunity for TEGRIDY in China. If "Band in China" manages to raise awareness about China's increasing control over American art, then I suppose its impact will be salutary. Help ensure AlterNet remains independent long into the future. AlterNet counts on readers like you to support our coverage.

Google's free service instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. Their excitement turns to dismay, however, as they learn about the lengthy list of topics they are forbidden to cover because the Chinese government would disapprove of them: The Dalai Lama, organ transplants (referencing accusations that China is harvesting organs from Uighur Muslims and the Falun Gong), homosexuality (Chinese censors have long targeted pro-gay rights material) and Winnie the Pooh. Then again, because it isn't especially funny or memorable, the odds are that it will fade into obscurity and not do much good or ill of any kind. Analysis by The Conversation? He holds an MA in History from Rutgers University-Newark and is ABD in his PhD program in History at Lehigh University. Its focus is on how other American businesses like Google, the NBA and Disney (especially Disney) have the same idea as Randy — to make billions by opening themselves up to the lucrative Chinese marketplace — and are willing to bend themselves to the demands of the Chinese government in order to do so. AlterNet’s journalists work tirelessly to counter the traditional corporate media narrative. The "South Park" episode "Band in China" makes a pretty strong argument about the danger that Chinese censorship poses to American artistic freedom. click here to become a subscriber. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Join AlterNet 2020 for $1 and go ad-free.

The controversial South Park episode, "Band in China," was screened on a busy Hong Kong street in the Sham Shui Po District on Tuesday night..

This isn't to say that "Band in China" doesn't find ways of illustrating how hard American corporations will pander to China. Thank you.

And we’re proud to say that we’ve been bringing you the real, unfiltered news for 20 years—longer than any other progressive news site on the Internet. referencing accusations that China is harvesting organs from Uighur Muslims and the Falun Gong, Chinese censors have long targeted pro-gay rights material, after memes circulated saying that President Xi Jinping looks like Winnie the Pooh, Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet.

The B plot reinforces this point (a refreshing departure from last week's episode "Mexican Joker," which had two storylines that were basically unrelated to each other). Google's free service instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. His work has appeared in Mic, Quartz and MSNBC. Demand honest news. Still from South Park season 23 episode 02 - “Band in China” (Comedy Central) "South Park" takes on Hollywood's pandering to Chinese censorship with sharp words, weak jokes Independent journalism is increasingly imperiled; ads alone can’t pay our bills. @2020 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. The problem is that the joke, like so many others in the episode, simply doesn't land. It works quite well as an editorial; the problem is that it isn't particularly funny. We’re here seven days a week, 365 days a year. Full Description. Humor is a subjective thing, of course, and it's difficult to quantify exactly why certain material works and other does not. Matthew Rozsa is a breaking news writer for Salon. At one point Stan is working on the screenplay for his band's biopic while a Chinese censor is literally looking over his shoulder. Then join the hundreds of readers who have supported AlterNet this year. The episode even takes a potshot at liberals when a character explains that the PC Babies (an in-show band meant to satirize political correctness), despite seemingly complaining about everything, doesn't object to Chinese control of American art. When Stan (Parker), Butters (Matt Stone), Timmy (Parker) and Kenny (Stone) form a successful death metal band, they are recruited by a Hollywood agent who wants to turn their story into a biopic. Iconic Disney characters — The Beast and Buzz Lightyear to Kylo Ren and Thor and Captain Marvel — are all seen trying to gain access to China's markets. Randy lands himself in big trouble on a visit to China. While I won't delve into spoilers, the episode climaxes with one character currying favor with the Chinese government by addressing their dislike of Winnie the Pooh in the deliberately graphic and shocking fashion that has become a hallmark of the "South Park" brand of comedy. "Band in China" starts with Randy Marsh (Trey Parker) deciding to go to China after realizing that he can get rich by selling the marijuana from his Tegridy Farms to the 1.4 billion people who live there. Characters make blunt proclamations about the harsh reality of the entertainment industry's desire to do business in China, from Randy saying that "you have to lower your ideals of freedom if you want to suck on the warm teat of China" to Stan declaring that "anyone who would betray their ideals just to make money China isn't worth a lick of spit." Click here to donate by check. … then let us make a small request.

And that's a shame, because "South Park" often reaches its comical high points when it has righteous outrage in its heart. These moments were effective not only because "South Park" had valid points to make, but because the show came up with a creative and memorably humorous way of making it. Official Description.

He is promptly arrested when he lands, of course, but the episode doesn't spend too much time lingering on his inevitably bleak stay in a Chinese prison. Opinion from Salon and Jim Hightower? Help support AlterNet and our mission to keep you informed during this crisis. Ad free partners: Salon.com & RawStory.com.