Thirtysomething Channels and Nothing’s On

So the adult cartoon series South Park has reportedly gotten the attention of the MTRCB, and the Jack TV show will stop airing soon. Apparently, some people have complained about its anti-Christian content. It’s been airing for quite some time already, and these are old, earlier episodes, if I’m not mistaken.

But come on now. That’s the point of the show. South Park and the creators’ other projects have openly and shamelessly parodied and ridiculed almost everyone, whether they be religious icons, politicians, vocal Hollywood actors, Streisand, Canada, or Michael Moore. The list of people who’ve remained unscathed is getting really short. The jokes are so distasteful and gross at times, but that’s often been the creators’ way of poking fun. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s always funny, that it’s creative or imaginative, or it’s for everyone—they’d have stopped airing early on if they even considered being politically correct—but it has always been different.

I’ve a few questions, as the supposed outrage against the obviously highly irreverent show raises some thoughts about censorship, free speech, and related issues:

Why does the MTRCB even have policing powers over cable TV? How do they decide if, say Sex and the City, Oz, or any HBO or Cinemax movie that has some nudity or implied sexual or violent activity should be aired or not? Why can’t adults enjoy some titillating skin, green jokes, or lesbian smooching in the privacy of their own homes, through the very limited cable services that they pay for? Just how do they decide when it’s time to reprimand the cable providers because TVE, the Tagalog channel, or the French channel showed some erotic scenes? Who decides, exactly, which butt shot, ass crack, silhouetted tit or pubic hair showing is okay for primetime or very late night viewing?

What if Sarah Silverman, an excellent standup comic famous—or in some circles, infamous—for making really irreverent religious, sexual or racial jokes, offends someone? Will they cut out the segment that she appears in, whether that’s a guest spot in Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, or John Stewart? Will those shows be suspended or stop airing? Will Drawn Together or Crank Yankers be next? What if I’m an atheist and I enjoy South Park? Or Saturday Night Live’s occasional jabs at religion and politics?

Bleargh. That’s the way things go these days, I suppose. Not everyone will be happy about everything.

Supes Returns

Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel, carrying something real heavy. (Photo from Yahoo! Movies)

Not that excited over this, yet, but here’s a pic to slightly prettify the old bloggy.

Geeker Speaker

I found Top Ten: The Forty Niners entertaining but a little short… it’s slightly over a hundred pages, but I wish they’d focused more on the other intriguing cop characters. Still, go Jet Lad and Wulf!

Spider-Man-Black Cat… very talky by the last three issues but still nicely written; topics like sexual assault and incest are sensitively handled, although they can feel manipulative and heavy-handed at times. But it’s still a decent book that explores the Black Cat’s character thoroughly (it was mentioned that she’s bisexual; her failed romance with Spidey is fondly dissected; the story also explains her klepto tendencies).

She-Hulk # 5 was really enjoyable. An ex-Avenger tries to fit in at the law firm. Very clever and heart-tugging, Dan Slott. Please write an Avengers title, already.

And so I talk about toys again. The year’s last Marvel Legends figures have already been announced and previewed. I don’t know yet if the line will continue under Hasbro next year or they’ll be given a brand new name altogether. I really haven’t checked. But I dearly hope that they’ll still look as awesome and still be affordable. I know the articulated joints look weird and awkward sometimes (like they have asscheeks near the singit), but majority of the Toy Biz figures have been playable and displayable. I’m eagerly looking forward to the last few sets. The Young Avengers, Onslaught, MODOK, Mojo, Wasp, Psylocke, Longshot, X-Babies!, Falcon, Warbird, Sentry, Luke Cage, Loki… aw god, I want them all. Playkit, Get the Wal-Mart exclusives!!! Hasbro, here are some of my dream sets. Make them look expensive, but sell ‘em real cheap. No Wolverines or Iron Mans, please.

Beyonder Set: Build a giant, human-form Beyonder! Space/cosmic/energy-caster lineup must include Adam Warlock (with Pip the Troll), Quasar, Janie Warlock, Nova (Richard Ryder), Dazzler (blue ‘80s costume), Firelord, and Molecule Man.

Supreme Intelligence Set: Build a big-ass Supreme Intelligence (with tank props)! The series must consist of really smart people like Forge, Fixer, Black Knight, Mach-1, Wizard (Frightful Four) and Moonstone.

Surtur Set: Mostly deceased characters. Build a giant Surtur figure! Odin, Mockingbird, Mr. Sensitive/Orphan, Banshee, U-Go Girl and Jack of Hearts.

Stature Set: A much-needed all-female series! Build a Stature/Giant Girl! Songbird, Vindicator (classic costume), Moondragon, Photon (Monica Rambeau), Rachel Summers Phoenix (Hound costume), Polaris (X-Factor Quesada costume) and Spiral (50 points of articulation!).

Atlas Set: The super-strongmen and –women series! Hercules, Hyperion, Strong Guy, Titania, Doc Samson (Byrne-‘80s design), Namorita (original costume), Gladiator, and Count Nefaria.

Thor Corps Boxed Set: Costumes must be different from previously released versions, so no repaints! Lord Thor, Beta Ray Bill (capeless new costume from the mini), Thor Girl, Magni (Thor’s son), Thunderstrike and Dargo (future Thor).

Avengers Boxed Set: Second- (or third-) stringers in one collectible gift set! Tigra, US Agent (black Captain costume), Mantis, Triathlon, Rick Jones (Avengers Forever costume) and Starfox.

X-Men boxed set: Second- (or third-) stringers in one collectible set, too! Cannonball (any design), Sage, Magik (Illyana Rasputin), Rictor (Sook design), Northstar and Jubilee.

Runaways boxed set: The original kids, plus Victor Mancha, the raptor, and Alex. Nuff said!

Hmm, I love them super-stuff.