Tasteless? You Decide

The other  night, my family's after dinner conversation revolved around whether South Park had "crossed the line" by having the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin show up at Satan's Sweet 16 Halloween Party, complete with a stingray barb lodged in his chest. None of Satan's party-goers believed it was really him: they thought Irwin was a tasteless party crasher. Satan ended up throwing Irwin out, even though he knew it really was Irwin, because he was not wearing a costume. My daughter thought that South Park had crossed some line, even accounting for the fact that South Park is supposed to cross lines every episode. Her objection had to do with the taboo on speaking ill of the dead, especially so soon. (This was basically Satan's party-goers' reason for shunning the guest whom they thought was not really Irwin.). She thought it might have been the most tasteless thing they'd ever done. I interjected, "More tasteless than 'Jesus and Friends'? So, it's OK to mock the Son of God, but beyond the pale to stick it to some idiot who dangled his kid in front of a crocodile?"

Of course, I was playing Devil's Advocate. But there are some real questions here. Irwin was beloved by many, and did a lot to teach people about animals. But although, of course, he didn't 'deserve to die', some people thought it was inevitable that tragedy would be the result of his risky behavior. The risks he took were very real. Was he always responsible? People have gotten upset about the stunts shown on Jackass, and how they've inspired youngsters to do similar dangerous things, often resulting in injury and death. But how many people have gotten a little too close to a wild animal because of what they saw on Irwin's show? If Johnny Knoxville is responsible for what people do after watching his stunts on Jackass, what about Irwin?

But the issue of whether South Park was being tasteless is not up for discussion any more. The question has been decided unequivocally in the affirmative. How? How else: Bill Maher, whose behavior defines tastelessness, showed up at a costume party dressed as Irwin, complete with bloody barb. Case closed!

[Hat Tip - Wizbang]