It's official - The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have both been named 2011's Americans of the Year by Esquire Magazine. For over 15 years, they have made us laugh with their elementary school boy characters, and now they are dazzling audiences on Broadway with The Book of Mormon.
Ever since Americans were first introduced to Stan, Kyle, Eric and Kenny in 1997, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have continually pushed the envelope with their comedy. Many fans, like myself, do not take any offense to the satiric humor of the creators, but in the beginning, it really pushed a button for many conservatives. Over the years, even those who were slightly offended at first have begun to appreciate the jokes.
Parker and Stone make fun of society with each episode. No matter how touchy a news subject might be, they are not afraid to make some ridiculous reference to it. No celebrity, no religion, no organization is safe from their comedy. Even the Shake Weight became a laugh riot on the show, when the creators made an episode about what we were all thinking - yep, I know that your mind went there too!
In March of this year, the comedy duo became even more successful with the release of their Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. In the short amount of time that the musical has been running, it has grossed over $37 million. It even earned nine Tony Awards. Not bad for a play that most of our ancestors would turn over in their graves watching.
This award was long due to them. They take our American right of free speech and run with it. Their no holds barred attitude earns them much respect in my book.
