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New York's Premier Alternative Newspaper. Arts, Music, Food, Movies and Opinion

New York's Premier Alternative Newspaper. Arts, Music, Food, Movies and Opinion
Wayne Rooney  |  by www.nypress.com. All rights reserved. 3.04 | 12:11

Contrary to popular opinion, this Comedy Central series originated as more of a lampoon of sitcoms than of our current great president, George W. Bush. In fact, on the DVD commentary show progenitors Matt Stone and Trey Parker reveal that they were going to base the show on whichever candidate won the 2000 election.

In the event that Gore came out victorious, they were going to title it ldquo;Everybody Loves Al. rdquo; Fortunately for us, one good thing that rsquo;s come from this administration is comedic fodder.

Since there rsquo;s no real challenge in belittling the president mdash;and it rsquo;s been done ad nauseam throughout his tenure mdash;the lack of malice toward him in the show comes off as oddly refreshing.

Painting the president as a hapless buffoon is more palatable, at least in sitcom format, than the reality of his titular solipsism. Combine this with Stone and Parker rsquo;s quotidian absurdity, and what you have on your hands is an instant cult-classic.

Timothy Bottoms is perfect as the bumbling commander in chief, and Kurt Fuller is fantastic as his avuncular handler Karl Rove.

The DVDs have only eight episodes, but each one is more delightfully preposterous than the last. The pilot pits George against scheduling conflicts as he attempts to juggle quality time with Laura and a state dinner between antagonistic pro-choice and pro-life camps; the latter faction represented by a foot-tall aborted fetus puppet (with a stylish comb-over) named Felix.

Later episodes find George partying with his old frat brothers at a state execution, mistaking ecstasy for aspirin and trying to get free cable but accidentally crossing wires with the SDI anti-missile system.

The final episode may be the best, as George informs Laura that he has been ldquo;laid off rdquo; for losing a Middle East peace treaty, among other things. Dick Cheney announces that ldquo;George Bush has screwed up one too many times! rdquo; and relieves him of his post.

George looks to Rove for help, and when he realizes none is forthcoming, he hilariously queries ldquo;Et tu, Karl? rdquo;

The DVDs have separate commentaries from both the creators and the cast and both are fairly informative. The show was ultimately stopped due to budget constraints, but what it lacked in economic viability is offset by its quality of satire, great cast and eerily appropriate laugh track.

Read more on by www.nypress.com. All rights reserved.
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