I can't take credit for this haiku unfortunately, it's from Jsut's DeviantArt page.
"DAMMIT KOWALSKI
HAND OVER YOUR BADGE AND GUN
YOU ARE OFF THE FORCE"
HAND OVER YOUR BADGE AND GUN
YOU ARE OFF THE FORCE"
Try to picture it being recited beside a waterfall in a japanese rock-garden. "Chief, I'm going to follow this case on my own whether you like it or not-" *tinkle of windchimes* "-and you can't stop me"
I tend to like things that show a self-consciousness of conventions, especially those of pop culture. It's part of why I enjoy South Park so much. Their parodies show a genuine, endearing fondness and deep understanding of the genres/programmes they're drawing from, and it shines through.
The Guitar Hero rock movie spoof, and the "Who's in charge here? Not anymore you're not!" sketch stand out in particular in relatively recent episodes, but going right back to the first series you can find, for instance, elements of John Carpenter pastiche in the Mecha Streisand episode. The 'spooky synth music' at one point made me laugh out loud when watching it again recently, something I never really knew the significance of when I first saw it all those years ago. Despite occasional off episodes and a few clumsy attempts at shock tactics, South Park just keeps on giving.
"self-consciousness of conventions"
ReplyDeleteVery well put. Allow me to give some more examples:
1. "I learnt something today you guys..."
2. Cartman: "All right, then we just need a black person who can sacrifice himself in case something goes wrong. [looks around, pans by Chef] Let's see, anyone would do, anyone who meets the qualifications... Let's see... [pans Chef again] Oh, I know. How about..."
3. "Rob Schneider is a stapler"
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NF0D-3CvQZE&feature=related
Basically, TV is trash unless it's parodying itself. Hence, South Park is genius.
When I first heard about that new Jim Carey movie 'Yes Man' I couldn't help but think "Jim Carey is... de der de der de der de der" - because it's exactly that kind of awful cheesy comedy-star-vehicle they're parodying. "..and he's finding out life isn't so easy when you [insert stupid gimmick here]"
ReplyDeleteSouth Park is at its finest when it doesn't simply aim its guns on a single movie/show/star but rather upon whole genres, something the likes of 'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy' rarely, if ever, do. Sometimes it's a lighthearted pop at cliches that we know and love, and sometimes they lay waste to whole Hollywood crapcrops with a few choice sketches because, frankly, they have it coming. It's always masterfully done.
Haha, that haiku has a LOT of history behind it! It all began when Clare (*starlightofdawn) started a dA Music Forum role-play thread about all of the forum regulars being locked up in a haunted house. =skulkey came up with this character for himself, Kowalski, who was an alcoholic policeman who had been sacked off the force and had an obsession with a certain Julia. The character was such a good caricature of Skulkey himself that Kowalski just stuck...
ReplyDeleteThe thread developed into two separate, but intertwining stories. You can actually read both of what had been written here (http://musicforumadventures.deviantart.com/art/Noir-so-far-94766513) and here (http://musicforumadventures.deviantart.com/art/Horror-so-far-94768286). Plenty of inner jokes in the horror one, though, and it was written by ten different people, including me ;)
I'll have a look: I had no idea of the backstory, the poem just pushed all the right Beverley Hills Cop / Lethal Weapon / Dirty Harry / McBain buttons for me. "Get in my office Kowalski, I just had the Mayor on the phone: you trashed seven squadcars and blew up half a city block!"
ReplyDeleteyou may find this interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowalski
ReplyDeletei still need to finish that story. too many projects...