[N8 v2.0]

New Empire strikes back
By Becky Howard, This is London
3 February 2005

Watch out South Park – a new animated series from Britain is promising to be ruder and more offensive than the boys from Colorado when it hits screens on Channel 4 later this month.

Empire Sq is the brainchild of Blur's drummer Dave Rowntree and writer Matt Morgan and follows the 'twisted' adventures of Richie, Rabbit, Hook and the other residents of the Square.

Covering bestiality, cannibalism, electro-shock therapy, crucifixion and selling babies over the internet amongst other topics, the cult show makes its debut on February 18th.

It's already built up a following in its online guise at www.empiresq.com, attracting more than 50,000 visitors.

"I think we've created something truly unique and I'm looking forward to seeing peoples' reactions," says Dave.

What's more, Empire Sq is the first-ever interactive animation series, allowing viewers to design their own buildings for the Square online. The best ones will be included in future storylines.

 

[fluff]

South Park is gross? I missed a memo clearly.

 

[N8 v2.0]

South Park is gross? I missed a memo clearly.

It's pretty base adult humor... not for the kiddies... funny though.

 

[Westy]

South Park is gross? I missed a memo clearly.

After eating Brit food I could see how you have a high tolerance for it.

 

[fluff]

It's pretty base adult humor... not for the kiddies... funny though.

I don't get it, just 'cos it's a cartoon people get all knotted up about the fact that it is not for kids. It clearly isn't for kids, big deal - lots of stuff ain't for kids.

 

[fluff]

After eating Brit food I could see how you have a high tolerance for it.

From the culture that gave us the Big Mac, that hurts.

 

[mack]

I saw an episode on their website. Its not really that funny, SP is way funnier.

 

[Changleen]

Yeah, I can see the potential, but it ain't all that. Weebl and Bob is the best internet cartoon fo shiz.

 

[Westy]

From the culture that gave us the Big Mac, that hurts.

Touche, I had a British mother who did all the cooking and an American father who selected all the restaurants we ate at. I had the worst of both worlds.

 

[valve bouncer]

From the culture that gave us the Big Mac, that hurts.

Actually one of the best meals I've ever had was in London last year. Admittedly it was at a Lebanese restaurant. Lots of great restaurants in London though, just near my sisters place in Brixton there's an Eritrean restaurant, gonna have to try that one when I go in April.
Of course none of this is "real" British food.
. I must say though that Shepard's Pie rocks.

 

[ito]

THat's a joke right? I watched the online episode and it's crap.

"I think we've created something truly unique and I'm looking forward to seeing peoples' reactions,"

Tryly unique? It's a blatant rip-off of South Park and not even that funny. Of course most British TV isn't that good or funny, so I imagine it'll do quite well.

The Ito

 

[mack]

THat's a joke right? I watched the online episode and it's crap.

"I think we've created something truly unique and I'm looking forward to seeing peoples' reactions,"

Tryly unique? It's a blatant rip-off of South Park and not even that funny. Of course most British TV isn't that good or funny, so I imagine it'll do quite well.

The Ito

The only good things that came from england were...

Monty Pithon
The Beatles
Beer.

 

[TheInedibleHulk]

South Park is definately not for the kiddies, but I would certianly not call it's humor "base". South Park relies almost enitely on satire for it's humor, and often satire needs to be biting and "offensive" to makes it's point. Usually the message of south park is an extremely moderate and logical one that points out the absurdities of both side's viewpoints. It always pisses me off when people think that south park is just going for shock value and toilet humor, and the completely miss what it is trying to say. Not accusing anyone here of that.... just saying.

 

[ridecruz888]

South Park is definately not for the kiddies, but I would certianly not call it's humor "base". South Park relies almost enitely on satire for it's humor, and often satire needs to be biting and "offensive" to makes it's point. Usually the message of south park is an extremely moderate and logical one that points out the absurdities of both side's viewpoints. It always pisses me off when people think that south park is just going for shock value and toilet humor, and the completely miss what it is trying to say. Not accusing anyone here of that.... just saying.

ya exactly. take for example the episode death camp of tolerance, just watched it, real good message

 

[llkoolkeg]

Actually one of the best meals I've ever had was in London last year. Admittedly it was at a Lebanese restaurant. Lots of great restaurants in London though, just near my sisters place in Brixton there's an Eritrean restaurant, gonna have to try that one when I go in April.
Of course none of this is "real" British food.
. I must say though that Shepard's Pie rocks.

Interesting. My college roomie was Lebanese, so I got to sample(both with and w/o his knowledge neaky: ) all the traditional goodies his mom sent back with him after breaks. I liked the cuisine very much. Also, my former boss was Eritrean, so I got to sample all the goodies his wife would bring in to work. I was even invited to the big Eritrean Independence Gala held in D.C. the year that happened. Again, I liked the food very much. Rarely do I ever try a new ethnicities foodstuffs and not find SOMETHING I like.

And Mack, how could you overlook the Spice Girls? Talk about a contribution!

As far as South Park or Empire Sq go, I think I could appreciate such things more if they were a little less blatant about their political leanings. I'm all for roasting politicians and parties, but PLEASE- at least be somewhat equitable in the distribution of satire. That's one of the reasons I like the Simpsons, Howard Stern or any number of other comedic efforts- they are fairly close to being equal opportunity offenders. It is for that same reason that I despise Al Franken, Rush Limbaugh, and all the other blatantly left OR Right leaning pols.