South Park: The Complete Nineteenth Season

This 2015 19th season of the Comedy Central cartoon series continues the pattern of presenting a story arc spread over all 10 episodes. “Stunning & Brave” kicks things off with the introduction of a sunglasses-wearing new school administrator named “PC Principal,” a “bro”-type extremist who ostracizes young Kyle for saying “I don't think Caitlin Jenner is a hero,” and attacks Eric Cartman with blood-splashing extreme violence. Kyle apologizes and gets to meet his “hero” in “Where My Country Gone?”, in which a mangled “Caitlin Jenner” runs over pedestrians and joins forces with former teacher Mr. Garrison, the latter now ranting about illegal Canadian immigrants and plans to build a dividing wall. As always, creators and voice actors Trey Parker and Matt Stone push the envelope with cultural skewering, covering gentrification (“The City Part of Town”), pretentious Yelp users (“You're Not Yelping,” which features a ditty with a repeated jaunty chorus about adding “boogers and cum” to restaurant meals), online bullying (“Safe Space”), and homeless/ISIS/police relations in one fell swoop (the scattershot “Naughty Ninjas”). Although sometimes decidedly distasteful, the plot threads are impressively tied together into a larger conspiracy, with a “PC Principal Final Justice” finale hinting at a mockery of the presidential election. Bonus features include audio commentary by Parker and Stone, “#SocialCommentary” on all episodes, and deleted scenes. While pretty gross at times—not surprising for a series whose opening credit warning has always stated that South Park “should not be viewed by anyone”—this continues to be a very popular series. Recommended. (J. Williams-Wood)