If you are really obsessed about the Food Network, you might not take kindly to the South Park parody from last night's season finale. On the other hand, if you can appreciate a bit of humor on the subject with a definite sexual overtone, the episode is just right for you.
Stan's dad, Randy Marsh, is so obsessed with the cable food channel that he watches it in secret after his wife has gone to bed. The next morning, Randy has made them breakfast: goat cheese and heirloom tomato frittata topped with creme fraiche. (Randy consistently mispronounces creme fraiche throughout the episode.)
Stan says, "Can I have a pop-tart?"
Randy's eagerness continues on, getting a job in the school cafeteria. He makes Food Network type dishes instead of the regular school lunches. Eventually, a number of Food Network chefs enter the picture, challenging Randy in a school lunch throwdown.
Kyle remarks, "Can I just get some g*d d*mn tater tots?"
Jamie Oliver is portrayed as being concerned about school lunches being healthy and he cries a lot. Paula Deen looks even fatter, and Giada DeLaurentiis' features are even more exaggerated. Bobby Flay, Alton Brown, Guy Fieri, and Mario Batali receive better treatment in the parody, though Cartman dresses up as Gordon Ramsey.
While the episode focuses on the obsession over the Food Network, the angle of that type of food ending up in the school cafeteria is unintentionally poignant. The menu behind the kids is filled with pizza, tater tots, hot dogs, chocolate milk, Salisbury steak, chicken nuggets, and carrot sticks with ranch.
"Who says that school cafeteria food can't be healthy, delicious, and gourmet? Today, we're going to be making the students my tasty baked ziti with basil and fresh mozzarella."
Randy also cooks them a potato-encrusted scallop with lobster foam topped with creme fraiche. When Cartman notes that pizza is on the day's menu, Randy says his take on a pizza is "Asian slaw on flatbread, deconstructed and topped with a nice parmesan aioli."
This is even more out there than what Jamie Oliver did in Huntington.
Comedy Central will rebroadcast this episode tonight at 10:30p, 12:16a early Sunday morning, 10:31p Sunday night, and 2:08a early Monday morning (all times Eastern).
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