‘South Park’ Review: ‘Band In China’ Mocks Hollywood’s Addiction To Chinese Box Office

More sharp political satire from season 23 of South Park, as "Band In China" takes aim at China’s notoriously intolerant censorship laws, and the eagerness of corporations to cater to them.

Last week saw Randy, in the relentless pursuit of profit, ruin the joy of home-grown intoxication for the rest of the town. Now, Randy has the totally unique and original idea to enter the gargantuan market of China, along with the entire cast of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and all the other Disney acquisitions. 

When Randy’s proposition to market an illegal substance somehow doesn’t fly, he finds himself locked away in a dystopian “detention centre”, just like Kyle and Cartman during the last episode. The fact that there are so many human cages for South Park to critique this season is an incredibly depressing reflection on the modern world; perhaps the next episode will take place in India.

Meanwhile, Stan and his friends who aren’t locked in cages start a death metal band, and quickly catch a movie deal, the plot of which must conform to China’s rigid censorship laws. As the script is continuously rewritten to fit the international market, Stan’s artist ‘tegrity begins to make him deeply uncomfortable.

Of course, Randy’s self-proclaimed ‘tegrity is nothing more than a marketing slogan. After a hilarious encounter with an imprisoned Winnie-the-Pooh (the innocuous bear being banned in China, due to an internet meme), Randy admonishes Chinese officials for their callousness, before enthusiastically suggesting they become business partners. 

This episode certainly doesn’t hold back, highlighting the scale of China’s reported human rights abuses and questioning Hollywood’s growing dependance on overseas box office. Amusingly, it’s even pointed out that these ethical qualms are never discussed with the same level of energy as other, relatively minor scandals targeted by the “PC babies.”

But selling out is nothing new for the entertainment industry, who have been softening the edges of their stories to appeal to as large an audience as possible for many, many decades. Despite Disney’s clumsy attempts to appear woke, the thirst for profit overshadows any genuine ethical intentions of their content creators. Hence, why all the bold, counterculture stuff is on television and not in the bloated blockbusters that require the might of the international box office just to break even.

By the end of the episode, Randy has made a deal with the merciless Mickey Mouse, and assassinates Winnie-the-Pooh in a scene that mirrors the disturbing sight of Anton Chigurh strangling a police officer during No Country For Old Men

Again, Randy has decided to pursue profit over morality, while Stan makes the difficult decision to abandon fame and fortune in favor of ‘tegrity. This is South Park at its best; smart political satire,  strong character development, and a healthy dose of the absurd. 

While the show still has a reputation as being aimed at cynical, nihilistic teenagers, South Park is one of the few satirical shows on television willing to make bold statements; compare these last two episodes to the flaccid political commentary dripping out of SNL.  

So far, season 23 is proving both hilarious, and depressingly insightful.  

If you enjoyed reading, check out my other ‘South Park’ season 23 reviews:

Episode 1: "Mexican Joker."

Episode 2: “Band In China

Episode 3: “Shots

Episode 4: “Let Them Eat Goo

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