Word hit the net a couple of days ago that, following in the successful shoes of the World of Warcraft episode, Southpark would be addressing the success of Guitar Hero in tonight's (11/7) episode "Guitar Queer-o".
Source: Comedy Central Press Release [ more info ]

Today's comic, like the cartoon it satarizes, is a parody. I think it's great that the guys at Soutpark studios are tapping into the geekdom surrounding certain mega-popular video games. The attention goes both ways. Gamer's are reminded that Southpark exists. And Southpark fans are introduced to WoW and Guitar Hero (if they weren't playing them already). It's a no lose situation.

Oh and that's supposed to be the Woody-ized version of Stan. Originally I'd sketched in Kyle because of the green hat. But, since the episode centers around Stan's interest in the game, I figured I should use him instead. For those of you that know/watch the show, you're familiar with that "I learned something" intro.

Good comic... lol.

Finally felt the need to register. It has been long awaited to post something. and I feel since I can relate to both WoW and Guitar Hero, it was a great time to register. I shall be watching this tonight. woot.

I just wanted to say I love seeing Stan in your art style, It's very cool.

I read about this episode the other day. I can't wait to watch it, but it's going to be tough to top the epic trilogy they just concluded last week.

The WoW episode is actually what got me back into watching South Park after missing about seven seasons. I think they've only gotten more funny after all of these years on the air.

:edit:

The episode was hilarious. Spotlighting the game, while making fun of it and it's fan base simultaneously. I fell out of my chair when they got the 1,000,000 point message at the end. I need to stay the hell away from 'Heroin Hero' though...I was already thinking of strategies on how to catch the dragon...just watching the show. I should probably pick up a copy of 'Rehab Hero'...you know...just in case. :-D

I say bah, I liked the wow one. But sometimes they tend to over do stuff.
I have never been a huge fan of southpark so... i don't really have a opinion other than that.

I would have put Kenny in the back ground getting killed or something, but sadly they stopped doing that

And I bought Season 10 of south Park on DVD specifically for the WoW episode. I haven't watched it in a few years and that got me hooked for a bit.

i typically check my comics after lunch and today was no exception. however, today at lunch, my friend and i were discussing this very event, so i got a good giggle when i saw it in comic form.

it's true. when becoming irrelevant, latch onto something that's popular.

...though the wow episode was pretty cute...

i can't help but watch it anyway. /shrug

South park was making fun of the Okawa Gamesphere back in the game cube days so it's not like video games are new territory for them. And who could forget chimpokomon.

The show started by mixing in as many movie themes as they could and has always been quick to adapt to whatever the latest fad is and poke fun of it. Of course with the decline in movie patrons for other entertainment options like gaming its no surprise they are pulling in more gaming elements to make fun of in the show because gaming is on the rise in pop culture.

I wouldn't call it latching onto something that's popular to boost ratings so much as I'd call it just using topical humor. When they devote a whole episode to making fun of something, like Woody said, it's satire. And great, in my book.

I'd say the best example of a show latching onto something popular to boost ratings is The Simpsons. Celebrity cameo after celebrity cameo, with the only point seeming (in my opinion) to be, "Look, we can get soandso to come on our show!" Like Green Day in the beginning of the Simpsons Movie.

I'm tired of the South Park WoW episode though. It aired about 9000 times when I was in Norway this summer and I think I watched it every single time.