Britney's New Look has gotten bad reviews.Plenty of people say it's a bad episode.It's not bad at all, there are some funny moments, it's a decent episode, it's just a little...dark.This is one of the darker episodes in the series.The episode spoofs how the Papparazzi always attacks Britney Spears.The boys find out you can make a lot of money to get a photo of Britney doing something messed up.They go to her hotel room and because she does not want to be part of the fame anymore, she shoots herself.Her head is now half missing but everybody is calling it her "new look".Her manager makes her sing and the paparazzi is still taking photos of her.Stan and Kyle feel bad so they decide to bring her to the north pole.The boys then find out the reason the paparazzi is doing all this to Britney, it's pretty messed up! This was not a bad episode at all, maybe not the best but definitely underrated.
13 Reviews
South Park at its best
qazaqi55526 March 2008
This really is classic South Park and it's refreshing to see somebody stick up for Britney Spears for a change. Anyone who dislikes this because they don't find the suicide idea funny is missing the point. This isn't meant to be funny and its supposed to show people how the paparazzi will relentlessly break you down. This serious point is well made and just because South Park is a comedy it doesn't mean that every single part has to be for comedy.
This episode was a terrific parody on the media's almost barbaric thirst for humiliating celebrities. "Britney's New Look" is a typically original South Park episode which is also predictably hilarious. The portrayal of one photographer as a whaling monster was particularly funny.
This episode was a terrific parody on the media's almost barbaric thirst for humiliating celebrities. "Britney's New Look" is a typically original South Park episode which is also predictably hilarious. The portrayal of one photographer as a whaling monster was particularly funny.
A little perspective...
quadrospazed26 March 2008
I think as this episode seems to be in 'support' of Britney, or her situation, people are critical of it. Granted, its not the best episode ever created, but there are some excellent moments and the mood change towards the end was brilliant. Remember; South Park is a comedy show, not the central vein of opinion. I think people can get far too involved in things like this and as soon as something hits slightly below the high standard South Park enjoys, there is an outcry from the hardcore fans. This episode in no way deserved one star, its not Family Guy. Just appreciate how good South Park is in comparison to most other things on T.V. Not every episode can be a Cartoon Wars or Imagination Land; just take each episode as it is!
A Love It Or Hate It Episode
wyrihu1426 November 2020
...And I loved it!
A beautifully dark, depressingly real portrait of the reality celebrities like Britney Spears have to go through. Honestly, if someone told me the whole plot twist of the episode was real - it sadly wouldn't even be too shocking.
8.9/10
A dark, relevant and strangely poignant tale done with a taste of extreme broad comedy
SLionsCricketreviews7 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I was expecting to have to put up some sort of struggle watching "Britney's New Look" based on the not so favourable reviews on this site. It turns out that there was no such need for concern, nor was there any required 'forcing' of any kind. "Britney's New Look" still feels very much like a solid South Park episode, is surprisingly dark even by the show's standards and showcases a particularly relevant and pressing issue in this day and age: grave obsession over celebrity lifestyles and media sensationalism.
I find this episode surprisingly touching, something I was not expecting as much as I was expecting a scathing mockery of Britney Spears. It is also arguably a welcoming refreshment to see South Park take a slightly different direction on this one where Matt and Trey treat the celebrity subject in question with a degree of warmth and sympathy. They also showcase something that is relevant and perhaps obvious (but nevertheless requires showing) but that being the dark and dangerous side to fame and the lifestyle of a celebrity.
The episode draws its humour by its exaggerated and broadly comedic portrayal of the landscape of the media and the way they are animated to run in mobs as they chase after Britney Spears lends a comedic effect. There is also some humour drawn from people's obsessiveness towards following the lives of celebrities rather than minding their own, even ignoring how brainless (literally in this case as well as figuratively) said celebrity could be.
But there's something rather touching about the portrayal of Britney Spears's struggle here. To watch her failing a suicide attempt and subsequently attempt to flee the media mob has a dramatic impact too and the harvesting climax is absolutely superb. It's creepy, it's incredibly dark and humourous and it is truly gorgeously animated. South Park's animation has slowly become increasingly more striking and detailed while keeping the character designs at its bare minimum.
The last scene is absolutely superb and hilarious as the people will await their next celebrity ritual sacrifice for the harvest: Miley Cyrus! Overall, "Britney's New Look" surprised me. It's a dark episode, it's a rather disturbing but also poignant episode that draws some humour from some broad comedy. It is a little disappointing to see no follow-up of Butters throughout the episode and omitting Cartman almost altogether from the narrative. Otherwise, a solid episode that still feels like a South Park episode.
I find this episode surprisingly touching, something I was not expecting as much as I was expecting a scathing mockery of Britney Spears. It is also arguably a welcoming refreshment to see South Park take a slightly different direction on this one where Matt and Trey treat the celebrity subject in question with a degree of warmth and sympathy. They also showcase something that is relevant and perhaps obvious (but nevertheless requires showing) but that being the dark and dangerous side to fame and the lifestyle of a celebrity.
The episode draws its humour by its exaggerated and broadly comedic portrayal of the landscape of the media and the way they are animated to run in mobs as they chase after Britney Spears lends a comedic effect. There is also some humour drawn from people's obsessiveness towards following the lives of celebrities rather than minding their own, even ignoring how brainless (literally in this case as well as figuratively) said celebrity could be.
But there's something rather touching about the portrayal of Britney Spears's struggle here. To watch her failing a suicide attempt and subsequently attempt to flee the media mob has a dramatic impact too and the harvesting climax is absolutely superb. It's creepy, it's incredibly dark and humourous and it is truly gorgeously animated. South Park's animation has slowly become increasingly more striking and detailed while keeping the character designs at its bare minimum.
The last scene is absolutely superb and hilarious as the people will await their next celebrity ritual sacrifice for the harvest: Miley Cyrus! Overall, "Britney's New Look" surprised me. It's a dark episode, it's a rather disturbing but also poignant episode that draws some humour from some broad comedy. It is a little disappointing to see no follow-up of Butters throughout the episode and omitting Cartman almost altogether from the narrative. Otherwise, a solid episode that still feels like a South Park episode.
What's wrong with being different?
zyxek28 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This episode, as far as tone goes, is pitch perfect. It is not raucously funny throughout, like many of the great South Park episodes, but the laughs that are there are great. ("Britney was spotted with a new no-top-of-my-head look as she was being wheeled into the hospital for some reason.")
But this episode is rare, because it is a well-told, well-executed story. You actually get into the boys' plight as they try to help Britney, you feel their guilt as Britney shoots herself. You may laugh at Brintey trying to sing and talk without the top of her head, but it makes a profound statement on the absurdity of the celebrity industry (tabloids, pop music, E! network, reality TV, etc.)
And the twist of Britney being set up for human sacrifice, and the scene with the photographers enclosing her, snapping pictures until she just died- that was thought- provoking.
But the ending was no departure- it was a classic South Park closer, which I won't mention just in case some who haven't seen the episode read past the spoiler alert. (If that's the case, get online and see it!)
This is, currently, the second-lowest South park episode. I think that this is unfortunate. If I were to rank them, this would fall somewhere between 10 and 15 on my favorites list.
But this episode is rare, because it is a well-told, well-executed story. You actually get into the boys' plight as they try to help Britney, you feel their guilt as Britney shoots herself. You may laugh at Brintey trying to sing and talk without the top of her head, but it makes a profound statement on the absurdity of the celebrity industry (tabloids, pop music, E! network, reality TV, etc.)
And the twist of Britney being set up for human sacrifice, and the scene with the photographers enclosing her, snapping pictures until she just died- that was thought- provoking.
But the ending was no departure- it was a classic South Park closer, which I won't mention just in case some who haven't seen the episode read past the spoiler alert. (If that's the case, get online and see it!)
This is, currently, the second-lowest South park episode. I think that this is unfortunate. If I were to rank them, this would fall somewhere between 10 and 15 on my favorites list.
Spoiler: Hit and Miss
TenPart26 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Now then, Season 12 so far has been hit and miss for me. Seeing as its only 2 episodes into it so far I won't comment on that. After seeing "Tonsil Trouble" and having little laughs I personally thought the next one will be better. How I was wrong! Britney's new look starts out with some promise about how the media today is more interested with celebrities downfalls, as shown in the first scene where Randy and the boys are watching TV about the debate, looking bored. Then the debate get cuts off by a "Britney report". Suddenly Randy jumps with excitement about what she has been doing. In this case "Camping in South Park and peeing on a lady bug".
Then the boys get an idea to try making money from getting a photo of Britney "shiting on a squirrel" after seeing that the guy who took the photo of her peeing on a lady bug getting thousands of dollars.
This could be the setup for what could be a funny show, putting the boys in some funny situations. No! Britney blows her head off with a shotgun. The episode then just becomes all about how Stan and Kyle want the media to leave her alone.
This episode is more about us the public than it is about laughs. Showing no matter how down a depressed that Britney is in real life the media are always there to make money of her, and we want to know all about it. Personally I couldn't care.
I understand that Matt and Trey like to make episodes about what's going on in the news or what not. But with this one I personally reckon they were just fishing for ideas. The show is and always will be great.
But for people only just getting into it, they will probably see different when making shows like this one.
Then the boys get an idea to try making money from getting a photo of Britney "shiting on a squirrel" after seeing that the guy who took the photo of her peeing on a lady bug getting thousands of dollars.
This could be the setup for what could be a funny show, putting the boys in some funny situations. No! Britney blows her head off with a shotgun. The episode then just becomes all about how Stan and Kyle want the media to leave her alone.
This episode is more about us the public than it is about laughs. Showing no matter how down a depressed that Britney is in real life the media are always there to make money of her, and we want to know all about it. Personally I couldn't care.
I understand that Matt and Trey like to make episodes about what's going on in the news or what not. But with this one I personally reckon they were just fishing for ideas. The show is and always will be great.
But for people only just getting into it, they will probably see different when making shows like this one.
Different Done Right
ezzedd18 December 2019
This is a perfect example of a classic South Park episode, however it gets its classic status not just due to the sheer comedy, but the fact that they tried something different and did it spot on! Unlike many other episodes Brittany's new look explores the serious matter of celebrity Harrrasment and over the top crticticm with a hilarious South Park style approach.
Not a Fan of Shock Gore
tonyhammer5 June 2023
This review is more about the way Britney is displayed post-shot, and less about the story itself. I'm 59, and I've never been a fan of shock gore. Some would argue that this is not gore, but to me, yes, it is. It's repulsive. I avoided looking at her while first watching this particular episode, and I don't watch any reruns of it. The creators do this pretty often, and I realize there is an audience for it, but I'm just not into it. I don't like the story so much either. It doesn't appeal to me because I don't like decent people being mocked in such a way. I'm not a fan of hers but I don't think she's a mean person either.
Ugh...face-palm
rbxfromdashow23 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
You have your hits, and your misses...and this one was nearly an epic failure. The episode came too late (6 months after the VMA controversy), so I'm more forgiving. However, no laughs were to be had for me. While this episode attempts to criticize the media's overreporting of Britney Spears, the humor, if you can find it, falls flat; as a matter of fact, I could almost call the episode "unfunny," completely antithetical to their usual style of humor. For instance, the writers overplayed the half-headed Britney gag to a point where it became nauseating. Additionally, the political message was completely disputable in addition to lacking any humorous backing. The saving grace was towards the end; my compliments to Parker and Stone for the Wicker Man and the Lottery references. If anything, don't watch the first 15 minutes of this episode, and only watch the last 10 or so minutes. You won't miss much.
Here we have the usual cleverness, and Butters as a squirrel, but not the usual amount of laughs
RainDogJr31 December 2009
Here we have the usual cleverness: nothing is more important than the new thing Britney Spears just did, especially if it's a bad thing for her. Then one of the main jokes here is to have Britney Spears without most of her brain, only this time literally without most of her brain (that joke was great) and everybody just paying attention to how fat she is and stuff. There's a sort of Martyrs (Pascal Languier, 2008) thing since is basically people enjoying the last stage of martyrdom. I'm just reading that the South Park guys said this episode was placing Britney in The Lottery as I'm realizing about the existence of this short story. This whole thing is interesting, clever and whatever you want to add (and I loved when everybody realize who is their new victim), but just seeing Britney here is annoying, and pretty much aside with the stuff of Butters (after being a bear in the Paris Hilton episode here in the Britney Spears episode he is a squirrel! Darn fun stuff! "The giant squirrel apparently now thinks it's a person!") and a couple of jokes (like the one mentioned) I hardly laughed with something of this episode.
Ugh this episode is so depressing
alexbolz9 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I came after the recent incident with Britney and her father. Now I know that they aren't actually making fun of Britney in this episode but damn, they went too far here in this episode. I was hearing about why this episode was so hated and after watching the episode I was like "Oh I see why now." This episode is just so depressing and cruel. Britney shoots her face off and is only able to muffle her voice instead and then the creators go as far as making her sing to the public with only 1/4th of her face left. Like I said I know they are actually sympathizing with her but seriously, the paparazzi in this episode are just too mean about her with her face blown off. The news even said "her voice was terrible." Like what the hell? That is just so sickening and I don't know if anyone found this funny. As someone who used to be suicidal as a kid, I always was disgusted by this episode. This gives a a 3 out of 10. Tbh I'd rather watch Mr Garrison's Fancy New Vagina again than watch this episode ever again.
When Matt and Trey do it wrong
JesusMilkk6 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Matt and Trey are usually pretty damn good at celebrity inclusions. Typically, they're very critical of the celebrities they parody, but they seem to take more of a middle-of-the-road approach here. They don't necessarily make fun of Britney directly, they just use her in a very extreme manner to get their point across. Britney's situation in the episode, similar to her real-life one at the time, is genuinely sad, and the episode doesn't really succeed in satirizing it to a point where it's not sad anymore. I feel like they could have gone a serious direction with it and shown everyone that Britney was basically being forced to live through hell, but after her suicide attempt the episode just goes off the deep end. I felt worse and worse for Britney as the episode went on, and to see her continue being abused and exploited even when her head is blown off is so shocking and sad that I really just feel more uncomfortable than anything. I don't think this episode is totally irredeemable, it was an important issue to tackle and a few of the non-Britney parts are sort of funny, but overall this was a big misstep.
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