South Park (TV Series) You're Getting Old (2011) User Reviews

Surprisingly deep episode. I seriously related to Stan's character.

[memoria-3 · 9/10 · 9 June 2011]

What a great episode. I was 12 when South Park first came out. I was totally hyped about it months before it finally premiered. I've been using IMDb for what feels like 10 years.

This is my first review!

I could not believe the ending. This episode contains elements that have never been in a South Park episode before...

It almost reminds me of when The Simpsons used to have scenarios you could actually relate to. This episode deals with some of the most depressing social situations that a scary amount of people go through every day.

Probably the first time I've ever been shocked by this show. Because it was so unexpected.

I actually planned on watching the episode right before bedtime. Instead I ended up staying up late chatting about it. Blah what a loser!

Funny at times, quite depressing at times. The ending is quite shocking and depressing but it is an excellent mid-season finale!

[gangstahippie · 9/10 · 9 June 2011]

After Stan's 10th birthday, he begins to think everything he used to like sucks now(or has become s**t if you will).The music he used to like now sounds bad, along with other things such as movies and video games.He goes to a doctor who says he has "cynicism".This causes him to begin alienating himself from his friends.Meanwhile, the parents of South Park will not let their children listen to the new tween genre of music as they believe it sounds like crap. Randy will not admit he thinks it sounds like crap in order not to feel old. He begins to really embrace the music and begins playing it, which starts to anger Sharon. The ending of the episode is quite shocking and depressing for a show such as South Park.It leaves viewers wondering if there is a connection between the ending of the show and the current state of South Park, as well as Trey Parker and Matt Stone's relationship.It will be very interesting to see what is in store for the rest of the season.Overall, this episode was excellent because it's mix of comedy and drama and the shockingly depressing ending.

greatest episode yet

[metalrox_2000 · 10/10 · 9 June 2011]

For the 35 years I've been alive, I can say that there are few times that I've been shocked. One was the season finale of House, and the second, was the episode of South Park that aired on June 8th of 2011.

The plot starts off rather standard, with Stan's parents at a crossroads because they are feeling out of touch with the younger generation. They also feel they are in a rut, repeating the same patterns over and over again. Little did they know, that this feeling is also being experience by Stan. This causes a divide between Kyle, Cartman and Stan. And while Stan tries to prove he hasn't outgrown that which entertains his friends, he fails badly. The boys agreed to see a movie, which resulted in Stan annoyed at the countless ads for movies featuring Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, and others. He sees, well crap where his friends see entertainment. After being critical of one too many previews, Cartman and Kyle leave him behind.

Stan pleads with Kyle to give him one last chance but is rebuffed. What follows is a montage where Stan comes to grip with his feelings, while its learned that the Marshes are leaving South park.

And this is where the shock comes in: You spend the time waiting for kyle to forgive Stan, and all to be well. The moment never comes, and we close with Stan laying in bed, in a brand new town. And as Stan lets up a depressed sigh, the closing credits roll. What is the future of Stan Marsh? While Kyle seek for him to return to South Park? we don't know.

It was Kyle, Stan, Kenny and Cartman in the beginning. Kenny has faded away, and it looks like Stan is a goner, leaving just Kyle and Cartman to carry the load. Since it debuted 14 years ago, South Park has relied on gags to shock us. Little did we know they could shock us with a little heart.

I'm already looking forward to the next season of South Park...the fate of Stan Marsh.

A thoughtful and meaningful foreshadowing...

[Red_Identity · 9 June 2011]

I have loved South Park for some time now. Many fans have complained about the quality of this season, and I had heard how Trey Parker and Matt Stone have not been so happy... but this episode gave me a much different side to the best animated show of all time.

As always, there is a cultural relevance to the episode, about the 'new' generation, but the episode also served as a sense of melancholy. We all get old. We all find ourselves feeling differently about things as we get older, and as time passes. I cannot recall any TV episode hitting on that note as much as this South Park episode. It conjured up a tone unlike anything else I had seen from South Park.

I expected the writers to come up with a new joke at the end, to reset the show like always. But it ended on the melancholy tone that I didn't expect. It was sort of depressing, but it gave the show new heights.

Is it a curtain call or a new beginning?

[varun_120 · 10/10 · 7 September 2011]

Before watching this episode, my favorite South park episode was "Scott Tenorman must die." But, I have to say this is the best South park episode. On the exterior side some people might view the episode to be of toilet humor nature, but its just the facade.

I didn't have a single laughing moment in this episode. South park always conveys a message in a humorous approach. Matt and Trey are very intelligent. They always convey a message in the garb of humor.

This episode starts with the 10th birthday of Stan Marsh. And as the episode progresses, it turns out that as you get old the things you used to like, you don't like those things anymore. So, we may speculate that South park has been there for a long time and it has grown old. Also the ratings of south park have declined this season. But, all the episodes have been picked up from the recent but not very popular events.

The episode ends with Stan's parents getting separate. Both Randy and Sharon Marsh said they have been unhappy for awhile and they further say that the same sh*t happens every week without change. Both Matt and Trey said that they have become tired of making South park episodes. So, it might be an indication of South park coming to an end.

On the new front, it is shown that Stan & Kyle growing apart and Cartman & Kyle getting a little closer(we see cartman & kyle exchanging smiles at each other for the first time, I guess). So, it may be a new beginning as well.

But, I must say that this episode is the most serious South park episode I've ever seen. I thought it would get lighter in the end, but it didn't. I am a huge South park fan and I wouldn't ever want South park to come to an end. But, despite being serious this is a terrific mid session episode. I hope its a new beginning, not curtains for South park.

This is deep!

[borkoboardo · 9/10 · 15 June 2011]

Trey Parker and Matt Stone probably haven't been that open in the last ten years...

This is not an episode, this is a message!

If you consider this and watch it again, it turns out very clearly. The makers of this show made a big statement: "Hey, guess what, we just came to terms with the fact that for some time now we've been cheating on our fans (and on ourselves) - we evolved something that was great into something sh**ty!" - I believe this is one of the greatest moves cartoon-show-creators have ever made. These 20 minutes are packed with metaphors and statements that are so unusual for South Park - already 5 minutes into the episode I knew something was wrong, odd, different... But in the end I smiled and was so thankful for this revelation.

Over the years I was seriously wondering where South Park was going - the topics got repetitive - the average episode quality dramatically sunk starting with season 8 - humor was largely based on aggressive American slapstick rather than the original black (british) sarcastic humor - it became almost entirely dependent on current issues in the world - the exaggerated topics left the makers no "air" to slow down again - it mostly revolved around conspiracy, stereotypes, trends or stupid celebrities - the "points to prove" became either increasingly absurd or too theatrical - the sequential dramaturgy of each episode became almost identical after season 10 - I could go on...

Until season 4 South Park is absolutely timeless, fresh, cheeky, honest and original. Until season 7 it became more sadistic, sociopolitical and versatile. Season 7 itself confirmed the routine that was starting to take action. Up from season 8 you can clearly observe certain "side topics" Matt & Trey may have experienced during their childhood - but the main concerns have already been used. So the only way to get the show going now was to weave the setting together with things happening at that time in the real world. So it became like a "Saturday Night Let's review the past 7 days in a comedic comment"-show that almost cried out to be forgotten when its successor aired. In fact I can hardly quote any statement made from now on... It kinda became sh**ty... Season 9 finally confirmed the new destination: mainstream!

Like Randy said - I've been unhappy for a long time - So have I been. I think this isn't about growing old within the heads of Matt & Trey, it's more about the self-pressure of topping themselves after each episode in a paradigm that they didn't want to have created in the first place. That's why this episode is so "asymmetrical" for a routine South Park one.

Damned, I should get to and end with this. In conclusion: I interpret this as a cry for help. They're stuck in something they obviously can't get out of anymore. Are they growing old? No, they are getting wise. Someone once said "You realized you've become mature after you stopped educating your parents (-> audience)" - perhaps the tranquilizing remedy for this.....is cynicism. I seriously can't wait what's going to be next, and even if it was the end of the whole show, I would be satisfied. Thanks Matt & Trey for this confession!

This episode is one of my favorites of South Park, right up there with Le Petit Tourette

[eesainio · 10/10 · 20 February 2016]

Stan turns 10, and all the music hiss friends listen to starts sounding like fart noises ans s**t to him. After that, everything starts to look,taste and sound to well... you know to him. Adam Sandler, ice cream, everything! Meanwhile, Stan's parents are also having problems. It seems, they don't have a really good marriage anymore, because Randy listens and performs tween pop, that Sharon hates.

This episode is one of my favorites of South Park, right up there with Le Petit Tourette, although I have only seen the two first seasons and some episodes here and there. The episode perfectly tugs in your heart string and makes you laugh. I at least noticed myself laughing at, when they went to the movies. The song Landslide also was perfect to the episode's depressed, sad and sour taste. I almost cried.

One joke - 21 times over

[orbital-13344 · 2/10 · 1 September 2018]

Other than the serious ending which gets a point, one joke shouldn't warrant a 9 or 10.

Yes, people change as they get older - lots to mine for the creative SP team but they decide to use the same gag and ratchet up the disgust factor. Not SP worthy.

This is the end

[shawshankresus · 3/10 · 9 June 2011]

I have to admit this episode scared me, Matt and Trey have for years discussed a "season with out comedy" on south park and this appears to be the season because I've yet to laugh hysterically at an episode yet. This episode outlines some disturbing thoughts about the shows future which many have suggested this could be the last season of South Park...which would be a loss on man kind.

Specifically disturbing was the split of the Marsh Family and the fight that specifically ended there relationship. There were numerous references to the "crap" that was previous episodes and it can be easily taken as a message to the fans by Matt and Trey that they've become bored after 15 years with South Park.

Also notable disturbing, not only from this episode but from ones preceding this episode is the break of the long standing warfare between Eric Cartman and Kyle which has been a staple of the shows humor for most of the 15 years.

Frankly this episode has set up 2 possibilities.

A- That was it, there is no more South Park and Matt and Trey basically just gave there viewership a gigantic middle finger and said we're bored screw it or B- Matt and Trey are setting up for an Epic finale to there long running show that will culminate in the fall of this year

Not a good one at all..and gives the signals of "the end"

[Neliichi · 2/10 · 13 June 2011]

Well to be honest i really didn't find this episode funny..I was eating some fruits when started watching this episode and i threw up(i mean COME ON poops and farts for 21 min 30 secs).. There were no funny materials involved anyways...( i was able to watch it 2 days after the stomach thingy about the episode).. And it seemed like at the end they gave the signal that they are going to stop the show since Stan's family is moving and her mom said "every week same things in different perspectives, i had enough& i am not happy either..etc.." At first i thought this is the final episode when i heard that dialogue between Stan's parents but even if it's not the final episode still this episode gives the idea that this is the last season and they are bored making SP (cause in this new season they lack the comedy and originality of jokes(they are using same old punchlines in different situations but it seems clear they have given up on SP and don't give a crap anymore, like they just don't care and want to get over it)..

Could it be over????????????

[micahfriend · 1/10 · 8 June 2011]

Is South Park ending for good? The end of this episode, after seeing how "cynical" the episode was throughout about how s***ty everything is, makes me wonder are they done?

"Support what, another stupid dream? Because I'm unhappy OK, I've been unhappy a long time?" "I'm unhappy too. We both are obviously, how much longer can we keep doing this? It's like the same s*** just happens over and over, and then in a week it just all resets until it happens again. Every week it's kinda the same story in a different way but it just keeps getting more and more ridiculous." "I don't know if I've changed or you have. I just feel like I might not have a whole lot of time left and, want to enjoy it." "I want to enjoy it too, but I can't fake it anymore. You just seem kinda s***ty to me." "You kinda seem s***ty to me too" "People get older Randy. People grow apart." Enter "landslide" song....

Is this it? Is this the end of South Park? The ending of City Sushi was awkward to say the least and now this ending? Is it over... could it be?????

p.s. - I've loved South Park, but this episode was horrible and felt ominous...