South Park, Volume 3
Volume 3 ofSouth Parkon DVD contains four episodes from 1997. "Starvin' Marvin" (a Thanksgiving episode) features an attack on the townspeople by genetically altered turkeys while the boys adopt an Ethiopian boy accidentally sent to them via airmail. "Mecha Streisand" was a chance for the program's creators to unleash their hatred of Barbra Streisand. Paying tribute to the Japanese monster duel movies of the 1960s, the story hilariously portrays Streisand as a rich, egomaniacal celebrity hell-bent on finding the missing relic that will transform her into a giant metal Barbra--a monster that crushes South Park's buildings at one moment while pausing to sign an autograph for Kyle's mother the next. Viewers will find some great musical performances in the "Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo": Kyle's "I'm a Lonely Jew on Christmas" lament; Mr. Hankey's "Howdy-Ho"; Chef's original, yuletide song (as only Chef can do); Cartman's "Kyle's Mom Is a Bitch"; and the finale chorus of the "Mr. Hankey" theme. While the town works to put on a "nondenominational, non-offensive" school play, Kyle tries to convince family and friends that yes, indeed, the Christmas turd in a red Santa hat that sang and danced in his bathroom is real. If "Mr. Hankey" is theSouth Parkmusical, then "Tom's Rhinoplasty" is the vomiting special. Teacher Mr. Garrison takes a leave of absence to have plastic surgery while the good looks of his substitute, Ms. Ellen, send the boys reeling into lovey-dovey land. As they compete to woo Ms. Ellen during Valentine's Day season, Wendy Testaburger's jealousy festers and grows into an explosively funny climax (due in part to the twists on Ms. Ellen's character).--Karen Karleski