Reflection

The idea of satire, and using sarcasm to bring light to controversial issues has been around for centuries. Although, back in the day it was expressed differently through novels and stories, it is still used today. You can find satire all around you, whether it be on television, the radio, in magazines, or the Internet. Artists and revolutionists use satire to mock ridiculous issues, and use sarcasm to show the humor in it. Such ideas as government, Hollywood, and social issues are constantly being satirized. Of all ways to persuade and argue a point, satire is the most efficient and comprehendible method that nearly anyone can understand.

Satire from Weird Al himself

Weird Al Yankovich may just be the most satirical music writer out there today. He has dedicated his entire career to mocking and sarcastically deriding all controversial issues. In the above video Weird Al takes on the infamous Lady Gaga, and derides her for giving off mixed signals to her audience. In his parody he is satirizing Lady Gaga's song "Born this Way". Where Lady Gaga sings to be yourself, and to embrace the way God made you, and that its not bad to be different, as long as its your true self. On the other side, Weird Al Yankovich argues that she wasn't genuinely born an outlandish individual, with odd taste and an eye for abnormalities, but rather she solely that's just the way she preforms. These conflicting messages are ironic because she sings about being yourself but not doing what she preaches. Weird Al satirizes Lady Gaga's strange behaviors that she claims have been genetically determined.

Satire in "South Park"

A prime example of satirical use in South Park is the episode where they censored Muhammed after several complaints to Comedy Central, despite the fact that in a much older episode, “Super Best Friends,” Muhammad was fully depicted.The sarcastic censored out Muhammed, was to lash back at the over reacting people who genuinely were offended by the showing of this character. Matt Stone and Trey Parker thought it was ridiculous to censor new images of Muhammad when viewers had already been able to see Muhammad fully before those controversies erupted, and made a statement about how ridiculous and cowardly it was in those episodes, even suggesting that it infringes on First Amendment rights and borders on censorship. This is one of many sarcastic and satirical moves done by the producers of South Park

Satire in "Family Guy"

Family Guy is another television show that is constantly jabbing at social issues going on in modern society. It is a cartoon series that revolves around current issues, and ways to bring them to light through a more lighthearted and deriding kind of method. Peter Griffin is the father in the series and a main character in the show. As a father figure, one would believe he would be responsible, caring, and somewhat knowledgable, however; this father figure is everything besides that. He is uneducated, and gives horrid advice to his children. The way Peter is played out to be, mocks the absent figure in most American children. Peter makes a horrible father figure, which is to satirize the modern missing figure in a majority of children's lives. Another constant theme satirized in Family Guy is the government and politics. Seen as an important organization in America, Family Guy manages to mock the government, and play it down to be unimportant and dismissible. This satirization is a constant theme in several Family Guy episodes.

Satire in "The Simpsons"

 “The Simpsons” continually satirize religion throughout their many seasons and episodes. Homer always makes fun of his neighbor Ned, who always prays for things that they do.This is satirical because as Ned prays for the Simpson's family, they sit back and mock him for being religious and having faith. Homer also sleeps on Sunday mornings rather than attending church. Not only does he never go to church, but when he does, he falls asleep.Trying to hide his sin, he uses glasses that have fake eyes on it, so others will not see that his eyes are closed. The constant satirizing of religion in the TV series, mocks the way of most religions in America, showing that they look foolish and desperate to nonbelievers, or those who just dont practice religion so adequately.

Satire in The Hunger Games

 

The Hunger Games is satirizing  Hollywood, the media, and all of the other maddening entertainment flakiness that exists. It is all a show, where Katniss is made ready for the camera with makeup, clothes, and lessons on how to speak to her public through the interviews she will be encountering.This very idea satirizes society and how people are not born great, and bound to be famous but instead they are conformed into the cliche "superstar".  Her handlers could care less if she lives or dies in the actual games, just as long as Katniss is presented properly to the public. This idea also satirizes the lack of care society has for their people, and the truth that is displayed is that, people don't genuinely care about one another, but rather use each other  to benefit themselves.