AWESOM-O
Encyclopedia
"AWESOM-O" is the 116th episode of the Comedy Central
animated cartoon
series South Park
. It was originally broadcast on April 14, 2004.
plays a prank on Butters
by disguising himself as a robot
named "The A.W.E.S.O.M.-O 4000" and by putting himself in a crate on Butters's doorstep. Cartman is planning to befriend the gullible Butters and discover his embarrassing secrets, so he can blackmail him or embarrass him in school. Though Butters acknowledges that his birthday is "not until September 11", he enthusiastically accepts this deception and reveals several personal secrets. However, Cartman's prank backfires when Butters reveals that he knows one of Cartman's secrets - he has a videotape of Cartman doing a Britney Spears
dance routine to a life-sized cutout of Justin Timberlake
while dressed as her, which he plans to show to his classmates the next time Cartman plays a prank on him, which Cartman is already doing.
Cartman, terrified about Butters' plan of revenge searches desperately for the tape but to no avail. Cartman soon is starving because Butters believes that, since he is a robot, he does not need to eat. Butters also forces the robot to do all his chores for him, including some of the more unpleasant tasks. With the agreement of Cartman's mom, Butters' parents (knowing who AWESOM-O really is but thinking it an elaborate game that Butters is in on) decide to let AWESOM-O come along with Butters on a trip to Los Angeles
to see his aunt. Cartman realizes that he will have to accompany Butters on the trip, in order to keep up his disguise. Upon arriving, he is so hungry and worn out after wearing the suit for a whole airplane ride that he makes up an excuse to use the bathroom and proceeds to eat toothpaste.
In Hollywood, movie producers hear about the "robot" and decide to hire him from Butters to create movie ideas. Cartman, as the robot, pitches over one thousand nonsensical ideas (800 of which star Adam Sandler
), whilst the movie producers are gullible enough to buy them as brilliant. To make matters worse for Cartman, the fortune that he makes from the movie ideas is donated to charity by Butters, who believes that AWESOM-O has no need for the money. Meanwhile, the U.S. military hears about AWESOM-O, and decides to capture it and make it into a weapon. AWESOM-O flees the movie studio in panic after a film producer tries to engage in sexual activity with him, thinking that he may be a "pleasure model." The military captures AWESOM-O by shocking him and conveying him to a secret base.
Cartman tries to explain that he is really just a kid, but the military believes he is a robot with artificial intelligence
enabling him to think like a human, even possessing the memories of an 8-year-old child. A scientist, moved by this, attempts to save Cartman, who is about to reveal that he is a human when Butters shows up to rescue him. He has to maintain his disguise, allowing the military to kill the rebellious scientist. Butters pleads with the military to spare AWESOM-O: the general is touched. Just as it appears he will get off undetected, Cartman fart
s, causing Butters to suspect and finally discover his true identity. Butters carries out his promise and shows the video to the whole town, as well as the movie producers and the military.
, and was rated TV-MA in the United States. It first aired on April 14, 2004, in the United States on Comedy Central
. Shortly after "AWESOM-O" was broadcast, T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts based on the episode were made available at South Park Studios, the official South Park website. They feature Cartman in the AWESOM-O costume and the words "I will be your best friend." "AWESOM-O" has the shortest production in South Parks history, being made in just three days.
humanoid robot.
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
animated cartoon
Animated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
series South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
. It was originally broadcast on April 14, 2004.
Plot
CartmanEric Cartman
Eric Theodore Cartman is a fictional character in the American animated television series South Park. One of four main characters, along with Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick, he is generally referred to within the series by his last name...
plays a prank on Butters
Butters Stotch
Leopold "Butters" Stotch is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by series co-creator Matt Stone and loosely based on co-producer Eric Stough. He is a fourth-grade student who commonly has extraordinary experiences not typical of conventional small-town...
by disguising himself as a robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
named "The A.W.E.S.O.M.-O 4000" and by putting himself in a crate on Butters's doorstep. Cartman is planning to befriend the gullible Butters and discover his embarrassing secrets, so he can blackmail him or embarrass him in school. Though Butters acknowledges that his birthday is "not until September 11", he enthusiastically accepts this deception and reveals several personal secrets. However, Cartman's prank backfires when Butters reveals that he knows one of Cartman's secrets - he has a videotape of Cartman doing a Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
dance routine to a life-sized cutout of Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
while dressed as her, which he plans to show to his classmates the next time Cartman plays a prank on him, which Cartman is already doing.
Cartman, terrified about Butters' plan of revenge searches desperately for the tape but to no avail. Cartman soon is starving because Butters believes that, since he is a robot, he does not need to eat. Butters also forces the robot to do all his chores for him, including some of the more unpleasant tasks. With the agreement of Cartman's mom, Butters' parents (knowing who AWESOM-O really is but thinking it an elaborate game that Butters is in on) decide to let AWESOM-O come along with Butters on a trip to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to see his aunt. Cartman realizes that he will have to accompany Butters on the trip, in order to keep up his disguise. Upon arriving, he is so hungry and worn out after wearing the suit for a whole airplane ride that he makes up an excuse to use the bathroom and proceeds to eat toothpaste.
In Hollywood, movie producers hear about the "robot" and decide to hire him from Butters to create movie ideas. Cartman, as the robot, pitches over one thousand nonsensical ideas (800 of which star Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
), whilst the movie producers are gullible enough to buy them as brilliant. To make matters worse for Cartman, the fortune that he makes from the movie ideas is donated to charity by Butters, who believes that AWESOM-O has no need for the money. Meanwhile, the U.S. military hears about AWESOM-O, and decides to capture it and make it into a weapon. AWESOM-O flees the movie studio in panic after a film producer tries to engage in sexual activity with him, thinking that he may be a "pleasure model." The military captures AWESOM-O by shocking him and conveying him to a secret base.
Cartman tries to explain that he is really just a kid, but the military believes he is a robot with artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
enabling him to think like a human, even possessing the memories of an 8-year-old child. A scientist, moved by this, attempts to save Cartman, who is about to reveal that he is a human when Butters shows up to rescue him. He has to maintain his disguise, allowing the military to kill the rebellious scientist. Butters pleads with the military to spare AWESOM-O: the general is touched. Just as it appears he will get off undetected, Cartman fart
Fart
Fart is an English language vulgarism most commonly used in reference to flatulence. The word "fart" is generally considered unsuitable in a formal environment by modern English speakers, and it may be considered vulgar or offensive in some situations. Fart can be used as a noun or a verb...
s, causing Butters to suspect and finally discover his true identity. Butters carries out his promise and shows the video to the whole town, as well as the movie producers and the military.
Production
"AWESOM-O" was written and directed by series co-founder Trey ParkerTrey Parker
Trey Parker is an American animator, screenwriter, director, producer, voice artist, musician and actor, best known for being the co-creator of the television series South Park along with his creative partner and best friend Matt Stone.Parker started his film career in 1992, making a holiday short...
, and was rated TV-MA in the United States. It first aired on April 14, 2004, in the United States on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
. Shortly after "AWESOM-O" was broadcast, T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts based on the episode were made available at South Park Studios, the official South Park website. They feature Cartman in the AWESOM-O costume and the words "I will be your best friend." "AWESOM-O" has the shortest production in South Parks history, being made in just three days.
Cultural references
The name of Cartman's robotic alter ego is derived from Honda's ASIMOASIMO
is a humanoid robot created by Honda. Introduced in 2000, ASIMO, which is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility", was created to be a helper to people. With aspirations of helping people who lack full mobility, ASIMO is used to encourage young people to study science and mathematics...
humanoid robot.