Chickenlover
Encyclopedia
"Chickenlover" is the third episode of the second season
of the animated television series South Park
, and the 16th episode of the series overall. It aired on Comedy Central
in the United States on May 20, 1998.
Then, word eventually spreads that a pervert is molesting chickens in town. When Officer Barbrady starts the investigation, he is confronted with his illiteracy (proclaiming "I'm illegitimate"). He resigns in shame and anarchy immediately breaks out. Barbrady is put into the boys' class to learn to read. Meanwhile, the "Chickenlover" strikes again.
Officer Barbrady's book report on Go, Dog. Go!
gets him an A. He then starts to enjoy the school life a little too much. Mayor McDaniels forces him to learn reading more quickly to solve the case. He recruits the four boys as deputies to help him in his task, showing his knowledge of the Police Code. From then on, Cartman
patrols the town on his Big Wheel, enforcing his own brand of justice and dealing violently with those who fail to respect his "authoritah" (mainly by taking out a police baton and using it to attack peoples' shins). Examples include beating Stan's dad for obeying the speed limit (though Cartman thinks he is not), another man for soliciting a prostitute (Cartman in disguise as one as part of a undercover sting), and Mr. and Mrs. McCormick for domestic violence (with Mrs. McCormick as the aggressor). Meanwhile, Barbrady puts some clues together by reading some children's books. When he almost gives up, the boys keep up his spirits.
The molester is finally caught in the petting zoo wearing a mask of Richard Nixon
, and turns out to be the Book Mobile driver. He plotted this all along to encourage Barbrady to learn to read. He gives Barbrady a copy of Ayn Rand
's Atlas Shrugged
. Cartman then begins clubbing the man in the legs, to which Officer Barbrady steps in and takes his club, telling him that "this isn't the way to uphold the law" and that he has to hit him in the head to make him go down quicker, giving a demonstration that kills the man (moments later, his legs are seen on the side of the screen in a small pool of blood). Barbrady tells the children he will "get in the bathtub, and then curl up with a good book", after which a generic crime drama theme tune plays as Barbrady gives the children the thumbs up. He remains, seemingly unable to move, in this position as the children walk away. The town holds a parade for Barbrady, and when he is asked to give a speech, he tells how Atlas Shrugged
convinces him that reading "totally sucks ass." In the end, he swears never to read again. It is shown that Jesus
drives the pick-up Barbrady stands in.
At the end of the episode, the crime drama theme plays again, and still shots of the parade are shown, including Kenny's death, as he is crushed under a tree.
During the episode, the TV show COPS
films how Cartman and Barbrady are fighting crime.
; a "STOP" sign, for example, is distorted into Korean
characters from Barbrady's point of view. In the introduction for the South Park: Volume 8 home video, Trey Parker
and Matt Stone
explain that the title was originally going to be "Chickenfucker" but was changed as Comedy Central censors did not want any profane word that could not be said on television in any of its titles.
South Park (season 2)
Season two of South Park, an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on April 1, 1998. The second season concluded after 18 episodes on January 20, 1999...
of the animated television 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...
, and the 16th episode of the series overall. It aired on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
in the United States on May 20, 1998.
Plot
The episode starts with Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman visiting a book mobile bus. They start to get interested in reading, but after meeting the Book Mobile driver and realizing how weird and annoying he is, they give up on reading, except for Cartman who is intrigued by romance novels.Then, word eventually spreads that a pervert is molesting chickens in town. When Officer Barbrady starts the investigation, he is confronted with his illiteracy (proclaiming "I'm illegitimate"). He resigns in shame and anarchy immediately breaks out. Barbrady is put into the boys' class to learn to read. Meanwhile, the "Chickenlover" strikes again.
Officer Barbrady's book report on Go, Dog. Go!
Go, Dog. Go!
Go, Dog. Go! is a 1961 children's book written and illustrated by P. D. Eastman.The book describes the actions and interactions of a group of highly mobile dogs, who operate cars and other conveyances in pursuit of work, play, and a final mysterious goal: a dog party.The book introduces concepts...
gets him an A. He then starts to enjoy the school life a little too much. Mayor McDaniels forces him to learn reading more quickly to solve the case. He recruits the four boys as deputies to help him in his task, showing his knowledge of the Police Code. From then on, Cartman
Eric 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...
patrols the town on his Big Wheel, enforcing his own brand of justice and dealing violently with those who fail to respect his "authoritah" (mainly by taking out a police baton and using it to attack peoples' shins). Examples include beating Stan's dad for obeying the speed limit (though Cartman thinks he is not), another man for soliciting a prostitute (Cartman in disguise as one as part of a undercover sting), and Mr. and Mrs. McCormick for domestic violence (with Mrs. McCormick as the aggressor). Meanwhile, Barbrady puts some clues together by reading some children's books. When he almost gives up, the boys keep up his spirits.
The molester is finally caught in the petting zoo wearing a mask of Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, and turns out to be the Book Mobile driver. He plotted this all along to encourage Barbrady to learn to read. He gives Barbrady a copy of Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism....
's Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. Rand's fourth and last novel, it was also her longest, and the one she considered to be her magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing...
. Cartman then begins clubbing the man in the legs, to which Officer Barbrady steps in and takes his club, telling him that "this isn't the way to uphold the law" and that he has to hit him in the head to make him go down quicker, giving a demonstration that kills the man (moments later, his legs are seen on the side of the screen in a small pool of blood). Barbrady tells the children he will "get in the bathtub, and then curl up with a good book", after which a generic crime drama theme tune plays as Barbrady gives the children the thumbs up. He remains, seemingly unable to move, in this position as the children walk away. The town holds a parade for Barbrady, and when he is asked to give a speech, he tells how Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. Rand's fourth and last novel, it was also her longest, and the one she considered to be her magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing...
convinces him that reading "totally sucks ass." In the end, he swears never to read again. It is shown that Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
drives the pick-up Barbrady stands in.
At the end of the episode, the crime drama theme plays again, and still shots of the parade are shown, including Kenny's death, as he is crushed under a tree.
During the episode, the TV show COPS
COPS (TV series)
Cops is an American documentary/reality television series that follows police officers, constables, and sheriff's deputies during patrols and other police activities...
films how Cartman and Barbrady are fighting crime.
Production notes
Originally, Cartman was supposed to receive a gun (instead of a nightstick) and shoot at people (instead of beating them) during his stint as a deputy police officer, but Comedy Central's censors were reluctant in showing a child with a firearm (despite airing the episode "Volcano" with no qualms). The episode shows Barbrady's signs of illiteracy by having every sign he comes across written in characters belonging to languages which do not employ the Latin alphabetLatin alphabet
The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
; a "STOP" sign, for example, is distorted into Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
characters from Barbrady's point of view. In the introduction for the South Park: Volume 8 home video, Trey Parker
Trey 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 Matt Stone
Matt Stone
Matthew Richard "Matt" Stone is an American screenwriter, producer, voice artist, musician and actor, best known for being the co-creator of South Park along with creative partner and best friend, Trey Parker....
explain that the title was originally going to be "Chickenfucker" but was changed as Comedy Central censors did not want any profane word that could not be said on television in any of its titles.
External links
- "Chickenlover" Full Episode at South Park Studios
- "Chickenlover" Episode Guide at South Park Studios