Tonsil Trouble
Encyclopedia
"Tonsil Trouble" is the first episode of the twelfth season
of the animated television series South Park
, and the 168th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on Comedy Central
in the United States
on March 12, 2008. In the episode, Cartman contracts HIV
during a blood-transfusion, and intentionally infects Kyle as well when Kyle laughs at Cartman's misfortune.
The episode was written and directed by series co-founder Trey Parker, and was rated TV-MA in the United States.
, Cartman
is accidentally infected with HIV
from donor blood. From this point on throughout the episode, Cartman dresses as Andrew Beckett, played by Tom Hanks
in the movie Philadelphia
. Shocked, he attempts to gain the support and pity of those around him but is unsuccessful because the AIDS
awareness
fad has been replaced by concern about cancer
.
Kyle had to leave the room to burst out laughing when he was one of those who found out Cartman's news because of all the years that he had suggested giving Kyle AIDS, and because he constantly harasses him about his Jewish background. A special event is held for Cartman in which Elton John
is expected to turn up and sing a song to him, however, it is an extremely poor turnout and not even Elton John arrives. Instead Jimmy Buffett
sings to Cartman, who is furious.
When Cartman arrived the next day to ask why Stan, Kyle and Kenny didn't turn up, Stan says they forgot and asks if Elton John sang for Cartman. But he says Jimmy Buffett came, resulting in Kyle going into hysterics again so much so he had to leave them and ran home. Stan explains to Cartman that Kyle does feel bad for Cartman really, he just thinks it's ironic and he deserves to be punished because he's always so horrible. Cartman plots revenge by drawing some of his own blood and putting it in Kyle's mouth as he sleeps, with help of Butters
, and Cartman confesses he has sneaked into Kyle's room dozens of times. When Kyle is diagnosed with HIV, he knows at once who is at fault, despite numerous suggestions that he contracted it through unprotected anal sex and blood transfusion. Kyle confronts Cartman in the playground and beats him up until Mr. Mackey stops him. The school authorities ask that Cartman apologize to Kyle for giving him HIV, and also that Kyle apologize for tattling about it.
Angered by this injustice, Kyle ignores Cartman's apology and goes straight to Cartman's house, telling Cartman that he intends to demolish everything he owns and his room. When Kyle picks up Cartman's Xbox 360
(which would cause an electrical fire once it is destroyed), Cartman pleads with him, telling him that he has done research which leads him to believe that a cure for AIDS lies in Magic Johnson
's longevity since becoming infected with HIV. Kyle and Cartman fly to Johnson's house after gaining free airline tickets by pretending to have "all-over" cancer, because AIDS is too "retro" a disease. During their trip together, Kyle becomes angered by Cartman's constant repetition of the phrase "I'm not just sure, I'm HIV positive", ultimately screaming at him about how neither AIDS nor dying is funny. Johnson is sympathetic toward the boys, offering assistance, but is unsure what he has in his house that helps. Upon investigation, Kyle and Cartman find that Johnson sleeps regularly with huge piles of cash in his bedroom, because he does not trust banks, which eventually prove to have the ability to neutralize HIV. Laboratory scientists experiment with a concentrated dose of "about $180,000 shot directly into the bloodstream" on the boys, which forces the HIV to disintegrate. Word is spread about the cure for AIDS and an event is held at which Jimmy Buffett
once again sings "CUREburger in Paradise"
. Volunteers spread the word to poverty-stricken Africa that the fight against AIDS is over because all those suffering from the AIDS epidemic have to do now is inject themselves with piles of cash. Kyle, after an unfortunate mix-up during the celebration in which the speaker addresses him and Cartman as "Two brave lovers", tells Cartman he is still going to break his Xbox
anyway, prompting Cartman to run after him.
gave the episode a score of 7.2 out of 10 stating "It's a bit like 'South Park by the numbers,' as opposed to being truly inspired and insightful as the show's best episodes tend to be." TV Squad also gave a mixed review, saying that "Overall, a good show with some great one-liners. Sadly, it also had a weak ending." Tvoholic.com gave the episode a very positive review, praising the episode's message about AIDS
.
South Park (season 12)
Season twelve of South Park, an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on March 12, 2008. The twelfth season concluded after 14 episodes on November 19, 2008...
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 168th episode of the series overall. It originally 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on March 12, 2008. In the episode, Cartman contracts HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
during a blood-transfusion, and intentionally infects Kyle as well when Kyle laughs at Cartman's misfortune.
The episode was written and directed by series co-founder Trey Parker, and was rated TV-MA in the United States.
Plot
While having his tonsils removedTonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy is a 3,000-year-old surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed from either side of the throat. The procedure is performed in response to cases of repeated occurrence of acute tonsillitis or adenoiditis, obstructive sleep apnea, nasal airway obstruction, snoring, or...
, 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...
is accidentally infected with HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
from donor blood. From this point on throughout the episode, Cartman dresses as Andrew Beckett, played by Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
in the movie Philadelphia
Philadelphia (film)
Philadelphia is a 1993 American drama film that was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, homosexuality and homophobia. It was written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Jonathan Demme. The film stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington...
. Shocked, he attempts to gain the support and pity of those around him but is unsuccessful because the AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
awareness
Awareness
Awareness is the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects or sensory patterns. In this level of consciousness, sense data can be confirmed by an observer without necessarily implying understanding. More broadly, it is the state or quality of being aware of...
fad has been replaced by concern about cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Kyle had to leave the room to burst out laughing when he was one of those who found out Cartman's news because of all the years that he had suggested giving Kyle AIDS, and because he constantly harasses him about his Jewish background. A special event is held for Cartman in which Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
is expected to turn up and sing a song to him, however, it is an extremely poor turnout and not even Elton John arrives. Instead Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
sings to Cartman, who is furious.
When Cartman arrived the next day to ask why Stan, Kyle and Kenny didn't turn up, Stan says they forgot and asks if Elton John sang for Cartman. But he says Jimmy Buffett came, resulting in Kyle going into hysterics again so much so he had to leave them and ran home. Stan explains to Cartman that Kyle does feel bad for Cartman really, he just thinks it's ironic and he deserves to be punished because he's always so horrible. Cartman plots revenge by drawing some of his own blood and putting it in Kyle's mouth as he sleeps, with help of 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...
, and Cartman confesses he has sneaked into Kyle's room dozens of times. When Kyle is diagnosed with HIV, he knows at once who is at fault, despite numerous suggestions that he contracted it through unprotected anal sex and blood transfusion. Kyle confronts Cartman in the playground and beats him up until Mr. Mackey stops him. The school authorities ask that Cartman apologize to Kyle for giving him HIV, and also that Kyle apologize for tattling about it.
Angered by this injustice, Kyle ignores Cartman's apology and goes straight to Cartman's house, telling Cartman that he intends to demolish everything he owns and his room. When Kyle picks up Cartman's Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
(which would cause an electrical fire once it is destroyed), Cartman pleads with him, telling him that he has done research which leads him to believe that a cure for AIDS lies in Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
's longevity since becoming infected with HIV. Kyle and Cartman fly to Johnson's house after gaining free airline tickets by pretending to have "all-over" cancer, because AIDS is too "retro" a disease. During their trip together, Kyle becomes angered by Cartman's constant repetition of the phrase "I'm not just sure, I'm HIV positive", ultimately screaming at him about how neither AIDS nor dying is funny. Johnson is sympathetic toward the boys, offering assistance, but is unsure what he has in his house that helps. Upon investigation, Kyle and Cartman find that Johnson sleeps regularly with huge piles of cash in his bedroom, because he does not trust banks, which eventually prove to have the ability to neutralize HIV. Laboratory scientists experiment with a concentrated dose of "about $180,000 shot directly into the bloodstream" on the boys, which forces the HIV to disintegrate. Word is spread about the cure for AIDS and an event is held at which Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
once again sings "CUREburger in Paradise"
Cheeseburger In Paradise
"Cheeseburger in Paradise" is a song written and performed by American popular music singer Jimmy Buffett. It appeared on his 1978 album Son of a Son of a Sailor and was released as a single, reaching #32 on the Billboard Hot 100...
. Volunteers spread the word to poverty-stricken Africa that the fight against AIDS is over because all those suffering from the AIDS epidemic have to do now is inject themselves with piles of cash. Kyle, after an unfortunate mix-up during the celebration in which the speaker addresses him and Cartman as "Two brave lovers", tells Cartman he is still going to break his Xbox
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
anyway, prompting Cartman to run after him.
Reception
The episode received generally mixed reviews with the consensus being that the episode "runs out of steam". IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the episode a score of 7.2 out of 10 stating "It's a bit like 'South Park by the numbers,' as opposed to being truly inspired and insightful as the show's best episodes tend to be." TV Squad also gave a mixed review, saying that "Overall, a good show with some great one-liners. Sadly, it also had a weak ending." Tvoholic.com gave the episode a very positive review, praising the episode's message about AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
External links
- "Tonsil Trouble" Full episode at South Park Studios
- "Tonsil Trouble" Episode guide at South Park Studios