Tsst

"Tsst" is the seventh episode in the tenth season of the American animated television series South Park. The 146th episode of the series overall, it originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on May 3, 2006. In the episode, Liane has problems controlling her son Cartman, and enlists several reality television shows to help with his problematic behavior.

"Tsst"
South Park episode
Episode no.Season 10
Episode 7
Directed byTrey Parker
Written byTrey Parker
Featured music"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
Original air dateMay 3, 2006

Plot

After Cartman gets into trouble at school (forcing another student into a Saw-esque situation for calling him "chubby"), Liane admits that she cannot control her son anymore. She turns to Nanny 911 (whom Cartman psychologically harasses about her decision to not have children) and Supernanny (who ends up in a mental hospital sobbing and eating her own excrement while shouting "It's from Hell!"), but their attempts to change Cartman's behavior are unsuccessful.

Desperate, Liane turns to Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. Millan does not treat Cartman as a human child, instead using dog-training techniques. Millan's methods are extremely effective, leading to intense frustration from Cartman. After a period of time, Cartman's behavior improves, although he himself feels as if he is not in control of his own actions. As Liane enjoys her more flexible lifestyle, Cartman plots to kill his mother, although he cannot go through with his plan.

With Cartman's behavior now in-check, Millan returns for a final visit. Liane thanks him and invites him on an outing, which he declines because he sees her as a client and not a friend. As her son was previously her friend, Liane asks Cartman to join her on the outing. After he refuses, Liane persuades Cartman to spend time with her, saying he can have anything he wishes, and Cartman returns to normal, an unsettling smile on his face.

Reception

IGN's Eric Goldman gave the episode a score of 8.0 out of 10, writing: "While not among the terrific episodes that began the season, this was a very fun installment of the show, and a nice spotlight on Cartman and what it might take to finally make him obey."[1] Jordan B. Peterson praised the episode, calling it a brilliant exposition of a Freudian Oedipal situation.[2] When asked if he was offended by his caricature on the episode, Cesar Millan stated that he thought it and the entire episode was "fantastic".[3]

In 2007, Jo Frost attempted to sue the creators of the show for defamation of character, and use of likeness without permission. The case did not even make it to court.

Cultural references

There are numerous references to popular American reality television programs. Of the most prominent, shows such as Nanny 911 and Supernanny which are both British programs in origin are parodied extensively. Both TV show hosts Stella Reid and Jo Frost are portrayed having accentuated British accents and stereotypically bad teeth. Unlike the "real" television shows, neither Stella's or Jo's methods of disciplining unruly children work - ultimately forcing an insulted Stella to refuse to work with Cartman, and Jo Frost being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, eating her own excrement and repeating the phrase "It's from Hell!" The Dog Whisperer is also featured in the episode, along with show host Cesar Millan. A Skeksis from The Dark Crystal can be seen as one of the nannies. The visual effect of Cartman's angel and devil subconsciousnesses during the part where he almost attempts to kill his mother in her room was a similar reference to the 1997 science-fiction film Contact. The way Cartman changes as he makes his way down the hallway is a direct reference to the 1980 body horror film Altered States.

As the episode ends, the closing shot of Cartman staring towards the viewer is a reference to the closing shot of The Omen (1976).

Home release

"Tsst", along with the thirteen other episodes from South Park's tenth season, was released on a three-disc DVD set in the United States on August 21, 2007. The set includes brief audio commentaries by series co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for each episode.[4]

References
  1. Goldman, Eric (May 6, 2006). "South Park: Tsst! Review". IGN. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  2. Peterson, Jordan (January 30, 2017). "2017 Maps of Meaning 3: Marionettes and Individuals (Part 2)" YouTube Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  3. Witzeman, Jeff (March 27, 2010). "Cesar Millan: Changing The World One Dog Owner At A Time". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  4. Iverson, Dan (November 22, 2006). "South Park: The Complete Tenth Season DVD Review". IGN. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
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