South Park: Waiting for Wii is like "waiting for Christmas times a thousand"

by Christopher Grant { Nov 1st 2006 at 11:50PM }

TiVo tells me that "Cartman attempts to manipulate his personal time-line to align with the precise release date of the newest, hottest game." What "game" would that be? Hint: it's the one with motion controlled controllers. Nope, the other one. Yeah, the Wii.

The clever chaps behind South Park have once again shown that their ears are attuned to the off-rhythm beat of gaming (and internet) culture: Pokemon, PSP, Xbox 360, World of Warcraft, and now Wii-steria. Tonight's episode featured series favorite Eric Cartman pining for Nintendo's Wii which -- just like in our slightly better animated real world -- won't be available for another three weeks. So, what's a sleepless fanboy to do? Cryogenically freeze oneself of course! Unfortunately, Cartman finds himself five-hundred years in the future, in a world where atheists are at war with each other and video games don't exist anymore. This to-be-continued episode left out the remainder of Cartman's quest, so if anyone is planning on following this course of action, you may want to wait until next week to figure out how to get back to our time.

We've provided a brief transcription from the beginning of the episode after the break.

[Thanks for the image ElChibo!]

Eric: C'mon. C'mon! For the love of God, how much longer?!

Mrs. Cartman: There you are Eric, what are you doing here?

Eric: I'm waiting for the new Nintendo Wii to come out.

Mrs. Cartman: When does it come out?

Eric: Three weeks ... c'mon. C'mon!

Mrs. Cartman: It's time for school.

Eric: No mom! You don't understand. I've been waiting for this thing to come out for months, and now every day time is slowing down. It's like ... waiting for Christmas ... times a thousand.

Mrs. Cartman: Eric, you're just going to have to be patient.

Eric: No! Nooooo!

Tags: South Park, SouthPark

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

ElChibo @ Nov 1st 2006 11:58PM

I have a nice snapshot of the episode with the fake "EV" Games store with all the Wii posters as Cartman was waiting there here:
http://followingrevolution.com/index.htm?subaction=showfull&id=1162440406&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

vio @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:04AM

Yep, it's looking more and more like the Wii is going to be the mainstream console of choice. I think Sony's days in the throne are coming to an end real soon here.

ElChibo @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:05AM

Yea, every time I think PS3 pulls up a little bit, something like this comes along and reminds us all that the Wii will completely own this entire generation.

Raynre @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:10AM

It... It's so truuuuue...

Ritz @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:17AM

Hahaha, sweet.

RUSKULL @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:28AM

Trey and Matt are totally hardcore gamers. it couldn't be any more obvious at this point. Rock on!

Avinash_Tyagi @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:31AM

MMMMMMMMM...free publicity :D

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:31AM

It's spelled Atheist...

Tom @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:33AM

Since the episode ended with a to be continued- they could end it next week with cartman wanting to play wii so bad, that by the end of the episode he plays it...and thinks it sucks. That would be a funny, typical ironic southpark ending (especially since it's cartman).

Grant @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:34AM

I just watched the rerun of this episode and I saw commercials for the PS3, the PSP, Xbox 360 and the PS2. But no Nintendo commercials. I love Nintendo but they really need to learn to advertise better/more.

Yell-Tex @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:40AM

To the Nintendo fanboys (post #2 and #3) with no surprise pop up in this post considering the topic, remember the PSP and Terri Schiavo episode that won an Emmy and keeps on replaying on Comedy Central? That publicity must have helped the PSP's portable gaming dominance in the market.

Cole @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:42AM

Having Eric Cartman cryogenically freeze himself in order to get his hands on a Wii asap is a 100% better advertisment then a thirty second commercial of a freaky robot baby crying or some FPS game with really cheezy music playing in the background. Nintendo FTW.

Grant @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:51AM

Well, unless he gets the Wii in the next episode and decides it sucks...

And yeah, that PS3 commercial was way retarded.

Huzzah!! @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:01AM

I am sooooooooo glad I DVD-R'd this! :)

mmxzero @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:58AM

i bet cartman gets boned when he somehow goes back in time. The Wii is sold out and can't play it. they wont say it sucks.

Quaddw @ Nov 2nd 2006 12:58AM

This line caught me :P
Pacing infront of the Wii will not make it come any faster

BPM? @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:04AM

"I love Nintendo but they really need to learn to advertise better/more."

What are you talking about? Two episodes of South Park about Wii! I'd say that's pretty good advertising. :P

Hmm...

-Dreamcast was previously the center of attention of an episode (the tooth fairy episode)
-GameCube (rather, a parody of it; "Okama GameSphere") was, as well (the first Towelie episode)
-PSP was as well (Heaven vs. Hell/Kenny the tomato)
-360 was on an episode, too (the dog whisperer)

All of those systems are considered the "losers" of their respective generations (360, not so much, but it does seem to be doing poorer than hoped).

Maybe there's a "South Park effect" on gaming consoles, just like there's the "Madden effect" on NFL players. ;)

(NOTE: I am a Nintendo fan. By no means do I suggest Wii will fail. I'm just bringing up interesting anecdotal info... It could just be coincidence)

BPM? @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:05AM

Oh, can anyone tell what the name of the game store was? I can hardly read the small part after "EV Games"... It says "Electronic V"... what?

MrsEsterhouse @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:25AM

I really felt for Cartman in this one. As whiny as he is a lot of our inner fat kids are rocking back and forth in the corner. Under the stairs in the fetal position. At least we dont have to wait quite 3 weeks.

I think Ms. Garrison should get honorable mention for well...wow he/she stole the show. That was ah...yeah wow. Funny like car wreck funny, "Oh damn thats hard to look at but you know what LOL...that car hit the other."

Nmaster @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:38AM

And...go...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6691190645799831779

reguy @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:43AM

haha i love it.

the southpark guys are making fun of the wii fans but what do we get here?

oh look wii is getting free publicity, wii will pwn!!!!! (nintendo wii primitive gaming device)

and you guys can stop with all the ps3 hate, you know you want one, hell i want one, i just cant afford it. but good thing i have my 360 and gears soon

also that sex scene with ms garrison was just disgusting.

Grant @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:12AM

"i just cant afford it."

That's the point duder.

Judd @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:14AM

MrsEsterhouse- I've heard of people saying it's hard to avoid looking at a car crash, and some people watching NASCAR get excited with a crash(which is different because they are famous for the reason of
racing dangerously). But I don't know how something that kills over a million people a year is funny. Maybe I don't have that great of a sense of humor.

Back to the topic at hand. While there have been episodes dealing with systems that just came out, this might be the first one about the wait leading up to a system launch. In fact I think this is the first time I've ever heard of any TV show about the anticipation involved in a launch. I think many gamers(especially the "hardcore")get caught up in the hype. I will admit to it myself. In fact I spend more time reading video game news on sites like Joystiq, then I actually spend playing video games. In fact I will read previews about games but by the time the game comes out I don't care that much about it.

I know this isn't just me because most video
game magazines, like Game Informer, spend a lot more page space about game previews and have had issues with less than 10 pages of reviews. Stores are having more people buying games and systems by pre-ordering than they actually do on launch day.

Today I've been pretty busy with classes so I haven't had that much time too think, but yesterday I thought about the games and systems coming this holiday season and I actually felt physically uncomfortable. Sure
there is hype for movies, but with a few exceptions(Star Wars), it doesn't start until a couple of month before. How many years have people been waiting for the next Zelda? I mean I could buy a Wii on launch day and have no problem waiting till the next weekend to play. It's not even about playing it anymore. I just need to know that the
product is out and I have it.

Is this just me? Or is this hype that has reached such great heights, made other people uncomfortable? If so, why do we get caught up in it?

Oh yea, and reguy, the joke was that in 500 years an innovative system is considered primitive. I guess I do have a strange sense of humor.

audio_out @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:34AM

I doubt that Trey and Matt will end the next episode with Cartman proclaiming the Wii sucks simply because I doubt they would do that without having played one themselves.

What a novel idea huh?

Besides, the episode isn't as much about the Wii as it is the hype surrounding it. I say they'll probably end it with Cartman indifferent about now owning a Wii and is instead obsessing over the hype on Halo 3.

Psaakyrn @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:55AM

Seeing that the PS3 is also launching around that time, couldn't they insert a PS3 reference instead of focusing on the Wii next episode? (though, it might be hard if the PS3 has an almost infinitely higher chance of selling out than the Wii, based on supply, unless..)

Count Zero @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:26AM

@ Cole

You mean Mad World by Gary Jules? That song is amazing.

It doesn't exactly fit the commercial, sure shocked me when i heard it but that song is amazing. It's such a beautiful song.

But yeah, it is better advertising then that stupid baby commercial.

WavetraX @ Nov 2nd 2006 6:34AM

He should get the Wii, play with it for 5 minutes, get sweaty and winded and collapse from fatigue. Then Jack Thompson attacks the Wii as being dangerous for children...

phranctoast @ Nov 2nd 2006 6:30AM

we'll find out from the future people that the ps3 wins the console war. perfect south park ending.

NoHitHair @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:52PM

Did you mean "atheist"?

John Lucas @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:55AM

Grant from Msg #10 says:
[[10. I just watched the rerun of this episode and I saw commercials for the PS3, the PSP, Xbox 360 and the PS2. But no Nintendo commercials. I love Nintendo but they really need to learn to advertise better/more.]]

Quite the contrary, Grant.
I don't think Wii NEEDS an overabundance of hype from commercials.
I think just showcasing what it is & letting the product speak for itself is all the hype it needs.
Nintendo is using mystery & intrigue to make this product appealing & it's working.

The name "Wii" makes you wonder what it's all about.
It was always a genius move even if we didn't understand it.

The Japanese Wii commercials from the Wii.com site are what I'd like to see done over here.
Simple almost to the point of blankness & short to the point of almost non-information.

"What do you suppose this is?
It's a remote controller.
Nintendo remote controller."

I love the way that commercial was done. And I think that understated "official commercial" approach will work for Wii.

The name "Revolution" sounds so old hat now. Who would have thought I would actually feel natural saying "Wii" all the time?
Nevertheless the double entendres & lewd puns will NEVER end for that name. Part of its charm I suppose.

17 days & counting!
John Lucas

Mike @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:22AM

This was seriously the funniest South Park in quite a awhile. I can't believe they showed Mr/Mrs Garrison getting it on! How much do you want to bet that a few choice scenes are omitted when the show is repeated?

kelekod @ Nov 2nd 2006 8:23AM

I can probably give you the ending. (from not even watching the episode, based on the summaries above)

In the future, the Wii won the console race, and Nintendo becomes all powerful/ruler of the universe. Cartman finds out that Nintendo is run by some alien race or perhaps the return of the crab people and has to go back in time to stop the Wii from launching/ or people from buying one.

Hope I didn't give it away, typical South Park.. perhaps this is why I've stopped watching it. The 9th season was God aweful (especially the family guy 2 parter). Seems like its getting old like the simpsons. Where they can toss in some random storyline, some major plot twist, some horrible jokes and call it an episode, at least the simpsons episodes are watchable still.

John Lucas @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:00AM

Gotta love the Wii puns by the way.

The "EV Games" guy: "Pacing back & forth in front of the store isn't gonna make the Wii come any faster"

~Those cheeky Nintendo monkeys~
The triple entendre! You can read into it so many ways & each way puts a smile on your face.

John Lucas

crono141 @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:06AM

Judd,

I kinda know what you mean, I spend the better half of my day working/reading joystiq. I've been psyched about wii for over a year now. I've almost put down games in general because once I saw the future, without even experiencing it, everything seemed old. It is the excitement of the thought of playing wii that keeps me from playing anything else.

I know I'm probably setting myself up for dissappointment, but I feel like a 5 year old kid who got his first Nintendo as a suprise birthday present. The thought of Wii and the experience it will bring makes me feel like a kid again.

And that is something no other PC, game, or console has been able to do for 10 years.

Martin @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:12AM

Funny thing is, since Sony had advertisements during the episode, and the ads pay for the show, Sony basically paid for Nintendo's free advertising.

Jake @ Nov 2nd 2006 1:59PM

@#32

Kelekoid,

I would have to disagree with you that South Park is getting old and stale. It may be the least old and stale show on television, to be honest. Would you rather watch a "sitcom about nothing #N" or what? I hope you were being sarcastic.

To not like it is an opinion that many people share. To call it "stale" is quite bizarre. What is it not as "fresh" as "Everybody Loves Raymond"? That is just one of the weirdest opinions from someone that doesn't seem like a retard I've heard in a while.

george @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:47AM

@#2 vio - yeah the wii is going to be the leader of the next gen. Sure, that'll happen....in bizarro world. If anyone actually believes the wii will be the best selling one than you need a reality check. I think the wii will do good as long as it gets good third party support, but it wont be the leader.

Joseph Villalobos @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:46AM

Christmas? What's that?! OMG, WII!! I cannot wait to play it and go Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

TeamAwesome @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:51AM

Am I the only one here who noticed that the main theme of the episode was about debunking the idea that religions don't start wars, and that even a world made up entirely of atheists will not have any type of everlasting peace.

For me this is SP at it's best. They take a serious issue, in this case science vs religion, and put a veil over it using some pop culture reference to make the debate more funny with less flaring of tempers.

Really, Cartman waiting for the Wii was just a clever way to bring him to the future, so we can see first hand that Richard Dawkins (the guys who nailed Mr. Garrison) is presumptious to assume that religion is what is causing all of our wars.

btw, I love Richard Dawkins. Ya'll should google some of his work.... he makes fundies cry in their holy water.

Todd @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:59AM

Buck Rogers nostalgia FTW. Seriously though, this was a hilarious SP episode.

george @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:12AM

Religion does cause alot of wars. Theres no denying that. Organized religion is messed up anyway, look at all the priests molesting young boys, its sick! Christians are hypocrits and turn around do exactly what they preach is wrong. Alot of christians are even saying gay marriage is fine and they accept it when in the bible it clearly says it is a sin and the church is against it.

About the wii, i think its an intesting system and i hope it does good enough to stay but looking at the launch titles of it and ps3 they are no better than what 360 offered and in fact by my tastes worse than the 360 launch. I thought the 306 launch was the best one so far and besides zelda there are no must have titles. for ps3 i am not even sure what is the must have title yet as most of their launch titles are coming out or are out for 360 already. But those of you seriously thinking the wii will win the console war are crazy. sorry, it will not happen.

dvddesign @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:15AM

#38,

I got that too, but then again, we saw so little of the future than the blatantly obvious notes of religion being dead in the future.

I suprised no one caught the multiple Battlestar Galactica references. When Garrison had Dawkins in bed, was a direct parody of the miniseries with Baltar and Six. It popped up again in the Buck Rodgers parody of the future. The two factions of fighting atheists believe in the same common ideals (science), yet they still fight. This is the same common theme in Battlestar Galactica too.

My favorite had to be Garrison racing the halls, proclaiming that (s)he had a date with a man.

Eww.

Scott @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:27AM

...actually, the 2nd part IMO will be somehow Garrison and Dawkins BREEDING somehow to make the next stage in evolution which was the odd atheist people in the future...

Episode was TOO odd, even for South Park....but the first 4 episodes from this 2nd half of Season 10 have been very funny so they can have an odd one I guess.

crono141 @ Nov 2nd 2006 10:37AM

"Religion does cause alot of wars. Theres no denying that. Organized religion is messed up anyway, look at all the priests molesting young boys, its sick! Christians are hypocrits and turn around do exactly what they preach is wrong."

Its called "being human" and "nobody is perfect". Thats actually the point of being Christian. We follow Christ, who knew we would never be perfect, no matter how hard we tried, so he made the ultimate sacrifice to pay for our imperfection.

And remember, WW2 was caused because Hitler bought into the idea of an evolutionary master race, which fueled the holocaust.

And Wii will be the fastest selling console ever, and will probably sell out or almost sell out between now and Christmas (4 million consoles in a month and a half). Once everyone has one and realizes how amazing it is, it will continue to sell (but not sell out) probably for the next year, as Nintendo has adopted the same software strategy as DS (release a system seller about 2 or 3 months after the last system seller, so systems keep getting sold almost continuously).

Sony has no hope.