A few weeks ago, I came down with a cold that kept in bed all day. Now, normally, I don't have the patience to watch MTV for any length of time due to the five-minute commercials. But, like I said, I was sick and too lazy to care about it on this day. After watching WWE Tough Enough (required viewing), a new animated series premiered. I had seen some previews for this show, 3 South, and the crude animation was enough to turn anyone off on it. (Then again, there are people who swear by the "new breed" of crap animation seen in all its glory on the Cartoon Network.) But the TV was on when the show came on so I watched. And I enjoyed it.
3 South follows the adventures of two delinquent freshmen at Barder College. In the first episode, Sanford and Del arrive at their dorm to find out they share it with a cranky pre-med student named Joe. They are too stupid to know that Joe despises them—they like him just fine—so the dialogue between the three makes for some pretty nifty comedy.
I'm glad I gave this show a chance. It's entertaining in that goofball sort of a way. It has some really funny bits—although the previews will ruin the best ones. In some instances, the terrible art style of the show even works to its benefit. Some of the jokes are made funnier by the expressionless characters.
Take the first episode, for example. Sanford's dad asks him what he wants to do with his life. "Duh, I'm gonna be a rapper. It's my only ticket out of the suburbs," Sanford replies before making some noises that sounds like he's constipated—he's supposed to be rapping—then yelling "biatch." It's freakin' classic, but I guess the explanation doesn't do it justice until you see it for yourself.
Barder is a college town that's ho-hum during the summer. But once the students start arriving, it's funny to see the local residents prepare. A librarian puts a "$79.95 student special!!!" ticket on a physics book that was originally labeled $19.95. And a guy who owns a local shop spins the sign to read "Bong Shop" as he dons a funky hat.
In a later episode, Dell meets some new friends seperate of Sanford. He goes to a feminist meeting with them and Sanford shows up there wearing a shirt that has "Fat Chicks" written on it and crossed out. Of course, everyone in attendance is appauled. So Sanford takes the shirt off, but he has an equally insulting one on underneath. When he takes that off, everyone is further disgusted at his man boobs. One girl in the crowd even quips that they're fake.
The only downside to the show is the Todd character (the guy with the 'fro in the above picture). Everything about him from his appearance to his high-pitched, cracking voice (kinda' like the acne-riddled lad in The Simpsons) is irritating. I thought he wouldn't play a major part in the series, but alas, by his face appearing on promotional pictures and an episode already dedicated to him, I'm afriad I'll have to bear it.
Todd or not, be sure to check out 3 South in the near future. We all know that except for Beavis and Butt-Head and maybe Daria, MTV's track record in regards to animated shows is terrible. In a few more weeks, 3 South will probably make like Undergrads (remember that?) and vanish off of the airwaves. But fear not. Comedy Central will eventually pick it up like it does all the failed series.
