Because it's never been taken off the air, South Park technically can't be considered a nostalgic show. Yet, at the same time, since it's entering its 25th season this year, the material from the beginning of its run is old enough to definitely be considered nostalgic. Case and point: fans are now getting orchestral arrangements from the show's theatrical movie, which came out back in the 20th century.
For those who may be unfamiliar (because it was that long ago), South Park had a theatrically-released movie called South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut back in 1999. The film not only covered the current events from the time period it came out, but it was also a musical. Knowing both Matt Stone's and Trey Parker's history with musicals - The Book of Mormon musical for reference - the songs from this movie were as memorable as any other musical. The only difference is, of course, that the songs themselves are consistent with South Park's vulgar tone.
Since South Park has been around for two and a half decades, it shouldn't surprise anyone that original music from when the legendary show first started would make its way into orchestras eventually. Just recently, the show's YouTube channel released an orchestral rendition of one of the more memorable songs from South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut, called, "Kyle's Mom's a B****" with opera singers as accompaniment. Given how old this song is, this is far from the first time anyone's covered it specifically. This is just the first time the creators of South Park themselves have crafted a cover for their own material.
Even better, the video shows the characters themselves reacting to it, adding to the humorous spirit of the cover itself. This is definitely among the most clever ways the creators could have celebrated the quarter-century that the show has been on television. Whether you like it or not, it's better than them acknowledging the achievement and nothing else.
It's mystifying that South Park has been on the air for as long as it's been. Plus, unlike the other adult-themed cartoons that started around the same time, (The Simpsons and Family Guy), the show hasn't shown its age that much, if at all, since starting in the '90s. That might be its most impressive accomplishment. Then again, since the show has little to no limits at all regarding how far it can go with its material, it shouldn't be a shock that its comedy is still cracking up its audience just as much now in 2022 as it was back in 1997.
Alas, all good things must come to an end at some point. South Park's run on television has set the golden standard for how to stay consistently excellent for as long as it has, but who knows how much longer it can keep this up. Not that anyone is rushing them to. Unlike 99.99 percent of the shows that have ever aired, Stone's and Parker's influence is so strong thanks to the show's success that those two can stop it literally whenever they want. Until they do, let's just enjoy all the comedy genius that South Park has left to offer.
South Park season 25 is scheduled to air on February 2nd, 2022.
Source: South Park Studios/YouTube