City on the Edge of Forever
Encyclopedia
"City on the Edge of Forever" (also known as "Flashbacks") is the seventh episode of the second season
of the animated television series South Park
, and the 20th episode of the series overall. "City on the Edge of Forever" originally aired in the United States
on June 17, 1998 on Comedy Central
.
Scenes are shown in the boys' memories from episodes such as "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe
", "Weight Gain 4000
", "Volcano
", "Death", as well as moments from the episode itself. However, each of these memories is different from what had actually happened. For example, Stan
is shown twice kissing Wendy rather than vomiting in panic when she talks to him, Kenny kills Death instead of the reverse, Scuzzlebutt's leg is played by Brent Musburger
instead of Patrick Duffy
, and Mr. Garrison shoots Kathie Lee Gifford
because she is some kind of alien
. In addition, at the end of all of them, the people in the memory eat ice cream
or some variation involving ice cream. After the memory ends, whoever was recalling it says "Now that's what I call a sticky situation!" and everybody laughs, until the kids point out the actual conclusion that happened. Some of the memories are not from South Park at all; Fonzie
's leap over a series of buses parodies the Happy Days
episode "Fearless Fonzarelli." Later, when one kid in a red Starfleet uniform
tries to leave the bus, a gigantic black monster really does jump out. After eating him, the monster lays siege to the bus, carrying off Kenny (who presumably dies).
Mrs. Crabtree, on her journey, meets a roofie-peddling Elvis impersonator
named Marcus (or Mitch; it keeps changing). When trying to get help, he takes her to a club where Carrot Top
is performing and Mrs. Crabtree insults him, appealing the audience. Marcus/Mitch then takes her to an agent; he finds her funny and she becomes a comedian
. She even appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. By now, she has forgotten about rescuing the stranded children. However, she then quits, but the two remain close. Back in South Park, Mr. Mackey convinces the parents that their children have run away, and they go on TV
trying to get their kids to return. The kids see their parents via portable TV set in the bus and are embarrassed.
In the final flashback, Cartman
recalls identifying his father
, but he remembers it incorrectly with his father being John Elway
(it is revealed twelve seasons later that Cartman's father indeed was a Denver Bronco, but not John Elway). When corrected by Kyle
("I thought your father was your mother 'cause she had a penis
"), Cartman is angered, and moves to the back of the bus to attack Kyle. This causes the bus to go over the cliff, breaking it in half and causing Craig to fall out into the trench. Then the bus falls into the trench, landing in a gigantic tub of ice cream. Cartman suddenly realizes how little sense everything makes and wakes up in his own bed. His mother comes in with breakfast, and Cartman explains his dream to her. She then offers him some beetles for breakfast, and they eat; she then says that beetles taste even better with ice cream. Just then, Stan wakes up in his bed, and calls Kyle to talk about the strange dream he had. Kyle claims Stan's dream is "fucked up" and offers him to go hang out with Kenny and Cartman to which Stan accepts.
Mrs. Crabtree and Marcus/Mitch are shown sitting on a log near Stark's Pond. Mrs. Crabtree says she enjoyed her time with him, but he claims that everything is a whole dream by "an 8 year old kid." However, Mrs. Crabtree still wants enjoy it a little longer.
South Park (season 2)
Season two of South Park, an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on April 1, 1998. The second season concluded after 18 episodes on January 20, 1999...
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 20th episode of the series overall. "City on the Edge of Forever" originally aired in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on June 17, 1998 on Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
.
Plot synopsis
The children are on the bus, following a diversion along a mountain pass. When the bus nearly goes over a cliff, Ms. Crabtree gets out to go for help, telling the kids not to leave the bus, because "a big scary monster" will eat them. The kids remain there and remember past experiences.Scenes are shown in the boys' memories from episodes such as "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe
Cartman Gets an Anal Probe
"Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" is the first episode of the animated television series South Park. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on August 13, 1997...
", "Weight Gain 4000
Weight Gain 4000
"Weight Gain 4000" is the second episode of the first season of the animated television series South Park. It first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on August 20, 1997. In the episode, the residents of South Park excitedly prepare for a visit by celebrity Kathie Lee Gifford, whom the...
", "Volcano
Volcano (South Park episode)
"Volcano" is the third episode of the animated television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on August 27, 1997. In the episode, the four main characters, Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny, go on a hunting trip with Stan's uncle Jimbo and his war buddy Ned...
", "Death", as well as moments from the episode itself. However, each of these memories is different from what had actually happened. For example, Stan
Stan Marsh
Stanley Randall "Stan" Marsh is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by and loosely based on series co-creator Trey Parker. Stan is one of the show's four central characters, along with his friends Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman...
is shown twice kissing Wendy rather than vomiting in panic when she talks to him, Kenny kills Death instead of the reverse, Scuzzlebutt's leg is played by Brent Musburger
Brent Musburger
Brent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
instead of Patrick Duffy
Patrick Duffy
Patrick George Duffy is an American character actor of stage and film. He is best known for his role on the CBS television drama Dallas, where he played Bobby Ewing from 1978 to 1985 and from 1986 to 1991, Duffy returns to reprise his role as Bobby in a new up-to-date Dallas currently scheduled to...
, and Mr. Garrison shoots Kathie Lee Gifford
Kathie Lee Gifford
Kathie Lee Gifford is an American television host, singer, songwriter and actress, best known for her 15-year run on the talk show Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, which she co-hosted with Regis Philbin...
because she is some kind of alien
Extraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
. In addition, at the end of all of them, the people in the memory eat ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
or some variation involving ice cream. After the memory ends, whoever was recalling it says "Now that's what I call a sticky situation!" and everybody laughs, until the kids point out the actual conclusion that happened. Some of the memories are not from South Park at all; Fonzie
Fonzie
Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli is a fictional character played by Henry Winkler in the American sitcom Happy Days . He was originally a secondary character, but eventually became the lead...
's leap over a series of buses parodies the Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
episode "Fearless Fonzarelli." Later, when one kid in a red Starfleet uniform
Redshirt (character)
A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek , from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.-Star Trek:...
tries to leave the bus, a gigantic black monster really does jump out. After eating him, the monster lays siege to the bus, carrying off Kenny (who presumably dies).
Mrs. Crabtree, on her journey, meets a roofie-peddling Elvis impersonator
Elvis impersonator
An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
named Marcus (or Mitch; it keeps changing). When trying to get help, he takes her to a club where Carrot Top
Carrot Top
Scott Thompson , better known by his stage name Carrot Top, is an American comedian known for his bright red hair, prop comedy, and self-deprecating humor.-Early years:...
is performing and Mrs. Crabtree insults him, appealing the audience. Marcus/Mitch then takes her to an agent; he finds her funny and she becomes a comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
. She even appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. By now, she has forgotten about rescuing the stranded children. However, she then quits, but the two remain close. Back in South Park, Mr. Mackey convinces the parents that their children have run away, and they go on TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
trying to get their kids to return. The kids see their parents via portable TV set in the bus and are embarrassed.
In the final flashback, 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...
recalls identifying his father
Cartman's Mom is Still a Dirty Slut
"Cartman's Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut" is the second episode of the second season of the animated series South Park, and the 15th episode of the series overall. It premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on April 22, 1998...
, but he remembers it incorrectly with his father being John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
(it is revealed twelve seasons later that Cartman's father indeed was a Denver Bronco, but not John Elway). When corrected by Kyle
Kyle Broflovski
Kyle Broflovski is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by co-creator Matt Stone. Kyle is one of the show's four central characters, along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman...
("I thought your father was your mother 'cause she had a penis
Intersex
Intersex, in humans and other animals, is the presence of intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male...
"), Cartman is angered, and moves to the back of the bus to attack Kyle. This causes the bus to go over the cliff, breaking it in half and causing Craig to fall out into the trench. Then the bus falls into the trench, landing in a gigantic tub of ice cream. Cartman suddenly realizes how little sense everything makes and wakes up in his own bed. His mother comes in with breakfast, and Cartman explains his dream to her. She then offers him some beetles for breakfast, and they eat; she then says that beetles taste even better with ice cream. Just then, Stan wakes up in his bed, and calls Kyle to talk about the strange dream he had. Kyle claims Stan's dream is "fucked up" and offers him to go hang out with Kenny and Cartman to which Stan accepts.
Mrs. Crabtree and Marcus/Mitch are shown sitting on a log near Stark's Pond. Mrs. Crabtree says she enjoyed her time with him, but he claims that everything is a whole dream by "an 8 year old kid." However, Mrs. Crabtree still wants enjoy it a little longer.
External links
- "City on the Edge of Forever" Full Episode at South Park Studios
- "City on the Edge of Forever" Episode Guide at South Park Studios