Something You Can Do with Your Finger
Encyclopedia
"Something You Can Do with Your Finger" is the eight episode of the fourth season
of the animated television series South Park
, and the 56th episode of the series overall. "Something You Can Do with Your Finger" originally aired in the United States
on Comedy Central
on July 12, 2000.
sees himself and the rest of the gang becoming the next big boy band
to sweep the nation, earning them (or, at least, him) the admiration of thousands of beautiful women and $10,000,000, his pursuit of which becomes a running plot line over the following few episodes. Convinced that his dream is a message from God
, Cartman corrals Stan
, Kyle
, and Kenny
into making a band called "Fingerbang". However, Kyle notes that all boy bands must have five members and as a result, they spent the following day auditioning boys to be a part of the band. They seemed to fail until Wendy showed up and turned out to be the best they've seen. Stan, Kyle, and Kenny approve of her, but Cartman was stubborn about allowing a girl in a boy band; arguing that everyone will notice that Wendy is a girl due to "her huge freakin' hooters". Outvoted, Cartman admits Wendy into the group as long as she dresses up like a boy. When asked by Stan what fingerbang means, Cartman interprets the term as referring to the action of pretending one's hand is a firearm
. Only Kenny knows the actual definition of the term
, but no-one believes him. After an argument between Cartman and Kyle on the subject of being "the tough one" of the band, the boys and Wendy attempt to secure a gig
at the mall
but must first evade two ornery mall security guard
s by causing a stampede.
Stan's father inexplicably throws a fit when he discovers what his son is up to and forbids him to take part in the band. It is eventually revealed that he was once in a famous boy band ("The Ghetto Avenue Boys") back in the 1980s. He dropped out of high school and left his friends and family behind to pursue this fame. Although initially wildly successful, the band was quickly replaced due to its members' getting "too old". Deep in debt and properly shamed, Randy was forced to sell his possessions and return home with the remainder of his earnings to complete his education.
However, after a heart-to-heart father-to-son conversation, Randy agrees to let Stan play, deciding that his son has to make his own mistakes in order to learn. The two rush to the mall for the gig, where Cartman is desperately stalling for time while they try to find a replacement for Stan.
Stan and Randy arrive in the nick of time — just in time, in fact, for Kenny to be crushed by an elevator, reducing their numbers once more to four. Randy gallantly steps in to replace Kenny and perform the song. When one of the few remaining listeners asks for an autograph afterwards, the group realises that, what with all this "fame" that they have acquired, they will never be able to live normal lives. They promptly break up the band.
as a "stunt cock". "Fingerbang" was going to be the name of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's band. They admitted they thought this was a good idea for about a day. Somewhere in time, they settled on the pornography-derived name, DVDA
. On the DVD episode's commentary, the creators remarked this was the first episode where they really started to use the method of "straight-storytelling." Before this, almost all episodes had A-stories, B-stories, C-stories, etc. that would all come together in the end. In making this episode, the creators say that they learned that an episode can be about just one thing, with the characters' side stories all relating to the main idea.
, in which Captain Picard, played by Patrick Stewart
, acts in a similar manner. Randy's voice even changes from Parker's to a sampling of Stewart's voice from the film.
South Park (season 4)
Season four of South Park, an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, began airing on April 5, 2000. The fourth season concluded after 17 episodes on December 20, 2000.- Episodes :-External links:...
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 56th episode of the series overall. "Something You Can Do with Your Finger" 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 Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
on July 12, 2000.
Plot synopsis
In a dream, CartmanEric 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...
sees himself and the rest of the gang becoming the next big boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
to sweep the nation, earning them (or, at least, him) the admiration of thousands of beautiful women and $10,000,000, his pursuit of which becomes a running plot line over the following few episodes. Convinced that his dream is a message from God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, Cartman corrals 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...
, 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...
, and Kenny
Kenny McCormick
Kenneth "Kenny" McCormick is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is one of the four central characters along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Eric Cartman. His oft-muffled and indiscernible speech—the result of his parka hood covering his...
into making a band called "Fingerbang". However, Kyle notes that all boy bands must have five members and as a result, they spent the following day auditioning boys to be a part of the band. They seemed to fail until Wendy showed up and turned out to be the best they've seen. Stan, Kyle, and Kenny approve of her, but Cartman was stubborn about allowing a girl in a boy band; arguing that everyone will notice that Wendy is a girl due to "her huge freakin' hooters". Outvoted, Cartman admits Wendy into the group as long as she dresses up like a boy. When asked by Stan what fingerbang means, Cartman interprets the term as referring to the action of pretending one's hand is a firearm
Finger gun
The finger gun is a hand gesture in which the subject uses their hand to mimic a handgun, raising their thumb above their fist to act as a hammer, and one or two fingers extended perpendicular to it acting as a barrel...
. Only Kenny knows the actual definition of the term
Fingering (sexual act)
Fingering is the manual manipulation of the clitoris, vulva, vagina, or anus for the purpose of sexual arousal and stimulation. It may constitute the entire sexual encounter or it may be part of mutual masturbation, foreplay or other sexual activities. To "finger oneself" is to masturbate in this...
, but no-one believes him. After an argument between Cartman and Kyle on the subject of being "the tough one" of the band, the boys and Wendy attempt to secure a gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
at the mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
but must first evade two ornery mall security guard
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
s by causing a stampede.
Stan's father inexplicably throws a fit when he discovers what his son is up to and forbids him to take part in the band. It is eventually revealed that he was once in a famous boy band ("The Ghetto Avenue Boys") back in the 1980s. He dropped out of high school and left his friends and family behind to pursue this fame. Although initially wildly successful, the band was quickly replaced due to its members' getting "too old". Deep in debt and properly shamed, Randy was forced to sell his possessions and return home with the remainder of his earnings to complete his education.
However, after a heart-to-heart father-to-son conversation, Randy agrees to let Stan play, deciding that his son has to make his own mistakes in order to learn. The two rush to the mall for the gig, where Cartman is desperately stalling for time while they try to find a replacement for Stan.
Stan and Randy arrive in the nick of time — just in time, in fact, for Kenny to be crushed by an elevator, reducing their numbers once more to four. Randy gallantly steps in to replace Kenny and perform the song. When one of the few remaining listeners asks for an autograph afterwards, the group realises that, what with all this "fame" that they have acquired, they will never be able to live normal lives. They promptly break up the band.
Production
The mall manager is voiced by Marcus Vaughn, a friend of Trey Parker and Matt Stone who appeared in Parker's film OrgazmoOrgazmo
Orgazmo is a 1997 comedy film written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of the animated series South Park, and directed by Parker.-Plot:...
as a "stunt cock". "Fingerbang" was going to be the name of Trey Parker and Matt Stone's band. They admitted they thought this was a good idea for about a day. Somewhere in time, they settled on the pornography-derived name, DVDA
DVDA (band)
DVDA is a comedy band featuring South Park crew members Trey Parker , Matt Stone , Bruce Howell , and D. A. Young . The name refers to a sexual position meaning "double vaginal, double anal"...
. On the DVD episode's commentary, the creators remarked this was the first episode where they really started to use the method of "straight-storytelling." Before this, almost all episodes had A-stories, B-stories, C-stories, etc. that would all come together in the end. In making this episode, the creators say that they learned that an episode can be about just one thing, with the characters' side stories all relating to the main idea.
Cultural references
Randy's fit of rage, ending in him head-bashing the glass doors of a china cabinet and shouting "No! Nooo!!" parodies a scene in Star Trek: First ContactStar Trek: First Contact
Star Trek: First Contact is the eighth feature film in the Star Trek science fiction franchise, released in November 1996, by Paramount Pictures. First Contact is the first film in the franchise to feature no cast members from the original Star Trek television series of the 1960s...
, in which Captain Picard, played by Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
, acts in a similar manner. Randy's voice even changes from Parker's to a sampling of Stewart's voice from the film.
External links
- "Something You Can Do With Your Finger" Full episode at South Park Studios
- "Something You Can Do With Your Finger" Episode guide at South Park Studios