If you've been a fan of the Comedy Central hit South Park from day 1, you've probably noticed the shift in the animated series' humor and look.  Of course, the staples are still there, the foul language, the biting wit, and Eric Cartman's unapologetic politically incorrectness.  Over the years, however, South Park's appeal have shifted from the downright crass and shocking to, well, a little on the intellectual side.

Just a case in point.  Consider comparing an episode from the show's first few seasons to something from the latest.  I recently watched “Clubhouses” and can still largely remember “About Last Night..” so let's compare the two.

South Park's Eric Cartman is one of my favorite television characters, animated or otherwise.  Don't get me wrong.  I am not intolerant, foul-mouthed, bigoted, obese, selfish, and fond of hitting little stuff, such as gnomes, aliens, and little critters, with a stick.  Apparently, though, I'm not the only one who likes the little fat kid.  He was 10th on TV Guide's 2002 list of the “Top 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters” and the only South Park character to make it to the list (if you're curious, Bugs Bunny topped the list, followed by Homer Simpson, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Beavis and Butthead, and the Grinch).

True enough, a lot of South Park fans believe that for an episode to be good, it has to have good Cartman moments, and, in turn, a good Cartman moment more often than not means a good episode.  For those who are true blue South Park fans, when we think of Eric Cartman, we usually see his plump little round body and hear his southern accent saying either, “I hate you guys,” or “That's so lame,” You're breaking my balls man,” or simply a very curt and high-pitched, “Hey!”

I'm sure most of you have your very own favorite Cartman moments.  I've listed my top 5.  Feel free to add your bets in the comments below!

As South Park reaches its 12th season, some fans are sacrilegiously bringing up the idea that maybe, just maybe, the Comedy Central hit is running out of ideas.  Some mention that the animated series may have jumped the shark, as there have been not-so-rosy comments on the quality of its latest season so far.

This is unthinkable, as South Park, which can be counted on to parody and/or tackle whatever it is the public is talking about, has a steady stream of material.  This season alone, it has explored the following issues in ways only South Park could: China's rise as a superpower, the 2008 elections, High School Musical, and the crazy, crazy Twilight craze.

When South Park first became famous, it was known largely as that cartoon with crappy animation and kids who swear like it was nobody's business.  True enough, the first few seasons of the hit Comedy Central show did feature a lot of slapstick antics that were bound to shock the timid. Going forward, however, as South Park reached its 10th season and beyond, things got a lot more intelligent in the little mountain town in Colorado.

The show's creators started relying less and less on visual comedy and began using convoluted plots, outrageous premises, and out-of-this world characters to elicit laughter from its fans.  Of course, the usual swearing and cussing and irreverence are still there, but somehow, South Park has evolved from the disgusting cartoon to the disgusting cartoon with substance and a steadfast political stance.

The last episode of South Park tackled the recent elections in a way that only South Park could.  If we were to believe “About Last Night…,” Obama, McCain, Palin, and the gang (plus Ike) belong to some Ocean's 11 type of gang that orchestrated a 10-year plan that culminated in the 2008 presidential elections.  All the election hullabaloo was just to do a heist and steal a $210-million diamond at the Smithsonian Institute.  While South Park and virtually the rest of the nation were distracted after the announcement of the results (the Obama supporters were partying, the McCain supporters were fighting for room in an “ark” or else just committing suicide), the gang went through their plan and pushed through with the burglary.  When all was done, most flew out of the country, while Obama and Michelle at the last minute opted to stay and “give this president thing” a try.

According to South Park co-creator Trey Parker, “About Last Night…” was a tricky episode.  For one, it was premised on an Obama win, which, on all accounts had been pretty reliable but there was still no way of making sure.  The elections happened Tuesday, and the episode aired Wednesday night.  He said they considered doing an alternate episode, one where the GOP candidate won, but went against it because it was “too daunting” a task.  Also, Parker had no doubt Obama would win, yet he wasn't partying when Obama did.  They were able to replicate the stage, plus Obama's now famous acceptance speech and finished up the morning of Wednesday.

On the last episode of South Park, we got the “startling” conclusion to the two-part Pandemic saga.  The South Park boys, plus Craig, were flown to the Andes to supposedly infiltrate the origin of the Peruvian flute bands that had plagued their cities.  Yet since the head of Homeland security was too busy being an alien, the pilots didn't know what to do next after they were dropped off.  Back in Colorado, everything was being ravaged by guinea pigs, guinea bats, guinea bears, etc.  In the end, it was Craig who turned out to save the day.

Tonight on South Park, the long-running Comedy Central animated series takes part in the election fever a day after the nationwide vote in an episode called “About Last Night…” in reference to yesterday's polls.