After a touching season premiere in which Cartman learns he's been accidentally infected with HIV, South Park decided to lighten things up in the second episode of their 12th season by having Britney Spears put a shotgun in her mouth and blow off 70% of her head. (Don't worry—she lives!)

Context is everything in these matters, however, and what may seem at first like an irresponsible invitation to the unthinkable was actually a stinging indictment of what you, the celebrity-self-destruction-as-spectator-bloodsport fan, are reaping upon the sad and empty pop star husk Spears become. (Poignantly represented by a lower jaw standing behind a recording studio microphone).

• South Park

Contact information for this author is not available.