This oddly disassociated form created a license for social criticism that simply wasn't available elsewhere in Athenian society. Tragedies like Aeschylus' The Persians, the single oldest work of Western dramatic literature, could take the side of Greece's sworn enemies; and comedies--well, comedies could and did offend the mighty gods and great strategoi alike.
South Park continues this tradition of disassociated, absurdist, satirical comedy that's at once both deeply connected to modern politics and the product of an absurd counter-universe. Operating largely independent of any bureaucracy--show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone write all of the scripts, voice most of the characters, oversee the animation, and often finish episodes only hours before they air--South Park has unusual freedom to roll with the punches. And although Parker and Stone identify as moderate libertarians who support gay rights, hate big government, and have a soft spot for things like road building and the war on terror--the show really won't consistently please anyone. Sanctimony and shrillness emanating from the right, even the libertarian right, gets just as much criticism as the same from the left. One episode even depicted the Republican party as the literal tool of demonic forces