Re: The cranky thread
Both shows show stupid people doing stupid things in an attempt to show people that doing stupid things is stupid. Both shows resulted in stupid people doing some of the stupid things the shows showed. Specifically, (IMU), the creators of the show were stunned that anyone thought Cartman was an example to follow and thus made him worse.
For anyone who knows those things are stupid, the show can be funny and is redundant.
For anyone who is likely to think those stupid ideas are great, the show is a source of inspiration.
The net effect, from my own observations, is negative.
Perhaps it's been too long since you've been in high school, but acting in the sort of manner of Beavis, Buthead and Cartman was popular in the schools I went to. My own personal experience is that the shows provided no preventive effect; that, in fact, it was the opposite.
I stand by my experiences.