Overexposure for ‘South Park’ Kids?

Remember the gnashing of teeth prompted years ago when the Beatles’ song catalog was sold to corporate interests? Foaming-at-the-mouth critics were outraged.

“The holy mop-top quartet used to peddle everything from cars to deodorant? Never!”

How times have changed. Today, another gang of four who have also defined a generation are popping up on snack packages--and nobody seems to care. Cartman, Kyle, Stan and Kenny, all residents of “South Park,” can be found on boxes of Cheesy Poofs ($5 each at specialty stores like Urban Outfitters).

Of course, you can also find the “South Park” kids on T-shirts, watches, towels, ties, caps, V-neck sweaters, key chains, dog tags, mugs, note cards, videotapes, mouse pads, pens and backpacks, to name a few.

But you have to wonder whether all this commercial exposure will somehow corrupt or taint the wholesome “South Park” message. We can only hope that . . . hey, wait a minute, they killed Kenny!