Ned Gerblansky is a recurring character in the animated series South Park. He is missing his right arm and talks through a voice box with a voice performed by Trey Parker. He was almost always present as Jimbo Kern's apparently platonic companion. Ned and Jimbo were both inspired by characters Parker drew in high school.[1]
Appearance
Ned on the SP-site
Ned has short, messy, gray-brown hair. He has a small mustache and goatee, a left arm, and missing right arm. He wears a camouflage shirt, light blue jeans, sunglasses, and a black headband. Ned is usually straight-faced. He's very skinny and noticeably smaller than the other South Park adults. He is comparatively less detailed than some of the other adults in the show.
Character
Ned Gerblansky and his best friend Jimbo Kern represent South Park's large population of stereotypical "hicks". They are obsessed with large trucks, beer, guns, explosions, and killing animals. They detest "liberals" and circumvent anti-hunting laws by yelling, "It's coming right for us!" before shooting any animal, thereby justifying the kill as self-defense. Later, after a court ruling, shooting the animals so as to "thin out their numbers", despite the fact that they are shown shooting at endangered species when they shout this phrase. Ned hardly shows any emotion; mostly just staring blankly ahead of him. It was revealed in "Tweek vs. Craig", that Ned used to be a State Champion Boxer until a grenade blew his right arm off. Throughout the episodes, many characters (mainly Jimbo) say that Ned is 'accident-prone' due to certain unfortunate things that have happened to him; blowing his arm off, running into a telephone pole, getting trampled by a herd of cows, etc. Though they both are best friends and share the same interests; Ned seems to be the opposite of Jimbo. While Jimbo is tall, fat, and loud; Ned is short, skinny, and quiet; Jimbo is a natural leader while Ned seems very dependent on Jimbo and does everything he says. Ned also seems more easily frightened than Jimbo, particularly in the episode "The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka" when he frequently states how terrified he is of the frog, working himself into such a state that he becomes catatonic upon seeing it. Ned also has very varied interests and hobbies; he is a local history buff ("Chef Goes Nanners"), a former champion boxer (see above) and used to be a good singer, not that that stops him from singing now ("Volcano").
Sexuality
Ned walking around the house he shares with Jimbo in his more relaxed attire. (From "Jackovasaurus".)
Due to his close relationship with Jimbo Kern and the specualtion about Jimbo's sexuality, there has been much speculation over Ned's sexuality. As with Jimbo, there is evidence for him being gay and straight, so he is probably bisexual. In the early seasons, he lived in the same house as Jimbo, and was completely comfortable walking around in front of Jimbo wearing small, zebra-stripe underpants and a very short dressing gown which is completely open at the front. However, he has had sexual relationships with Liane Cartman, even stating that he "could be" Eric Cartman's father in "Cartman's Mom is Still a Dirty Slut". It is revealed in "Summer Sucks" that he used to be married, mentioning his ex-wife. However, he also admitted to watching another man masturbate in "Two Guys Naked in a Hot Tub".
Vietnam
Jimbo and Ned met while in the Vietnam War, where Jimbo was a helicopter pilot. During the war, Ned lost his right arm when a hand grenade exploded in his hand. In earlier episodes he can be seen with a skeletal, gray, prosthetic arm. Ned also lost his formerly mellifluous voice due to cancer, apparently caused by cigarette smoking, and is forced to speak with an electronic voicebox. Despite the fact that Ned lost one of his arms, he can still wield two-handed weapons, such as a flamethrower, and even an M249 SAW in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.
Huntin' and Killin'
He is usually seen hunting with Jimbo and is a co-host on "Huntin' and Killin'". When Jimbo says "It's coming right for us", Ned usually repeats it in his electronic voice.
Another one of Ned's phrases are "M-m-m-m-m-m I'm scared!". His phrases are not heard as much after his appearances became less frequent in the series (see below).
Quotes
"Hello, Mrs. Cartman. How are you today?"
"Moh Yeah, that's right, I don't think eight year old kids drink beer, mmm."
"Were you stationed in Da Nang?" løk
"Mmm, Jimbo look, mm."
"Moohh, rabbit, rabbit, 5 o'clock."
Ned in Vietnam before losing his arm and voice.
"It's coming right for us."
"Mmm, this wood won't burn, umm."
"Mmm, yepper...Mmm, aahh, oh."
"Mmm, oh, it hurts, it hurts, mmm."
"Abumbayah my lord, kumbayah.
Kumbayah my lord, kumbayah.
Uumbayah my lord, kumbayah.
Moh lord, Kumbayah."
"... Someone's crying my lord, Kumbayah.
Moh lord, Kumbayah."
"Moh man it smells like dead fish here."
"Em-moh man, that is nasty."
"There's not many animals out today, Jimbo, mmm."
"Mm I don't know man. I've got some bad gas."
"We'll be on the cover of Guns & Ammo."
"Mmm, so much for the cover of Guns & Ammo."
"Mmm, holy crap."
"Mmmoh no, out of ammo."
"Moh, only now in this late hour do I see the folly of guns. Mmm, I'll never use a gun again, mmm."
"Are you sure Stan is that good?"
"I love that song. "
"Mm-one day at a time, Mayor. Mm-one day at a time."
"M-hi, Ned."
"Thin out their numbers!"
"Mmmwe're environmentalists. "
"Mwhoa, I'm scared."
"Ned Gerblansky reporting, sir." (Before he lost his voice.)
"Sir, yes, sir!" (Before he lost his voice.)
"Certainly. And would you like another muffin as well?" (Before he lost his voice.)
"No, that's all lies. I'll be fine. Charlies, at 2 o'clock!" (Before he lost his voice.)
"The bomb's not releasing!" (Before he lost his voice.)
"It won't budge." (Before he lost his voice.)
"What are you doing, man!" (Before he lost his voice.)
"Whoopie!" (Before he lost his voice.)
"Mmmm. Damn that frog!"
"Mmm Da Nang."
"Mmrr roger that."
"Are fireworks legal in Mexico?"
"Nnnn-no moleste el gato spectacularrrr."
"Mmmm. They're spectacularrrr."
"Hmmm-bueyno."
"Mmmm-is anyone other than the two of you riding in this vehicle?"
"Mmmm-do you have any firearms or explosives in the car."
"Mmm-it looks like my ex-wife!"
"Mmmm-gahyah! Git along, little doggies!...AAAAAH!"
"Mmrr I can still kick ass."
"Mmm whatcha got, bee-ahtch?"
"Shut... up... Jimbo." (Burps this out.)
"Is... there... re... ward... money?" (Burps this out.)
"Mmm. Aw, Jimbo, I can't thank you enough for the new voice box. Gmmm, now, what in the devil is this thing?" (Irish voicebox.)
"Mmm-aw, what a bloody pickle this is! Did you keep the receipt, then?" (Irish voicebox.)
"Gmmm, blimey." (Irish voicebox.)
"Oh... boy..., oh... boy." (Burps this out.)
"We can't go around saving every form of life, any more than we can kill them all. We have to let nature run its course." (With voicebox that sounds just like his old voice.)
"I know. I'm still trying to find my old one." (With voicebox that sounds just like his old voice.)
"Mmuh what am I doing here?" (Singing.)
"Nnneh, in 1867, fourteen pioneers from the East Coast traveled across the Plains-"
Ned's Role in the Series
Ned was more prominent in the first five seasons, much like Pip and Chef, usually featured alongside Jimbo Kern with the two acting as leaders of the townspeople in times of crisis. Their roles gradually diminished, and by the fifth season, Jimbo Kern began acting more as one of the townspeople, with Ned fading, and after the sixth season Ned has ceased to have speaking roles, being almost completely absent by season eight. He did appear in "Cartoon Wars" and three seasons later in "The F Word", and during Season 14 has made quite a few cameos, in "Medicinal Fried Chicken", "200", "201" and "It's a Jersey Thing", but having no lines in any of them.
Ned has not spoken alone since around the fifth season, but he did speak in "South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!" which was released during the thirteenth season, showing Trey Parker is still capable of performing his voice. He is on the Stark's Pond level with Jimbo, serving like him as a tower that can dispense firey-works against enemies.
It is noted in early episodes such as "Jackovasaurus" Ned is seen living with Jimbo Kern, however as of "The Return of Chef" he seems to have moved out.
Episodes in which Ned is prominent
Ned in a coma (The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka).
- "Volcano" - Takes the boys camping along with Jimbo.
- "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride" - Assists Jimbo in making sure South Park wins the football game.
- "Mecha-Streisand" - Pilots one of the planes attacking Mecha-Streisand.
- "Cartman's Mom is Still a Dirty Slut" - A potential father of Cartman.
- "The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka" - Is involved with Jimbo's fake Vietnam story. Later is put in a coma.
- "Summer Sucks" - Assists Jimbo in getting fireworks after they are banned in South Park.
- "Cow Days" - Tries to work out where the huge cow clock has gone.
- "Tweek vs. Craig" - Fights Tweek in boxing in order to train him.
- "Jackovasaurus" - Loses his voicebox. Tries to find a new one.
- "The Red Badge of Gayness" - Re enacts as a soldier in the war re enactment.
- "Helen Keller! The Musical" - Among the people hunting Gobbles, Timmy's turkey.
- "Scott Tenorman Must Die" - He and Jimbo help Cartman find a way to get back at Scott. Masturbates at the sight of Mrs. Tenorman's breasts.
- "Here Comes The Neighborhood" - Final lines; is one of the men trying to scare the richers out of town.
- "Medicinal Fried Chicken" - Gets cancer to get a prescription to smoke marijuana legally.
- "It's a Jersey Thing"- helping killing people from Jersey.
Ned has been seen in various cameos throughout the series usually with Jimbo.
References
- ↑ Trey Parker, Matt Stone. (2003). South Park: The Complete First Season: "Weight Gain 4000" (Audio commentary) [CD]. Comedy Central.
Template:Various South Park Townsfolk