They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.  Well you know what, I don’t know who “they” are, and am going to have to disagree with them.  When quotes like this are thrown around, they can applied to cases of satire/parody as well.   People who say things like ” imitation is the highest form of flattery” are usually insecure celebrities looking for rationale for being made fun of by some other outlet.

Imitation can be a form of flattery, but that’s in cases when the person being lampooned has offered some contribution to society.

If Saturday Night Live mocks a political figure, whether you agree with the politics or not, that person being mocked has achieved level of career success.

When South Park mocks Paris Hilton for example though, there is nothing flattering about it.  I haven’t researched Paris Hilton quotes related to South Park, or if she used this type of rationale…but it wouldn’t surprise me if she did.  It’s what people do to protect their egos and themselves.

Nobody gets drilled by South Park, other comedy programs, the media, or the public, and reacts by saying, “You know what?  I am useless asshole and have contributed nothing to society.  I deserved that horrible, but accurate portrayal of me.”

They just say, “Yes I saw/heard that, and it was silly and flattering that they would even mention me”

Which is cool and possibly true………unless you are a complete asshole from the get-go.