Poor and Stupid

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South Park Season 14 - Episode 1408 - Poor and Stupid
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"Poor and Stupid" is the eighth episode and mid-season premiere of the fourteenth season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 203rd overall episode of the series. It aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 6, 2010. In the episode, Cartman wants to become a NASCAR racer, but he feels that he cannot because he is not "poor and stupid enough" to fulfill his dream. After some experiments, his dream comes true, and he receives his own race car after his consumption of Vagisil brings massive attention to the product, much to the dismay of his friend Kenny, who tries to stop Cartman from giving his favorite event a bad reputation. "Poor and Stupid" received a mixed reception. 3.139 million viewers watched the episode, according to Nielsen Media Research, making it the second most watched cable television show of its airdate, losing the number one spot to the baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins during the 2010 American League Division Series.

South Park Spoiler Alert! (The complete plot for this South Park Episode)

When Stan and Kyle find Cartman crying in front of his locker at school, he explains that he's upset about the essay Mr. Garrison assigned, "What I Want to Be When I Grow Up." He wails that he dreams of being a NASCAR driver, but "a person like him" could never be that--he's nowhere near poor and stupid enough to be a NASCAR driver or fan. Immediately he turns to Kenny, who innocently confirms that he is a huge NASCAR fan. Dismayed at Cartman's views of NASCAR, Kenny, and himself, Stan and Kyle effectively convince him that he's actually very poor and very stupid. Cartman immediately turns to Butters for help in becoming as poor and stupid as possible: he gives Butters all his money and orders him to spend it all and never give it back. Then, while watching what he hopes is brain-cell-killing TV programming, he sees a commercial for Vagisil that lists short-term memory loss as a possible side effect, so he shoplifts some and consumes it (quite literally, as he eats the cream meant for topical use). On race day, Butters convinces a driver to abandon his car because his wife has been raped, and Cartman hops into his car, but his total lack of knowledge causes an accident that lands him in the hospital. The doctor comments to Cartman, who's disappointed that he is not more seriously injured than he is, that his accident was the stupidest he has ever seen--which restores Cartman's hope. His antics cause the news media to wonder if all NASCAR fans are as stupid as he seems to be. An upset Kenny storms to Cartman's house in time for a visit from Vagisil founder Jeff Hamill and his wife Patty. Since Cartman's determination has brought considerable attention to Vagisil, Hamill rewards him with his own Vagisil-sponsored racecar. This further galls Kenny. Before his first race, Cartman posts bigoted and ignorant statements on his podcast and the media concludes that "NASCAR really is just for the poor and stupid". Kenny decides that he must put a stop to Cartman. He tries to smuggle a hunting rifle into the racetrack, but it gets confiscated. (He is however reassured that he can buy another in the gift shop.) At Cartman's first race in his Vagisil car, he drives badly, crashing into other drivers, pulling Danica Patrick under the wheel, and mowing down spectators. When Kenny tries to interrupt, he's knocked onto the track; 2 cars crash to avoid him, leaving Cartman's the only car remaining in the race. Suddenly, Patty Hamill, fed up of her husband's desrespectful and condescending remarks toward her, gets onto the track and takes Jimmie Johnson's damaged car. She beats Cartman and wins the race, much to Hamill's sheer disappointment, now that his company is ruined. Cartman apologizes to Kenny (who, surprisingly is still alive) for trying to become a NASCAR driver, and gives his future up, still believing that he is too smart for NASCAR. He demands that Butters give back his money, then yells at him for having done what he was told and gotten rid of it. Kenny watches in disbelief and confusion.