Poor and Stupid
| "Poor and Stupid" | |
|---|---|
| South Park episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 14 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Trey Parker |
| Written by | Trey Parker |
| Production code | 1408 |
| Original air date | October 6, 2010 |
"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.
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.
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