"South Park: The End of Obesity" is a 2024 television special that satirizes the frenzy surrounding new weight loss drugs like Ozempic and semaglutides, while also exploring themes of body image, healthcare, and societal pressures. As the seventh South Park television special and the 328th episode overall, it continues the show's tradition of tackling topical issues with its signature brand of humor and social commentary.
The Plot: Cartman's Quest for Weight Loss
The episode begins with Eric Cartman learning from his doctor, Dr. Gauche, that his obesity poses a threat to his health. When Cartman's mother, Liane, reveals that diet and exercise haven't been effective, Dr. Gauche suggests semaglutides, the active ingredient in drugs like Ozempic, known for their weight loss effects. Cartman, envisioning a future where he can hurl insults without being targeted for his weight, becomes fixated on obtaining the drug.
However, the high cost of semaglutides and the limitations of their insurance coverage create an obstacle. Frustrated, Cartman enlists his friends Kyle Broflovski and Butters Stotch to navigate the complexities of the American healthcare system. Their journey leads them through a bureaucratic maze of clinics, medical centers, specialists, and insurance companies, highlighting the challenges many Americans face in accessing affordable healthcare.
Meanwhile, Randy Marsh observes a trend among the mothers of South Park, who are sporting crop tops after losing weight with semaglutide. After Randy wears one of Shelley's crop-tops to embarrass her, he gets invited to a party where the mothers share semaglutide. He begins taking the drug, mistaking it for a party drug with no repercussions, which makes his wife Sharon self-conscious about her own weight. She begins taking Lizzo, but it causes her to defecate from her ears. The doctor tells her she has developed "diabeardes", a form of diabetes that afflicts the ears.
Homemade Semaglutide and the Sugar Cartel
Driven by Cartman's desperation, Kyle decides to produce his own semaglutide after discovering that the raw powder can be purchased cheaply from a factory in India. They manage to give Cartman his first dosage. Cartman immediately requests Cocoa Puffs, Captain Crunch and Kentucky Fried Chicken to make a "cereal bomb", mixing all three foods with milk and then going into the bathroom for thirty minutes, before coming out and declaring he is unable to finish it, leaving two chicken thighs at the bottom and "chocolatey chicken milk". Cartman proclaims the drugs were successfully diminishing his appetite, claiming he has never felt "full" before in his life.
Read also: Is Medi-Weightloss Fall River Right for You?
News of Kyle's homemade semaglutide operation attracts the attention of a sugar industry cartel, comprised of mascots from breakfast cereals and sugary snacks. Additionally, a government crackdown on semaglutide abuse leaves the South Park mothers without their supply, leading them to rob pharmacies and target Kyle and his friends.
Kyle purchases a truckload of semaglutide powder from a supplier in North Carolina, but the truck is hijacked first by the mothers and then by Randy. Randy, realizing the error of the mothers' ways, steals the truck to prevent them from abusing the drug. A chase ensues, involving the boys, the mothers, and the sugary mascots.
Randy's Revelation and Kyle's Speech
Before Sharon takes her first injection, Randy stops her, confessing that he has been using it himself. Surprised at how sympathetic she is to his desire to use it, he realizes that she is the coolest woman he knows, and does not want her to change at all. Deciding that semaglutide drugs are bad, he invites her to go to a Holiday Inn and take MDMA together like they did in college.
At South Park Elementary, Kyle delivers a speech calling for an end to fat shaming, which is met with a positive response from the students. Kyle admits he was wrong about fat people and cannot rely on willpower, and that delivers a speech about how the manipulation of sugar and pharmaceutical companies means it is not fair to blame people for their weight, getting the school to agree not to make fun of obesity anymore or be critical of anyone for their weight.
Themes and Social Commentary
"The End of Obesity" explores several relevant themes, including:
Read also: Considering Medi-Weightloss Dallas? Read this first.
- The pressure to conform to societal beauty standards: The episode highlights the anxieties surrounding weight and appearance, particularly for women, and the lengths people will go to achieve an "ideal" body. The mothers' obsession with semaglutide and their willingness to rob pharmacies demonstrates the desperation fueled by these pressures.
- The complexities of healthcare access: Cartman's struggle to obtain weight loss medication exposes the bureaucratic hurdles and financial barriers that many Americans face when seeking medical treatment.
- The role of pharmaceutical companies and the sugar industry: The episode critiques the influence of these industries on public health, suggesting that they prioritize profit over well-being. Kyle's speech underscores the idea that external forces can undermine individual willpower and make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Body positivity vs. medical intervention: The episode presents a nuanced view of the debate surrounding body positivity and weight loss drugs. While Kyle ultimately advocates for acceptance and an end to fat shaming, the episode also acknowledges the potential benefits of medical interventions for individuals struggling with obesity.
Cartman's True Intentions
In true South Park fashion, Cartman's motivations are not entirely altruistic. Despite Kyle's efforts to promote body positivity, Cartman's primary goal remains to be able to insult others without facing repercussions for his weight. The episode ends with Cartman doing just that, unleashing a barrage of insults on both Kyle and Wendy. In the special’s final moments, he travels to Pakistan to spew his hatred.
Reception and Lizzo's Response
The special generated discussion and garnered attention for its satirical take on weight loss drugs and body image. The episode also references rapper Lizzo, who reacted in a video post on Instagram, "Guys, my worst fear has been actualized. ^
A Commentary on Modern Trends
"South Park: The End of Obesity" offers a commentary on modern social trends, particularly the obsession with weight loss and the impact of new weight loss drugs. Through its characteristic humor and satire, the episode raises questions about body image, healthcare, and the forces that shape our perceptions of health and beauty. The series has also has a history of both reimagining itself and sticking to its guns. A good example of the former is the character of Tolkien, who was the only Black student in South Park Elementary for years. The character was canonically named Token Black until 2022 when “South Park” retconned his name as Tolkien Black and gaslit its audience, claiming that had always been his name. The show has also proven that when it makes a big plot decision, it likes to stick with it. Case and point? Tweek and Craig are still dating despite neither identifying as gay, and Randy still runs a marijuana farm.
Medi-Weightloss: A Different Approach
While "South Park: The End of Obesity" satirizes the extremes of weight loss trends, legitimate medical weight loss programs offer a more structured and supportive approach. For example, Medi-Weightloss provides medically supervised weight loss programs tailored to individual needs. Unlike telemedicine, Medi-Weightloss offers face-to-face accountability, immediate clinical support, and body composition tracking with medical-grade technology. Physicians trust Medi-Weightloss providers to deliver expert, evidence-based care to their patients.
Read also: Is Medi-Weightloss Effective?