Animated comedy “South Park” may not offer the same timely, breaking news commentary it did at the height of its popularity, but that doesn’t mean the show’s creative team has forgotten how to make headlines. In its latest special, “The End of Obesity,” the kids find themselves fighting a losing battle against America’s broken healthcare system as they try to get Eric Cartman access to weight loss drugs.
Amid the episode’s ridiculous, yet familiar, journey through the health insurance maze, Eric’s doctor prescribes the Ozempic alternative, titled “Lizzo.”
“I’m going to write you a prescription for Lizzo,” the doctor says. “She’s a really good singer who talks about body positivity, and just being happy with the way you look. I want you to listen to Lizzo five times a day, and watch her videos just before bedtime. I’m afraid you’ll have to be on Lizzo for the rest of your life.”
Poking fun at her message of body positivity, a fake commercial for “Lizzo” tells users that “70 percent of patients on Lizzo no longer cared how much they weighed.” The ad went on to claim that “Lizzo helps you eat everything you want and keep physical activity to a minimum.”
The Grammy winner responded to the scene on TikTok, deadpanning, “My worst fear has been actualized. I’ve been referenced on a ‘South Park’ episode. I’m so scared,” before starting the clip and watching the commercial parody. She didn’t seem bothered by it, putting her hand over her mouth in shock and singing the catchy theme song when it was over.
“That’s crazy. I just feel like, damn, I’m really that b***h,” she said. “I really showed the world how to love yourself and not give a f**k to the point where these men in Colorado know who the f**k I am and put it on their cartoon that’s been around for 25 years. I’m really that b***h and I show you how to not give a fuck and I’ll keep showing you how to not give a f**k.”
As the “Juice” singer battles sexual harassment allegations, we’ve wondered if we can still believe in her push for body positivity. No matter how you feel about Lizzo, it’s clear that important message has become synonymous with her brand.
While it may be easy for “South Park” to boil it down to not caring what other people think, body positivity is also about loving yourself as you are and not feeling the pressure to conform to others’ standards of what’s acceptable. It’s important to remember these issues actually mean something beyond the punchlines.
“South Park: The End of Obesity” is now available to stream on Paramount+.