In the fourth episode of South Park Season 29, Cartan, Stan, Kyle and Randy confront a national beef shortage in South America, prompting a frantic search for a solution.
The episode, called "Guinea Pig on a Stick," begins with Cartman trying to buy a sloppy joe at South America Elementary, only to learn the government is confiscating beef and forcing the school to serve guinea-pig alternatives. The children, recalling Kenny's fate after an e-bike explosion in the season's first episode, refuse to accept the change.
At a local ranch they discover the coveted beef is the same cattle that have always grazed there, now marketed to wealthy out-of-state diners such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, despite diners suffering severe diarrhea after eating it. Randy notes the meat has become a patriotic symbol for politicians eager to show support for local beef.
Later, the chain Sizzler steals the remaining cattle, leaving the town without beef. Stan suggests injecting the meat with lard and butter to recreate the craze, a plan that succeeds when Ruth's Chris serves flame-seared guinea pig on a stick as the new "patriotic" meal.
Although the episode aired a few days before Halloween, it is not a Halloween special, indicating creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are skipping the holiday theme this year. Last year's "The Woman in the Hat" aired two days later than usual to land on Oct. 31.
Season 29 so far has addressed e-bikes, data centers, billionaires and anti-vaxxers, with a third episode parodying Sephora's backroom and internet slang like "mogging," "maxxing" and "mewing."
With the season, Parker and Stone have fully embraced the new "South America" name announced earlier this month. The premiere, the first episode under the new name, attracted 4.2 million viewers in three days, according to Variety, and featured an updated theme song and a Donald Trump cameo.
