"Weight Gain 4000" is the second episode of the American animated television series South Park. In the episode, South Park residents excitedly prepare for a visit by celebrity Kathie Lee Gifford, whom teacher Mr. Garrison plans to assassinate because of a childhood grudge, and Cartman becomes extremely obese after buying a bodybuilding supplement called Weight Gain 4000. The episode was written and directed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (pictured). After the pilot episode drew poor test audience results, Comedy Central requested a further script, and "Weight Gain 4000" helped the network decide to pick up the show. It was the first South Park episode created completely using computers rather than construction paper. Although some reviewers criticized the episode for its profanity and other material deemed offensive, others felt "Weight Gain 4000" was a significant improvement over the pilot, particularly for its satirical element regarding American consumerism. The show's portrayal of Kathie Lee Gifford was the first time a celebrity was spoofed in South Park. Cartman's line "Beefcake" became one of the most popular catchphrases from the series.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_Gain_4000

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1698:

Most of London's Palace of Whitehall, the main residence of the English monarchs dating from 1530, was destroyed by fire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Whitehall

1884:

The Fabian Society, an intellectual movement whose purpose is to advance the socialist cause by gradualist and reformist methods rather than revolutionary means, was founded in London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabian_Society

1970:

A magnitude 7.5 Msd earthquake struck Tonghai County, China, killing at least 15,000 people and spurring the creation of the nation's largest earthquake monitoring system. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Tonghai_earthquake

1974:

Harry Schwarz and Mangosuthu Buthelezi signed the Mahlabatini Declaration of Faith, the first declaration by black and white South African leaders to commit to non-violence and a non-discriminatory society. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahlabatini_Declaration_of_Faith

2004:

Spirit (artist's impression pictured), the first of two rovers of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Mission, landed successfully on Mars at 04:35 Ground UTC. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_(rover)

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

swage: A tool, used by blacksmiths and other metalworkers, for cold shaping of a metal item. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/swage

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

 Christ is called the righteous & by his righteousness we are saved & except our righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees we shall not enter into the kingdome of heaven. Righteousness is the religion of the kingdom of heaven & even the property of God himself towards man. Righteousness & Love are inseparable for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.   --Isaac Newton https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton