Written by series co-creator Trey Parker, it first aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 27, 2004, shortly before the 2004 U.S. presidential election, which the episode satirizes.
During a pep rally at South Park Elementary, demonstrators for PETA protest the use of a cow as the school's mascot.
Kyle and Cartman aggressively promote their respective candidates, using bribery and fear mongering to gain support.
Stan Marsh does not see the point in the choice between a giant douche and a turd sandwich and declares his refusal to vote.
Kyle, meanwhile, informs Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, who, along with his entourage, intimidates Stan with threats to shoot him dead.
[1] "Douche and Turd", along with the thirteen other episodes from South Park's eighth season, was released on a three-disc DVD set in the United States on August 29, 2006.
The set includes brief audio commentaries by series co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone for each episode.