Chef Leaves South Park

[Rainman]

NEW YORK (AP) - Isaac Hayes has quit "South Park," where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion.

Hayes, who has played the ladies' man/school cook in the animated Comedy Central satire since 1997, said in a statement Monday that he feels a line has been crossed.

"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins," the 63-year-old soul singer and outspoken Scientologist said.

"Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored," he continued. "As a civil-rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."

"South Park" co-creator Matt Stone responded sharply in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, saying, "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology. ... He has no problem - and he's cashed plenty of checks - with our show making fun of Christians."

Last November, "South Park" targeted the Church of Scientology and its celebrity followers, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, in a top-rated episode, "Trapped in the Closet."

In the episode, Stan, one of the show's four mischievous fourth- graders, is hailed as a reluctant savior by Scientology leaders, while a cartoon Cruise locks himself in a closet and won't come out.

Stone told the AP he and co-creator Trey Parker "never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."

[GalaxyGrayMark]

I read about this yesterday. As much as I respect Issac Hayes he definitely is a hypocrite in regard to his latest action. Give me a break - that show has satired christians, gays, jews, you-name-it and it is not until Scientology was brought up that he decides to call it quits. It's a comedic show that should be taken lightly.

[Shemmy]

Oh well, no more chocolate salty balls.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGrayMark

I read about this yesterday. As much as I respect Issac Hayes he definitely is a hypocrite in regard to his latest action. Give me a break - that show has satired christians, gays, jews, you-name-it and it is not until Scientology was brought up that he decides to call it quits. It's a comedic show that should be taken lightly.

My girl told me about this yesterday. And I agree. But I guess it's been a long time coming and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. I also think he's a hypocrite. He didn't quit over "Big *** Al" or "My Buddy Jesus" or any of the Hannukah specials. Or the fact that they've been banned from Canada so they make fun of the Canadians. Or how in the Bigger, Longer, Uncut movie they're plan to invade Canada involves using the black guys as human shields while the white guys kill all the Canadians and become hero's. I know a few people that walked out at that point. I'm rambling now, but you know what I'm getting at.

I thought it was hilarious how Satan and Saddam Hussein were lovers though. lmao...

[Rainman]

I completely agree. The guy clearly didn't care about anyone else there were making fun of..... but when it comes to HIS faith... its not ok. BS!
He made so much money off of them. Screw him.
I saw that episode on Scientology and it was funny as hell.
Scientology is messed up too.. they are all brainwashed.

[MyFirstCivic@35]

Yeah I'm thinking that since SP rips on everyone, including atheists, that any argument about bigotry is BS. It's like that old bumpersticker that read "end discrimination....hate everyone." SP has done a fair job of that. In fact the fact that it has taken this long for them to rip on Scientology is amazing.

[Avenger]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

Or the fact that they've been banned from Canada so they make fun of the Canadians.

LOL, the show was created by Canadians........and it was never banned here, censorship is higher in the USA, just listen to the songs they play on the radio that get censored in the US, and not censored in Canada.

......I was searching for a thread, but came across this one. Gotta love resurrecting old threads :)

[Gonzo]

Just so everyone knows(according to the grapevine), Issac Hayes never said that. In fact he said quite the opposite on a radio interview that he had no problem with the show. Shortly after he had a mysterious stroke. During that time friends say someone "said that quit for him" and issued that statement in his name.

Coincidence or the evil Church of Scientology at work?

http://theunfunnytruth.ytmnd.com/
http://theunfunnysequel.ytmnd.com/

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Avenger

LOL, the show was created by Canadians........and it was never banned here, censorship is higher in the USA, just listen to the songs they play on the radio that get censored in the US, and not censored in Canada.

......I was searching for a thread, but came across this one. Gotta love resurrecting old threads :)

They are banned (or were banned) from Quebec tv sets. Much like Howard Stern was banned from Quebec radio stations. It had nothing to do with the government. The ban was what the people of the Quebec wanted. While censorship is higher in the US, it's also very different from CAN. Seems like there are trade-offs.

By the way, I love Canadian Jeans commercials....