Scientology vs. South Park

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

27 Mar 2006 01:23 PM

Both Scientology and South Park have seen their share of controversy. But, recently, they went head to head against each other. As the voice of Chef, Isaac Hayes has been with South Park almost 10 years. But he suddenly quit in March, 2006, stating that South Park displayed "intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others." This was no doubt brought about by November 2005's episode called "Trapped in the Closet," in which Scientologists Tom Cruise and John Travolta were portrayed as gay and character Stan claimed to be the reincarnation of founder L. Ron Hubbard.

"Trapped in the Closet" was set to repeat on March 15, 2006, but was suddenly pulled from the schedule. Rumor is this happened because Tom Cruise threatened to not promote his new film, Mission: Impossible III. If you do not see the connection here, do not worry, there is a very important one. Viacom owns both Comedy Central, where South Park is aired and Paramount Pictures, the production company of M:I 3. Everyone is denying it, but there certainly seems to be an undeniable connection between M:I 3, Tom Cruise (perhaps Scientology's number one celebrity spokesperson), Paramount, Viacom, Comedy Central and South Park. What I find amusing is that after 9 years, Isaac Hayes would suddenly find South Park offensive. I do not even watch the show and I could have told you creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone find nothing sacred, especially religion. Who couldn't find humor in a religion created by a science fiction writer who was quoted in the May 1980 issue of Reader's Digest, as saying "If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." Their response was totally in character. They said they were servants of Xenu (the galactic ruler who brought people to Earth 75 million years ago) and the "million-year war for Earth" had just begun. In the final episode starring Chef, he was portrayed as a brainwashed child molester who is killed then resurrected as Darth Vader.

South Park wins in the end, although in my mind, it does not take much effort to make fun of Scientology. I think Isaac's quitting only gave Parker and Stone an open license to make fun of Scientology and get recognition (and laughs) for it.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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Lisa Weinberger (1623) 28 Mar 2006 02:49 AM

South Park has always been funny and Viacom is a very large corporation and does have a lot of power in the media. South Park is my retreat back to childhood and just pure making of fun of things in society.

Kevin (1275) 02 Apr 2006 12:17 PM

It strikes me as being extremely hypocritical to accept comedy that makes fun of other people's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, and everything else, only to get upset when something poking fun at your own belief system comes along.

It's actually kind of amusing for him to call it "Bigotry". I'd say that South Park, tasteless though it may be, isn't bigoted at all. They make fun of everything with equal fervor. Someone who freely insults other people's lifestyle choices, and then gets defensive when their own lifestyle choices come under fire is pretty much a textbook definition of a bigot.

Lisa P (24013) 03 Apr 2006 01:52 AM

I have to agree with Kevin. South Park has always criticized EVERYTHING. At the risk of sounding like I've completely lost it, I have to say they've actually done some pretty deep stuff (under many layers of trash comedy) that has made me stop and think about (oy) the way I think!

Hayes is hypocrite if he can stand by for 9 years while other religions get bashed and not be able to take a few hits for his own team. Get a grip, dude!

Honestly, I think Tom Cruise has really gone off the deep end over this past year. The man has been a PR nightmare and made himself a laughing stock. There was the jumping on Oprah's couch and then the criticizing of mothers with postpartum depression. The guy looks like a complete nutbag - and a real jerk to boot. I'd be relieved if he didn't promote MI3 - his antics are getting old.

Since John Travolta has been mentioned here, I have to say that is one guy who I really think is a class act. He's like the opposite side of Cruise's coin. He is always respectful, doesn't force his religion down others' throats and just comes off as a NICE guy no matter what he does. He's the kid of guy that anybody would enjoy sitting down to dinner with (and most ladies would die to dance with).