Trey and Matt's excellent adventure
I think one of the best aspects of Comedy Central's long--running hit "South Park" is its ability to make fun of anything and anyone and I would put money on the duo of Matt Stone and Trey Parker having the last laugh on their latest stunt. In the spirit of their 'no sacred cows' policy, Stone and Parker have taken aim at the mysterious Hollyweird world of Scientology and specifically at its unofficial spokesman, Tom Cruise. Cruise is so sensitive about the media, or anyone, portraying him besides anything but the raging righteous heterosexual he is that he allegedly threatened to not promote his latest "Mission Impossible" sequel if the latest "South Park" episode featuring his likeness wasn't pulled. Pity the thought of yet another generic Cruise action flick not gettin
g its proper hype.
The mega entertainment company producing his latest action stud flick also owns Comedy Central. In the true spirit of America, a huge chunk of an industry is under one giant umbrella. Comedy Central pulled the latest Scientology spoof episode and replaced it with a "South Park" rerun. In one of these Tom Crusie/South Park episodes they ask him to come out one of the kid's closets over 30 times. I think they knew what results they would get from being so blatant and imagine it was probably part of the plan. These guys aren't stupid.
The most unfortunate fallout from all this cartoon controversy is Isaac Hayes' decision to leave the show because of the Scientology tauntings as he is a member of this sect that seems to attract millionaire entertainers more than any demographic. It seems that every other religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, animal, mineral and vegetable is fair game, but not the sacred secret world of Scientology. It is amazing that after almost 10 years of playing a character that sang a song about his "salty chocolate balls" Hayes would expect anyone to take him seriously or respect his decision for quitting the show because he was offended. Parker and Stone can create a single black character for their cartoon town who perpetuates plenty of negative racial stereotypes and that is okay with Isaac Hayes, but they don't dare need to joke about a group of people that believe in U.F.O.s and that women don't need to make noise during childbirth for fear of damaging the psyche of the child. How insensitve of them!
Parker and Stone are smart and wickedly witty and if anything, this could very well give "South Park" a much needed shot of adrenaline as I am sure this has given them boatloads of material and inspiration to work with. I have watched the show on and off for years, but now really want to get back on track. In a way, it's a major sign of what star power and influence they have that a major box office actor would try to go head-to-head with them. However, I predict they will have the last laugh.
Tom Cruise does more to destroy his public image than all the people that ridicule him combined. He is just a few steps away from Wacko Jacko terrain where his talent, which has always been in question, unlike Michael Jackson, will be overshadowed by eccentric behavior that he wants to share with the world. "South Park" will be right there to make fun of it and who knows who will step in as the next "Chef" character. Like a soap opera they could write the old "Chef" out and replace him with someone who has true "chocolate balls" like Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle.
Whatever results in this multi-layered story will be well worth watching and writing about.
Lisa de Moraes, from The Washington Post, has an excellent article about this.
Everyone's in a Stew Over 'South Park' Chef
By Lisa de Moraes, The Washington Post
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Comedy Central, the allegedly irreverent, testosterone-fueled, take-no-prisoners basic cable network, looks more like a Vertical Integration Sissy Girl after yanking an episode of "South Park" that lampoons Scientology and Tom Cruise.
The cave-in occurred this week, just a couple of days after Isaac Hayes, who has provided the voice of Chef for the edgy animated series since 1997, asked to be let out of his contract because he had just noticed that the cartoon, about four precocious potty-mouthed fourth-graders in South Park, Colo., makes fun of religious groups.
Hayes, who is a Scientologist, said it's part of what he sees as a "growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs" in the media.
"Religious beliefs are sacred to people and at all times should be respected and honored," the R&B musician and actor said Monday, according to news reports.
"As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
(The article continues here)
g its proper hype.The mega entertainment company producing his latest action stud flick also owns Comedy Central. In the true spirit of America, a huge chunk of an industry is under one giant umbrella. Comedy Central pulled the latest Scientology spoof episode and replaced it with a "South Park" rerun. In one of these Tom Crusie/South Park episodes they ask him to come out one of the kid's closets over 30 times. I think they knew what results they would get from being so blatant and imagine it was probably part of the plan. These guys aren't stupid.
The most unfortunate fallout from all this cartoon controversy is Isaac Hayes' decision to leave the show because of the Scientology tauntings as he is a member of this sect that seems to attract millionaire entertainers more than any demographic. It seems that every other religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, animal, mineral and vegetable is fair game, but not the sacred secret world of Scientology. It is amazing that after almost 10 years of playing a character that sang a song about his "salty chocolate balls" Hayes would expect anyone to take him seriously or respect his decision for quitting the show because he was offended. Parker and Stone can create a single black character for their cartoon town who perpetuates plenty of negative racial stereotypes and that is okay with Isaac Hayes, but they don't dare need to joke about a group of people that believe in U.F.O.s and that women don't need to make noise during childbirth for fear of damaging the psyche of the child. How insensitve of them!
Parker and Stone are smart and wickedly witty and if anything, this could very well give "South Park" a much needed shot of adrenaline as I am sure this has given them boatloads of material and inspiration to work with. I have watched the show on and off for years, but now really want to get back on track. In a way, it's a major sign of what star power and influence they have that a major box office actor would try to go head-to-head with them. However, I predict they will have the last laugh.
Tom Cruise does more to destroy his public image than all the people that ridicule him combined. He is just a few steps away from Wacko Jacko terrain where his talent, which has always been in question, unlike Michael Jackson, will be overshadowed by eccentric behavior that he wants to share with the world. "South Park" will be right there to make fun of it and who knows who will step in as the next "Chef" character. Like a soap opera they could write the old "Chef" out and replace him with someone who has true "chocolate balls" like Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle.
Whatever results in this multi-layered story will be well worth watching and writing about.
Lisa de Moraes, from The Washington Post, has an excellent article about this.
Everyone's in a Stew Over 'South Park' Chef
By Lisa de Moraes, The Washington Post
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Comedy Central, the allegedly irreverent, testosterone-fueled, take-no-prisoners basic cable network, looks more like a Vertical Integration Sissy Girl after yanking an episode of "South Park" that lampoons Scientology and Tom Cruise.
The cave-in occurred this week, just a couple of days after Isaac Hayes, who has provided the voice of Chef for the edgy animated series since 1997, asked to be let out of his contract because he had just noticed that the cartoon, about four precocious potty-mouthed fourth-graders in South Park, Colo., makes fun of religious groups.
Hayes, who is a Scientologist, said it's part of what he sees as a "growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs" in the media.
"Religious beliefs are sacred to people and at all times should be respected and honored," the R&B musician and actor said Monday, according to news reports.
"As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
(The article continues here)
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