Jackson Free Press

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 Monday, saying, "This is 100% 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."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-03-13-hayes_x.htm?csp=27

Previous Commentsshow

South Park co-creator Matt Stone might have an interesting point here that goes back to what I learned in school: some things are funny when they are directed at someone else, but not so much when it is directed at you. Will be interesting to see how this is handled on the show and if chef's leaving will only become satire for the show.

c a webb

Mar 13 2006

This is sad. My feelings about South Park are mixed--I seem to alternate between being repulsed at the meanness of the humor and laughing my ass off at the irreverence of it--but it has ridiculed Roman Catholicism far, far worse than it has ridiculed Scientology. I tend to lean towards Stone's point in this case, though I'm not inclined to criticize Hayes because, as the latest Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes thing has shown us, there is something about Scientology that has unpleasant effects on people's personalities and lifestyles. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Mar 14 2006

I am with stone and harper, usually it is a guilty pleasure for me to laugh at south park, and catholics and mormons probably take the brunt of their jokes, and jews and muslims and gays, you get the idea. If mr.chef/shaft is just now offended by the stunts he has pulled then it looks very hypocritical. I am not up to the fundamentals of scientology because i am not a epsilon 5 level believer, but come on ride it out and eat it. Thos who can laugh at themselves, shall never cease to be amused.

*SuperStar*

Mar 14 2006

One of the things that gets me about this is that in my opinion there is no difference between South Park and Boondocks, but McGregor catches alot more flack than S.P. I honestly believe that they have freedom of speech to produce whatever they want. I just wish they would think more about the impact it has on the younger generation that watches them.

c a webb

Mar 14 2006

Younger? Ha i stay up watching this stuff, along with anything that comes on adult swim or comedy central. Speaking of which uh drawn together? Wow, let's not go there, I watch it, and then i go in a closet and lie in the fetal position. but i guess younger kids watch it also. If that is the case V Chip it. The daily show probably "corrupts" many young minds as it is.

*SuperStar*

Mar 14 2006

Superstar, of course younger kids watch it. I don't care about the adults. We're supposed to be able to separate what is just entertainment and what is acceptable. Not all young people can do that, and that is why I feel like we all have a responsibility. To be honest, I was surprised that someone that is seen as an icon like Isaac Hayes would be involved in the first place. No matter what station it comes on, it is still a cartoon and that makes it attractive to kids. My cousin that is in the fourth grade used to talk about the show two years ago. I'm not saying it should be censored, or taken off the air. I'm just saying be responsible for what you put out there---- and don't be surprised if one day, like in Issac Hayes' case, you find it hits you close to home.

c a webb

Mar 14 2006

I quit watching SP when it just seemed to be getting way too "out there". I.e., when Cartman made Scott Tenorman's parents into chili and then entered it into a chili cookoff. While that's kind of funny on some level, it's way more disturbing to me on a different one. Censorship is a whole other issue. But, it's shows like this that make it easier for me to understand why the USA is hated by so many other countries. And, we'll have entire generations that are exposed to things like this and get completely desensitized.

millhouse

Mar 14 2006

Millhouse, I totally agree with you. I used to make fun of the herpes episode a few years ago, but now I see that there is nothing really funny about spreading a disease that can do so much damage. They say when you know better you do better, but I'm not sure every subscribes to that.

c a webb

Mar 14 2006

Well, I wonder how they plan to get rid of Chef's character? I suppose the succubus could return and claim him in a harsh and cruel manner (inside joke) While I'm not a huge fan of the series, I have watched many episodes over the years, and have enjoyed their subversive, often politically incorrect parodies of societal ills. They are an equal oppurtunity offender, poking fun at religion, race, Hollywood, women's issues, the handicapped, etc, without sounding skewed to the Left or Right Wing. It is certainly not for everyone; sometimes I cringe at the crassness and "over the top" comedy, but that is a part of the charm of the show. It seems very hypocritical to me that Hayes would wait until now when they decide to poke fun at Scientology (and with some good insight, IMO) to be offended, especially given all the shots taken at Jews, Catholics, Islam, etc that have been dished out over the series' run. I side with Parker and Stone on this one.

Jeff Lucas

Mar 14 2006

maybe they can just make an episode poking fun at him now. when does that episode air?

*SuperStar*

Mar 15 2006

superstar, now THAT one i would make sure to watch. with hayes it's like that ole adage: "What's good for the goose is good for the gander." How can you get upset when you particular religion is poked at and not others?

c a webb

Mar 15 2006