Big Fat Hypocrite

In a further admission of my wicked ways, I admit to enjoying Southpark. I’ve only caught a few episodes, but as a satire, I’m usually laughing so hard I’m crying. For example, the episode where Cartman becomes a southern Baptist hell, fire, and brimestone preacher is the height of comedy (IMHO). And before condeming me for viewing seedy material, I think a note on proper judgement is warranted.

Bad language used for a reason does not bother me. Southpark, Magnolia, and Shawshank Redemption do not bother me for their use of filthy language. On the other hand, a family film that painfully throws in an F-bomb just to reach it’s PG-13 rating can be an insult.

And while language doesn’t bother me, other things do. Like nudity. People I greatly respect when it comes to picking good movies all give their nod of approval to Eyes Wide Shut. I’ve seen part of it, and the word porno comes to mind. I just can’t watch things like it with a clean conscience. I’m slow to fault someone for using their judgement to decide what and what not they’ll view as entertainment.

So with that little sermonette out of the way, I come back to the point… Southpark.

Isaac Hayes, the voice of chef has quit the show, making a stand based on conviction.

There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs and others begins.

Ordinarily, I would find a sentiment such as this refreshing, even if I didn’t agree with the person doing it. Only one problem here. What was it that caused this stirring of conviction in chef?

Was is the portrayal of Jesus that most Christians would find blasphemous? (Even I have turned off the TV to skip those episodes.) Was is the incredibly harsh satire of the church of latter day saints? Was it during the Southpark movie when Satan was shown to be just a nice, misunderstood guy? (Yep, the movie was too much for me too.)

No, it was none of these. Isaac Hayes happily kept working as the voice of Chef, for 9 straight years. So what could have been so offensive as to end his illustrious career? Why an episode poking fun at Scientology of course.

They aired the episode, but it was reruns that created the uproar. And the rumor is that Tom Cruise threatened to withhold his advertising for Mission Impossible III if Comedy Central aired the reruns. (Comedy Central and Paramount are owned by the same parent company).

I point it out because it’s remarkable to me. Nine years of participating in a show who’s unabashed purpose is to offend everyone about something held sacred, and Chef has to call it quits when Scientology takes it’s turn in the crosshairs.