Chef is leaving South Park!

[Eomer]

Looks like Isaac got a directive from on-high. Perhaps from Tom himself?

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/nationa...hef-quits.html

Soul singer Isaac Hayes, who voices the suave, ladies man Chef on the hit animated satire South Park, has quit the show over its continual ridiculing of religion.


Isaac Hayes, here in New York in June 2005, has quit 'South Park,' saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)
However, Matt Stone, one of South Park's co-creators, blamed the sudden departure on the fact that a recent episode poked fun at Scientology, of which Hayes is an outspoken follower.

"In 10 years and over 150 episodes of South Park, Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslims, Mormons or Jews," Stone said in a statement issued late Monday by the Comedy Central TV network.

"He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show," Stone said, adding however that "of course we will release Isaac from his contract, and we wish him well."

Hayes, the actor, soul singer and composer who won an Oscar for his theme to the 1971 film Shaft, has voiced the role of Chef on the edgy animated series since 1997.

"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 Hayes said in a statement issued earlier Monday.

"Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honoured," Hayes said.

"As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."


'South Park' creators Trey Parker, left, and Matt Stone in October. (AP file photo)
Hayes's announcement comes as the provocative Emmy Award-winning show is set to begin its 10th season of following four foul-mouthed fourth graders living in South Park, Colo.

Based on the childhoods of creators Parker and Stone, the profanity-laced animated series has been heavily criticized for lampooning everyone from Osama bin Laden to Jesus.

The most recent South Park controversy centred on an episode entitled "Bloody Mary" that sparked outrage from Roman Catholics in the U.S. and New Zealand.

South Park lampooned Scientology and its celebrity followers most recently in an episode entitled "Trapped in the Closet," which aired in North America last November.

In the episode, Stan – one of the lead characters – scores extremely well on a Scientology test and is hailed as a new saviour, much to the chagrin of the cartoon version of Tom Cruise.

I had no idea scientology's reach was so far!

Stone said it best, he's been fine with Jesus having a boxing match with Satan, so long as it wasn't his religion getting crucified. Pun intended.

[Samus Aran]

Originally Posted by Eomer

Stone said it best, he's been fine with Jesus having a boxing match with Satan, so long as it wasn't his religion getting crucified. Pun intended.

Werd, Hayes is being a little bitch. Sad times

[Kolle]

Yeah that's bullshit. I had a decent opinion of him I suppose up until now. He's shown himself to be a hypocrite with this. He's also shown himself to be a moron by following a cult built to rob people.

[Necrath Evilcraft]

He has money and is a part of Hollywood. Clearly he and the scientoligsts know better then the rest of the sheep!

Chef was great but he was fading out of the episodes more and more so its not too devistating to me *shrug*