Free Republic

Comedy Central's South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have decided to get the last laugh and strike back with the character Chef, formerly played by Isaac Hayes on this week's show. Hayes bailed on the show last week allegedly due to the mocking of Tom Cruise and Scientology in the episode titled “Trapped in a Closet." The episode was also mysteriously yanked from last week's scheduled line-up and speculation is that noted Scientologist Tom Cruise had the episode pulled. His rep denies that. Nevertheless now Matt and Trey will answer.

Chef's Quitting Controversy Monday , March 20, 2006 By Roger Friedman Isaac Hayes did not quit "South Park." My sources say that someone quit it for him. I can tell you that Hayes is in no position to have quit anything. Contrary to news reports, the great writer, singer and musician suffered a stroke on Jan. 17. At the time it was said that he was hospitalized and suffering from exhaustion. It’s also absolutely ridiculous to think that Hayes, who loved playing Chef on "South Park," would suddenly turn against the show because they were poking fun at Scientology. Last...

Chef's Back, Even If Hayes Isn't 'South Park' premiere trumpets character's return March 20 2006 LOS ANGELES -- "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone may yet have the final word on Isaac Hayes' departure from the show. The series, which has been the focus of much media speculation in the past week over Hayes leaving and Comedy Central's pulling of a Scientology-mocking episode, begins its 10th season Wednesday night with an episode called "The Return of Chef!" -- while making no mention of Hayes. In the episode, Chef makes a "triumphant homecoming" to South Park (even prior to...

Ode to Hypocrisy By the Comedy Central bigwigs (and Tom Adkins) Once, Comedy Central Was a network that stood tall South Park was unleashed, And man, did they have balls. South park lampooned big shots, and megastars who got fat They said a bunch of swear words Man, we LOVE when they do that! They attacked religion. And politicians, too Heck, they bitch-slapped everyone! In fact, we quite approved. But Suddenly, our braintrust Has our panties tied in knots They tweaked the Scientologists! Those dirty little snots! Sure, we let ‘em have fun. And even throw some slime! But don’t...

There are several items of interest for South Park fans. TONIGHT! - South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone appear on the David Letterman show to discuss the new season, Isaac Hayes, and more. Next Tuesday, March 21 - The Complete Seventh Season South Park DVD set will be released.EPISODES: I'm a Little Bit Country, Krazy Kripples, Toilet Paper, Cancelled, Fat Butt and Pancake Head, Lil' Crime Stoppers, Red Man's Greed, South Park Is Gay, Christian Rock Hard, Grey Dawn, Casa Bonita, All About Mormons?, Butt Out, Raisins, It's Christmas In Canada. If you haven't done so already, pre-order...

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Soul singer Isaac Hayes said Monday he was quitting his job as the voice of the lusty character "Chef" on the satiric cable TV cartoon "South Park," citing the show's "inappropriate ridicule" of religion. But series co-creator Matt Stone said the veteran recording artist was upset the show had recently lampooned the Church of Scientology, of which Hayes is an outspoken follower. "In ten years and over 150 episodes of 'South Park,' Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslim, Mormons or Jews," Stone said in a statement issued by...

NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- Religious parody on "South Park" has led Isaac "Chef" Hayes to quit the Comedy Central cartoon. Hayes, who has been with "South Park" since 1997, issued a statement Monday saying he has requested a release from the show because of recent episodes displaying "inappropriate ridicule of religious communities." "There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs of others begins," Hayes said. "Religious beliefs are sacred to people and at all times should be respected and honored. As a...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Isaac Hayes has quit "South Park," where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion. 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.

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone avoided poking fun at Scientology for years because they didn't want to upset show regular Isaac Hayes.

Isaac Hayes Hospitalized for Exhaustion MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Isaac Hayes was being treated at a Memphis hospital Tuesday for exhaustion, his longtime songwriting partner said. "He's just overworked and had been in Atlantic City performing, the D.C. area performing, and in Tunica (Miss.) a couple of nights ago. He was just overworked," David Porter told The Commercial Appeal newspaper. "He's doing much better," Porter added

Q: How did you go from the tough guy with the gold chains on "Hot Buttered Soul" to playing a fat, bearded cartoon cook who has threesomes with white women? A: Well, I had been on my agent's back a long time: "Man, get me some voice-overs! Get me some voice-overs!" So one day he called me and said, "Mr. Hayes, I think I've got some voice-over work for you." I said, "Yeah, some Disney!" He goes, "No, no, not quite. This is different." He wouldn't tell me about it. He just said Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who created...