Cruise axe for South Park (Scientology episode axed in UK)

The Sun (UK) ^ | January 18, 2006 | Sara Nathan and Emma Cox

[EveningStar]

Nervous TV bosses have axed an episode of South Park which OUTS a fictional Tom Cruise character as gay — because they are scared the real actor will SUE...

[Oztrich Boy]

Liberace manged to succcessfuly sue the Daily Mirror when one of its columists implied that he was "fruit-flavoured"

When Liberace took the stand, Beyfus (his barrister) asked: "Are you a homosexual?" Liberace: "No, sir." Had he ever indulged in homosexual practices? "No, sir, never in my life ... I am against the practice because it offends convention and it offends society."

If Liberace can be legally not-gay in England, Tom'd have a good chance of winning too

[Buggman]

The episode is entirely fictional and there is no suggestion that the events are true.

Well, except for that one three-minute segment with the huge THIS IS WHAT SCIENTOLOGISTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE written at the bottom of the screen.

[andyandval]

OMG that is hilarious!

[dfwgator]

John and Jane Smith won't be happy about this.

[AmishDude]

England is notorious for having lax libel and slander laws. Cruise's case would be thrown out in the US, but he'd probably win in the UK. Celebrities sue over there all the time. Frequently US celebrities will look for any reason they can sue in Britain.

[AmishDude]

Well, except for that one three-minute segment with the huge THIS IS WHAT SCIENTOLOGISTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE written at the bottom of the screen.

You know, I didn't think that was funny at first, but when you wrote that, I laughed a little. Strange thing: Isaac Hayes is apparently a s-tologist. I guess no chef eps lately, eh?

[antiRepublicrat]

In the episode, one of the Scientologists yelled, "I'll sue you in England!" at the end. I didn't get the reference (if there was one).

From what I remember from a McDonald's case, in suts for libel or slander in the UK everything is heavily weighted towards the plaintiff. Guilt is essentially assumed once the plaintiff shows the offending material, and the defendent has to prove he's innocent. Scientology even attacks distributors, such as when they forced Amazon to drop an anti-scientology book.

[Allegra]

Who's Tom Cruise going to sue?

That episode was written by John Smith.

Drawn by John Smith.

Conceived by Jane Smith.

Produced by John Smith.

;-)

[antiRepublicrat]

"No, sir, never in my life ... I am against the practice because it offends convention and it offends society."

I guess he forgot about that long-time live-in boyfriend.

[Central Scrutiniser]

[SevenofNine]

I think they are year behind in UK on SOuth Park like every other shows so I think Brits are not taking chance over this episode

MAN they miss the point Tom Cruise didn't want come out of closet because Stan told him he is not capalities of actor like Gene Hackman and Napolean Dyminte

Well least Tom dont' beat people up like Russell Crowe LOL!

[SevenofNine]

I think they are year behind in UK on SOuth Park like every other shows so I think Brits are not taking chance over this episode

MAN they miss the point Tom Cruise didn't want come out of closet because Stan told him he is not capalities of actor like Gene Hackman and Napolean Dyminte

Well least Tom dont' beat people up like Russell Crowe LOL!

[cspackler]

They never said he was gay in the entire episode, didn't use the word once. He just wouldn't come out of the closet. Make of it what you will...

[WV Mountain Mama]

I found it absolutely hysterical that after all the sue me dares from the boys, the credits listed everyone who made the episode as Jane or John Smith (I think those were the names.)

[vimto]

i miss those monstrous iron engines in the old Triumphs.. you're showing your age .... they are in classic car rallies these days!

[Ciexyz]

well at least Tom don't beat people up like Russell Crowe

Now don't you all go stomping my favorite actor, Russell Crowe!

[WV Mountain Mama]

Easy there, Russell Crowe is one hot MAN!! I could watch him in "Gladiator" every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

A year? Try a month

[andysandmikesmom]

As you know, I am a fairly recent viewer of South Park, so there are years of episodes that I have not seen...

Just the other nite, I saw the episode, where Butters mom tried to drown him in the car(a la Susan Smith), because Butters dad was engaging in homosexual 'dates', so the mom decides to drown Butters and kill herself...but then, she has a fit of remorse, and she and the dad decide to concoct some story about a 'Puerto Rican', carjacking her, and taking off with poor little Butters...

This was hysterical...because then John and Patsy Ramsey show up as a 'support group', for Butters parents(after all, they had some 'stranger', kill their little JonBenet)...then we have OJ show up as another member of the support group...then Gary Condit shows up as another member of the support group...

Then Butters mom cannot remember if it was 'puerto rican', or a 'costa rican', that stole poor Butters...

They just took everyone to task...Susan Smith, the puerto ricans, the costa ricans, John and Patsy Ramsey, OJ, and Gary Condit..I dont know when this particular episode was made, I am guessing a few years ago, otherwise, if it was a new episode, I should think that they would also have Robert Blake as a member of the support group, as well as Scott Peterson, lending his support group sayings straight from Death Row....

That was one hysterical South Park episode...and should anyone offended try to sue, well go on ahead and sue...maybe then we would get some straight answers...

[SevenofNine]

Actually guys I talking that annual South Park episode Russell Crowe fight around the world LOL!