Posted on 03/20/2006 3:06:10 PM PST by Central Scrutiniser
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 the "Trapped in the Closet" episode that apparently sparked Hayes' departure, the character hadn't been seen much for a while). The boys are glad to have their friend back, but "they notice that something about Chef seems different."
Where most animated shows need months to complete an episode, "South Park" is often able to turn out a completed show in a matter of days. Therefore, Parker and Stone, who also do much of the voice work, can poke fun current events faster than pretty much any other show in primetime (last spring's "Best Friends Forever," which commented on the Terri Schiavo case, is a good example).
Hayes, who's voiced Chef since "South Park" debuted in 1997, released a statement last week saying he wanted out of the show after deciding he no longer could take the show's frequent mocking of religion. The series has targeted Christianity, Islam and Judaism as well as Scientology. In his own statement, Stone challenged Hayes' stated reasons for leaving, noting he'd never objected to religious satire until after the "Trapped in the Closet" episode aired.
A few days after that, Comedy Central pulled a scheduled repeat of "Trapped in the Closet," which led to rumors that Tom Cruise -- also a target of the episode -- had threatened to pull out of promoting "Mission: Impossible 3" if the episode aired again. Paramount, which is releasing the movie, and Comedy Central are both owned by Viacom.
Cruise's reps denied the rumor, and Comedy Central said it wanted to give Hayes a nice sendoff by showing two Chef-centric episodes instead.
We're thinking all this might spark a little interest in the season premiere.
I predict Chef comes back WHITE.
a bit of mockery of the Black-White show.
You have a point. ;)
Chef ( Isaac Hayes ) suffered a stroke 17 Jan., '06...
He is suffering from some memory loss and slurring of speech..
I guess you got what you wished for, huh ???
white or skinny
But we're still flooded! When are they going lower the water level???
hey youre from beaverton!!!!
Just have Rush Limbaugh do the voice.
I'm sure that would go over real big, and I bet he would do it and have a blast.
Christ no, the last thing that gasbag needs is another thing to talk about.
I have seen two propositions I liked (in combination): guest voices for Chef every week, and Chef gets killed. I suggested Kenny kill Chef every week, and the guest voice only be used for a single scream of "You bastard!" as Chef dies.
The other fun thing for them to do would be to have Chef go completely silent for a month, or go to TimmAY-status, mouthing the same words over and over.
OHHHH COOL what they going do with Chef is he going be Zombie LOL!
What WHAT LOL!
OMG I wonder if Matt and Trey would recruit Dave Chappelee to do Chef for one episode LOL!
The town is jolted out of a case of the doldrums when Chef suddenly reappears. While Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman are thrilled to have their old friend back, they notice that something about chef seems different. When Chef’s strange behavior starts getting him in trouble, the boys pull out all the stops to save him.
Who the heck knew Chefs name was Jerome McElroy?
You always have great taglines. :)
Pig and elephant DNA just won't splice. Haven't you ever heard that song by 'Loverboy'... Pig and Elephant DNA Just Won't Splice! ;)
Bingo. Chef become whiter than Mr. Rogers
They mentioned it before. His parents are Scottish.
http://www.boycottmi3.com
Tom Cruise is on the boycott list.
That is an episode that I would watch.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.