Posted on 12/30/2005 11:40:04 AM PST by NYer
“Several news stories today are reporting on the decision by Comedy Central to pull a scheduled rerun of the ‘Bloody Mary’ episode that was shown on ‘South Park’ on December 7-10. The decision reflects what I asked for in our news release of December 8. Therefore, I commend Comedy Central for finally making the right decision. That it aired in the first place, however, does not speak well for the bigots responsible for creating it.
“In our December 8 news release, I also said, ‘Remember, they chose to insult Our Blessed Mother on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, and the holy day itself.’ The episode in question featured a statue of the Virgin Mary spraying blood from her vagina. It was one of the most vile TV shows ever to appear, and that is why I asked Joseph Califano, a practicing Catholic and member of Viacom’s board of directors (Viacom is the parent company of Comedy Central) to issue a public condemnation of the ‘Bloody Mary’ episode; I also asked that he do whatever he could to pull any scheduled reruns of the episode.
“On December 9, the day Califano received our request, he released a statement condemning the episode. He also said that any further decisions would have to be made by Tom Freston, president and chief executive of the New Viacom. For the past few weeks, we have been in touch with Freston’s office awaiting his decision. Yesterday, we received a phone call from Tony Fox, executive vice president for corporate communications at Comedy Central, informing us that there were no plans to rerun ‘Bloody Mary.’
“Already, we are being deluged with hate mail that is as obscene as it is viciously anti-Catholic. All because we exercised our First Amendment right to request that Comedy Central not offend Catholics again! But we’re used to such things and will not be deterred.”
Heh - well I think he's kinda cute, and I thought I'd include it, only with some context... "people aren't ready to see the likes of me" and "what did you expect me to look like". "Well not like ~that~!"
Heh... It's the same joke, really as George Burns in "Oh God". God comes down as a very humble frumpy character.
But as for the outraged, they'll still hate it. It's their job to hate it, I guess ;~D
Yes, giving it in context was a great idea! I love the portrayal of God, actually. I mean, not physically, but the way He acts. Like when He gives advice to Satan, that was awesome.
And, yeah, they will hate it even though they've never even watched much of it. Oh well, just add more people to the list South Park offends.
[At AA meeting]
| Randy: | [slowly] But, I don't knnow if I'm really an alcoholic. |
| Big Woman: | Then why are you here? |
| Randy: | Because I got a DUI and so I'm required to attend AA meetings for two weeks. I was stupid one night and drank too much and then drove a car. That was dumb and I'm not gonna do it again. |
| Michael: | Randy, you are powerless to make that decision. The only thing that works is the 12-step program. [points out the 12 steps] Step 1 is admitting that you are powerless to control your drinking. Only then can you move on to the other 12 steps, like, believing that only a higher power, God, makes you stop drinking. And then, turning your life over to that God and, humbly asking God to remove your weaknesses. |
| Randy: | What wait wait, hold on. I never knew that Alcoholics Anonymous was a religious thing. |
| Michael: | Well it's not religious. You just have to admit that there is some kind of god which has power over you and turn your life over to that god and ask him for forgiveness. That's the 12-step program, not religion. |
| Randy: | Llook, I, I really just need to cut down on my drinking and never drive the car drunk again. |
| Michael: | [approaches Randy] You just can't cut down on your drinking, Randy. You need to know something. You have a disease. |
| Randy: | Uh... a disease? |
| Michael: | That's right. Alcoholism is a disease. You're sick, Randy. You're very very sick. And just like with most diseases, you can't cure it yourself. And it's deadly. |
| Randy: | [appalled by the "diagnosis"] Oh my God... |
| [Stan's house, later. Stan arrives and enters. As he hears the sofa, he sees his father wrapped in a blanket and bottles of beer on the coffee table before him. Another bottle is next to him on the couch. He's sipping more beer.] | |
| Stan: | Dad! What the hell are you doing?! |
| Randy: | [quivering] Hello, Stan. |
| Stan: | Dad, it's the middle of the day! I thought you weren't going to drink as much anymore! |
| Randy: | No, Stan, you don't understand. I have a disease. Daddy's very sick. |
| Stan: | What?? Did you go to your AA meeting?! |
| Randy: | Yes, they're the ones that told me. I thought I could just quite drinking on my own, but... it's an illness, son. I have to admit that I'm powerless to this terrible disease. [coughs, drinks, and burps.] |
| Stan: | Dad, you've had enough! Just stop now! |
| Randy: | I can't! I'm sick! [begins to cry and walks off in his blanket. He goes to the bathroom and closes the door, then goes to the vanity and looks in the mirror] It's not fair! Why did you give me this disease?! [coughs as he cries, then takes some shears to his hair and shaves it off. Stan is about to pour milk into a glass downstairs] Stan! Stan! [Stan stops and sets the carton of milk down, then walks into the living room, where Randy is now seated in a wheelchair.] Stan. |
| Stan: | Aw Goddamnit! |
| Randy: | Stan I... need your help. |
| Stan: | Dad, what are you doing in Grandpa's extra wheelchair?! |
| Randy: | Gotta try to take it easy from now on, son. Get Daddy another beer, will ya? |
| Stan: | No! You don't need another beer! |
| Randy: | [turns away and rolls off] I know that! But this disease is just eating me up! I hate my illness! |
| Stan: | Dad, you just need to not drink so much. It's very simple. |
| Randy: | I wish it was that simple, son. But if I don't give myself up to a higher power, this disease is going to kill me dead. I'm afraid the only thing that will cure me... is a miracle. |
| [the nighttime sky. The camera pans down from the big, bright moon to a church with a grotto in front with a statue of the Virgin Mary with halo looking down benevolently. Somewhere on the statue a red dot appears. The dot grows into a patch and begins to bleed down the gown. The parish priest is walking away from the church when he notices the bleeding. He turns to get a better look, smears some of the liquid onto his finger, and analyzes it] | |
| Priest: | [softly] Es un milagro. [loudly] Es un milagro! [immediately gets on his knees and crosses himself, then holds the bloodied finger upright] |
| [A news report in front of the church, day. A crowd begins to gather at the grotto] | |
| Field Reporter: | Tom, I'm standing in the garden of St. Peter's church in Bailey, where what some call a miracle is taking place. The statue of the Virgin Mary has started to bleed. Out its ass. [an establishing shot of the statue] The phenomenon was first seen by Father Harold Barnes, [standing with the Spanish-speaking priest in front of the statue's backside] who saw the blood coming from the Virgin Mary's ass late last night. [back to the reporter] People from all over the state have flocked here to the church to witness the apparent mriacle firsthand. |
| Woman 1: | Well, we just heard that this miracle was happening and we wanted to see it for ourselves and come and pray. |
| Field Reporter: | Why do you believe the Virgin Mary is dripping blood? |
| Woman 2: | Well it may represent her sorrow over all the bad things going on in the world. |
| Field Reporter: | Why do you believe the Virgin Mary is dripping blood out her ass? [both women stay silent] As news of the miracle spreads, hundreds are expected to show up here at the church, hoping to witness the miracle, and even cure their diseases. |
| [The Marsh living room. Randy's watching the screen] | |
| Randy: | Cure... cure disease. STAN!! |
| [The next AA meeting] | |
| Man 3: | My name is Harry and I'm an alcoholic. |
| Group: | Hi Harry. |
| Harry: | I've been sober now for five years and I I've learned that drinking ice tea and, and getting more involved with my relationship with God is, is, is way more fun than partying. |
| Woman 2: | It it sure is. |
| Harry: | Once I accepted that I was powerless to control my drinking and my life, I I put it in God's hands and now, these meeting are the most fun thing I do. |
| Man 4: | Yeah. [Stan enters the meeting room and walks up towards the front] |
| Stan: | Ah, excuse me, who's in charge here? |
| Michael: | None of us are in charge. We're all powerless. |
| Group: | We sure are. That's right. Uh huh. |
| Stan: | Uh, look, my dad was here yesterday and ...you all kind of messed him up by telling him he had a disease? |
| Harry: | Alcoholism is a disease. |
| Stan: | No it, it's not. And, y-you can't just go around saying stuff like that to people like my dad. He He's kind of, a hypochondriac |
| Man 2: | It is a disease because it's a physical dependency. That makes it a disease. |
| Stan: | No, cancer is a disease. My dad needs to drink less. |
| Michael: | He can't quit by himself. None of us could. He needs divine intervention. Spirituality. |
| Stan: | No, he just needs adisciprine. But thanks to you people, my dad now thinks he has a disease that he can't cure himself. |
| Michael: | Young man, do you know anything about the 12-Step Program? |
| Stan: | Yeah, and I also know a thing or two about cults. I was the leader of one for a while. [he is promptly kicked out] Goddamnit! [walks off] |
| [Another news report] | |
| Field Reporter: | The crowd grows larger every hour, as the statue of the Virgin Mary continues to miraculously cry blood... out her ass. A Cardinal, Mallory, has been sent by the Vatican to determine whether this is a true miracle or not. [the cardinal and two assistants walk into the grotto] |
| Father Barnes: | [showing the Cardinal where to go.] Right this way, Cardinal. [the cardinal, priests, and assistants go behind the statue] The blood always comes from the same area. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. [the Cardinal walks into position and begins to take a good look. He puts on his glasses and looks again. He looks even closer, and a stream of blood shoots at his eyes. His face and bust are full of blood as he moves from the back of the statue to the front. He wipes gobs of blood from his glasses and mouth and tosses them to the floor] |
| Cardinal Mallory: | [Irish accent] It's a miracle! [the waiting crowd cheers] |
| [The street. Stan is still pissed off from his expulsion from the AA meeting, but he notices his father grunting. Randy is next to the car, still in the wheelchair. He opens the car door and climbs in.] | |
| Randy: | [burps] Uh, kay, here we go. [gets into position] |
| Stan: | [rushes up] Dad?! Dad, what are you doing?! |
| Randy: | I gotta drive to Bailey. [chugs another beer] |
| Stan: | Dad, you're drunk! You're not driving a car! |
| Randy: | No, Stan, you don't understand. There's a church in Bailey. The statue of the Vergin Mary is bleeding out her ass. |
| Stan: | [stays quiet, then] What?? |
| Randy: | They say her divine ass blood has miraculous healing power. She can cure my alcoholism! I'll be back soon! |
| Stan: | Dad, you can't drive! Your license is suspended, remember?! If you get pulled over again, you're gonna go to jail for ten years! |
| Randy: | [thinks] Alright... then you drive! [points to Stan] |
| Stan: | ... I'm eight! |
| Randy: | [makes a fist with his right hand] This is my only hope, Stan! Either you drive this car or I will! |
| [On the road. Randy sits in the passenger side chugging more beer] | |
| Randy: | I sure hope this works. No. No, it will work! I have to put my faith in a higher power. I HAVE to believe that this will work! [looks off to his left] There! There's the church! Stop right here, Stan! |
| Stan: | Where. I can't see. |
| Randy: | Right here is good! Brake pedal! Left pedal! [Stan manages to pull into a spot] Alright, get my wheelchair out of the back. [takes another chug of beer] |
| [St. Peter's Church in Bailey, night. Stan wheels Randy up to the end of the line, but isn't happy to be doing this.] | |
| Randy: | Is this the line? [Stan's eyes open wide. Before them is a looong line leading up to the grotto] Oh God! [gets in line] Is this whole line people waiting to be cured? |
| Man 5: | Yeah. I wa diagnosed with brain cancer two months ago. I feel like this is my only hope. |
| Randy: | I know exactly how you feel. I've got alcoholism. |
| Stan: | [covers his eyes] Oh my God... |
| Randy: | Wait a minute. Stan, isn't that Josh Garrett up there? He's from South Park. Maybe he'll let us in line with him. |
| Stan: | Dad, let's just wait our turn. |
| Randy: | I could die waiting in this line, Stan. Come on, let's go! [Stan wheels him up to Josh.] Heeey heh, Josh Garrett. How yo doin'? |
| Josh: | Oh, hey Randy. What happened to you?? |
| Randy: | I've got a disease: Alcoholism. It's pretty serious. You? |
| Josh: | Mm-my daughter has elephantitis [the camera pans down to a horribly deformed girl with a bad breathing condition and crutches.] |
| Randy: | We are the same, she and I. |
| Man 6: | Eey, what do you think you're doin', kid? |
| Old Woman: | [in her wheelchair]You're trying to cut in line! |
| Stan: | I just, my dad was- |
| Man 7: | [walks around the old woman] You're a butter! You're a dirty linecutter! [the statue is shown, and another elderly lady walks up to it. Father Barnes takes some blood from the statue's ass and forms a cross with it on the woman's forehead] |
| Old Woman 2: | Praise Jesus. [walks away smiling. The crowd moves up on. Randy didn't return to the back of the line.] |
| Randy: | This is taking too long! I'm gonna run out of beer! Stan! |
| Stan: | What?! |
| Randy: | [in hushed tones] You see that guy up there? I think he has a kidney disease. Every couple of minutes he gets out of line to go to the bathroom. When he leaves next, let's take his place. |
| Stan: | No, Dad, people will see! |
| Randy: | The guy behind him is blind! There he goes! C'mon! C'mon! Go go go! [the line advances and Stan and Randy quickly move in and fill the space] |
| Blind Man: | Hey. I smell a butter. |
| Woman 3: | He did, that kid just cut in line! |
| Man 8: | Back o'the line, butter! |
| Randy: | I'm going to die! |
| Stan: | [gets into position to move the wheelchair to the back of the line] Dad, we're going back! |
| Officer: | What's goin' on here? |
| Man 9: | This kid's cutting in line! |
| Randy: | Please, officer, you have to understand. I need a miracle waaay more than these people. I'm an alcoholic, and I'm powerless over it. |
| Officer: | ...I understand. My, my brother's an alcoholic. Here, let me push you to the front of the line. [Stan looks on a bit stunned] |
| Randy: | Oh bless you, sir! Bless you! [the line parts as the officer moves him] 'Scuse me, out of the way, alcoholic coming through! [the officer moves him into position. Randy wheels himself closer] She's... beautiful. [the statue squirts a long stream of blood on him and he rejoices in it] Aaaah. AAAAAaaaaah! [opens his eyes, and the statue quickly squirts him one more time. He then wheels himself into view and struggles to get up from the wheelchair. He still has a bottle with him] I'm... not... going... to drink this. I'm not going to drink this! [throws the bottle off somewhere] It's a miracle! I'm cured! [begins to dance away. Stan is embarrassed and stewing] Yoohoohoo! Praise Jesus! Praise Mary the Blessed Vergin Mother! Thank you! Thank you God! [runs off] |
| [The Marsh house, morning at the breakfast table. Shelley is drinking some milk, Stan is reading a comic book, Sharon is making breakfast] | |
| Randy: | Good morning, family. The Lord has truly blessed us with another beautiful day. [reaches over and kisses Sharon, then goes to his seat at table] It's just amazing. I haven't had a drink in five days. Praise Christ. Praise him. [looks at his kids] |
| Stan: | Praise Christ. |
| Shelley: | Praise Christ. |
| Randy: | I've got another AA meeting today and guess where it's gonna be, Stan. At Whistlin' Willy's Pizza, so you can come with me. |
| Stan: | Naw, Dad, all the guys are going to Kyle's hosue to watch the Bronco game. Kenny and Kyle's Dads were hoping you'd come. |
| Randy: | Stan, thos people drink. I have new friends now. My AA friends, who have faith in a higher power. |
| [Whistlin' Willy's Pizza Gulch, later.] | |
| Group: | Yeah, all right, woohoo! [Randy and Stan sit among Randy's new friends and their kids.] |
| Randy: | Boy this lemonade is great! Who knew how fun being sober could be?! |
| Group: | Yeah! That's right! Right! |
| Boy: | Your dad doesn't drink either? |
| Stan: | No, my dad doesn't drink. |
| Boy: | Does that mean we're friends? [Stan just looks over at him] |
| Randy: | 'Scuse me, I I'd like to address the group if I may. |
| Michael: | Sure Randy, go ahead. |
| Randy: | [rises] I'm Randy and I'm an alcoholic. |
| Group: | Hi Randy. |
| Randy: | But I put my faith in a higher power and... I haven't had a drink for five days now! [the group cheers him on, but behind him another news report pops up] |
| [News Report from St. Peter's Church in Bailey] | |
| Field Reporter: | An update from the bleeding Virgin Mary statue! |
| Randy: | [turns around and reacts] Oh wait. Sh sh. Hold on a second, gang. [the group queits down] |
| Field Reporter: | Earlier today, the new pope, Pope Benedict the 16th himself, visited the statue here in Bailey to witness the miracle firsthand. [Footage of the pope walking through the crowd. People left and right knnel before him in reverence] It was an amazing sight to behold as Pope Benedict made his way through the throngs of people. |
| Cardinal Mallory: | Right this way, Your Holiness. |
| Field Reporter: | The pope then examined the statue closely. [the pope draw closer... closer... blinks, gets closer... looks at the camera and raises his eyebrows quickly twice, turns back and gets closer, gets a stream of blood on his face, about as much as Randy got] After witnessing the phenomenon firsthand, the pope then cleaned himself off and then declared that the bleeding Virgin Mary statue is not a miracle! |
| Randy: | What? |
| Field Reporter: | Having investigated clsoely, the pope determined that the blood was not coming from the Virgin Mary's ass, but rather, from her vagina. And the pope said quote, "A chick bleeding out her vagina is no miracle. Chicks bleed out their vaginas all the time." [a graphic with those words appears on screen, along with an image of the pope and his name, Pope Benedict XVI] Back to you, Tom. |
| Tom: | Thanks, Edward, that's a very shocking report... |
| Randy: | That means... I'm not cured. I still have the disease! [throws his mug of lemonade away and heads for the bar] Bartender! I eed a drink! Three shots of McAllen, two small bottles of vodka, three bottles of beer and some Jell-O shooters! [getting frantic] Come ON! Let's GO! |
| Michael: | Randy, uh what are you doing? |
| Randy: | You heard what he said! [gathers his drinks and carries them] The higher power didn't cure me! I'm powerless again! |
| Man 10: | I'm, I'm, I'm powerless too! |
| Man 11: | Yeah me too! |
| Man 10: | Get me seven martinis! |
| Man 12: | Jack and Coke! |
| [Whistlin' Willy's, outside. Randy staggers out with his drinks] | |
| Stan: | Dad, Dad, Stop! |
| Randy: | [turns around, dropping an empty bottle] I'm sorry, son! I'm off the wagon! |
| Stan: | Dad, you don't have to do this! You have the power. You haven't drank since seeing the statue. |
| Randy: | But the statue wasn't a miracle! |
| Stan: | Yeah. The statue wasn't a miracle, Dad. So that means you did it. That means you didn't have a drink for five days all on your own. |
| Randy: | You're right, Stan. If God didn't make me stop drinking then... I did. Maybe... Maybe I can force myself to never drink again. [throws off all his drinks, and they shatter on the pavement.] |
| Stan: | No! |
| Randy: | No?? |
| Stan: | Dad, you like to drink. So have a drink once in a while. Have two. If you devote your whole life to completely avoiding something you like, then that thing still controls your life and, 'n you've never learned any discipline at all. |
| Randy: | But, maybe... I'm just the kind of person who needs to have it all or nothing. |
| Stan: | Naw. All or nothing is easy. But learning to drink a little bit, responsibly, that'sa disciprine. Disciprine... come from within. [Randy looks at Stan for a moment, then walks up to his side and kneels next to him.] |
| Randy: | How did I manage to raise such a smart kid? |
| Stan: | I've had a great teacher. |
| Randy: | Thanks son. |
| Stan: | No not you, my karate teacher. He's really smart. |
| Randy: | Oh. Well, tell you what: let's leave the car here, walk home, and watch the game. Like to have another beer or two. |
| Stan: | All right! |
| Randy: | [lifts up his son and places him on his shoulders] Come on! [they begin to walk] Or maybe I'll have three beers. [they walk off towards the sunset in the street. Their shadows are long on the pavement as the sun blazes on the horizon] |
| Stan: | That's probably okay if you spread it out. |
| Randy: | Well how about four? |
| Stan: | I think you're pushing it. |
| Randy: | How about twenty? |
| Stan: | That's not disciprine. |
| Randy: | Right right. Does vodka count? |
| Stan: | Dad! |
| [End of Bloody Mary.] |
Agree or not with their conclusions about Alcoholism and AA (as I happen to) but really, that's what the show was about.
You, sir, are my hero. Why did no one else think of that? Ah well :D
About 8 threads too late, and I'm a ma'am. :~D
Oops! Sorry about that!
I couldn't have said it better myself: thank you.
None of it has an effect on me as a Christian. People will do whatever they feel to protect their lifestyle whether it be right or wrong in their mind. I take no offense, to the contrary I have a heartfelt sorrow for their spiritual condition. They feel by going on the attack it would somehow make them feel better about themselves in this lost condition. In due time they will have to account for every idle word and action on judgment day and their eternal souls know it.
Apostasy is more relevant a subject, or should be to the person attempting to defend whatever their faith may be. What are they defending anyhow? Is God that small He needs defending? Trust God, He is not mocked, and by His Word, "a double edge sword" will cut to the quick anything secular or religious thats found outside of His Truth.
Have a blessed new year my friend
The effect that matters is the effect on others. Free speech does not exist where spokesmen for one group has the ability to denigate what is sacred to others and they cannot answer back. "Artists" do not heap scorn on Jews or Muslims, and this for good political reasons; they have no more right to heap scorn on Catholics, at least not without expecting protests. If there are no protests, then others assume that Catholics do not care,that they are afraid, that they would rather be part of the crowd, the crowd saying, "crucify him."
Happy New year!
None of it has an effect on me as a Christian.
I take no offense, to the contrary I have a heartfelt sorrow for their spiritual condition
My sentiments exactly! Just putting some info out to those who don't seem to know. Responses are they don't seem to care. Don't know is one thing I can relate to, been there. But don't care, that's different. The hardened hearts of some does bring heartful sorrow to others.
It'd be better if the heartful (the sincere word would be heartfelt; the freudian slip resembles 'hurtful') sorrow would manifest in minding his own business, or even shutting his own mouth.
To use an icon of the Virgin Mary to ridicule so-called "miracle groupies" is disrespectful.
Many hold sacred and blessed the Virgin Mary. Many hold the icons of the Virgin Mary in similar regard.
Personally, I would never use the icon of the Virgin Mary as a prop to ridicule anybody or anybodies faith. It debases what people hold sacred, the Virgin Mary the Mother of God. To do to her icon what is described above is disrespectful.
As far as those who would believe that they see tears or blood from a sacred icon, It all comes down to their faith and their need or willingness to faithfully believe in a miracle.
But how are they different than most. Most people do have a religious faith. Many people on this thread have their own faith and their own beliefs that they hold sacred, even if they don't look for bleeding and crying icons.
But faith by it's definition is something that can not be proved. So I'm having a hard time seeing why you think that one person's nonviolent religious faith is worthy of ridicule, while the religious faith of others is not.
Why don't you describe what is so bloody different about the faith in "miracles" of a bleeding Mother Mary icon and the religious faith of others.
Thank heavens the Catholic League exists to protect me from these big, bad cartoon shows!
South Park is clearly a conspiracy to turn me to sin and abandon my Catholic morals
No one can protect you from anything you want.
Abandon your Catholic morals? And what may they be?
Them there quick fix miracles seekers are at it again. Those ridiculous people who want nothing more that some quick gratification, huh?
Maybe, they are people who are really desperate for a miracle, exercising their faith in God. Do you have a faith in God? Maybe they are just like you.
Stand corrected. Heartfelt. Nothing freudian, sorry to disappoint.
even shutting his own mouth
Whoops! What about 'free speech'? How quick the tables turn. I guess free speech is only for TV and those that defend smut. Let's see, in one month it offends people when you say Jesus, Christmas and speak against smut. All by those that are afraid we will loose free speech. That's twisted thinking; but then, again, what else is new.
no Church teaching that forbids laughing at inappropriate things.
I understand. Some churches don't teach specifically from God's Word. And I totally agree with you, if we find something funny, we find something funny. Some things are funny to some and not others.
Hope you have a blessed New Year, sporkgoddess.
No, it's making fun of people who constantly look to those kind of "Mary in a tortilla" miracles for help, as opposed to helping themselves. Did you not read the script?
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