VILE “SOUTH PARK” EPISODE PULLED (Catholic League Pres. responds)

Catholic League ^ | December 30, 2005 | Bill Donohue

[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.”

[IranIsNext]

Broken Remote Syndrome I see.. Hundreds of channels, they have to watch only one so that they can have something to complain about. You do not have a right to not be offended. You will probably be offended many more times in your life. we all will.. Get over it.

[NYer]

For the love of God, I'm a Catholic and it didn't bother me in the least.

How consoling!

Instead of freaking out about this stuff, we should be working against the Da Vinci Code movie or something IMPORTANT.

Yes, you're absolutely right! What could be more important than to take offense against a work of fiction like the DaVinciCode.

We are indeed making mountains out of mole hillls here. That South Park should poke fun at and make a mockery of the Mother of God on the feast of her Immaculate Conception, by featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary spraying blood from her vagina, is absolutely ludicrous.

Is that what you are suggesting?

No doubt our Lord enjoyed the 'joke' as much as you.

[annalex]

As I struggled to explain, the standard is blasphemy and not offense, which is of course subjective. One does not make blasphemy disappear by switching channels. I did not watch South Park except for one brief time between channels, when I liked it. But I still want that episode pulled, and am happy that is has been.

Of course, I am no standard personally. If you ask me, the entire TV thing should be pulled off the air.

[NYer]

great another thread so the FR Holier than thou club can come out and demonize those that enjoy the show.

No one is demonizing the show. Perhaps you missed the 'connection' in that Comedy Central chose to air this particular episode on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

But heck, what's the big deal! Let Viacom make fun of the Mother of God. Next week, it may well be your mother and then we can all join in the laughter.

[NYer]

Unlike most other shows, they don't single out Christianity for abuse, while honoring a host of sacred cows. They make fun of everyone. Which means that they're attacking the Church bothers me much less than it would coming from other quarters.

No doubt they enjoy nothing more than to poke fun at any and all religious groups. Perhaps, like the other posters to this thread, you missed the point. Here it is: They intentionally chose to air that segment on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Do they air their taunts against Islam during Ramadan? Or their taunts against the Jews on their High Holy Days?

Heck, what's the big deal! Mary is only the Mother of God. You go right ahead and defend Viacom. We catholics are being much too sensitive in defending Christ's mother.

[elfman2]

"Both the Virgin Mary and the Pope are holy persons to a Catholic, and the reference to the mentrual blood is obscene by any standard."

Well, the Virgin Mary wasn’t maligned, only a statue of her irreverently used to take shots at fanatics, but I can see how the Pope’s treatment might qualify as contemptuous.

Treating men consider by some as sacred with irreverence is foundational to South Park. If this universally qualifies as blasphemy to Catholics, it looks to me like you’re operating with a chip on your shoulder by promoting a mortal to virtual deity status. It looks like you’re saying obscene references to him are on the same level as obscene references to God, both being blasphemy.

[Judith Anne]

I generally really like South Park. I thoroughly enjoyed Team America.

But I'm glad this episode was pulled. Some things, I just don't enjoy jokes about.

I don't think SP is quite as funny as it used to be, though...it's starting to remind me of the progression of SNL, which I also enjoyed in the early days.

[NYer]

a/k/a The Humor-Impaired Club

Lol .... you're so right. Gees, it's been 2,000 years. We really do need to lighten up.

[NYer]

I think Catholics need to get a grip and stop thinking everyones out to get them. Start by cleaning up your own house.

We have. Now it's your turn to clean up the schools, protestant churches and boy scout organizations. Are you up to it?

[Titanites]

Well, the Virgin Mary wasn’t maligned, only a statue of her irreverently used

Well, maybe you can send in a photo of your mother for them to denigrate next time, then we can all have a good laugh.

[NYer]

Take your pick of anyone or anything and it's a target for South Park. Why should the Catholics get special privileges?

See my post #64.

[NYer]

They parody the fringe in everything.

Well, that's the first time I have ever heard anyone refer to the Mother of God as "fringe".

[elfman2]

"Well, maybe you can send in a photo of your mother for them to denigrate next time, then we can all have a good laugh."

If my mother was a political or public figure, I’d expect it.

[NYer]

They've made fun of Jesus from their beginning but no one complains about that.

Least of all you.

[Central Scrutiniser]

Hooray for censorship!

Now lets head down to the library and burn those books we find offensive!

BTW, because of this hubbub, that episode has been downloaded millions of times and more people have seen it as a result of all the controversy.

It wasn't the best episode of South Park, but still pretty funny.

[Titanites]

I’d expect it.

And enjoy it apparently, since afterall, it would just be a photo of her. I'm sure she'd be proud of you.

[zeeba neighba]

Well you know what ? I can refuse to watch it and alert as many Christians as I can to the vileness of it, and I do. Watch away. Pay the price on Judgment Day. No blubbering. After all, you thought it was just good fun.

[Titanites]

Hooray for censorship!

Actually, hooray for free speech!

[Central Scrutiniser]

Free speech would allow this to be broadcast.

These folks only want their version of humor (which is oddly humorless) on TV all day. But, its not 1955 anymore and Beaver is a big fat grownup. People watch SP because its funny.

The irony is, SP sides with a lot of conservative thought.

[NYer]

The only reason I still watch this show is because about every third episode is funny. (the rest are about as good as a really bad Family Guy episode)

Sure. We catholics have lost our sense of humor. I understand there was a large turnout for this entertaining event. Of course, that was before the invention of the television and South Park.