…so he’s gettin’ outta the kitchen:
Isaac Hayes, whose lounge act career was revived when he began playing the smoothest of all cafeteria employees on South Park in 1997, is leaving the show on the grounds that it offends his religious beliefs.
See, Hayes is a devout Scientologist. “Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored,” he told the AP. “As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.”
But, as South Park co-creator (and occasional Jewfro sporter) Matt Stone points out, “He has no problem and he’s cashed plenty of checks with our show making fun of Christians…He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin.”
That’s right the reason we all love South Park is because those sick bastards are equal opportunity offenders (Mr. Hanky, anyone?)
I vote the voice of Howard Stern as Chef’s replacement; nothing offends him except TV executives and after last night’s Letterman stunt, he might be needing the work.
What took Hayes so long? That episode aired a few months ago if I’m not mistaken. I heard he would have an issue with it. Its great to be spiritual and go to temple and all but once anyone becomes TOO fanatical to the point where you can’t take a joke about your own faith… it get’s dangerous.
Who’s going to argue that 9/11 had nothing to do with religous fanatics?
Isaac Hayes should take a joke and get on with it.
I think they should replace his character with one of those Mohammed cartoons.
I never made a habit of watching South Park because of all the jabs and poking fun that the show makes toward many different ethnicities. I, like Iisac Hayes, am dovoted to my faith and don’t like seeing or hearing it be made such fun of – I get very offended at it and become equally defensive because of it. To make fun of any Jew for their faith is making fun of me too.
Since 911 I have not been as tolerant to all other faiths and nationalities as I was before the catastrophy. I know what it is like to be the holder of such prejudices but given how sensitive I am to this when against me. I have the tact to not voice my prejudicial dislikes to anyone, whether it be about them or not and Iisac Hayes beeds to get some of it for his own self.