March 14, 2006

Suck on MY salty chocolate balls

Isaac Hayes, the voice of Chef for 9 years on South Park has called it quits, evidently because he was insulted:

Hayes said the show's parody of religion in general was part of what he saw as a "growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs" in the media, including the recent controversy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.

"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs ... begins," Hayes said.

South Park co-creator Matt Stone was quick to point out the inherent hypocrisy in Hayes' statement:

"In ten years and over 150 episodes of 'South Park,' Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslims, Mormons or Jews," Stone said in a statement issued by the Comedy Central network. "He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show."

He added: "Of course we will release Isaac from his contract, and we wish him well."

I'll miss Chef, especially as the entire point of the show is that NO ONE is above parody based on religion, wealth, education, sexual orientation, ability, or gender. Or anything else for that matter. To leave the show because it hit a little too close to home is hypocritical and pissy.

I hope Xenu is happy with him.

Posted by caltechgirl at March 14, 2006 01:21 PM | TrackBack
Comments

That's odd. We don't see SP regularly any more, but I've always loved Chef. Bet the writers will have fun with his departure, in a subtle sort of way!

Posted by: Marie at March 14, 2006 04:59 PM

Oh, I'd bet on not subtle at all.

Posted by: owlish at March 17, 2006 06:30 AM