Centerfield

South Park and Scientology

Following up on the story first posted here by Rafique Tucker, the bizarre flap continues.

Cable net abruptly pulls repeat of Scientology episode

The dust-up gained steam last week when Isaac Hayes, a practicing Scientologist who has long been the voice of the character Chef, quit after objecting to a "South Park" episode called "Trapped in the Closet," which lampooned both the religion and Tom Cruise.

The skirmish continued this week, when Comedy Central abruptly pulled a repeat of that episode that was scheduled to air Wednesday evening. Showing instead was another memorable seg which featured Hayes's character, called "Chef's Chocolate Salty Balls."

Blog reports pegged the mysterious episode switch to objections raised by Cruise...

But wait, it gets better! SOUTH PARK creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have issued a statement on the flap.

"So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun! Temporarily anozinizing our episode will NOT stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies. Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!" --[signed, "Trey Parker and Matt Stone, servants of the dark lord Xenu"]

It's enough to make me forgive them for TEAM AMERICA.

UPDATE: Trivia note. The recipe for Chef's Chocolate Salty Balls does not list salt as an ingredient.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Shortly after this post went up, comments function went DOWN. Paranoid Scientology theorizing may now commence--but you may not be able to post it! :-)