When Satire Hits Home

UPDATE: Last week Isaac Hayes, a practicing Scientologist who has long been the voice of the character Chef on "South Park", quit after objecting to an episode called "Trapped in the Closet," which lampooned both the religion and Tom Crusie.

The skirmish continued this week, when Comedy Central abruptly pulled a repeat of that episode that was scheduled to air Wednesday evening.

Blog reports pegged the mysterious episode switch to objections raised by Cruise, who, the reports stated, threatened to not promote "Mission: Impossible 3," the summer tentpole for Viacom-owned Paramount.

___________________________________

Original Post:

Outspoken Scientologist Isaac Hayes, an Oscar-winning singer heard by millions in recent years as the "Chef" character on "South Park," has quit the cartoon four months after an episode spoofing Scientology.

"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins," the 63-year-old soul singer said in a statement.

Wait a second Isaac, I seem to recall many an episode in which Christan, Jewish and Muslim faiths were fair game. In an interview with the Associated Press, "South Park" co-creator Matt Stone responded sharply, saying, "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology. ... He has no problem – and he's cashed plenty of checks – with our show making fun of Christians."

He said he and co-creator Trey Parker "never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."

So I guess part of Scientology is having thin skin. Well I'm going to out a few of them here. If you run into any of these celebrities be sure not to offend their Scientology beliefs:

Kirstie Alley, actress
Beck, singer
Mary Bono, congresswoman
Chick Corea, musician
Tom Cruise, actor (formerly Catholic, according to Parade)
Jenna Elfman, actress, formerly Catholic, and her husband Bodhi, actor
Chaka Khan, singer
Jason Lee, actor and professional skateboarder
Juliette Lewis, actress
George Lucas, director
Bernadette Peters, actress and singer
Lisa Marie Presley, singer (sort of) and daughter of Elvis
Priscilla Presley, actress and wife of Elvis
Kelly Preston, actress and John Travolta's wife
Leah Remini, actress
Patrick Swayze, actor
Greta Van Susteren, host of FNC
John Travolta, actor
Edgar Winter, musician