Chef Leaving South Park
 

Isaac Hayes Quits ‘South Park’

Co-creator of show says singer had no trouble mocking Christians

Isaac Hayes says he can no longer stomach "South Park's" jokes about religion.

New York - Isaac Hayes has quit “South Park,” where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion.

Hayes, who has played the ladies’ man/school cook in the animated Comedy Central satire since 1997, said in a statement Monday that he feels a line has been crossed.

“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 and outspoken Scientologist said.

“Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored,” he continued. “As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.”

“South Park” co-creator Matt Stone responded sharply in an interview with The Associated Press Monday, saying, “This is 100 percent having to do with his faith in Scientology... He has no problem — and he’s cashed plenty of checks — with our show making fun of Christians.”

Last November, “South Park” targeted the Church of Scientology and its celebrity followers, including actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, in a top-rated episode called “Trapped in the Closet.” In the episode, Stan, one of the show’s four mischievous fourth graders, is hailed as a reluctant savior by Scientology leaders, while a cartoon Cruise locks himself in a closet and won’t come out.

Stone told The AP 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.”

There is a separate version of what happened, stating that he didn't quit over the religion thing, but had a stroke in January and has had to recover from it since...

who knows. not that important to me anyway
it's all about the Colbert Report now!

It sucks he's leaving but he's gotta do what he's gotta do and I don't think at this point Isaac's too strapped for cash to do it.

This is definitely a sad thing to happen to South Park! I'm just curious as to why he's now leaving the show if he's this offended by the mocking of christianity. I mean, you've been on the show for 9 seasons now, and now you get offended?!? What the fuck?!? Well, tonight's new episode is "The Return of Chef". Should be good. Hopefully! *sits quietly* COME BACK ISAAC HAYES!!! I MISS YOU!!! :(

Wow.... there are good people in this world. My shit life just got .0001% better.

he's not offended by the mocking of Christianity, he's offended by the mocking of Scientology

That episode was fuckin' hysterical, by the way.

both the TitC and RoC kicked ass

Sorry about that.

BTW- "The Return of Chef" episode was hilarious! "Hey kids, I wanna MAKE LOVE to your asshole!" LMFAO!!!

I MISS YOU ISAAC HAYES!!!

yeah, but we shouldn't be mad at him. We should be mad at the fruity little club that brainwashed him