Isaac Hayes, voice of Chef, quits Southpark

[BengalszoneBilly]

It's funny how Issac Hayes had no problem until they got to his brand of brainwashing!

Source: MTV News

After nine seasons, more than 100 episodes and thousands of hot lunches served, Chef is apparently hanging up his apron and leaving the tiny town of South Park, Colorado.

Or at least the man who cooks up Chef's voice is. On Monday (March 13) who's provided the booming baritone for "South Park" 's cafeteria employee and resident ladies' man since the show began in 1997 — released a statement announcing his desire to be released from his contract with "South Park," blaming the program's "growing insensitivity towards personal spiritual beliefs."

"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," Hayes wrote in the statement. "Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil-rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."

"South Park" has taken potshots at just about every religion (episodes include such titles as "Christian Rock Hard" and "All About the Mormons?"), but the breaking point for Hayes might have been "Trapped in the Closet," a November 2005 episode that makes several scathing attacks on Scientology, the religion he practices.

A spokesperson for Hayes confirmed to MTV News that the soul legend is a Scientologist but would not elaborate on whether or not the "Trapped in the Closet" episode had any impact on his decision to leave "South Park." Spokespeople for Comedy Central could not be reached for comment.

In an interview published in GQ earlier this year, show co-creator Trey Parker said, "To be honest, what kept us from [parodying Scientology] before was Isaac Hayes. We knew he is a Scientologist and he's an awesome guy. We were like, 'Let's just avoid that for now.' ... Finally, we just had to tell Isaac, 'Dude, we totally love working with you and this is nothing personal, it's just we're "South Park," and if we don't do this, we're belittling everything else we've ripped on.' "

The "Trapped" episode is slated to air again at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central. The 10th season of "South Park" begins March 22.

— James Montgomery

[Stripes]

I remember seeing an interview on Comedy Central with the original makers of the show... They said that they had a lot of trouble convincing Hayes to take the role. I'm not too surprised to see him have a change of heart now...

I hope they just phase chef out of the show now, because there are no other voices that could fit his character as perfectly as Hayes did.

[ArmyBengal]

I hope they just phase chef out of the show now, because there are no other voices that could fit his character as perfectly as Hayes did.

Agree, it would be way different when Chef broke out into song about "I'm gonna make love to you woman" and it was someone elses voice. Sad to see him go, but think they are right. If you are going to rip on one, might as well stay true to what you do and rip on them all. I find the show more than moderately amusing !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Whur CHad At?]

That pisses me off. Damn those Scientoligists!!!!!

[bengalsLB]

NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Worst show in the history of television. I can't wait until it's off the air.

[Stripes]

Worst show in the history of television. I can't wait until it's off the air.

That's honestly the first time I've seen anyone say that about South Park.

While I'm not surprised that some folks wouldn't find some of the vulgar humor funny, I am surprised that one of Bengalszone's most outspoken posters would be one to hold such an opinion!

[Whur CHad At?]

Worst show in the history of television. I can't wait until it's off the air.

There is something wrong with you. How could you say that. South Park is the most politcally correct show on TV

[B24]

Opie and Anthony of XM Satellite radio had Isaac Hayes on their show after the scientology episode and Hayes didn't have any problem with it or anything else on South Park.

A caller asked him about it and Hayes said, "One thing about Matt and Trey, they lampoon everybody. And if you take that s**t serious, then I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge for two dollars."

Guess his scientology buddies got ahold of him and changed his mind.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Worst show in the history of television. I can't wait until it's off the air.

There is something wrong with you. How could you say that. South Park is the most politcally correct show on TV

I'd say it's the most politically incorrect show on TV. If it was politically correct, as Dr. Phil is, you'd never catch me watching it! There is however an underlying message to each episode, otherwise it'd be just another form of Beavis and Butthead.

*sob* I loved that show too!

[Indycat]

Worst show in the history of television. I can't wait until it's off the air.

I agree

[Riagogogoindanati]

THANKS A LOT TOM CRUISE.........FIRST NICOLE....THEN KATIE........AND NOW ISAAC!

WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO?

I'M GOING TO MISS THOSE CHOCOLATE SALTY BALLS.

[Scottishbengal]

So who should the new character be? the show must go on and lunches will still need to be cooked and served.

How about:-

Monica Lewinski

The ghost of Ronald Reagan

Coery Dillon!

Osama Bin Laden

The Osmonds

[Sox]

It's a great show,but I don't think Chef will be missed all that much.

As for Hayes,he is an example of hypocrisy at it's finest.Southpark has slammed many Religions and he's never seemed to have a problem with it.Do an episode about his cult and he quits.

[TJJackson]

He hasn't actually quit...the story is a bit off.

stay tuned

[BengalszoneBilly]

He hasn't actually quit...the story is a bit off.

T.J., the story is not a bit "off." This is the latest news off of Google.

Maria Anglin: 'Chef' can't take what he's dished out - Web Posted: 03/19/2006 12:00 AM CST - San Antonio Express-News

Stop me if you've heard this one. An aging R&B crooner walks into an edgy, animated comedy series in the late '90s. He's seen a slight resurgence in popularity in recent years — thanks to mainstream America's way of romanticizing yesterday's pop culture — but lending his voice to the series' school cafeteria chef gives him a boost in name recognition.

The series becomes a big hit, not just because of its originality, clever writing and witty satire, but also because mixing social commentary and bathroom humor with off-color dialogue delivered by cutesy grade-school kids — albeit cartoon ones — isn't well-received by everyone.

But with shock humor comes controversy and buzz, and with buzz comes more name recognition, and then a motion picture, more high-profile cameos, etc.

So the singer is having a big ol' time singing to the cartoon kids about good lovin' and recipes for chocolate salty, um, treats, while the show cracks wise and crosses the line on everything from religion and sex to politics and morality — all in the name of fun, of course.

One day, the singer quits because, in his words, "There is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins."

That time, for Isaac Hayes, arrived when he became the punch line.

It gets better. Matt Stone, one of the series' creators, told the Associated Press that Hayes left "South Park" over an episode that poked fun at the Church of Scientology and two of its high-profile members, actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

Funny, one would think Hayes would have developed a thicker skin about that kind of thing, both because "South Park" has made sport of every religious ideology out there and because almost every comedian has made sport of Scientology, Cruise and Travolta.

Funnier still is that Hayes could serve up double-entendres and hot social commentary for nine years — while the show's creators took shots at everyone else — without being a conscientious objector.

Didn't the "Jesus vs. Satan Pay-Per-View" joke send a red flag? Or what about the time the archangels tried to stop a comatose patient's feeding tube from being removed? Or the deity superfriends?

It's always different when the joke's on you, isn't it?

In fairness, maybe he'd been iffy about joking holy all along, and the last straw hit too close to home. And if he does indeed take deep offense at that kind of humor, it's probably best that he hopped out of the frying pan. Anyway, it doesn't make a lick of difference to most Americans that Hayes will no longer be Chef, even to fans of "South Park."

But in its own weird way, this amusing anecdote brings up an interesting paradox: Is it wrong to make fun of someone else's religion — or race or handicap? And if so, shouldn't Hayes be applauded for putting his foot down?

The easy answer is that, yes, it is wrong and disrespectful to have a laugh at another's expense. It's the right answer, even if that realization comes during an Isaac Hayes moment of clarity following a history of laughing at others.

But satire, by its very nature, is educational. It pokes dry fun at the uncomfortable and, if done correctly, achieves some good by unveiling silly details that often go uncriticized because of social niceties.

And it's comedy. It's supposed to be funny, and punch lines are that much funnier when they're grounded in truth. In nine years of check-cashing complicity, this had to have occurred to Hayes.

"South Park" crosses lines, but it doesn't take itself too seriously. It just acts on topics the writers deem worthy of comment. And it works because, at least in this format, nothing is sacred.

At the end of the day, that's all "South Park" is — social commentary with a humorous spin. And it's not for everyone.

Doing that kind of work well takes courage, and those who can't stand the heat should get out of the kitchen. - manglin@express-news.net

Of course if you have news from a different source, please post it here!

[HairOnFire]

Tonights 10th season premier is called "Chef Returns" and is said to be the opening salvo from the creators of South Park directed at Hayes and Scientology. Prolonged warfare against those two parties has been predicted, and should be hilarious.

[San Antonio Bengal]

Sorry for being off-topic, but all this talk of Chef reminded me of his wonderful parents and the loch ness monster.

Chef's dad: And that was the third time we saw the Loch Ness monster. Then one time, I believe it was July...

Chef's mom: August

Chef's dad: August, there's a knock on the door. I open it, and there's this cute little girl scout

Chef's mom: And she was so adorable with the little pig tails and all

Chef's dad: And she says to me "how would you like to buy some cookies?" And I said "Well, what kind do you have?" She had thin mints, graham crunchy things...

Chef's mom: Raisin oatmeal

Chef's dad: Raisin oatmeal, and I said "We'll take a graham crunch. How much will that be?" And she looks at me and she says "I need about treefiddy"

Chef's mom: Treefiddy

Chef's dad: Well it was about that time that I notice that girl scout was about eight stories tall and was a crustacean from the palezoic era

Chef's mom: The Loch Ness monster

[AGrizzlyBaer]

omg the season premier was amazing making fun of the scientoligist once again it was great

[HairOnFire]

Great show. First they use old audio clips to keep the Chef character alive just long enough to smear and discredit it, then they killed him Kenny-style, then they brought him back to life...sort of...in case they want to have future fun with the character, presumably if Hayes keeps making a fuss. Pretty brutal stuff.

"I'm gonna make love to your [butts]...[children]."

[BengalszoneBilly]

Great show. First they use old audio clips to keep the Chef character alive just long enough to smear and discredit it, then they killed him Kenny-style, then they brought him back to life...sort of...in case they want to have future fun with the character, presumably if Hayes keeps making a fuss. Pretty brutal stuff.

"I'm gonna make love to your [butts]...[children]."

It was an awesomely funny show. As soon as I realized they had (intentionally) did a poor job of pasting some of Chefs old audio clips together, I knew it was throw-down time between the two parties.

I almost choked on my beer when the large black stripper came out, jammed Chefs head between her huge cleavage, and proceeded to "cure" him of wanting to make love to the children! I'm willing to bet that would work on curing pedophiles in real life!

[LB51]

Great Show

So much for parting on good terms, I guess.

[HairOnFire]

I'd say the message was received loud and clear.

"He was under contract when he recorded the vocals, so they can do anything they want with them." ---A spokesman for Isaac Hayes

"Given how "Return" ends, plus the fact that Hayes has voiced the character since 1997, we're betting Chef will be around in some form for quite a while." --- Scott Collins, LA Times

BTW, my favorite part of the show came when the detective used a doll to determine if Chef had touched any of the children inappropriately. I swear I almost peed when the detective stars licking the doll, prompting Butters to say..."Hey, my Uncle Bud did that to me once."

[NJ29]

"I need about treefiddy"

I loved that part!

"The Loch Ness Monster needs about treefitty"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F_oWrIs-jQ...0ness%20monster

[ArmyBengal]

"Ain't you little crackers just as cute as the dickens..."

Funny stuff...

WHODEY !!!