Isaac Hayes Hangs Up His "Chef" Hat; Leaves South Park Behind
 

Due to what, at the basis of the decision, is likely upset over the portrayal of Scientology, of which he is a follower, Isaac Hayes has left the cast of "South Park", probably for good.

ARTICLE

As mentioned in the article, this does seem like an oversensitized reaction to a perceived slight. Of all the times that South Park lampooned Judaism, Christianity, Muslim faiths and smaller, secular religions, Isaac Hayes said nary a word. But mention Scientology and bam, Hayes is out the door.

Granted, he's very circumspect in his media response, so as to give appearances that this choice was much more high-minded than it was, but the obviousness of the implications remains.

I just wonder if South Park can get by without Chef or with another actor supplying the voice. I am doubtful that anyone can capture the subtlety of Isaac Hayes's characterizations, so I'd almost rather see Chef dropped entirely from the roster.

Boo =O

But your post has more substance than mine... ;_; *sulks off to close his, dejected*

Let us hope that it cannot get by without Hayes.
Although he may have been compelled to quit after it hit home with Scientology, that doesn't change the content of what he said. It just brought the truth to his doorstep, where he could see what was going on.
South Park has done nothing in regards to religious people, in my experience, but subtlely preach hatred and lies against them. The show as a whole is distasteful, although I will admit that there are some funny moments.

It satirizes everything, not just religions. You really need to lighten up, man. It's a cartoon on late-night television.

I rather enjoy South Park because their humor perfectly matches my own. Not a single episode or topic of theirs has ever offended me or opposed a viewpoint of mine ;D If you are easily offended, it isn't for you. Isaac Hayes obviously can't take a joke against himself. Matt Stone & Trey Parker make fun of Jews & Mormons actively (their religions).

Chef has had a smaller role in lately so I think his absence won't disrupt things terribly.

I don't think Chef is that vital to the show, in my opinion. A nice little side character, but the central focus of the show is satire of all types of different groups. As long as it has this, I will be entertained, with our without Chef.

They should throw in another token negro just to be funny, though.

I think Stone and Parker can run with this.

They should write in something where Chef's voice changes for no reason and now he's played by a white woman. Or have his voice change every episode.

The possibilities are endless. South Park usually thrives on changes like this.

http://www.planearium2.de/bilder/charaktere-token.jpg
There can only be one Token ;D

Oh you seriously have no idea how laid back I usually am.
Almost nothing phases me.

Nonetheless, saying "oh its a cartoon on late-night television" doesn't give an adequate excuse it.
Their satire has become nothing but grotesque situations devised for it's shock value, which then gains a cult following because it is "ZOMG REBELLIOUS!!!"

EDIT:
Although really, they will manage just fine without Hayes. I am just being hopeful.

Hmm. You're both right and wrong.

I do agree that saying "oh its just a cartoon" is very wrong.
I don't agree that their satire is only shock-based.

South Park has lampooned many targets that other shows wouldn't touch with a stick. I know sometimes episodes are only based on dick and fart jokes, but there are many occasions where a legitimate political standpoint was established. They tend to only go after hypocrites.

The South Park movie receiving rave reviews from top critics should be testament to the creators' ability to make more than just immature poo humor.

I'd laugh if this were some April Fools joke.

I find it kind of odd that he quits because they make fun of scientology. That pretty much makes him a hypocrite.

I believe there can be two.

All Chef really did was make jokes about how he has sex all the time and that one episode where he made those "salty chocolate balls." South Park can easily do without.

Not really. That's like saying all Cartman did was eat Cheesy Poofs and say "respect mah athoritah."

Chef was usually the strong male moral guide and protector to the kids. Often when the white population of South Park got caught up in an issue, Chef would cut to the chase and call them out on it.

That being said, he isn't really necessary. Sometimes the kids figure out the problem on their own, sometimes the kids' dads or teachers do.

He probably got pressured from the bigwigs in the Scientology to quit over this, is my guess. They don't take lightly to anyone mocking their "religion", and make it a point to lambaste those who do.

I agree. I'm assuming they were blackmailing him into leaving the show or being screwed over by the cult.

At least it isn't a messy departure from the show.

How does that make him a hypocrite?

Since it's okay to make fun of everything else but that something he's into?

That is not hypocrisy though.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=hypocrisy

*Idle fails at :eng101:

I'm still going to hold out and call an April fool's joke.

Chef seems to have been absent for a lot of the recent episodes anyway. Heck, the last episode I really remember him being in was "Good Time With Weapons" (the one where the boys buy ninja weapons and put Butters' eye out). I'm sure he's been in episodes since then, but he's generally had so few lines and such a minor role that I didn't notice.

It's a shame Hayes would leave, especially over something so petty, but I can't see it crippling the show any. It's not the first time that South Park has lost one of its voice actors. At least this departure is far less tragic than the last one.

I agree with what Amanda said, Chef has had a diminished role in the show for a few seasons now. He used to appear in just about every episode, now it's very intermittent.

It would be nice to have a Chef leaves southpark type episode, to some how explain his absence. Maybe Mr. Durp will return? =D

That scientology episode was hilarious.

Dang, that's disappointing that he's leaving. Sure Chef hasn't been there recently, but he's a character I greatly enjoyed. Then again, I won't lose sleep over it (since I have none to lose).

I'm with IdleChill: *April Fool's Joke*

Isn't this old news?

I won't bother pointing out why South Park wasn't ever worth anyone's time, but frankly - who gives a shit? No one here cared when Maggie Roswell was fired from The Simpsons following Fox's refusal to increase her travel expenses. (She was replaced with the ostensible soundalike Marcia Mitzman Gaven, but the difference to viewers was instant and obvious.)

The next time they decide to portray the Scientology religion in a humurous light, instead of using Beck, Travolta or Cruise, I think they now would be more inclined to use Isaac Hayes, and turn him into the joke.

So it is ok for them to satirize other religions but god forbid they target the scifi cult of scientology. Hippocrites all.

You guys are fucking retarded. If I think Apples make for great sandwich material, and don't say a word when people are ridiculed for eating apples in fruit salad, how does it make me a hypocrit when Apple sandwiches become lambasted? Do I not have a personal interest in Apple sandwiches, whereas before I was indifferent to Fruit Salad?

That may be a retarded example, but I'm sure you'll all get it.

That said, since when was Isaac Hayes a Scientologist? Truly this is a world without heroes. =/

Life's too short to be offended by a stupid cartoon....

Disclaimer: My apologies extend to all the Muslims out there I might've offended. I was not ridiculing the Prophet.

Or post mildly sniviling banter on the internet.

I can always make time for that... because politicially incorrect sarcasm amuses me greatly.

I had no idea either, till a few weeks a ago when I had a gander at his wikipedia article. Qutie unexpected really!

I don't think he's attractive at all really.

Are you posting in character, or what?

Anyways, South Park hasn't picked on anybody yet that didn't deserve it. Scientologists and whoever else they've jabbed at just make them right by getting mad over it, instead of being grown up enough to laugh at themselves. Good riddance to Issac, then. The show carries itself just fine without him.

I actually did know that he was a scientologist, but the thought never crossed my mind when that episode aired. They've put on plenty of stuff over the years that I probably could've taken offensive to, but I always, always laughed at it. This news about Isaac surprises me, really. I always thought he'd be above something this petty, but, meh.

It's his loss, though. The character never did much for me on the series. I got a kick out of his songs, but it was more often than not a bit character, and not one crucial to the series. I could probably count the number of episodes he appeared in last season on my hand, and I'd have to look them up to to do so.

It is really sad news he's leaving, but also stupid that he was fine with the whole mockery thing until it got to his religion. I really do hope the show can continue, because it is one of the best things on TV, even though I only watch it on my PC :)

Personally, I think the show will do just fine without him. This whole religion business with South Park is beyond old, but leave it to Issac Hayes to bring it back to the forefront.

Was not my intention. Just kind of sounded that way.

Only thing I've got to say is that I never really cared much about Chef. If he hightails it, I really won't miss him. As someone stated, his songs were somewhat entertaining but they weren't the bread and butter of the show.

It is indeed. Hayes claims that he left because South Park is too disrespectful of "religions" in general, because "religions are sacred to people", not because it offends him personally. But during the past 8 years when they have been mocking every religion, he didn't give a fuck about those. Only now they are too offensive? Yeah, right.

Hahaha, and you claim to be laid back. I repeat: yeah, right.

I have to admit, I didn't read the source. I believe that'd be deserving of a caning in Singapore.

Whatever, as of late Chef hasn't played much of a role, just a bit role in the latest episodes. They can move on, it's not like Chef is important as Cartman, Kyle, Stan or Kenny (which would end the series if any of them left; well at least someone other than Kenny).

I thought he was cool as an actor and I liked his character too. I'm surprised that he's a Scientologist too, frankly. I guess I had this delusion that he was "cool" V_V. Anyway, I think they should just kill off Chef as I don't think he could easily be replaced.

Even better, have one of the creators of the series voice Chef for his death. Considering some of the funny shit they've pulled (like the song, Let's Fighting Love), this could be gold.

I await the episode where they kill off chef and make fun of hayes making a humorous song about him

Considering how fast they make some episodes, that could be as soon as the next run of episodes (I heard on Wikipedia they made a whole episode in three days, that's what you get for using great, cheap-ass animation).

aparently the scientology episode is banned somewhere (not sure which country) because Tom Cruise was offended and tried to sue them. The episode even makes fun of that at the end.

It was Britian if I recall correctly, you can find the whole episode relatively easily using google, simply because the creaters allow downloading of the episodes.

Edit: You can watch the episode here, Wikipedia article had the link removed a few days back.

it is Britian, i just checked, and I already own every episode of south park except some of the early ones

Now Fox News is saying the Issac Hayes didnt quit....that someone quit for him.
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_frien...188463,00.html

And returning to the lineup after a short hiatus:

Chef!

The saga continues...

Nothing related to Scientology is ever simple. I question whether they'll even let Hayes speak on his own behalf. Unless you're good and crazy like Tom Cruise, they keep their minions on a short leash.

I figured South Park would jump all over this debacle. I'd expect Scientology jabs to start flowing for the next 12 episodes.

I heard about this and I was very disappointed with the fact that they have to either have a new person voicing chef or have old chef move and bring in a new chef.

Either way, it doesn't sound too promising. Chef, Cartman and Kenny are probably the faces of the show, so losing one may cause some damage - especially since Chef is extremely popular.

Maybe if they bring in Samuel Jackson to voice a character...

Other than Hayes being a beaming hypocrit, I don't see what the big deal is. Chef isn't a pillar character. I mean, if they tried killing Kenny (for good), then Chef is certainly disposable. I just hope they don't replace him with Mr. Derp, full-time.

I also can't wait to see how badly they goad Hayes and Scientology in the 10th season.

It really wouldn't have been worth it to lose a major character (even if he hasn't appeared for a long time) for a single episode, especially one as lame as Trapped in the Closet. Obviously Isaac Hayes couldn't have been too offended, if he rejoined after such a short time. Perhaps he initially quit not because the episode offended his religion, but because the episode did so without being funny?

Also, wasn't there a show about Scientology a few years back as well?

So who watched the new episode tonight? It was the first one created since Hayes left. Without revealing anything specific, I'm just going to say that they don't hold back ripping into the Chef character, and they make jabs about Scientology and its influence over Hayes at the same time.

For those who can take big spoilers, here are some highlights of the episode:

And no, I'm not making any of this shit up. It's fucking hilarious. Trey Parker and Matt Stone win.

WARNING: Don't quote my post unless you mind seeing the spoilers.

It was, perhaps, the defining moment in the history of South Park. It brought together everything they believed in for one shining moment. South Park cannot possibly get any better. Consider the shark jumped.

If Matt and Trey have any sense of self-awareness, they'll know that the pinnacle of a show whose legacy is blistering parody is directing that sarcasm inward to mock itself.

The world could fall apart around us and South Park could lampoon every step of the way, but I doubt it gets much better than mocking a disgruntled, former cast member.

Best way to jump I suppose, doing it on a high note.

Linking to our form's themes, who else was thinking "Metal Gear Solid" thought with the music?

I watched it too, and...

I really wish someone could provide me with a cap of the ending. I need that to be my desktop. hahaha! brilliant.
it was such a heartbreakingly personal episode. you can tell that Matt and Trey really do love Isaac and really hate to see him go.

My favorite part was...

The new episode was very funny, with many parallels to the Scientology episode and themes. I'll try to post with no spoilers, but anyone who knows enough about this story would have by now tried to see it any way they know how.

It's sad to see him go, but South Park will certainly continue, and the message at the end certainly clarified Matt and Trey's stance on the subject (see Watts' spoiler).
South Park is more about exposing hypocrites and social commentary than it is about immature humor, but the immarture humor is thrown in to keep the episode light and funny during the heavier scenes.
Imagery aside, the show won't end simply because Chef left. As stated before, he isn't a staple character and his role in the show has often been replaced by other characters.
There are plenty of things South Park can still attack, and what's stopping them from re-attacking.
Still, I hope they get off this whole 'let's all get scientologists' kick and get back to being good ol' South Park (minus Chef).

Oh, and just to enlighten some people, another of my favorite shows has a scientologist at its helm: My Name is Earl. Jason Lee is a scientologist. :(
Jenna Elfman is also one.
It's just a new celebrity fad. Very few of the people in it actually know its true beliefs because you have to pay in and involve yourself for years before you get to find out. South Park tried to expose it, but being so biased it's hard to truly buy in to either side of the 'argument'.
Still, as a rule, any religion where you have to pay to hear the beliefs and stories is sketchy, dodgy, and should be avoided.

Others:
Celebrity Scientologists

Catherine Bell is a scientologist? That's pretty retarded.

Anyways, just caught the episode rerun tonight, and it was funny as hell. This coming from a person who thinks that South Park is one of the worst shows on TV.