Tonight's South Park

[CDiehl]

The more I think about it, the more I think what happened at the end wasn't all Parker and Stone making a joke, and wasn't all Comedy Central caving in. It was a little of both. The scene could have been written so if Comedy Central did decide to censor it, it becomes part of the joke.

I think the ending made a good point, with how al-Zawahiri is portrayed crowing about his great retaliation against the makers of Family Guy. He didn't do jackshit by running that cartoon, since we make fun of Bush and Jesus all the time here in the US. In the same way, showing this inconsequential portrayal of Muhammad would be almost literally the least anyone in the media could do to stand up for freedom of speech.

[Alferd Packer]

Matt and Trey might also have had advance warning the CC would refuse to air the episode with Mohammed in it, so they wrote it in the the story. As anyone really familiar with the show will tell you, they often work on shows up until Tuesday night before it airs.

But I think it's more likely that it was always written that way.

[Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi]

Found an article related to the matter:

Link

NEW YORK (AP) - Banned by Comedy Central from showing an image of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the creators of "South Park" skewered their own network for hypocrisy in the cartoon's most recent episode.

The comedy - in an episode aired during Holy Week for Christians - instead featured an image of Jesus Christ defecating on President Bush and the American flag.

In an elaborately constructed two-part episode of their Peabody Award-winning cartoon, "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker intended to comment on the controversy created by a Danish newspaper's publishing of caricatures of Muhammad. Muslims consider any physical representation of their prophet to be blasphemous.

When the cartoons were reprinted in newspapers worldwide in January and February, it sparked a wave of protests primarily in Islamic countries.

Parker and Stone were angered when told by Comedy Central several weeks ago that they could not run an image of Muhammad, according to a person close to the show who didn't want to be identified because of the issue's sensitivity.

The network's decision was made over concerns for public safety, the person said.

Comedy Central said in a statement issued Thursday: "In light of recent world events, we feel we made the right decision." Its executives would not comment further.

As is often the case with Parker and Stone, they built "South Park" around the incident. In Wednesday's episode, the character Kyle is shown trying to persuade a Fox network executive to air an uncensored "Family Guy" even though it had an image of Muhammad.

"Either it's all OK, or none of it is," Kyle said. "Do the right thing."

The executive decides to strike a blow for free speech and agrees to show it. But at the point where Muhammad is to be seen, the screen is filled with the message: "Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Muhammad on their network."

It is followed shortly by the images of Christ, Bush and the flag.

A frequent "South Park" critic, William Donohue of the anti-defamation group Catholic League, called on Parker and Stone to resign out of principle for being censored.

"The ultimate hypocrite is not Comedy Central - that's their decision not to show the image of Muhammad or not - it's Parker and Stone," he said. "Like little whores, they'll sit there and grab the bucks. They'll sit there and they'll whine and they'll take their shot at Jesus. That's their stock in trade."

Parker and Stone did not immediately respond to a request through a spokesman for comment.

It's the second run-in over religion in a few months for the satirists. Comedy Central pulled a March rerun of a "South Park" episode that mocked Scientologists. Isaac Hayes, a Scientologist who voiced the Chef character on the show, resigned in protest over the episode.

"South Park" again got the last word last month with an episode where Chef was seemingly killed and mourned as a jolly guy whose brains were scrambled by the "Super Adventure Club," which turns its members into pedophiles.

Only last week, "South Park" won broadcasting's prestigious Peabody. Awards director Horace Newcomb said at the time that by its offensiveness, the show "reminds us of the need for being tolerant."

I have the feeling that Parker and Stone will bring the matter up again in a later episode.

[JME2]

Well you should've known better!

An internationally syndicated article by the Washington Post, reported on Nancy Cartwright, the voice of the famous cartoon character Bart Simpson and co-host of the Church of Scientology’s 40th anniversary celebration at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. In the article, Nancy explains how she became a Scientologist several years ago when she was looking for a committed relationship:

"In Hubbard’s works, Cartwright encountered a passage on shedding the pain of loss. ’I felt he was talking directly to me,’ said Cartwright, who said she has had her share of unrequited loves. ’I said to myself, I want to stop that feeling."

Nancy, who is now happily married with two children, told the Post that Scientology auditing "enriched her personally and professionally."

So, let's see then. Nancy Cartwright (Bart) is a Scientologist, Jodi Benson (Ariel the Mermaid) is a Born-Again Christian -- anyone have anything else to add to the list?

[Captain Cyran]

I think another point they may have been trying to make in the show was the ridiculous reactions. Here we have death threats and worry over simply showing Muhammed on screen, and then here comes Jesus, shitting all over everyone, and we hear (To the best of my knowledge) not even a "Hey, that's not cool."

[Wicked Pilot]

and then here comes Jesus, shitting all over everyone, and we hear (To the best of my knowledge) not even a "Hey, that's not cool."

There are obviously no true Christians out there.

[CaptainChewbacca]

I can't believe the guy called them "whores". Hillarious.

[Joe]

So I guess that confirms it. Fucking cowards. Right decision my balls.

[Davis 51]

A frequent "South Park" critic, William Donohue of the anti-defamation group Catholic League, called on Parker and Stone to resign out of principle for being censored.

"The ultimate hypocrite is not Comedy Central - that's their decision not to show the image of Muhammad or not - it's Parker and Stone," he said. "Like little whores, they'll sit there and grab the bucks. They'll sit there and they'll whine and they'll take their shot at Jesus. That's their stock in trade."

I thought that name looked familiar, so I went digging, and found an old Comedy Central clip making fun of Mr. Donohue. This article confirms that he is full of shit.

Back on topic, I have this urging feeling that there is no way Parker and Stone are gonna let this slide. Everything they have done in the past indicates that we have not seen the last of this.

I haven't seen this weeks episode yet, but I plan on taping it.

[Joe]

William Donohue is a certifiable fucktard. Pay him no mind.

[Majin Gojira]

Wait a minute, that WAS Comedy Central caving in?

Someone really has their head up their ass, because the last episode shown before the new season started was "Super Best Friends" which features Muhammed as a character in it!

WTF!? Someone needs to be fired for THAT little fuck up.

[spikenigma]

I wonder if this really does set a precedent

* OT literalists:

You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (RSV )

* CoS: some obscure part scientology writ stating that images/words of Xenu would cause offense and go against doctrine if they are shown

it'll be interesting to see if any other groups now start lobbying and claiming hypocracy to get things removed/censored from TV using this as an example

it'll be interesting to see how this develops

[Phillip Hone]

Gah! South Park is funny because Matt and Trey don't care as much about wheter or not people are offended as most other shows, so they can be more original. If they start making it more PC, it's going to get boring.

I think it's a shame that the episode got pulled, but at least it's still OK to mock other religions

[Macross]

Does anyone else get the impression that Parker and Stone visit this forum? Not to long ago there was a discussion comparing Cartman and Stewie ( South Park vs. Family Guy) and sure enough, the time Cartman had Scott Tenorman parents killed and turned into chili was mentioned as one of the worst things Cartman ever did. Now, a short time later, we have a two part episode with South Park vs Family Guy as an underlying theme, and Cartman himself tells us that the Scott Tenorman incident was the worst thing he has ever done.

Coincidence??? I think not!

Parker, Stone, if you read this, give us a sign! Put something hidden into an episode, something subtle, a throw away line or a sight gag, something that only members of this forum would pick up on!

...

Ok, now back to reality...

[felineki]

Does anyone else get the impression that Parker and Stone visit this forum? Not to long ago there was a discussion comparing Cartman and Stewie ( South Park vs. Family Guy) and sure enough, the time Cartman had Scott Tenorman parents killed and turned into chili was mentioned as one of the worst things Cartman ever did. Now, a short time later, we have a two part episode with South Park vs Family Guy as an underlying theme, and Cartman himself tells us that the Scott Tenorman incident was the worst thing he has ever done.

They've already referrenced the Tenorman incident in an earlier episode... I think it was one where Cartman believed he was dead because everyone had started ignoring him, and he made a list of all the bad things he had done in his life so he could atone for them. He mentioned the bit about killing Tenorman's parents and feeding them to him.

[Glocksman]

So I guess that confirms it. Fucking cowards. Right decision my balls.

Why should CC be any different than the rest of the US media in refusing to show images of Mohammed?
Frankly I expect more courage out of the NY Times or CNN than I do Comedy Central.
Too bad they're all fucking cowards.

[Majin Gojira]

So I guess that confirms it. Fucking cowards. Right decision my balls.

Why should CC be any different than the rest of the US media in refusing to show images of Mohammed?
Frankly I expect more courage out of the NY Times or CNN than I do Comedy Central.
Too bad they're all fucking cowards.

Because they did it 3 weeks ago?

[Metrion Cascade]

If Comedy Central was unwilling to show Muhammad then Matt & Trey should have made him a blank cutout, or just left his face blank a la some Islamic paintings. Basically the maximum offense possible while still doing what the network asked.

[Glocksman]

So I guess that confirms it. Fucking cowards. Right decision my balls.

Why should CC be any different than the rest of the US media in refusing to show images of Mohammed?
Frankly I expect more courage out of the NY Times or CNN than I do Comedy Central.
Too bad they're all fucking cowards.

Because they did it 3 weeks ago?

You expect consistency from a TV channel???

[Darth Fanboy]

Super Best Friends. Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Joseph Smith (Mormon founder), and Seaman (an Aquaman ripoff) work together to overthrow a cult based off of David Blane's magic tricks.

GOd Damnit I knew that once someone told me I would realize that I had already seen the episode in question. Thanks.

[Joe]

Why should CC be any different than the rest of the US media in refusing to show images of Mohammed?

Because it's just a fucking image of Mohammed. Comedy Central does not get off for it's asshattery just because censoring images of the prophet is the common practice in the industry.

[VT-16]

William Donohue is a certifiable fucktard. Pay him no mind.

He will get his own episode one day. ;)

I remember seeing an uncensored clip somewhere. Think it was Youtube. Apparently, the uncensored version continues to show Muhammad after the point that the black background disappears, so that shot afterwards was re-edited beforehand. (If not, the entire scene would have been covered in that black background and text, so this is definitely something they made two versions of either way.)

[Ubiquitous]

The 'leak' was a fake according to something I read earlier. I think it was a guy from CC though, so take this info with a pinch of salt.

[Grandmaster Jogurt]

If you saw the same one I did, the fact that Mohammed looked the same as he did in Super Best Friends despite the rest of the scene being in faux-Family Guy style should be a sign that this wasn't the original.

[Joe]

Supposedly, this is the message Comedy Central sent out to people who complained about pulling the image of Mohammed:

Dear Viewer,
Thank you for your correspondence regarding the "South Park" episodes entitled "Cartoon Wars." We appreciate your concerns about censorship and the destructive influence of outside groups on the media, entertainment industry and particularly Comedy Central.

To reiterate, as satirists, we believe that it is our First Amendment right to poke fun at any and all people, groups, organizations and religions and we will continue to defend that right. Our goal is to make people laugh and perhaps, if we're lucky, even make them think in the process.

Comedy Central's belief in the First Amendment has not wavered, despite our decision not to air an image of Muhammad. Our decision was made not to mute the voices of Trey and Matt or because we value one religion over any other. This decision was based solely on concern for public safety in light of recent world events.

With the power of freedom of speech and expression also comes the obligation to use that power in a responsible way. Much as we wish it weren't the case, times have changed and, as witnessed by the intense and deadly reaction to the publication of the Danish cartoons, decisions cannot be made in a vacuum without considering what impact they may have on innocent individuals around the globe.

It was with this in mind we decided not to air the image of Muhammad, a decision similar to that made by virtually every single media outlet across the country earlier this year when they each determined that it was not prudent or in the interest of safety to reproduce the controversial Danish cartoons. Injuries occurred and lives were lost in the riots set off by the original publication of these cartoons. The American media made a decision then, as we did now, not to put the safety and well being of the public at risk, here or abroad.

As a viewer of "South Park," you know that over the course of ten seasons and almost 150 episodes the series has addressed all types of sensitive, hot-button issues, religious and political, and has done so with Comedy Central's full support in every instance, including this one. "Cartoon Wars" contained a very important message, one that Trey and Matt felt strongly about, as did we at the network, which is why we gave them carte blanche in every facet but one: we would not broadcast a portrayal of Muhammad.

In that regard, did we censor the show? Yes, we did. But if you hold Comedy Central's 15-year track record up against any other network out there, you'll find that we afford our talent the most creative freedom and provide a nurturing atmosphere that challenges them to be bold and daring and places them in a position to constantly break barriers and push the envelope. The result has been some of the most provocative television ever produced.

We would like nothing more than to be able to look back at this in a few years and think that perhaps we overreacted. Unfortunately, to have made a different decision and to look back and see that we completely underestimated the damage that resulted was a risk we were not willing to take.

Our pledge to you, our loyal viewers, is that Comedy Central will continue to produce and provide the best comedy available and we will continue to push it right to the edge, using and defending the First Amendment in the most responsible way we know how.

Sincerely,
Comedy Central Viewer Services

Western civilization is jumping the fucking shark.