South Park Images Banned by own network

[CFHSNJROTC]

Updated:2006-04-14 14:49:06
'South Park' Creators Skewer Own Network
By DAVID BAUDER
AP
Comedy Central
Instead of someone else, the naughty animated boys bit the hand that feeds them this week.

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NEW YORK (April 13) - 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."

Source:Aol- http://news.aol.com/entertainment/ar...990002&cid=461

[USMCRET6391]

I am not a big fan of South Park (my boys love it however), but I did watch it last night and I must say it was hilarious. Their attack on the hypocrisy of this whole issue was right on target....and their parody of "Family Guy" to do it was even funnier.

[Grimmy]

South Park is evil!! No one should watch it!! (just to stay predictable ) I'm so pissed! I had my tivo set to recored it but it didnt!! Damn it.

When do they reshow eppisodes?

I saw the first part but missed the second.

I've tried twice to set South Park to tivo and it's not took both times. I need to figure out how to work out programing conflicts in the recording options :/

[CFHSNJROTC]

theres and episode on tonight at 2330 (1130eastern time ) I dont know if its the same one as the one talked about in the article.
I missed it also but havent watched it in a while

[Grimmy]

I dont know why I keep missing it. I also tend to enjoy "Mind of Mencia" and that's on just prior to South Park iirc.

[AngelBear]

Are you recording anything else in the same time slot Grimmy?

[Grimmy]

Probably. when's South Park come on? If it's thrusday, it might be Supernatural. If it's wed it might be Lost.

Dang setup's supposed to be able to record 2 channels simultaniously.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to finally break down and read the instructions.
I hope that doesnt lead to me carryin a purse or something.

[AngelBear]

I have never watched this show... but yes it does record two shows at once.

[Hasbeen]

If you miss it Friday, it should re-air on Saturday as well. I don't watch it often, but when I do I find myself marvelling at their ability to parody current events and push the envelope of free speech.

[armyinfmom63]

I love South Park!!

[CFHSNJROTC]

Originally Posted by hasbeen

If you miss it Friday, it should re-air on Saturday as well. I don't watch it often, but when I do I find myself marvelling at their ability to parody current events and push the envelope of free speech.

its usually on on wedness days and saturdays but for somereason its not on tomarrow night at all , i think there some marathon on .