Infinite MonkeysRoger Friedman at Fox News suggests that Isaac Hayes didn't quit his role as South Park's Chef, but that somebody -- perhaps Hayes' Scientology handler -- quit it for him. Friedman makes an interesting case, though I see a few problems with his theory.
First, it's not at all unusual for somebody who suffers a stroke or a life-threatening illness to reevaluate his perspective, particularly where religion is concerned. Neither Hayes being in intensive therapy nor his prior statements about the Scientology episode prove that the man hasn't simply changed his mind.
More troubling is the cranky response South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone issued immediately after the news came out. If Hayes has indeed been out of commission for a couple of months and "in no position to have quit anything", I would have expected Parker and Stone to have at least a basic awareness of that.
Still, I hope Friedman's little conspiracy theory turns out to be true. Hayes has always come off as a tremendously good sport about the content of South Park, a fact that has given hope to those of us who desire to some day throw off the shackles of political correctness and be able to speak our minds freeely once again.
Posted by Poochucker at March 20, 2006 04:03 PMWhat kind of "religion" has handlers? (and yes, I mean those scare quotes to be read in the most sarcastic tone possible)
I've been researching $cientology for about a week now in depth. I've read hundreds of pages and watched hours of video. I'm honestly somewhat obsessed with it. Obsessed with how manipulative, dishonest, paranoid, and abusive it is. It's just dumbfounding. My head is still spinning about how to present what I've found, and in what order. Believe me, if it's not laid out in the right order, I'm going to be the one who comes off as crazy. But trust me, it's a serious, greedy, paranoid cult. Perhaps I should post a little precursor...
With regard to T&M's snarky comments, I must disagree. They are not so much anti-Hayes as they are anti-Scientology. The actions of Hayes and/or his handler are pure Scientology Tech 101. All of Scientology clamors for an Orwellian twist of religious tolerance. It's maddening. And their Variety comments are aimed at the cult itself.
Posted by: AnonyMonkey at March 20, 2006 08:28 PMI would like to think Freidman is right because I loved Isaac/Chef in South Park. I especially liked that he did not take himself so seriously that he was willing to voice that character. And the initial report that I linked to just didn't "sound" like Isaac Hayes. BUT, having said that and hoping for the best, I am suspicious at this last minute "leak" of his medical condition. Besides, as Freidman points out "But it’s hard to know anything since Hayes, like Katie Holmes, is constantly monitored by a Scientologist representative most of the time."
Posted by: JamesPh. at March 20, 2006 09:41 PMYeah, and what the Anony One said too!
Posted by: JamesPh. at March 20, 2006 09:42 PMApparently Isaac was indulging in too many of those Lay's tater chips!
Posted by: jamcool at March 21, 2006 12:28 PMProbably actually Chocolate Salty Balls.
Posted by: JamesPh. at March 21, 2006 08:16 PM