So, it appears that
Mission: Impossible III put pressure on Comedy Central to not air the Scientology episode last week, instead pulling the promised story for an old repeat featuring Chef in a pivotal role. Yeah, it's not scary in any way that Tom Cruise has that much clout! Wasn't that covered somewhere in Revelation as one of the signs of the apocolypse?
Seriously, I understand not wanting to have your faith mocked or satirized, but to use your pull to have an episode you disagree pulled from the airwaves just doesn't seem right. I had issues with the episode of
South Park that ended with Cartman on a cross being crucified but I chose to change the channel and not watch anymore (that episode) rather than demand Comedy Central never air said episode again. But then again, I'm not Tom Cruise.
Of course, as we all know Tom Cruise knows what is best for America and is an expert on everything. Just ask Brooke Shields...
OK, enough of the bashing.
On to why we're here.
I'm hearing conflicting stories about this week's episode of
South Park. TV Guide On-Line
says it will be a repeat of the Scientology episode while other reports say that Matt Parker and Trey Stone are working on a
last minute episode that will satirize the entire situation with Issac Hayes. (One of the beauties of
South Park is that process to create a completed episode can be completed in a more timely manner than standard shows, thus allowing the show to comment on current situations, such as the hysterical episode in 2000 about the election results or earlier last year when the response to Hurricane Katrina was the focus on an episode). I believe the press release says something along the lines of "Chef returns but the boys notice something different about him." I've also heard reports that maybe Hayes didn't leave the show.
Whatever the story, I think the real winner here is Comedy Central. You can't buy this kind of publicity and let's face it--it certainly does make you a bit curious to tune in tomorrow night and see just what will be going on down in
South Park...
posted by Michael Hickerson at 3/21/2006 09:53:00 AM |
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