March 27, 2006
A Defense of Chef
I'm not a Scientologist, and I don't play one on TV. But we have enjoyed some fun around here at the expense of Scientology and Mr. Isaac Hayes. Hayes, of course, left the cast of "South Park" because of a show that he felt was unfair to Scientologists. His character, Chef, explained painful truths to the children in South Park. I think Chef may be teaching us his last lesson.
Insofar as Hayes was coerced into leaving his position by powerful Scientologists, that is no doubt a problem. Rumors abound of a powerful cabal of Scientologists who "run" Hollywood. Considering all the other problems Hollywood has, I can't lose too much sleep over this.
Somebody suggested a boycott of Mission Impossible 3 (MI:3) over this. as Tom Cruise is a powerful Hollywood Scientologist. But if Mr. Hayes is acting on his own volition, I would call this a shining example of market forces and conscience. He is willing to turn down employment for his beliefs.
I'd suggest Christians consider this counterfactual: if South Park had done an episode talking about how Jesus rose from the dead, complete with the caption "Christians really believe this" and an actor had voluntarily quit the program, I would gather that actor would be hailed as a hero.
Parker and Stone will no doubt be more ruthless on Scientology, which is their right, too. I will enjoy those shows. The self-correcting market will carry on.
As one of those suggesting the boycott, I make the suggestion, and justify my wrath against Tom Cruise, because Mr. Cruise used his Hollywood power to leverage the deep-sixing of South Park's anti-Scientology episode.
Cruise refused to do any PR for MI:3 if the episode was not pulled. ALL parties involved with South Park, the Comedy Channel, and the producers of MI:3 are inter-related.
Posted by: TrekMedic251 at March 27, 2006 7:57 PMThat's a good point, and I will join you in a boycott (though like JohnGalt it is based more on the expectation of a really, really, really bad movie than Mr. Cruise's transgressions).
At that point it is indeed coercion and not a free choice. The only good news is that I expect this will not endear Scientology or Tom Cruise to Parker and Stone -- they could make a couple of bad enemies.
Posted by: jk at March 27, 2006 8:06 PM | What do you think? [2]