I have not the stomach or interest to study L Ron Hubbard's sordid personal history to know the facts, but it would seem that Parker and Stone mean for this pedophilic characterization to play off of allegations only gently hinted at in their Scientology episode.
The voicing of Chef was surprisingly effective creatively. They simply cut up bits of Isaac Hayes lines from previous episodes. This sounds like it would be disjointed and not sound right - but that was exactly the effect they wanted. They used that brilliantly. It sounded like his voice asking the children if they wanted to "sodomize my black ass" and even cruder and more inappropriate suggestions regarding their grade school behinds - but that wasn't really Chef.
But none of this is really any attack on the beliefs of Scientology. "Trapped in the Closet" already did that, addressing the group frontally by name and mocking the specific writings of Hubbard. This episode isn't really even trying to do such a thing. It's not about that. They may have had it coming, but this was more like a gratuitous punch in the nuts to the bastards who took Chef away from them rather than an intellectual examination. They meant it just that way.
Perhaps the most interesting part of this was the way in which Parker and Stone grapple with the blame and responsibility. They really, really WANT to absolve their old buddy of blame. Stan says specifically that we shouldn't be mad at Chef, but at the cult that lured him in and brainwashed him. They hypnotized him with this spinning thingy and messed up his mind.
But Parker and Stone are too scrupulously honest and too true to what THEY believe to let themselves or Hayes off the hook that way. The children busted in and rescued Chef. They escaped the Super Adventure Club, and crossed the bridge to safety. Chef made a clear and conscious decision to turn his back. "But we love you." Then Chef says — now clearly sounding like himself — "I'm sorry children" and heads back across that bridge of his own free will.
Article comments
1 - Michael Heumann
You nailed it--it truly was the saddest SP ever. I've always been amazed at the complexity and creativity of the duo's stories--how they can weave sheer silliness into a truly perceptive and nuanced argument on an important subject (the Mormon episode is a perfect example). It's been one of the best shows on TV for ten years, and it's never lost its edge or held anything back.
2 - peter
Isaac Hayes did not quit "South Park." My sources say that someone quit it for him.
....That certainly begs the question of who issued the statement that Hayes was quitting "South Park" now because it mocked Scientology four months ago. If it wasn't Hayes, then who would have done such a thing?
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
"It's the saddest South Park ever."
Yep, that pretty much sums it up for me. South Park shouldn't feel like that.
The scene of him impaled by that rock/tree was just horrible. Usually those bits work for them. Not so in this case.
4 - Luke
At first I couldn't put my finger on why the episode felt wrong. I think you might be on to something about the lack of good natured fun in this episode. It was the first time their poking fun at someone seemed more like a personal attack. Even the scathing representations of Michael Jackson and Paris Hilton others didn't seem out of spite, they seemed pretty much just for fun.
It is sobering, like when a school yard wrestling match starts to turn serious.
5 - Al Barger
Yes, Luke- a schoolyard wrestling match turned serious. This episode was a real grudge match.
I generally much prefer good natured to mad, but it made for an interesting and unique flavor for one episode. A little vinegar in the diet is good for you.
Suss, the impaling etc of Chef at the end didn't work as comedy, particularly- but I don't think it was really intended to. It was more like a somber ritual- an interesting different artistic effect.
6 - Ty
I called this last week in saying they would do a Chef episode. I expected a white-washed Chef, but using old sound clips was genius.
ALthough this was different than most SP episodes, it is still classic SP. And quite interesting that the show exists stronger than ever in its **10th** season.
And now the show can pull off doing episodes like this, which are complete inside jokes. Imagine someone pop-culturally challenged watching this SP episode. They totally wouldn't get it, but it's okay as now SP is for SP fans.
I thought it was hilarious from start to finish, and I actually thought Kyle's speech was sad. And I thought Chef's "Death" was a riot. Funny classic SP stuff.
I really don't understand why people think this is "Wrong." Parker and Stone are the guys who cross the line so much, there is no line. Now with Issac Hayes being a hypocrit and quitting (hypocrit for not being offended when they made fun of other religions), it is only fitting that Chef got a true SP send-off the only way Parker and Stone know how.
7 - Dave Matthews (not that one)
It will be interesting to see how the Church of Scientology responds to this, given their policy of "black propaganda" against anyone who slams them in public.
Well, dictators are said to fear comedians more than armies because ridicule is deadlier to their power-base than guns. Or bears and mountain lions, for that matter.
Just another proof that they can dish it out, but they sure as hell can't take it.
Dave
8 - Anonymous
Just saw the episode cuz i tivoed it...
What people are forgetting is that the Darth Vader Chef in the end isnt just chef being doomed to a life of being darth vader. Remember at the end of the series Vader turns back to good and realizes his mistakes, and is accepted by everyone... so they're leaving that window open for Chef if he ever wants to come back because, as Kyle said, they love him. It also gives oppurtunity for future episodes...
It was a sad episode, but not without its usual flare (butters' uncle comment was hilarious). In the beginning all the characters were giving their blessings to Chef and saying that if this is what he needed that he should do it... so they were supportive... but he came back and was a douche... so this is more of an attack on scientology and what rat bastards they are than it is about Isaac Hayes.
9 - Ani
Though the idea of Chef roving with a band of world-travelling child molesters may be "pretty funny" in the context of the show, and the serious grudge match that's going on, you guys might want to note that this is also some timely social satire. According to The Guardian, people travelling from Western countries and having sex with kids is an epidemic in some nations. These horrible acts of sexual violence are often done by so-called "humanitarians" who, no doubt, believe that their "charity work" is bringing them immortality.
Ugh. How completely disgusting.
Matt and Trey continue to amaze me by being so dead on about appalling social issues.
10 - Al Barger
Ani- thanks for pointing out this level of the show. I've heard little peeps of some of this, but hadn't really thought about it. Being a big SP fan, and caught up in all the stuff about them scrapping with the Scientologists, I didn't even think of that connection to the real world.
11 - Double E
What a shame. Chef was a huge character who over-reacted. He will be missed by all south park fan.
Oh well, I can still watch all of the episodes with chef
12 - Leopold
I have always enjoyed SP and what it stood for, Matt Stone and Trey Parker always exploited the world as being too politically correct.
And I for one applaud them for it, it takes balls to do what they do.
Isaac Hayes needs to understand that Matt and Trey rip on everybody and everything, it's not select.
I feel that future episodes without chef will be empty and somber.
Nevertheless, I will remain a stout and powerful supporter and fan of South Park
13 - Tyler
Matt Stone and Trey Parker have always ripped on celebrity's, religions, cults, tons of things. Isaac never had a problem with it. Hayes never said a peep. But when his beliefs are threatened he goes BERSERK! He believes an alien 75 million years ago dumped aliens into Hawaii volcanoes and they go into humans. Its ridiculous, but he doesn't think so. So he quits one o the biggest shows ever to prove a point. Thats ethnocentric.
14 - Jean Lafoot
I'm 50 years old and was introduced to South Park by my younger son. The more I watch this series the more impressed I am by the insight of its creators.
South Park just gets better with time; the episodes dealing with Chef's/Isaac Hayes' disaffection from the show demonstrate just how important this show is to American culture. Can you imagine anyone else with a major TV show in this country handling an issue like this one with the simplicity and honesty that South Park has?
This country needs someone whose only job it is to document the exact nature of the Emperor's New Clothes. That's what Matt Stone and Trey Parker have done so well for 10 years. Michael Moore flatters himself that he does this, but he is only Matt and Trey's pathetic, lame bitch. And that is all Moore will ever be, no matter how devotedly the rest of the media performs anilingus on him.