Muhammad-- on the far right-- did not appear in last night's episode of South Park
Comedy Central rarely censors the guys who make South Park, one of the crown jewels in the Comedy Central lineup. But a few years ago, the network freaked out when Trey Parker and Matt Stone delivered an episode that featured a cartoon version of the prophet Muhammad, and they insisted that the image not be shown. Never ones to give up on a simple thing like censorship from their bosses, South Park tried to reintroduce Muhammad during their 200th episode, which led to threats from a fundamentalist Muslim website, and-- as you'll already know if you saw last night's 201st episode-- Comedy Central caved again. Read on for the details, my gentle Examiner readers...
A few years back, director Theo Van Gogh was brutally murdered-- in broad daylight on an Amsterdam street-- following the release of a short film he'd made that dealt with the oppression of women by the Muslim religion. Just last week, a website invoked Van Gogh's name in reference to the 200th episode of South Park, which committed the major sin of having the Prophet Muhammad appear in cartoon form (wearing a giant bear suit). Here's what the website (which I won't be linking to) had to say, specifically:
We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show," Al-Amrikee wrote. "This is not a threat, but a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them."
So, guess what happened on last night's 201st episode of South Park?
Yes, Comedy Central caved to the threats. Muhammad appeared in the episode, but he was covered by a large "Censored" box and every time his name was uttered, the word was bleeped out (as was-- bizarrely-- Tom Cruise's name towards the end of the episode). Apparently, those threats from the Muslim fundamentalists scared the network into adding the extra layer of censorship to the episode. Because the episode was finished and turned in early, the network applied the edits just prior to airing it. As you can tell from the snippy message above-- which is from SouthParkStudios.com-- the show's creators aren't too thrilled with the decision. And why should they be?
Last week, Stone and Parker were able to maneuver around the problem by having Muhammad appear dressed in a giant bear suit (see below). The name "Muhammad" was spoken throughout the episode, but his appearance was deleted from the broadcast. This, of course, mirrored the situation a few years back, when South Park aired an episode that also featured a brief glimpse of Muhammad and found itself censored by the network. Here's how that scene looked without the big, black "Censored" box:
I'd include a scene from the episode to help illustrate the point being made here, but so far no clips are available online. It's the first time such a thing has happened over at SouthParkStudios.com, so it's pretty remarkable. By and large, Comedy Central has let South Park get away with just about anything they've wanted to put on air, and anyone who's a regular fan of the show can tell you that the image of Muhammad in a bear suit is probably pretty low on the list of offensive things the show's ever given us. Censoring this episode may be the first step onto a slippery slope that Stone and Parker don't want to venture onto.
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It should be pointed out that the episode also featured Jesus, Krishna, Joseph Smith, and a handful of other major religious icons-- most of whom ended up doing things that just about anyone could find offensive (in typical South Park style). It's interesting that Comedy Central has absolutely no issues with the image of Jesus drop-kicking a handful of Ginger kids in the face, but the idea of showing Muhammad-- even if it's just Muhammad standing there, not really doing much-- is over the line. Obviously, no one's threatening to kill Stone and Parker because of the Jesus depiction...but what does that say about the difference between the two religions? No, seriously: I'm asking you. If you've got something to suggest, feel free to add it in the comments section below.
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(photos: top-- ken-jennings.com, next-- southparkstudios.com, middle-- hitfix.com, next-- justpressplay.net, bottom-- warmingglow.com)
Comments
I think it's BS. I wouldn't be surprised if Stone and Parker take their ball and go home after this one. Don't they renegotiate contracts after each season???
Comedy Examiner: I know you don't read the comments section, so I'm gonna email you on this one. But does anyone else know about this? I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped Comedy Central after this. It's complete nonsense, and they have every right to be furious...
XOXO
CS
All of those Muslim extremists can suck my dick. America has a little thing called freedom of speech, don't like it? Then get out.
Agreed. I thought throughout that "this is it," as in, this will be the final SP episode. It made me sad because I love the show and have seen literally every airing (usually multiple times). But it just had the feel of, "If the studio is gonna f**k with our creative freedom, then we're done." Matt and Trey have hundreds of millions of dollars so they obviously don't need the money anymore. Thus, when the show quits being fun - they quit too. As for Comedy Central execs, they've just killed the golden goose. I wonder if they can make up the revenue from all those millions of devoted stone age, pederastic, female hating, gay stoning, "religion of peace", building blowing upping, murdering a***oles known as Muslims? Oh, hey, I'm sorry child-raping Mohammed....was that last bit offensive to you? Too bad. Know where you can go and never be offended? A big fat f***ing desert in with camels to keep you company! Screw off, Muslims!
Freedom of speech is a great thing and no doubt the deranged Muslim extremist(s) who kill(s) Trey and/or Matt would be punished to the fullest extent of our laws. Nevertheless, Trey and/or Matt would still be DEAD. You can't reason with complete nutcases; they just act on their insane whims. (John Lennon, anyone?)
Face facts, fans: extremists have ALREADY killed over this issue. And wackos will not stop to consider that (1) all the other religious icons were also included in the show or (2) that the other religions' icons were depicted in a much more insulting light. They simply see that the show depicted their Prophet, which is expressly forbidden by their faith. (Not the case with the other religions being lampooned.)
Freedom of speech is great and needs to be protected, but a sensible person does not walk through Harlem screaming the "N" word!
Religion = Ancient Fairy Tales
The sooner all religious nutcases realize this, the quicker we can all enjoy hilarious south park episodes in peace!
but if there were no religion who would we tease?
Yes, Van Gogh was murdered for his work earlier, yes Matt Stone and Trey Parker know they are putting themselves in danger of extremists, but that's the point. They're showing more balls by ignoring these threats and going on regardless. The fact of the matter is, they are trying to likely make the point that if they get killed being critical (in this case via comedy) of some "taboo" topic, that there will be another comedian, artist, or otherwise who will pick up the reigns, and continue to do it.
These extremists can't kill everyone that doesn't agree with them. That's the point.
WOW! To the Muslim extremeists: F Muhammad and F YOU! The muslim religion is so unbelievably ridiculous that they make threats over a cartoon?!?! Lets look back at the Easter Episode with Jesus and the bunny, did any Christians threaten M&T when that was aired? NO! Why? Because this is the 21st century, and we don't blow ourselves up when we disagree with something. The Muslim religion and it's followers can shove Muhammad straight up thier A**... We don't care about your religion and you backward a-holes need to realize that it is a f-in cartoon! I really hope that this doesn't ruin South Park, last time a show got censored (family guy) it was cut from the fox network.... This episode needs to air in it's orginality because otherwise these Muslim a-holes win. Trent and Matt, it's your duty to get this aired, even if it means sacrificing your safety, because Americans DO NOT tolerate goat f-ing retards!!! They have to be stopped!
Agreed. I thought throughout that "this is it," as in, this will be the final SP episode. It made me sad because I love the show and have seen literally every airing (usually multiple times). But it just had the feel of, "If the studio is gonna f**k with our creative freedom, then we're done." Matt and Trey have hundreds of millions of dollars so they obviously don't need the money anymore. Thus, when the show quits being fun - they quit too. As for Comedy Central execs, they've just killed the golden goose. I wonder if they can make up the revenue from all those millions of devoted stone age, pederastic, female hating, gay stoning, "religion of peace", building blowing upping, murdering a***oles known as Muslims? Oh, hey, I'm sorry child-raping Mohammed....was that last bit offensive to you? Too bad. Know where you can go and never be offended? A big fat f***ing desert in with camels to keep you company! Screw off, Muslims!
I missed this last night, but I'm hoping to catch a repeat. I betcha Trey and Matt would be laughing their asses off right now if they weren't so angry about Comedy Central getting all up in their business.
Agreed. I thought throughout that "this is it," as in, this will be the final SP episode. It made me sad because I love the show and have seen literally every airing (usually multiple times). But it just had the feel of, "If the studio is gonna f**k with our creative freedom, then we're done." Matt and Trey have hundreds of millions of dollars so they obviously don't need the money anymore. Thus, when the show quits being fun - they quit too. As for Comedy Central execs, they've just killed the golden goose. I wonder if they can make up the revenue from all those millions of devoted stone age, pederastic, female hating, gay stoning, "religion of peace", building blowing upping, murdering a***oles known as Muslims? Oh, hey, I'm sorry child-raping Mohammed....was that last bit offensive to you? Too bad. Know where you can go and never be offended? A big fat f***ing desert in with camels to keep you company! Screw off, Muslims!
Comedy Central has no excuse... this is obvious favoritism to Muslims. They can make fun of every other religion but not Muslims. The censorship is unacceptable. Muslims are a bunch a crazy fanatics and this proves it. You should never back down to bullies. They can show Jesus watching internet porn but the child rapist Muhammad cannot be shown at all. This is totally unacceptable to creative freedom.
i agree with everything said above, these muslim extremists can go blow themselves up somewhere if they dont like what we do here in america and they completely throw a god dam hissy fit if the word "Muhammad" in any type of show or broadcast but the other religious icons the kick ginger children in the face and snort crack and they dont even care! these muslims really need to grow some balls and deal with it, south park slanders everything but they didnt even talk about Muhammad and the muslims are pist off
and about Muhammad being in the bear suit, wasnt he only in it for about 2 minutes? because they didnt want to give him to tom cruise? so it wasnt even Muhammad in the bear suit for 7/8 of the time he was shown
I hope Trey and Matt somehow quit Comedy Central. I'm not a "South Park" fan but I am a fan of Freedom of Speech. It's now legal to record, sell and possess videos of dogs fighting and killing each other, that is considered FREEDOM OF SPEECH but Matt and Trey's art and SATIRE is censored?
What country is this?? I keep forgetting.
Showing an image of Mohammad is a sin to people of the Muslim faith, but not to anyone else. Threatening violence in the name of a peaceful religion is more blasphemous than depicting imagery that is potentially offensive. If I don't want myself or someone else to see something on TV, I turn it off, I don't threaten to assassinate the director.
To make my point... the text-based image I have drawn below is what I believe Mohammad looks like. Yes, I am depicting an image of the prophet of the Muslim faith, right here on your website. And I encourage EVERYONE to post images of Mohammad to show that we are not afraid to express our views. Thank you, Scott Wampler!
. . _ . .
. . O . .
. --|-- .
. ./-\. .
Showing an image of Mohammad is a sin to people of the Muslim faith, but not to anyone else. Threatening violence in the name of a peaceful religion is more blasphemous than depicting imagery that is potentially offensive. If I don't want myself or someone else to see something on TV, I turn it off, I don't threaten to assassinate the director.
To make my point... the text-based image I have drawn below is what I believe Mohammad looks like. Yes, I am depicting an image of the prophet of the Muslim faith, right here on your website. And I encourage EVERYONE to post images of Mohammad to show that we are not afraid to express our views. Thank you, Scott Wampler!
. . _ . .
. . O . .
. --|-- .
. ./-\. .
I think Matt and Trey after their contract is up (15 seasons) then they will definitely walk away unless some changes are made. Freedom of speech is what our country is founded on. We should push through this "threats" and show these muslims that we will NOT cave into their demands. This only shows them that they have power over us with violence.
I think the next South Park episode should be composed entirely of Prophet Muhammads or people in Prophet Muhammad masks. This wouldn't be such a big deal if so many media outlets didn't cower in front of Muslim extremists. If everybody started ignoring the rants of these extremists and freely published images of Muhammad there would be nothing they could do to stop it and eventually it'd become commonplace enough that the controversy wouldn't exist anymore. They can't bomb us all.
As a Muslim, I too am appalled by the threats of violence from "Revolution Muslim" over something as silly as this. It goes against the very teachings of Islam. I have also just published an article about this in my Portland Muslim Examiner column. I welcome your feedback.
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