Comedy Central Pulls South Park Episode

By: Shannon Gossage

Sources say that Cruise went to the powers that be and refused to promote Mission Impossible 3 if the episode aired. Paramount is behind the blockbuster, and is counting on major profits from the movie this summer. It just so happens that Paramount is owned by Viacom which also owns Comedy Central. The episode titled "Trapped in the Closet" features Cruise and fellow Scientologist John Travolta trapped in a closet along with non-Scientologist R. Kelly (who has a song titled "Trapped in the Closet.") The episode pokes fun at Scientology and also has a number of sexual innuendoes and was first aired last November. There was supposed to be a rerun on Wednesday night but it was pulled from the lineup at the last minute.

It is rumored that Cruise went to the top executives at Viacom and said he would "boycott" any promotion of "MI3" if the episode ran. It has also been reported that South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have been warned against discussing the matter. Viacom reps deny that Cruise had anything to do with the cancellation and said the episode was replaced to honor Isaac Hayes. Hayes was the voice of Chef up until he announced he was resigning last week. Hayes, who is a Scientologist, said he was quitting because he couldn’t "stand by" while the show made fun of religion.

Co-creator Stone said in a statement, "In 10 years and over 150 episodes of South Park, Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslims, Mormons or Jews. He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show." Stone added that they "wish him well." A statement was released from Viacom, "In light of the events of earlier this week, we wanted to give Chef an appropriate tribute by airing two episodes he is most known for."