South Park (hereafter referred to as SP) is arguably the funniest show on TV. To many, it is a source of middle ground social commentary. To me, it is a beacon of hope in a media gone astray with political correctness. SP transcends political correctness by making use of its right to free speech, and what better way to promote free speech then to attack that which is held most sacred to many Americans – religion. In fact, 16 episodes of the 11 seasons so far have dealt primarily with “that which is most sacred”, with certain figures and themes popping up on other occasions.
Not only does the content about religion promote free speech, the controversy of this content perpetuates SP’s intent. Stemming from my love of the show, I’ve decided to take an in depth look at how religion is represented in South Park, and show you how nothing is taboo when you’re an equal opportunity offender. This week’s post will be on Scientology.
Part 1: Scientology
If there’s any religion (if you can even call it one) that SP has ripped apart piece by piece, it’s Scientology – better known as the Church Cult of Scientology (COS). Two episodes of SP have dealt with debunking and mocking COS. The first appearance of COS appeared in “Super Best Friends”. In this episode, the magician David Blaine creates a cult following that is strikingly reminiscent of COS. Unfortunately, the episode didn’t actually reference COS. This didn’t happen until season 9 when Parker and Stone figured it was time to deal out the damage that COS deserved in the episode “Trapped in the Closet”. To anyone who knows anything about COS, the story is completely absurd, a fact which Parker and Stone make vividly clear in this episode as they caption a visual interpretation of Scientology’s creation story with “This is what Scientologists actually believe.”
What’s funny about this is that the story itself is hilarious, so all SP had to do was show it to the viewers.
Many other parts of this episode completely lampooned this religious cult. The start of the show has Stan looking for something free to do and comes across a Scientology church that is offering free e-meter tests. Inside the church everything is ethereal and everyone is overly excited about life. To say that SP doesn’t try to make Scientology look like a cult in this scene would be more patently absurd than Tom Cruise on Oprah’s couch. After Stan takes the “free” test the tester tells him:
“… you are one messed-up kid… I’m afraid that you are completely miserable and totally depressed…there’s certainly no question that you are a perfect candidate for Scientology.”
Stan, a young and ignorant child, is helpless against these claims.
We all know that COS is in it for the Benjamins. SP makes this known by having Stan tell a crowd that “Scientology is just a big fat global scam” at the end of the episode. SP goes one step further, by having the president of COS claim “You don’t actually believe this crap, do you?? Dummy! Brainwashed alien souls?? E-meters and thetan levels??.”
As sure as Parker and Stone were this episode would offend Scientologists, Isaac Hayes – the Scientology practicing voice of Chef – quit the show. And that wasn’t the only negative outcome of the episode. Viacom, who owns comedy central, had the original airing of the show pulled because of the portrayal of Tom Cruise. Cruise threatened to back out of Mission Impossible 3 endorsements if Paramount, who is owned by Viacom, didn’t tell comedy central to pull it. Cruise also threatened to sue SP. Parker and Stone predicted this would happen and so added this little ditty to the end of the episode:
Stan: Look, everybody, we’re all looking for answer, you know. We all want to understand who we are and where we come from, but… sometimes we want to know the answers so badly that we… believe just about anything.
Man 2: Huh?
Woman: What?
Stan: [takes off his laurel] I’m not the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard. And… Scientology is just a big fat global scam.
Brian: Oh! We are gonna sue you!
Stan: What??
COS President: Yeah, you think you can say our religion is a lie?! We’ll sue you, buddy!
Stan: YOU told me it was a lie!
President: Ho, now you’re puttin’ words in MY mouth! You are sooo sued!
Man 3: You can’t make fun of Scientology, kid! We are gonna sue your ass AND your balls!
Crowd: Yeah, that’s right!
COS President: How dare you mock our faith, you little punk?! You’ll be hearing from our lawyers tomorrow!
Field Reporter: We’ve just had an incredible development here, Mitch. Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and R. Kelly, have all come out of the closet! [The three of them come out the front door and Cruise releases R. Kelly, who moves off and out of view.]
Cruise: [approaches Stan] So you’re NOT the prophet, huh?! You made me look stupid! I’m gonna sue you too!
Stan: Well fine! Go ahead and sue me!
Cruise: I will! I’ll sue you in England!
COS President: You are so sued, kid!
Stan: Well go on, then! Sue me!
COS President: We’re going to!
Stan: Okay, good! Do it! I’m not scared of you! Sue me!
This one episode caused the loss of a beloved character, almost ruined their contract with Comedy Central, and nearly catapulted them into a lawsuit with Tom Cruise, all of which SP predicted would happen, and yet they decided to forge along anyways in the name of free speech. Kudos South Park, kudos.
Up next week is Part 2: Christianity