I know I’m late to the blog with this one, but I have to say I was much more interested in Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s reaction than what “Chef” had to say.

I was not disappointed when they finally started talking:

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Soul singer Isaac Hayes said Monday he was quitting his job as the voice of the lusty character “Chef” on the satiric cable TV cartoon “South Park,” citing the show’s “inappropriate ridicule” of religion.

But series co-creator Matt Stone said the veteran recording artist was upset the show had recently lampooned the Church of Scientology, of which Hayes is an outspoken follower.

“In ten years and over 150 episodes of ‘South Park,’ Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslim, Mormons or Jews,” Stone said in a statement issued by the Comedy Central network.

“He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show.”

He added: “Of course we will release Isaac from his contract, and we wish him well.”

I’m very happy that they brought up the other religions. Frankly, one of the appeals of South Park is that it is, in fact, an equal opportunity offender. If they offend you today and you’re not happy about it, wait a week and they’ll offend someone else next week. While some may find that unappealing, a lot of us do, and that’s what’s kept South Park on the air for all these years despite the firestorm of controversy it continually generates.

Isaac Hayes however, is a raging hypocrite. Not because he bowed out for this one reason, but because he himself downplayed it. That’s right, folks, he himself said the so-called attack on Scientology was no big deal.

Here he is on the Opie and Anthony show explaining away the controversy on 12/19/05.

Scientology has a history of “getting to people.” I wonder if someone “got to” Chef?

Hmmmm…

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