‘South Park’ Creators Respond ("It wasn't some meta-joke ... Comedy Central added the bleeps.")

New York Times ^ | 04/22/10 | Staff

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

The “South Park” creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, have issued a statement in response to Comedy Central’s decision to alter an episode after a Muslim group’s warning:

In the 14 years we’ve been doing South Park we have never done a show that we couldn’t stand behind. We delivered our version of the show to Comedy Central and they made a determination to alter the episode. It wasn’t some meta-joke on our part. Comedy Central added the bleeps. In fact, Kyle’s customary final speech was about intimidation and fear. It didn’t mention Muhammad at all but it got bleeped too.

[Mr. Blonde]

Amazing that they would censor a speech saying you shouldn’t give in to intimidation and fear. I hope they at least saw the irony in it.

[Allegra]

At this point, we might actually have to wait for the Season 14 box set in order to find out. :(

The Iraqis will have the bootleg of the season out not too long after it ends. I think I'll snag one.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If and when anyone torrents a genuinely uncensored verion of #201, I'll share the info with my fellow FReepers!

[randomhero97]

Exactly. If Matt and Trey could somehow transmit the episode on some pirate broadcast, ala The Running Man, I'm sure they would.

It's the comedy central brass that has the final say in this. I also wonder if any of the damn Saudis have shares in Viacom.

[SevenofNine]

Hey Monk here the explanation

[LibertyRocks]

I was on there the other day (SouthParkStudios.com) and the promo for the show indicated that it will be the UNCENSORED version — even though it will not be available until the middle of May due to their contractual obligation with CC.

BTW: Followed a link from CNN to HuffPo about this and they are such liars!!! They said that both episodes are missing at the SPS website — couldn’t be further from the truth. 200 & 201 are there — just not available for viewing until May.

[meowmeow]

I'm skeptical...the show was freakin’ funny and an outstanding satirical commentary on the stupidity of Muslims as a protected class. It would not have worked at all if nothing had been censored or bleeped.

[denydenydeny]

Cowardly Central.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Comedy Central ADMITS to censoring South Park episode #201.

[RadioCirca1970]

Great discussion over here

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2498562/posts

[BallyBill]

They should just reshow the one with Jesus and GW Bush defecating on the US Flag to make their point about WHAT will be censored and what won't be censored. That was the most awesome statement ever and we didn't even riot or kill anyone.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Amen. So glad you ‘got it.’ So many don’t. The whole point of that was to show that our greatest symbols could be defiled, and we wouldn’t threaten to kill, or riot, or demand censorship.

The irony is stunning.

[Frantzie]

Cowards. They make fun of baby Jesus and America.

[adanaC]

South Park should be taken off the air. I will never watch it again and will tell all my friends about this hypocrisy if they don’t know already. God is watching and He’s not amused.

Christians unite!

[Sybeck1]

[skeeter]

In fact, Kyle’s customary final speech was about intimidation and fear. It didn’t mention Muhammad at all but it got bleeped too.

LOL. Cowards.

[Mr. Blonde]

Buddha did coke and Jesus watched porn in this episode. Meanwhile, we can’t even show Muhammed doing mundane things.

[Abin Sur]

In the end - they are cowards. Easy to stand up for “free speech” when it does not cost you very much...

That seems a bit harsh; I would point out that they have received death threats. What's more, it's Comedy Central that's bleeping out the name Muhammad, not the creators of the show.

[Sivad]

Mind if we add “Left wing” to “Hypocrites at Comedy
Central!”?

Remember that stupid alledged sitcom “Thats My Bush”? Or
how about that unfunny cartoon series depicting Bush, his
administration, and congressional members as kids? A
more appropriate network title would Commie Central or
Comedy(?) Simple.......

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Let the Muslims know that the word Mohammed was censored because it is an obscene word, a combination word meaning child molestation, sex with pigs, an eating human feces.

To call someone Mohammed, Muhammed, or any of the other variations of the name, is too obscene to be depicted on TV. And people unfortunate to be named that are laughed at behind their back. No one would ever admit this to Muslims, however, as it is too disgusting.

I’m sure Muslims would be delighted to know that this is why Comedy Central censored the use of that name.