After all the controversy, I don't think Parker and Stone were intimidated. But Comedy Central sure was. This episode isn't even available to stream from South Park Studios and they're citing last-second censorship from Comedy Central as the reason.
This episode was everything I hoped for, minus Darth Chef. The shoutouts to previous seasons were plentiful and the twist with the true revelation of Cartman's father was a complete twist that I never saw coming. In fact, I had Chef on the brain so much as this series' only total antagonist that I had completely forgotten about Scott Tennerman.
An awesome two-parter of total fan service and I couldn't be happier about it. Also, welcome back to Mephisto, whose demise was greatly exaggerated.
And no, I can't believe they had a two-part episode hallmarking everything the series has been through and resisted the urge to kill Kenny. They did kill Pip, though. You bastards.
Originally posted by Super Shane SpearI thought for sure they were sending Cruise to Imaginationland. But the moon works too.
As for the censorship, I really feel like I'm being worked.
I agree on all 3 points. I really think the censorship is just Matt and Trey being smart-asses (though I admit I could be wrong), I was certain I was going to hear them singing "Imagination", and Tom on the moon was fitting as well.
One nit to pick. If Mr. Hankey helped devise the Santa plan, why couldn't Towelie make a cameo? Maybe he was too high and flaked?
Originally posted by Super Shane Spear As for the censorship, I really feel like I'm being worked.
Agreed, the censor bars and bleeping were all part of the joke ... an annoying joke, mayhaps, but still planned out ahead of time, I'm sure.
With that said, I assume that somewhere on the internet there's someone who transcribed the "I've learned something today" speech by reading lips.
"All RAW is these days is a cheap version of Saturday Night Live, so if you wanna tune in to watch the amazing star power of Al Sharpton and Nancy O'Dell, go ahead! Who's gonna host next week, Big Bird? Wow, that's must-see TV!" - John Morrison (10/16/09 Smackdown!)
I don't think the bleeping was part of the joke. They didn't bleep last week, and if it was part of the joke, they would've gone all the way with it and bleeped Tom Cruise's name after the goo transfer.
Not only is the streaming not available, but Comedy Central didn't replay it at midnight (EST) nor will they replay it on Sunday. I'm getting the impression the censorship is totally on Comedy Central's end, just like the Family Guy episode.
Loved Jesus cracking up as he gave Sea-Man his orders.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
NEW YORK – The producers of "South Park" say Comedy Central removed a speech about intimidation and fear from their show after a radical Muslim group warned they could be killed.
The character Kyle's words toward the end of Wednesday's episode were bleeped out. Producers Trey Parker and Matt Stone say the character does not mention the Prophet Muhammad.
The group Revolution Muslim had complained that `South Park' had insulted their prophet by depicting him in a bear costume in last week's episode. The group didn't explictly threaten the producers but warned they could wind up like a Dutch filmmaker killed by a Muslim extremist. The group printed Stone and Parker's work address on its website.
More than 30 seconds' worth of dialogue were covered up in the episode.
Originally posted by Matt and Trey from SouthParkStudios.com
A Statement from Matt and Trey 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. We'll be back next week with a whole new show about something completely different and we'll see what happens to it.
_______________________________
Well that answers that. I assume the black "censored" box was an authorized gag, due to Tom Cruise becoming censored after the Rob Reiner Goo Machine transfer. If you go to the website and try to stream '201', it tells you that CC hasn't given permission to stream the unaltered version of the episode.
*Part* of me kinda wishes this was the last episode of the series - it seems a little bit fitting.
Originally posted by IBreastfeedJohnMaddenThe official statement from Parker and Stone:
Originally posted by Matt and Trey from SouthParkStudios.com
A Statement from Matt and Trey 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. We'll be back next week with a whole new show about something completely different and we'll see what happens to it.
_______________________________
Well that answers that. I assume the black "censored" box was an authorized gag, due to Tom Cruise becoming censored after the Rob Reiner Goo Machine transfer. If you go to the website and try to stream '201', it tells you that CC hasn't given permission to stream the unaltered version of the episode.
*Part* of me kinda wishes this was the last episode of the series - it seems a little bit fitting.
(edited by IBreastfeedJohnMadden on 22.4.10 1914)
The religious extremists have won. Everybody pack your shit its time to go. You would think in the year 2010 we'd be telling these people to sit down and shut up with their BS and sabre-rattling but it never happens. Give an inch, take a mile. Thanks Comedy Central for proving Matt and Trey's point for them.
Originally posted by ZeruelNow 'Super Best Friends" is suddenly offensive and Comedy Central has pulled it from SouthParkStudios.com
If it ever comes back, expect bleeps and censor bars.
It's gone from Netflix Instant too. Son of a bitch.
All of this is making me glad I saved 201 on my DVR. Time to burn it to DVD!
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Let's hope that the suits at Fox have finally gotten the message: You leave Joss Whedon the fuck alone, and he'll give you a compelling show that people will swear by.