Jihad jitters at Comedy Central - (spoiler warning)

[SidDithers]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/jihad-jitters-at-comedy-central/article1545262/

What’s the lowest point in the history of American TV? The censorship of South Park could be it.

South Park is a hilarious, profane and potty-mouthed cartoon show that has been airing on The Comedy Network for nearly 14 years. This week’s Wednesday episode, featuring an irreverent treatment of the Prophet Mohammed, was altered by a frightened network. The network cancelled replays of the show and took it off the website. Episode 201 of South Park has officially ceased to exist.

The network did this in reaction to a single threat from a tiny group of nut-bars calling themselves Revolution Muslim. Here’s where things get surreal. This group was reacting to the episode of the week before – which dealt in a satirical way with threats over depicting the figure of Mohammed.

Got that? There’s more. The objectionable programs don’t show Mohammed at all. They show a large cartoon bear, inside of which Mohammed is allegedly concealed. “Mohammed cannot make any public appearances,” explains one of the other cartoon characters, “We cannot risk violence from the people!” In Episode 201, the person in the bear suit is revealed, and it isn’t Mohammed after all. It’s Santa Claus!

Hyperbole notwithstanding, I really find this issue maddening. Comedy Central should have aired the episode, and told the extremists to go fuck themselves.

Sid

[WilliamPitt]

1. The episode "Cartoon Wars" dealt directly with this.

Disgraceful.

[SidDithers]

3. I don't think Stone and Parker get enough credit...

for the inciteful social commentary contained in the show. They're able to distill a complex issue down to it's fundamental base, and skewer the rank hypocrisy they often observe within that issue. It's easy for others to dismiss South Park because of the language and potty humour it contains, but IMO, it's often some of the most intelligent and clever content on television.

Sid

[Mari333]

2. I concur. knr

[MindPilot]

4. Oh but we have to respect religious beliefs...

Bullshit. I'm not Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan, Buddhist or any other mythology-worshiping ignoramus and I don't have to follow their silly rules.

Fuck Mohammad and the camel he rode in on. And fuck Comedy Central for caving.