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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > March > 14
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
‘South Park’ loses Chef in spat about religion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Atlantan Isaac Hayes has quit “South Park,” where he voices Chef, saying he no longer can stomach its take on religion.
Hayes, who has played the ladies’ man/school cook in the animated Comedy Central satire since 1997, said in a statement Monday that he feels a line has been crossed.
“There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins,” the 63-year-old soul singer and outspoken Scientologist said.
“Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored,” he continued. “As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.”
“South Park” co-creator Matt Stone responded sharply in an interview with The Associated Press Monday, saying, “This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology…. He has no problem — and he’s cashed plenty of checks — with our show making fun of Christians.”
Last November, “South Park” targeted the Church of Scientology and its celebrity followers, including actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, in a top-rated episode called “Trapped in the Closet.” In the episode, Stan, one of the show’s four mischievous fourth-graders, is hailed as a reluctant savior by Scientology leaders, while a cartoon Cruise locks himself in a closet and won’t come out.
Stone told the AP he and co-creator Trey Parker “never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin.”
Fun with a ‘roo
During the “Down Under Ball” Saturday night, 400 black-tie clad guests sang along to Australia’s unofficial national anthem, “Waltzing Matilda”; posed for pictures during cocktail hour with Myorli, a 17-month old kangaroo; and clapped for the Kahurangi Maori Dance Troupe. Presented by the Australian-New Zealand-American Chamber of Commerce, the gala, which was held at the InterContinental Buckhead, was a benefit for UNICEF. Barron Segar, the regional director of UNICEF, saluted four volunteers for their philanthropic work: Catherine Sych, Ian Hewett, Rhonda Mims and Sarah Walton.
Former “The Apprentice” contestant Wes Moss, who shared live auction duties with Randi Layne, might have found new contestants for the segment he hosts, “Starting From Scratch,” on WXIA-TV’s “Atlanta & Company.” Tom Carroll, a vice president of Tiffany & Co. in Phipps Plaza, who was also a guest at the ball, is working on his MBA at Georgia State University. He recently received an A on a paper detailing a local company — Carter Barnes Hair Salon. “After interviewing the three partners, Carey Carter, Mitchell Barnes and Perri Higbie,” said Carroll, “I found they started 19 years ago with one salon and very little money. It was fascinating how they turned it into a much bigger company, which was profitable from the start.”
Celebrity docket
Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shootout over the weekend in Miami’s South Beach involving some of his friends, police said.
The 28-year-old rapper, born Jay Jenkins, was charged this weekend with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, police said.
Jenkins was with a group of men involved in an early morning fight, according to a police report.
When a passer-by filming the fight refused to hand over his video camera, one of the men in the group began shooting, the report stated.
Jenkins and about nine men fled the scene in two separate sport utility vehicles, police spokesman Robert Hernandez told The Miami Herald.
Officers stopped both vehicles, and found a semiautomatic firearm under Jenkins’ seat and another gun near the armrest when they searched his SUV.
Naked truth
The lawsuit can go on. That’s what a judge in Los Angeles said about Colin Farrell’s suit to prevent distribution of a sex tape he made with an ex-girlfriend three years ago.
Nicole Narain, who was Playboy’s Miss January 2002, sought to have the 29-year-old actor’s lawsuit dismissed. On Monday, Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle quashed the motion, instead directing Narain’s lawyers to file an answer to Farrell’s lawsuit.
Farrell’s lawyer, Paul Berra, declined to comment.
Narain is challenging Farrell’s claim that they agreed to keep the 14-minute videotape private. As “co-creator” of the tape, Narain alleges she has the right to reproduce, market and distribute it under federal copyright law.
Leodis Matthews, a lawyer for Narain, said sales of the videotape could represent significant income for his client, rivaling that of the Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee sex tape.
A restraining order has been blocking release of the videotape.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Michael Caine is 73. Composer-conductor Quincy Jones is 73. Comedian Billy Crystal is 58. Actor Chris Klein is 27. Singer-keyboardist Taylor Hanson of Hanson is 23.
Contributing: Marylin Johnson and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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