"South Park is the less than respectful television animation series that has sustained its popularity for a decade because of its fearless satirising of anyone and everyone. It drew headlines early last week, however, when musician Isaac Hayes, who since 1997 has been the voice of Chef, suddenly upped and left in a huff.

Hayes declared that South Park, which follows the hell-raising of the four kids, had gone too far in its lampooning of religion. Specifically, he was cross about its recent mocking of the Church of Scientology. Hayes is a Scientologist. So is Cruise.

The departure of Hayes created some publicity for the show and its creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. But now things are even more interesting. Comedy Central, the channel that broadcasts it in the US, was scheduled to air a repeat of the episode that had so upset Hayes on Wednesday night. But then, suddenly, it didn't.

South Park fans cried censorship. Why had Comedy Central yanked the episode? They now think they have the answer: Tom Cruise is the culprit. According to several Hollywood websites, he used his considerable Tinseltown influence to muzzle the show.

Parker and Stone are not taking this lying down. 'So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun!' the two said in a statement that seemed to parody Scientology as science fiction. 'Temporarily anozinizing our episode will NOT stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies. Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!'

But for the epic battle, Cruise has a secret weapon. It is alleged that he threatened to withdraw from any promotional activity for his next film, Mission: Impossible III, out on 5 May. The movie has been made by Paramount, which is owned by Viacom. And Viacom owns Comedy Central."

Quoted from "The Independent": South Park declares war on Tom Cruise

Cinematical: Will Viacom Keep Tom Cruise in the Closet?

Shoutwire: Tom Cruise is dangerous and irresponsible (American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2005)

An Illustrated History of Scientology PFD-Link (great!)

Here is the episode Tom Cruise hates so much. It's one of the best! The quality is pretty good for youtube...

If you don't have time for that: here are the two essential clips on youtube.com:

South Park-Great Secret Doctrine of Life Behind Scientology

Trapped in the closet

Tags: cartoons, comics, media, Medien, Propaganda, Zensur, censorship, Scientology, South Park, Tom Cruise, Isaac Hayes