Except to say that I never thought I would see the day when Americans would so meekly accede to threats, or even hints of violence, this news from Comedy Central is hardly surprising anymore. From the Hollywood Reporter:
‘Muhammad’ now a dirty word on ‘South Park’
Now “South Park” can’t even say the words “Prophet Muhammad.”
After last week’s episode of the Comedy Central series sparked a threat (and yes, it was certainly a threat) from a radical Islamic website, the network has cracked-down-for-their-own-good on creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone during last night’s continuation of the show’s storyline.
For their own good… right.
For those who missed the drama, the show’s 200th episode last week mocked the one “celebrity” that the series has been largely unable to depict, the Prophet Muhammad, who was hidden from view in a bear costume. A U.S.-based website RevolutionMuslim.com then warned Parker and Stone they could end up like Theo Van Gogh (the Dutch filmmaker who was murdered by Muslim extremists after depicting Muhammad on his show) and even posted the address of the show’s production office. The site has since been shut down.
In case you’ve forgotten, here’s what happened to Theo Van Gogh for the crime of making a movie that criticized Islam:
Last night, “South Park” continued the controversial Muhammad storyline, but with a key difference: every instance of the words “Prophet Muhammad” was bleeped out, making the episode practically incomprehensible, especially to anybody who missed the previous week.
The character of Muhammad was once again also hidden from view, covered by a large block labeled “censored.”
A Comedy Central spokesperson confirmed it was the network’s decision to bleep the words.
Truly, the cowardice and pusillanimity of media executives today know no bounds. But what do you expect when the Great Cultural Revolution that began in the 1960s has changed America from a land of self-reliance and rugged individualism to one of timorousness and weakness, so crippled by the evil of Political Correctness that it now preempts even its own comedy shows?
At least some Americans still have some guts:
UPDATE: Parker and Stone comment on “South Park” censorship:
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.
I wonder what that brave speaker-of-truth, Jon Stewart, will have to say about this. In the meantime, while we’re all holding our breath, over to you for comment, correction and general umerriment.
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