Posted on

The truth behind the huge South Park mystery has finally been “revealed” after 19 years.

The truth behind the huge South Park mystery has finally been “revealed” after 19 years.

Details of Isaac Hayes’ departure from South Park following Chef’s comments have been revealed (Image: REUTERS/Comedy Central)

The truth behind Isaac Hayes’ exit from South Park has reportedly finally been revealed.

The late musician, who died in 2008 at the age of 65, portrayed the character Chef in the animated comedy series from 1997 to 2006.

He left the show after an anti-Scientology episode called “Trapped in the Closet” aired in 2005.

It was previously revealed that Hayes, himself a Scientologist, had tried unsuccessfully to prevent the episode and later gave up, saying in a statement: “There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when Satire ends, and intolerance and bigotry toward the religious beliefs of others begin.

“As a civil rights activist for the last 40 years, I cannot support any show that disrespects these beliefs and practices.”

Further details surrounding his exit have now been revealed after a Scientology memo penned the day after the episode aired emerged.

The memo was written by former Scientology executive Mike Rinder, who has left the Church of Scientology (which reportedly includes Tom Cruise and John Travolta). The memo said the episode was “a total joke and humiliation of Scientology, Tom Cruise and John Travolta”.

Isaac Hayes

Hayes, a Scientologist, left South Park after a 2005 episode called “Trapped in the Closet” (Image: Getty Images)

The Daily Beast also claims the memo states that Hayes was “very upset” about the episode after being informed about the show.

“He said he had had enough of the show and was quitting. “This will not be done today in order not to cause a media incident,” it said.

The release also notes that the memo reiterates that Hayes chose to leave South Park over the course of the episode, although it is not clear whether this decision was his own.

Rinder also told The Daily Beast, “Isaac called Doug Herzog, the president of Comedy Central, to stop them from airing the show again.”

The memo also reportedly ends with a three-part plan for the South Park episode, including saying that Hayes would “handle” creators Matt Stone and Terry Parker, as well as Herzog, to convince them to never air the episode again.

Hayes played the role of Chef in South Park from 1997 to 2006 (Image: AP)

Hayes also reportedly wanted Comedy Central to cut ties with Mark Ebner, who consulted on the show, accusing him of being a “racist” and “bigot” and accusing him of calling Hayes a racist term, which Ebner used to The Daily never used animal.

The suggestions Hayes made in the memo were reportedly never followed, as Ebner continued to work with Comedy Central and the episode was nominated for an Emmy.

Stone and Parker have also previously discussed how Scientology led to Hayes’ exit from South Park.

“When we did the Scientology episode, [Hayes] “came over and I sat with him,” Stone told The Hollywood Reporter.

“It took about a day or two, and it was pretty clear from the conversation that someone had sent him to ask us to shoot the episode.

“It had already gone on air and we didn’t tell him because we didn’t want him to be held responsible. ‘Plausible deniability.’

Isaac Hayes appears on stage

Hayes died in 2008 aged 65 (Image: Anthony Pidgeon/Redferns)

But Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, who was also at the same interview, said that his father was unwell at the time and that he “didn’t leave South Park” but that “someone left South Park for him.”

“In January 2006, my father suffered a stroke and lost the ability to speak. “He really didn’t have that much understanding and had to relearn how to play the piano and a lot of other things,” he said.

“He was, to his own knowledge, unable to resign.” At that time, everyone around my father was involved in Scientology – his assistants, the core group of people. So someone left South Park in the name of Isaac Hayes. We don’t know who.’

“It really sucked, the whole thing.” “That statement expressed that he was giving up, it kind of called us fanatics,” Stone added, while Parker also said: “But we knew in our hearts that something much worse was going on.”

Metro.co.uk has contacted the Church of Scientology for comment.

Do you have a story?

If you have a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or visiting our page Visit Submit Stuff – we’d love to I look forward to hearing from you.

MORE: Legendary TV soap star Drake Hogestyn dies aged 70 after ‘incredible fight’

MORE: Netflix suffers setback after $170,000,000 Baby Reindeer trial takes unexpected turn

MORE: ’90s TV icon looks completely different 23 years after ‘Incredible’ show ended

TV