The email had the following subject:

“ISAAC HAYES requests release from ‘SOUTH PARK'”

Obviously, as a huge “South Park” fan, that caught my eye. Here’s what the press release said:

Legendary soul man Isaac Hayes has officially requested a release from his contract with the “South Park” television show, and the Comedy Central cable station. Mr. Hayes has been a cast member of “South Park” since 1997 as the voice of “CHEF”.

Mr. Hayes has decided to part ways with “South Park” because of recent episodes and press that have embarked upon what he feels are inappropriate ridicule of religious communities. While fully acknowledging “South Park’s” right to freedom of speech, Mr. Hayes is disappointed with what he perceives as a growing insensitivity towards personal spiritual beliefs, not only with “South Park” episodes but also the recent Danish cartoon controversy.

“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.” Mr. Hayes adds, “religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices.”

In all honesty, I’ve expected Hayes to walk away from the show for years; in fact, Trey Parker and Matt Stone said in an interview several years ago that they couldn’t believe Hayes signed on in the first place. The only thing missing from the press release is Hayes calling Parker and Stone “a couple of crazy crackers”.

As for his reasoning, it makes sense considering “South Park” has banged on Catholics, Jews, Mormons and, most recently, Scientologists (in the legendary “Trapped in the Closet” episode). Then again, they’ve been doing that for years. Could the Scientology episode really have been the last straw? Maybe Hayes and Tom Cruise are buddies, I don’t know.

The bigger question here is, what now for Chef? I can’t see Parker and Stone try to carry on the character with new voice talent. It just wouldn’t be the same. Granted, Chef’s profile on the show has diminished since the early days, when you could count on at least one vintage Chef song (“I’m gonna make love to you woman. I’m gonna lay you down by the fire.”) in nearly every episode, one of my personal favorites being “Chocolate Salty Balls.” But using someone else to voice Chef, even in a limited role, would be a disaster.

So the question is, how do they kill Chef off? That’s the only option, isn’t it? Then again, maybe they can get Barry White as a replacement….