South Park Episode 201 Online Availability Suspended
The second part of the landmark 200'th episode was just the latest battle between the creator and Comedy Central over Muhammad. The Muslim prophet was completely censored in the "Cartoon War" saga years ago, and was censored in last week's show as well. But it got taken to new extremes last night, as Muhammad's name couldn't even be said without being bleeped.
However, fans expected South Park episode 201 online later on, to get the complete uncut version of the show. But this afternoon, the South Park Studios website posted a statement from Stone and Parker, explaining that the show wouldn't be posted yet. It accused Comedy Central of putting the bleeps into the episode, and that they didn't have permission to post their original version on the Internet.
Some fans might have thought the bleeps and censor bars were part of a meta-commentary on censorship. After all, at the end of "Cartoon Wars", Stone and Parker had Jesus and other famous figures defecate on each other, in contrast to Muhammad's censoring. But then another statement not only explained why South Park episode 201 wasn't online, but that the bleeps weren't a joke.
According to Stone and Parker, not only was it Comedy Central's idea to add the bleeps, it was their idea to bleep the final speech entirely. It seemed like a big joke to have Kyle's "I learned something today" speech bleeped out, but the statement claims that it wasn't a joke. Although Kyle talked about "intimidation and fear" and didn't mention Muhammad's name, the network censored it on their own authority.
As such, the South Park episode 201 online wait might be for a while. In fact, the version that aired last night will probably never be posted by Stone and Parker. What's more, there's also doubt on whether it will air on TV again.
The episode was scheduled to reair at midnight, but was replaced with one from four weeks ago. Tonight, it is scheduled to air at 10:30 pm est, but if it doesn't, then the real controversy will begin.
Fans will try to find South Park episode 201 online on YouTube, or on fan sites, but perhaps that isn't what the creators want. It seems they want their original version back, and perhaps don't want the censored version airing again in its place. They put up with the original Cartoon Wars censorship under protest - and made it into a bigger joke - but they might not relent so easily this time.
While fans look for South Park episode 201 online and on TV, Stone and Parker still have one more episode to make in their spring run. Their statement says "we'll see what happens to it" so they may still be planning to have the last uncensored laugh.
Sources
South Park Studios- "A Statement from Matt and Trey"
Seattle PI- "Comedy Central Censors South Park After Muslim Group's Warning"
Published by Robert Dougherty
Author of a trilogy of Lost books, concluding with "Lost: It Only Ends Once" now available at Amazon and iUniverse. Readers can now go to my Yahoo Sports section to see the majority of my new stories.... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentThis sucks. A cartoonist is a soldier fighting for free speech. Soldiers die in battle, AND ACCEPT IT. A cartoonist should likewise not fear death and be willing to make a cartoon and air it, even if it means crazy men come and kill him. He then is a true American hero who has fought and died for our freedom of speech. If you are not willing to die, you should not be a cartoonist in the first place.
stop talking bout muslims and terrorists Im muslim beside I dont get it The FCC are jerks who want to censor everything to get paid and they made fun of every religion so y not muslims besides that episode was funny as ever
although i am a huge fan of south park, i really don't care that the episode isn't being shown. what i'm really mad about is that this is an example of americans giving into terrorism and islamic death threats just because some muslims started crying about it
You guys do realize that if 201 airs uncensored on national TV it probably will mean the death of both Matt and Trey considering they are shitting on the religion of Islam, the most prominent religion on earth, not to mention, pissing off every single terrorist on earth.
Play the cartoon! If it offends you, just don't watch but at least let the rest of us see it!
In episode 200, Buddha was doing a line of coke, and that didn't get censored
I agree with Saul. No reason for this. They should just air it.
I agree lets pull out the troops and blow that whole shitty sand trap to hell!!!!!!!!!!!
ok i dont see any other religon crying about there religous figure. Of course the muslims (exterimst) have the cry like a pussy..
Don't blame all religion for the Muslim gayness.