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Jon Stewart tonight dedicated the first half of his Daily Show to the controversy at his own Comedy Central erupting over Sunday night’s episode of South Park. Stewart directly addressed Comedy Central’s censorship of South Park following a NY-based radical Muslim group’s death threats to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone over their portrayal of Prophet Muhammad:
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Wuss out of the highest order. A guy got killed in Amsterdam one Starry Night for this same madness.
South Park airs on wednesday nights…
It was good of Stewart to comment on this and bring to light such an important issue. That being said I don’t think it clears Comedy Central from their terrible decision to embrace censorship. Not showing the images only gives these insane radicals more power.
I encourage everyone who feels strongly about it to message Comedy Central http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml and tell them how you feel. Matt and Trey shouldn’t have to put up with death threats and bullshit cowards. Comedy Central should be standing up for the 1st amendment and two of the best satirical writers in recent American history instead of encouraging a culture of fear.
Amen.
Absolutely!
Pathetic. Stewart is a company man and appeaser. He can’t even condemn death threats against fellow comics, because he’s gutless.
Stewart is just gutless. Proven. When given a chance to speak real truth to real power, he backed off like a beaten dog.
What are you talking about? What did you expect him to do?
Whiskey, I strongly suggest that you put the whiskey down and drink some coffee. It’ll clean your ead.
Never drink and post.
Why can’t he condemn death threats from a radical Muslim organization, but he can vehemently condemn civil protesting by the Tea Party?
Uhm. “Go fuck yourself” isn’t condemnation?
Did you actually watch the thing?
He repeatedly says things like, “your extremism is the enemy.” WTF is so hard to understand about that statement? Or maybe the whole bit where he goes on and on about the fact that in NY, in the shadow of the twin towers and 9/11 they still have the right to be fucktards? And that’s only because they are in a free city, in a free nation, and that maybe that’s just a little ironic?
Seriously? You don’t think he condemned what they had to say?
I am a Muslim and even I think that Comedy Central’s decision was wrong. They should not have censored the show. There will always be people who get offended at certain things (hell, that’s what South Park is all about) but giving in to their idiotic demands just gives them more power. Comedy Central should re-telecast the show, as written, and if anyone reacts violently to its telecast then that person(s) should be sent to prison.
What a brave statement…will Jon start making Islam and Mohammed jokes now? Will he attack Islam with the same withering contempt he shows for Christianity?
Doubt it.
Agreed. He happily taunts Christianity and Judaism, but is NOTABLY less taunting of Islam.
Jon, if you’re really behind Matt and Trey, take a page out of their book. Let’s see some equally acerbic jabs at the Muslim community.
First of all, Jon Stewart HAS made jabs at Islam before, and at other religions, as he showed in his clip which, obviously some of these people who are posting, never saw.
As far as making more comments on Islam vs the number of slams on Christianity, he is simply playing to his demographic. How many people in the USA are slaves to Islam compared to the number who are slaves to Christianity? His anti-religion shpeals are directed towards Christianity becuase it is the dominant US religion, but for the most part, his statements could be applied to any religion.
So to those Christians who feel like they are “unfairly” targeted by liberals, don’t take it personally, it’s only because like any movement in the history of mankind, atheism/agnosticism targets the established majority, not
another minority. But then you probably don’t know history, why else would you believe the bible?
Wow such a narrow minded view. The bible is not historical. Wow. Mind you it makes sense that an American would have all knowledge of history since they don’t teach what really happened at the war of 1812 oh ya you guys lost. And you lost at Nam to.
You just defined “gaining the huge chunk of territory that later became 5 states. and opening up the trade with other British colonies (Canada) that was the reason for the war” as “losing”. The US lost the battles, but won the issues that the war of 1812 was about because Britain didn’t think it was worth it to keep fighting while there was a bigger war of 1812 going on elsewhere in Europe (despite having won the majority of the individual battles versus the US, the UK still gave up a lot during the treaty terms.). You can lose all the battles and still win the war if you get everything you wanted in the end. And before you bring up the “we burned the white house down”, If you’re stupid enough to think that merely occupying the capitol counts as “winning” then that would mean the US had already “won” in Iraq a mere three months into the operation, even though clearly it hadn’t.
Don’t accuse others of being ignorant when you clearly are yourself. (Although you already showed that right up front by being willing to defend the bible as accurate history.)
zing!
F U
Oh the irony – see this video is not available in my country – corporate censorship for cash will always outstrip religious censorship.
Dear Comedy Central,
Thanks for tossing the First Amendment of the United States Constitution right out the window you spineless corporate weasels. You’ve only proven that at Comedy Central a bunch of fundamentalist Muslims have more clout than the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
p.s.
I had to add something…
The corporate weasels at Comedy Central have given some un-known fundamentalist Muslims more power than the US Constitution. Think about it. That’s exactly what they did. One simple email threat and Comedy Central is goose-stepping to the fundamentalist Muslims tune, rather than protecting the US Constitution.
Way to go Comedy Central! I award you the “White Feather of Cowardice” for protecting the rights of fundamentalist Islam over the US Constitution.
I’m torn on this one. I think Jon Stewart’s vamp on religion-fueled hatred and violence is fantastic. No one in such a prominent place in this culture does so much to show up the ugly mindset of people who draw their inspiration or paycheck from a pool of threat. It’s not his responsibility to do, but he does it anyway. Gutless? Come on. He’s anything but that.
Still, Comedy Central helped the monsters on this one, and they should be vilified, and it needs to be done by their star. Also, it needs to be done by fans. Comedy is one of the few places where honesty creeps into the national conversation. It’s why so many people watch Jon Stewart. So it’s time for some honesty. CC caved when they should have been as defiant as their comedians. The execs disgraced themselves, and the only real way to apologize is to take a cue from Jon Stewart, danced around with an obscene gospel choir and re-air the episode intact and then perhaps commission an entire season of Prophet Mohammed episodes.
That’s how you respond.
Just curious: Did the earlier commenters actually watch the clip, and see the parts where Stewart both condemned the death threats against the “South Park” guys, and played clips of the show making jokes about Islam?
Critics of Jon Stewart miss the point altogether. Jon Stewart does not show contempt for ANY religion. He shows contempt for those who pervert their religion’s teachings. In this country, there is GIANORMOUS disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and our politicians and US Policy. WWJD is just a bracelet people wear and catchy phrase, not an actual behavior.
Wow. Glenn Beck, Jon Stewart, Bill O’Reilly, Bill Maher (love him), Rush Limbaugh, Larry King, Oprah, Chelsey, JKL, Fallon, Carson, Leno, Letterman, Conan, Rachel..Ray and Maddow…and on and on…can you all just please sit down and shut up now.
Thank you.
Thank you! Spoken like a true Obama facist! Everyone shut up and do as you’re told! The time for discussion is over.
Wipe your chin.
it doesn’t even seem possible to like stewart less
Should South Park be censored? Absolutely not. I am reminded of Lenny Bruce, a man who paid a heavy price for freedom of speech a generation ago. Lenny had a point of view that had redeeming social value. We’re a lesser country because he is no longer with us.
Having said that, I should also note that the writers of that show should have known that they were opening up a rat’s nest by producing this particular program. Have they ever heard the name “Salmon Rushdie”? It’s been over a quarter of a century since he published the “Satanic Verses” and he’s been in hiding ever since.
Like the Christian extremist in this country, their counterparts in the Muslim world are nuts – possibly nuttier (if that’s even possible).
What the hell is the matter with them? Have they really gained anything? By doing what they’ve done, they have gotten their show in the news; ratings will no doubt soar and their advertising rates will go through the roof – but has any monumental point been made? By tweaking the noses of a group of people who have committed mass murder on a grand scale, they have only put themselves and everyone who works at Comedy Central in potential danger. Honestly, is it really worth it?
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Dear Tom,
Trey and Matt have protection under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. What you and Comedy Central suggest is “to hell with the First Amendment of the US Constitution” because we certainly don’t want to “upset some fundamentalist muslims.”
That is handing over our rights to fundamentalist Islam on a platter. I say “F” the fundamentalist muslims, don’t give them more power than the First Amendment of the US Constitution! And by the way Tom, aren’t DEATH THREATS illegal in America? I sure hope the FBI goes an pays a visit to those folks threatening Trey and Matt.
Sincerely
Harley
Although I don’t support Comedy Central censoring this South Park episode, and I condemn these Muslim whackos for issuing death threats, the First Amendment of the US Constitution has no role in this controversy. The First Amendment prevents the GOVERNMENT from restricting free speech. It says nothing about corporations restricting the speech of their employees. The government isn’t squelching Parker and Stone, Viacom is.
Dear Harley,
You make good points – all of them excellent. But suppose the unthinkable happens (and I am hesitant to put forth any scenario but I think you know what I’m getting at). Would it have been worth it then? For a cartoon?
We are occasionally called to take a stand and even make sacrifices for our freedoms – but it would seem to me that there are more nobler causes than a program like South Park to rally around.
Sincerely,
Tom Degan
Ah, Hollywood’s selective “sensitivity” to religion. And of course by “selective” I mean only Islam.
And here’s Muhammad’s earlier appearance on South Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTsR820ofEQ
When a religion can threaten death or even kill someone for criticizing or lampooning it — that’s not a religion. That’s a criminal, psychotic dementia. Murderous Muslims should not be tolerated, or given special treatment anymore than the lunatic fringes that inflict violence while they proclaim they are Catholics, Jews or any other religion.
Stewart is saying that never should fanatics (political or religious) be tolerated who think their beliefs trump someone’s right to live and to express their opinions. He is a credit to our country and our national voice.
Franklin Graham said that women are treated abysmally in many factions of Islam. In fact, he has said it many times. And for saying it he has been dis-invited from attending a “prayer” function at the Pentagon on the National Day of Prayer – by THE ARMY! Why? Because one Muslim representative from CAIR (The Council of Arab-Islamic Relations) objected. Yep, CAIR will be there, at the Pentagon, praying – but Franklin Graham won’t. Because The Army, like Comedy Central, tucked their tails and caved.
What’s happening is awful and scary. Our elected leaders should have something to say about these outrages.
They could have put the all mighty one in a pig suit. Now that would have been pushing the envelope which is SP.
Sorry, I meant to say ‘the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR). My bad.
Funny Jon “Stewart” has no problem bashing any AMERICAN not on the far left, but will never pull his “satire” act on Muslims. Fuck Jon “Stewart” and fuck Political Correctness.
Did you miss the part where he sang “go fuck yourself” to the muslim extremists with a choir backing him up? It was funny.
You’re an idiot.
Uhhh….he just did. He just told them to go fuck themselves. I don’t know how much more abrasive you can be. You Jon Stewart detractors are really REALLY grasping at straws, here.
What would he need to do to make you happy? Take out an image of Muhammad and sodomize it? All of these “fuck Stewart” comments are just utterly idiotic. All I can assume is that you either didn’t watch the video, or you have an utter lack of comprehension for satire and comedic expression.
If that’s the case, then I’m sure you won’t be offended as I repeat the exact same phrase that Stewart uttered, so please, “Go fuck yourselves!”
TO JOHN MARKS,
“No one in such a prominent place in this culture does so much to show up the ugly mindset of people who draw their inspiration or paycheck from a pool of threat.”
Dude…TREY AND MATT are the ones that did this. NOT John. People are calling him gutless because he’s piggy-backing on their bravery, and didn’t say ANYTHING new, or of value.
He admitted to making fun of every other religion and condemned violence? Whoopty-fucking do!! He still doesn’t mock Islam.
Thus proving you either didn’t watch the clip, or else you DID watch it and are a liar.
listen i don’t mean to be pesky about facts here, but it would be nice if Deadline’s reporting was at least accurate. The “NY-based radical Muslim group” DID NOT make death threats, but issued a rather ominous-sounding supposition of the possibility of death threats or fatal consequences of airing the show. i’m not defending their position, but rather trying to hold Deadline accountable to our own highest ideals of American journalism.
Fact Checker, “A rather ominous-sounding supposition of the possibility of death threats or fatal consequences”? Sorry to be a nuisance, but isn’t that basically a definition of a death threat? Seems to me you’re parsing to a fault here, and your effort is laudable (and sort of hilarious, too), but the language was enough to scare off a normally abrasive comedy network.
As for Mike Y, hey, I appreciate the fact that Matt Stone and Trey Parker went for the jugular. It’s what they do best. This isn’t about them. It’s about Stewart, and whether his bit was gutless or not. It wasn’t gutless. It was funny and right to the point, though for my money, it didn’t go far enough in its criticism of Comedy Central, which basically gave a high five to anyone who wants to issue a threat and censor a show. Still, that’s not Stewart’s call.
I don’t get the anger directed here at him. Can someone explain?
For my full take on the controversy, check out http://news.purplestateofmind.com/?p=701
How is it “censorship” for a network to decide what it wants to air? I guess Comedy Central is “censoring” my pilot that they declined to pick up.
Because it’s not based on THEIR decision. It’s a protective measure that appeases to malcontent fanatical douchebags. And since they’ve shown him before in the past and only since these radicals made the threats did they choose to wuss-out and not show it.