Nearly 20 Years After Isaac Hayes’ Controversial South Park Exit, His Son Candidly ‘Set The Record Straight’ About Who Was To Blame

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With the future of South Park on the 2025 TV schedule growing murky amidst Skydance Media’s upcoming acquisition by Paramount Global, an old scandal involving the show has resurfaced. Isaac Hayes III, son of the legendary musician who portrayed beloved character Chef for nine seasons, is now shedding light on what he claims is the real story behind his father’s abrupt departure from the series, which followed one of South Park’s most notorious episodes, “Trapped in the Closet,” that satirized Scientology.

The initial broadcast of this episode took place in November 2005, with relatively little controversy arising. However, Isaac Hayes, famous for composing the theme song for Shaft, was intentionally excluded from the creative process due to his affiliation with Scientology since the 1990s. A few months after this incident, Hayes suffered a stroke and subsequently resigned from South Park, alleging religious bias on the show’s part. Yet, Hayes III questions whether these accusations truly reflected his father’s sentiments.

Over nine years since Cracked initially doubted the authenticity of his father’s exit from South Park, Hayes III reveals that, due to his father’s questionable mental health condition at the time, he may not have been in a position to make such significant and life-changing decisions. To quote him directly:

“It was more than nine years ago when Cracked raised doubts about his departure from South Park. Now, Hayes III says that, given his father’s unstable mental state at the time, he might not have been capable of making such crucial decisions with long-lasting impacts.

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During that period, my father was on a journey to regain his abilities following a stroke – he was learning how to speak and function again. I paid him a visit, and there were times when it was difficult for him to communicate clearly or say complete words. At the time, most of the individuals surrounding him were Scientologists, including his publicists and management. The decisions regarding his involvement in the show and eventual departure from it were not made by him, but rather by these people who were managing him. He would have never voluntarily left that show.

According to Isaac Hayes III, there seemed to be several factors suggesting that his father might not have voluntarily left the show South Park. His financial circumstances appeared to play a significant role in this decision. He further added:

He really enjoyed that program, and it brought him substantial income. However, I disagree with the manner in which decisions affecting him were made, as they forced him to embark on a tour before he felt prepared to do so.

As South Park gained immense popularity and reached a wider audience during its first decade, Isaac Hayes’ role as Chef provided him with the opportunity to reduce his frequent tours. After suffering a stroke, Hayes III is convinced that had it not been for the financial support from the show, his father would have been compelled to return to touring, a stressful endeavor that potentially shortened the musician’s life, as he passed away only two years later in August 2008.

Isaac Hayes’ Son Doesn’t Think He Ever Would Have Intentionally Left The Show

Hayes III explained that his father thoroughly enjoyed voicing Chef on South Park over the years, appreciating and welcoming the show’s fanbase. He believes that, given different circumstances, the Oscar winner would still be an essential member of the South Park family today.

My father held a deep affection for Matt and Trey. He admired their character, enjoyed their show, and appreciated its message. If given the chance, he would have remained involved with them until today. It’s that fact which leaves me feeling frustrated. I believe Matt and Trey might not have been aware of this at the time, as even our family was often kept out of their inner circle. The close-knit team surrounding celebrities, whether Scientology members or not, can sometimes make it challenging for them to maintain personal relationships with their families.

At the point when Hayes suffered his stroke and departed the series, he wasn’t vocal about the show in public conversations, so Stone and Parker had to accept the actors’ statements at face value. The unresolved frustrations from this period contributed to another infamously gloomy South Park episode, specifically the Season 10 premiere “The Return of Chef.” This episode used Hayes’ previously recorded dialogue to portray Chef as a brainwashed Scientology follower who was brutally written off.

Hayes III acknowledges that Stone and Parker assembled the narrative without fully comprehending the real events unfolding, and he recognizes the intensity of feelings involved. However, despite this understanding, he remains unconvinced that the manner in which Chef died fit well within the context of the situation.

Isaac Hayes Allegedly Wasn’t Bothered At All By South Park’s Content

Isaac Hayes III emphasized that his father had a laid-back character and a good sense of humor. He was not easily offended, even when satire was used. While it’s uncertain if he would regularly watch “South Park,” Hayes III expressed more admiration for the fanbase that Chef attracted than any displeasure towards the show’s content. When asked about the correlation between the character of Chef and his father’s personality, he replied affirmatively.

The performance perfectly suited him. My father possessed an exceptional wit; he was quite the charismatic individual. He maintained a serious demeanor, yet never lost sight of the fun in life. Material never affected him on a personal level. Moreover, it expanded his fan base and bridged those fans with his music. In truth, I’ve never felt that there were any limits to his performances. While they did challenge boundaries, let me clarify, he recognized the importance of not taking things too seriously. It was thought-provoking satire meant to be taken lightly, which is quite intriguing.

It’s intriguing that Isaac Hayes III has been so open about the impact of his father’s work on South Park, especially at a time when the show is facing uncertainty due to its parent company canceling shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It seems his thoughts were solicited, and I wonder if this will lead to any significant developments. For instance, maybe the voice actor will rejoin the series as a tribute to Chef by appearing somehow in the future episodes.

Currently, viewers can stream the seasons of South Park using a Max subscription. On the other hand, the standalone streaming specials can be watched via a Paramount+ subscription.

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2025-07-21 00:38