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Trapped in the Closet (South Park)

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"Trapped in the Closet (South Park)"

"Trapped in the Closet" is episode 912 (#137) of the Comedy Central series South Park, originally aired on November 16, 2005.

The plot of the episode centers on the South Park character Stan Marsh, as he joins Scientology in an attempt to find something "fun and free". After the discovery of his surprisingly high "thetan levels", he gains an important position within the cult and becomes obeyed to. The episode parodies several celebrities who have been involved with Scientology, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

Isaac Hayes, the voice of Chef, quit the show in March 2006, shortly before the start of the tenth season of South Park. The reason for his departure, as reported by Matt Stone, was due to his faith in Scientology and this episode, which — despite initially supporting the show's satirical take on several chat shows — he claimed to feel was very offensive.

Plot

The episode begins with Stan walking on the street along with Kyle, Cartman and Kenny. Stan is saving his money for a bike, so he can't join them when they go off to play laser tag. Opting for something that is "fun and free," Stan separates from the group and takes a "personality test" that is being offered by the Scientologists on the street. After answering a long questionnaire, Stan is informed that he is "one messed up kid" who is "completely miserable and totally depressed". Fortunately, this makes him a perfect candidate for Scientology — they offer to help him out for $240. Back at home, Stan asks his parents for the money to help him with his depression. His father suggests that he use the money he has been saving for a new bike. After he pays, Stan is taken into an auditing room with Michelle, who gives him a brief history of Scientology and reads his "thetan levels" using a device called an "E-meter." Michelle is shocked by the high reading, and tries several different meters before pointing these readings out to a higher-up, who faxes the results to the Scientology headquarters in Los Angeles. There, Scientology's president reviews the results and determines that, because his reading is so high, Stan must be a reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology's founder and prophet.

Back in South Park, Stan is taking out the garbage when he notices a large group of people outside. A large group of Scientologists, including John Travolta (complete with his Welcome Back Kotter accent), have gathered there to celebrate Stan's "second coming." The President of Scientology arrives in a helicopter and goes inside to talk with Stan's parents. Stan's parents oppose his being in the group, but the president informs Randy and Sharon Marsh that "We're not asking him to join us; we're asking him to lead us." Randy sends his son Stan, confused and exhausted, to his room where he finds Tom Cruise waiting for him. Cruise, thinking Stan is genuinely Hubbard's reincarnation, asks his prophet whether he enjoyed his acting and what film he liked best. When Stan tells Cruise that his acting is not as good as Leonardo DiCaprio, Gene Hackman or "that guy" from Napoleon Dynamite," but that he is "okay," Tom yells in agony, runs, and locks himself into Stan's bedroom closet, believing he is a failure in the eyes of the "prophet".

Stan calls for his father's help, and Randy knocks on the door and says, "Mr. Cruise, you can't just stay in the closet, all right; you need to come out." Four hours later, Tom is still in the closet and a large crowd has gathered, with the South Park police chief on a megaphone urging him to "come out of the closet." R. Kelly is on the scene and sings a brief song about Tom Cruise being in the closet, and then pulls out his pistol and threatens to shoot someone if he is not informed of why Tom Cruise is in the closet.

Downstairs, the Scientology president tries to convince Stan's parents to let their son join them. They want to reveal the great secret of life behind their church to Stan. Randy asks his son if he would like to know this information and Stan responds with a "sure." Usually it takes several years before a member can hear this information, but Stan is on the fast track. The president tells him a condensed version of the story of Xenu, based directly on the actual Scientology OT III document,[1] and accompanied by an onscreen caption reading "this is what Scientologists actually believe". After explaining these beliefs, he tells Stan to continue writing where "L. Ron" left off. Meanwhile, upstairs, Nicole Kidman is trying to get Tom to "come out of the closet," but Tom repeatedly denies that he's in it.

Stan begins writing and, when Kyle, Cartman and Kenny come over to invite him to the movie theater, he doesn't have time for them. Kyle is concerned about the cult that Stan has joined, but Stan assures him that Scientology is based on fact. If they can't accept that he has found meaning (instead of the depression he didn't know he had) then they are no longer friends. John Travolta also tries to get Tom to "come out of the closet," but instead he finds himself joining him. Out on the street, R. Kelly sings a short song about this latest development, then again pulls out his gun, this time grabbing a hostage, and threatens to "cap this bitch."

Stan shows his writings to the Scientology president, who approves of most of his work, but, when Stan says that "to really be a church, [they] can't charge money to help," the president reveals to Stan that the church is a money-making scam.

Upstairs, R. Kelly has now been brought in to try to get both Tom and John to "come out of the closet." R. Kelly gets angry, pulls out his gun, and, when the closet door opens, finds himself going inside. Outside, the president introduces Stan to his followers, to whom he will read his new doctrine. However, instead of presenting it to them, Stan reveals that he is actually not the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, and that "Scientology is just a big fat global scam." His followers grow angry, and threaten to sue him. Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and R. Kelly leave his closet and appear, threatening to sue him, except for R. Kelly, who seems to be pouting and rubbing his arm and he flees instead of joining the others in angrily threatening to sue. Stan dares them to do so, and the episode ends with the credits listing only "John Smith" and "Jane Smith", a reference to Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology's reputations for litigiousness.[2][3][4]

Controversy

Isaac Hayes' departure

On March 13, 2006, Hayes announced that he was quitting the show because of the series' treatment of religion, though he didn't specifically mention Scientology in his statement.[5] In an interview on CNN's Showbiz Tonight, he added he didn't see the episode itself, but was told about it, and that "they lampoon everybody and if you believe them, you got a problem."[6] He reportedly spoke to Parker and Stone after the screening, saying "Guys, you have it all wrong. We're not like that. I know that's your thing, but get your information correct, because somebody might believe that shit, you know? But I understand what they're doing. I told them to take a couple of Scientology courses, and understand what we do. [Laughs]"[7]

Responding to Hayes' departure, Stone stated "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology... He has no problem — and he's cashed plenty of checks — with our show making fun of Christians [...] He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and, to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."[8] However, recent reports say that Hayes was in no condition to stay, because of a stroke he suffered in January.[9] According to a Fox News article, Hayes' agent Christina Kimball, herself a devout Scientologist, was the source of the statements that Hayes quit South Park.[10]

There were, however, many conflicting stories as to the exact nature of Hayes' departure. Additional reasons given by Hayes ten months after the departure also include "They didn't pay me enough" and "They weren't that nice."[11] In a 2007 interview with Rolling Stone, Stone stated "There are reports that Isaac had a stroke and Scientology quit the show for him, and I believe it...It was a brutal, up-close, personal thing with Isaac. If you look at the timeline, something doesn't add up."[12]

Due to the absence of Hayes, Chef was voiced in "The Return of Chef" using pre-recorded snippets of dialog culled from previous episodes, and was written out of the series by the episode's end.[13]

Rebroadcasts of the episode

This episode was scheduled to rebroadcast on March 15, 2006 on Comedy Central, but the airing was canceled without prior notice, and was replaced with "Chef's Chocolate Salty Balls". Representatives of Comedy Central insist that the episode was changed as a tribute to Isaac Hayes.[14] The episode did not broadcast on Paramount Comedy 1 as well, although every other episode of the season has been. Reportedly, the channel directors did not air it to avoid a possible lawsuit against the channel by Cruise.[15]

While the "South Park" creators didn't directly comment on Comedy Central's decision to pull the episode, they issued a statement to Daily Variety on March 17, 2006 indicating the battle is not over, signing the statement "Trey Parker and Matt Stone, servants of the dark lord Xenu":

"So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun! Temporarily anozinizing [sic] our episode will NOT stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies. Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!"[16]

A blog entry of Hollywoodinterrupted.com in March alleged that Comedy Central parent Viacom canceled the rebroadcast due to threats of Cruise to abstain from the Mission: Impossible III publicity circle.[17] When asked in ABC's Primetime about his involvement with stopping the episode rebroadcast on Comedy Central, Cruise stated "First of all, could you ever imagine sitting down with anyone? I would never sit down with someone and question them on their beliefs. Here's the thing: I'm really not even going to dignify this. I honestly didn't really even know about it. I'm working, making my movie, I've got my family. I'm busy. I don't spend my days going, 'What are people saying about me?'".[18] A representative of Cruise had also denied any involvement of Cruise with the issue, specifically responding to allegations of Cruise's reputed corporate power play.[19]

Nevertheless, on July 19, 2006, Comedy Central did air a rebroadcast of the episode at 10:00 Pacific Time[20][21] and did so again on July 23, 2006 at 11:00pm Eastern Time and on September 24 at 10:00 PM Eastern time. Matt Stone stated "If they hadn't put this episode back on the air, we'd have had serious issues, and we wouldn't be doing anything else with them."[22] The episode was also released in several DVDs, including South Park the Hits: Volume 1[23] and South Park: The Complete Ninth Season,[24] in contradiction with an alleged request by either the Church of Scientology or Cruise to never put the episode on DVD format.[20]

Aftermath

"C'mon Jews, show them who really runs Hollywood" - Comedy Central advertisement, Variety, August 1, 2006

A few references have been made by the show and Comedy Central to Scientology as an aftermath of the controversy. On August 1, 2006, Comedy Central placed an advertisement in Variety showing the South Park stars against a background of "L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology Celebrity Center", with the headline: "C'mon Jews, show them who really runs Hollywood." Although often misunderstood by public to parody the Mel Gibson DUI incident, the advertisement actually congratulates South Park on gaining an Emmy nomination for "Trapped in the Closet" and satirizes the cancellation of the episode's rebroadcast in March.[25][26]

File:South Park Scientology grafitti.jpg
Matt and Trey depicted spray-painting graffiti on the church's Los Angeles headquarters sign as a reference to the controversy

A different reference to Scientology was made accompanying the Rolling Stone cover article Still Sick, Still Wrong celebrating the show's anniversary. The reference portrayed a likely altered photo of Matt and Trey spray-painting graffiti on the church's Los Angeles headquarters sign, which includes "Is dum" and "Hi Tom" messages with a depiction of Cartman's head.[27]

Inspiration

Trey Parker asserts that what had previously kept the show's creators from parodying Scientology was Hayes' belief in it. However, the decision to ultimately do it was partially inspired when the show's creators heard that Penn Jillette was originally planning to do an episode of Bullshit! based on Scientology, but Showtime prohibited him from doing so to avoid the possibility of legal action from the church. Parker stated that "We're going, That's fucked up. And hearing other people say, "You can't do that," — you can only say "You can't do that" so many times to Matt and me before we're gonna do it. Finally, we just had to tell Isaac, 'Dude, we totally love working with you, and this is nothing personal, it's just we're South Park, and if we don't do this, we're belittling everything else we've ripped on.'"[28]

Reception

Reviews

In a review of South Park: The Complete Ninth Season, IGN stated that "Perhaps the largest weakness of this season is that the most notorious episodes Best Friends Forever and Trapped in the Closet just don't carry the eye-popping impact that they did when they were ripped from the headlines", giving the DVD a rating of 7.0.[29] In a different review of the DVD, The Denver Post stated the jokes about Tom Cruise "work splendidly and reveal their depth on repeated viewings, much like the show in general."[30] The San Francisco Chronicle wrote that Matt Stone and Trey Parker "probably hit their zenith when they made fun of Tom Cruise and Scientology."[20]

Analysis

An article in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion referred to the episode as a "scathing cartoon parody" of the Church of Scientology.[31]

University of Delaware philosophy professor Richard Hanley analyzed the mythology of Scientology as it relates to the episode "Trapped in the Closet", in his 2007 book: South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More Penetrating.[32][33] Hanley called the Xenu story, as presented in the episode, "utterly ridiculous". He also compared Scientology's mythology to Christianity's virgin birth and the transubstantiation, stating "Let's be honest, these beliefs are just as ridiculous as those of Scientology."[33][32] Hanley went on to delve into a philosophical analysis of the "evidential weight" of popularity and tradition in determining the "robustness" of beliefs.[33]

Southwest Minnesota State University philosophy professor Robert Arp also analyzed the philosophical and cultural aspects of the episode, in his book: South Park and Philosophy: You Know, I Learned Something Today.[1] Arp cited the series' winning a Peabody Award due to its willingness to criticize intolerance in April 2006 as a "special concern for criticizing and countering intolerance", and the notion that "the Church of Scientology suffers from the widely held perceptions that it seeks to silence former members and others who criticize its beliefs and practices" as the motivation behind the episode.[1] Robert Arp analyzed Comedy Central's reaction to the episode itself, in a section of his book entitled "2005-2006: Comedy Central Caves".[1] Arp mentions South Park's usage of the onscreen caption "this is what Scientologists actually believe." in the episode, noting that the same device was used in the episode "All About Mormons." In referencing this similar use of the onscreen caption device, Arp seemed to point to an inconsistency in the behavior of Comedy Central relative to the episode. He explained "By a long shot, this show was more kind to Scientology than was "All About the Mormons" to Mormonism."[1] He noted Comedy Central had suggested it would not rebroadcast the episode for the second time, though it later announced on July 12, 2006 that it would.[1]

Awards

The episode was nominated for an Emmy Award on July 6, 2006 in the Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour) category,[34] the show's sixth nomination (one of which they won, for 2005's "Best Friends Forever.")[35] The Simpsons episode "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story" was the eventual recipient of the award.[36]

It was also among Comedy Central's list of "10 South Parks That Changed The World,"[37] which started airing at September 24, 2006 in anticipation for the premiere of the second half of South Park's tenth season.[38]

Appearances in media

The scene where Cruise enters the closet is referenced in the South Park segment of the opening of the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006, in which Conan O' Brien is trying to get to the show, but suddenly appears in Stan's room in an animated form. Stan begins yelling at him as he runs into the nearby closet. Immediately following the entrance he exits the closet and says, "There's someone else in there", referring to Cruise, and leaves the door open. Cruise then pops out and closes the door.[39]

See also

Wikiquote has quotations related to "Trapped in the Closet".
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References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Arp, Robert (Editor) (December 1, 2006). South Park and Philosophy: You Know, I Learned Something Today. Blackwell Publishing (The Blackwell Philosophy & Pop Culture Series). pp. 27, 59, 60, 118, 120, 132, 137, 138, 140, 224. ISBN 1405161604 , ISBN 978-1405161602. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Hilden, Julie (2005-12-06). "Could Tom Cruise Sue "South Park" For Suggesting He is Gay? And Even If He Could, Should He?". FindLaw. Retrieved 2006-08-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ TMZ Staff (2006-07-06). ""South Park" Cruises to the Emmys". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2006-08-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Chonin, Neva (March 26, 2006). "Cruise Control". The San Francisco Chronicle. 2006 Hearst Communications Inc. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Isaac Hayes quits South Park after it satirises Scientology". Retrieved 2007-03-06.
  6. ^ Morales, Lisa (March 17, 2006.). "Everyone's in a Stew Over 'South Park' Chef". The Washington Post (in English). The Washington Post Company. pp. The TV Column, p. 2 of 2. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  7. ^ "Isaac Hayes Interview". avclub.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  8. ^ "Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park'". entertainment.msn.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  9. ^ "Chef's Quitting Controversy". foxnews.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  10. ^ "Bruce Willis Gets Lucky, But Not With Model". foxnews.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  11. ^ "Isaac puts Chef behind him". The New York Post. 2007-1-24. Retrieved 2007-01-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Grigoriadis, Vanessa (March 22, 2007). "Still Sick, Still Wrong : For ten years, "South Park" has been the crudest, stupidest, most offensive show on television. And the funniest". Rolling Stone (in English). pp. Cover Story. Retrieved 2007-06-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  13. ^ Barger, Al (2006-03-24). "TV Review: South Park "The Return of Adam Livshits"". blogcritics.org. Retrieved 2006-11-28.
  14. ^ "Did 'South Park' Get Cruised?". zap2it.com. 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
  15. ^ "Cruise axe for South Park". thesun.co.uk. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  16. ^ "Inside Move: 'South Park' feeling some celeb heat?". variety.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  17. ^ Ryan, Joel (2006-03-13). ""The Closet," the Controversy--and Cruise". E! Online. E! Entertainment Television, Inc. Retrieved 2007-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ "Cruise: 'No Oprah Regrets'". hollywood.com. 2006-04-16. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  19. ^ "Cruise axe for South Park". thesun.co.uk. 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  20. ^ a b c Goodman, Tim (July 15, 2006). "Death March With Cocktails: 'South Park' at 10 trumps Tom Cruise". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ "South Park "Trapped in the Closet" Episode to Air Again". tv.ign.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  22. ^ Staff (2006-09-12). "'South Park' Scientology episode set to rerun: Show that pokes fun at Tom Cruise was abruptly pulled back in March". MSNBC. NBC. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "South Park Studios: News". southparkstudios.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04., Image:South Park The Hits Volume 1.jpg
  24. ^ Westbrook, Bruce (2007-03-06). "Entertainment: More Naughty Fun". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-03-10. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Finn, Natalie (2006-08-02). ""Passion of the Jew" Part 2? Not Quite". E! Online. E! Entertainment Television, Inc. Retrieved 2007-06-16. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "Network execs deny South Park ad targeted Gibson". hollywood.com. 2006-08-02. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  27. ^ Rothman, Robin A. (2007-03-09). "'South Park' sticks it to Scientology again". recordonline.com. Retrieved 2007-03-11. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "They Killed Kenny…And Revolutionized Comedy". men.style.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  29. ^ Schorn, Peter. "South Park - The Complete Ninth Season". tv.ign.com. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  30. ^ Wenzel, John (March 19, 2007.). ""South Park" becomes a gem". Denver Post (in English). {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  31. ^ Urban, Hugh B. (April 26, 2006.). "Fair Game: Secrecy, Security, and the Church of Scientology in Cold War America (abstract)". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 74 (2). American Academy of Religion: 356–389. ISSN 1477-4585, ISSN 0002-7189. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); External link in |title= (help)
  32. ^ a b Hanley, Richard (March 28, 2007). South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More Penetrating. Open Court. pp. 23, 24, 32, 41, 246, 247, 262, 283. ISBN 0812696131. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ a b c Greto, Victor (April 2, 2007). "I offend, therefore I am: University of Delaware professor aimed for 'rude and crude ' in his book on 'South Park'". The News Journal, Delaware Online. USA Today, Gannett. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ "58th Primetime Emmy Awards". emmys.org. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  35. ^ ""South Park" Finally Wins Emmy". animatedtv.about.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  36. ^ "Create Arts Emmys winners" (PDF). emmys.org. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  37. ^ "South Park: Crude and Rude as Ever". newpaltz.edu. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
  38. ^ "Comedy Central to Air South Park Episodes That Changed the World". news.awn.com. 2006-09-19. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  39. ^ "Conan the Destroyer". zap2it.com. Retrieved 2006-08-28.

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