Isaac Hayes quit South Park yesterday citing an impatience with the show's "intolerance" (but not mentioning a Scientology-themed episode from last season. Here's what he said in a written statement:
There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs … begins."
And here's what he said in an A.V. Club interview conducted in December shortly after the episode aired:
AVC: They did just do an episode that made fun of your religion, Scientology. Did that bother you?
IH: Well, I talked to Matt and Trey about that. They didn't let me know until it was done. I said, "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.]
So what changed between now and then? Also, is there any chance that Issac Hayes will re-open any branches of his restaurant? The food there was amazing.