4. South Park Upset Our Lizard Over-Lords
Comedy CentralIt's true that choosing the most controversial South Park moment is akin to trying to decide on Lady Gaga's most bizarre outfit - but this one is up there. This episode, which rips on Scientology, Tom Cruise, R Kelly and others in the show's typically cutting manner, was heavily praised and even nominated for an Emmy. However, the negative reactions were predictably high; a well-documented dispute between creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Isaac Hayes, the voice of Chef and himself a Scientologist, even lead to the latter's resignation from the show. The animosity didn't end there. Despite Comedy Central's initial support of the episode, a rather confusing bout of drama ensued upon their apparent refusal to rebroadcast the episode a second time - instead choosing to air 'Chef's Chocolate Salty Balls' in its place, which they claimed was to be shown in tribute to Hayes upon his departure from the show. There was widespread speculation that this was all due to fear of being sued by Cruise, but this was never officially confirmed - and he himself denied all involvement. Subsequently, thousands of fans signed a petition to persuade the network to air the episode again, and a screening of 'Trapped in the Closet' took place at the National Film Theatre in London, where attendees were provided with a free copy of the episode - the whole event dubbed by Parker and Stone as a 'display of free speech'. Eventually, the episode was rebroadcast, and later even released on DVD - despite protests from the Church of Scientology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiuZLQbdTc