Cartwright & Scientology

[Malachy]

from simpsonsfolder.com (http://simpsonsfolder.com)

http://www.cultnews.com/index.php/2006/04/06/scientologist-cartoon-diva-cartwright-gets-her-way-at-the-simpsons/

[Semaj]

Glad that Cartwright isn't quitting the show, but since when has it been NOT okay to make fun of Scientology?

[garret]

Scientologists are insecure little shits, anything about their "religion" and they freak out and try to get rid of it.

[Binky]

What's with all the glaring typos and inaccuracies in this article?

[Homer Jay]

Curtis wrote it

[ruggeder]

Censorship is not ok, and these scientologist crybabies need to grow up, then again, its not a religion at all, they don't have tax exempt status, nor are they recognized, in America anyway. Plus the line was funny.

[brody]

Scientology isn't a religion. It's a weird cult developed by a science fiction author. What exactly do they worship?

I watched Bowfinger a few months ago, great satire on Scientology.

[ruggeder]

I could explain to you what they worship, and it is hilarious to me, but I suppose no more stupid then any other religion, or wannabe religion. Basically L Ron didn't want to pay taxes and this is what he did to get out of it, he even lived on a boat in the middle of nowhere to avoid paying them, so he would only come inland for the collections of his "church". Theres a scientology church on sunset, free books and magazines, plus some good art that was on l ron's books, but you have to put up with trying to be converted, but good for a laugh, i recommend going.

[Malachy]

For the record, I didn't mean for this to turn into an all-out bashing of Scientology.

[Larson Something]

The line wasn't all that funny, and certainly not worth starting a fight over.

And Nancy may not have been personally offended by it. She may have just not wanted to go through the hassle of having to answer for it. And if the speculation that Hayes was pressured to quit is true, I wouldn't blame her.

[Wasteland]

In America, we should have the right to make fun of any religion. Emphasis on should.

[Tomacco]

Oh no, not her too.

[DotheBartman]

I already posted another article (with no typos, though it still makes the mistake of saying she's 58) in the S17 thread. It's interesting but probably worth taking a grain of salt with, because even aside from the age error it seems like it could just be a rumor or made up. Disapointing if true, though.

[Al Jean's Butt]

Is this a "religion" entirely comprised of celebrities or something? I don't understand why anyone would be attracted to that sort of thing.

[Little Kid Lover]

If Cartwright is a scientologist, then they should fire her.

[DotheBartman]

If Cartwright is a scientologist, then they should fire her.

Aside from the fact that that's incredibly ridiculous and discriminatory (and I say that as someone who loathes Scientology and practically can't believe that any remotely intelligent person would get sucked into it), the show would have to end if they did that.

[Little Kid Lover]

I wasn't being serious, this country has religious freedom.

[garret]

Scientology isn't a religion.

[Generic]

It would indeed be disappointing if this turns out to be true. After all, she didn't walk out over "Joy of Sect" and while that was much more subtle and generic than South Park's "Trapped in the Closet", it did lampoon religions/cults/followings like Scientology much more than some throwaway line.

[TransponderHut]

Scientology isn't a religion.

I see Scientology as what happens if you base a religion around Lord of the Rings or something. L. Ron was a science fiction writer, right?

[The Homer]

If Scientology was true, it'd be bigger than Star Wars and Star Trek combined. I'm sure I can say a lot of us have seen the South Park episode. All I can say is 'INSANE LITTLE PRICKS!'
Come on. It's a Cult; based off of a SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL!
Seriously though, where's Jediology and Trekology?

[box elder]

i think L Rod Hubbard said many times that he wanted to invent a religion, then he did it. and yet people still believe that it's real. wow. gullibility is rampant.

[H Thompson]

Scientology is true but it needs to be stopped as all us servants of Xenu know.

[Dr. Spirograph]

Scientology is true but it needs to be stopped as all us servants of Xenu know. Hee!

[FuriousGeorge]

Scientologists need to get a life.

If I had my way, I'd put all their members in concentration camps. Where would their Thetan's be now??

[Wonderlicious]

Scientologists need to get a life.

If I had my way, I'd put all their members in concentration camps. Where would their Thetan's be now??


I'm not supporting or slamming Scientology here, but that statement is just going overboard.

[Dr Zaius]

Oh, man, it's scary to think what would happen to the show if Cartwright walked out. That would do some major damage. And the Simpsons writers can't handle things the same way South Park can.

[TriforceBun]

See, the principle of why Hayes and Nancy got offended is something I don't really disagree with. I think it's perfectly fine to get upset over voicing character(s) in a show that make fun of your religion. Standing up for what you believe is right is a noble cause, even if it is simply a joke or two.

HOWEVER--

Nancy and Hayes have both had their characters and respective shows have jokes at several other religions' expense. That's the main difference. When they have no problem making jokes about other people's religion, but can't take it themselves, that's when they begin to look extremely hypocritical.

And that's a decent Bart line...better than a lot of stuff he's said recently.

With all that said, I still think Scientology is completely ridiculous.

[Snack Related Mishap]

Scientologists need to get a life.
If I had my way, I'd put all their members in concentration camps. Where would their Thetan's be now??

Dude, that comment is really scary. I loathe Scientology, but that doesn't mean all scientologists are bad people. And even if they were, that is no reason to put people in concentration camps. When I say that comment is scary, I mean freaky, nazi-esque talk. If your gonna keep saying stuff like that, then stop talking.

[John Jay Smith]

First off, this source seems completely bogus. I have not heard it anywhere else. Second off, why do people think that is a funny line. It is not.

I am getting mad about all these whiny Scientologists. Let me remember a line Bart (voice by Nancy Cartwright) once said.

Bart: Lets become Catholic. Free communion wafers and booze.

That was just as bad IF NOT WORSE than the line Cartwright had to say, that did not even say the word Scientology. The joke of the line is that anyone can fill in their own religion.

[Moe Gets a Cellphone]

I don't know if this has been brought up elsewhere but does anyone remember during the Q&A with Bill and Josh, a George Meyer script from season 8 was mentioned as being unable to produce cause of lawsuits and upset cast and crew. I'm curious to know if their is any more information about the script. I thought it might be about Scientology since they seem a ripe target for Meyer and nobody loves lawsuits more than Scientologists. Probably just the Simpsons fan in me wishing that Simpsons had taken a direct swipe at Scientology before South Park.

While the celebrity scientologists are annoying, the true tragedy of scientology is how they treat their less famous members who are often milked out of all of their money and then use these folks as labor. Its always disheartens me when I learn that an enterainer I enjoy like Nancy or Jeffery Tambor are scientologists.

[Generic]

See, the principle of why Hayes and Nancy got offended is something I don't really disagree with. I think it's perfectly fine to get upset over voicing character(s) in a show that make fun of your religion. Standing up for what you believe is right is a noble cause, even if it is simply a joke or two.

HOWEVER--

Nancy and Hayes have both had their characters and respective shows have jokes at several other religions' expense. That's the main difference. When they have no problem making jokes about other people's religion, but can't take it themselves, that's when they begin to look extremely hypocritical.

And that's a decent Bart line...better than a lot of stuff he's said recently.

With all that said, I still think Scientology is completely ridiculous.

Agreed, I too am not bothered that Issac Hayes or Nancy Cartwright (if the story is in any way legit) would stand up for Scientology, rather the hypocritical stance that making fun of other religions is perfectly alright. That's why I didn't dislike the way in which South Park responded to the Hayes situation as his comments were hypocritical because he didn't specifically mention Scientology but only that he disagreed with the "bigotry" that South Park displayed towards religion...something that apparently didn't matter until Scientology came into the picture.

[Wonderlicious]

I don't know if this has been brought up elsewhere but does anyone remember during the Q&A with Bill and Josh, a George Meyer script from season 8 was mentioned as being unable to produce cause of lawsuits and upset cast and crew. I'm curious to know if their is any more information about the script. I thought it might be about Scientology since they seem a ripe target for Meyer and nobody loves lawsuits more than Scientologists. Probably just the Simpsons fan in me wishing that Simpsons had taken a direct swipe at Scientology before South Park.

I always thought that it may have something to do with Judaism, seeing as how a good portion of the cast (including Julie Kavner, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer) and the crew (Jim Brooks, and I'm sure that others such as Mike Reiss are too) are Jewish. Perhaps it was Scientology after all.

While the celebrity scientologists are annoying, the true tragedy of scientology is how they treat their less famous members who are often milked out of all of their money and then use these folks as labor. Its always disheartens me when I learn that an enterainer I enjoy like Nancy or Jeffery Tambor are scientologists.

I've kinda gotta agree with this. It pains me to tarnish any religion with any brush, but Scientology really can seem a problem, not really coz what they believe in (I'm sure if you went over to a non Christian and said that a dead guy who changed water to wine and stopped people going mad came back to life, they'd see Christianity as Zombianity), but how it is run. I think that we can all admit that nearly every religion on the planet can cause pain to some, but Scientology, from what I've read, seems to have a lot of Walrus and the Carpenter-isms, especially with the annual fee thing. Like I said, saying that a normal follower of Scientology should be put in a Concentration Camp is too Ann Coultery for me, but the religion is actually quite a bad one to follow, in my opinion.

[H Thompson]

I always thought that it may have something to do with Judaism, seeing as how a good portion of the cast (including Julie Kavner, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer) and the crew (Jim Brooks, and I'm sure that others such as Mike Reiss are too) are Jewish. Perhaps it was Scientology after all.
.
Weinstein

[Rich Uncle Skeleton]

Cartwright is a Scientologist? Oh dear.
Well, her publicist says the decision to cut the line was nothing to do with the cult...whether or not that's true remains to be seen, but the line isn't that funny.

[Wasteland]

Eh, it's ok to be a scientologist. But I was born a snake handler, and I will die a snake handler.

[moed'oh]

all other religions have been made fun of if it was on south park or the simpsons. south park has the constant jew jokes (as a jew i find them funny) or jokes about priests molesting boys. the simpsons have krusty being jewish and the show makes some jokes about apu being hindu. cant people laugh at themselves??!! i dont think this will become an issue though on the simpsons

[bluemoose]

I don't mind her getting angry because they wanted her to voice something that made fun of her "religion", but I still think it's a shame that someone on the Simpsons staff is a scientologist.

[John Jay Smith]

WB 36 (my local Simpsons re-run station) has been showing the episodes in order from season 1. They are on season 4 now, and I was watching Homer the Heretic, and it has one of the most rude comments about a religion ever.

Homer (Discussing Apu's Hinduism): You know Apu, when they were handing out religions you must have been taking a leak.

And Nancy Cartwright is getting mad about a line that may or may not be referring to Scientology.

[Sarcastic Guy II]

Scientology is what I like to call a "Pyramid Cult."

It has all the clever qualities of a pyramid scheme (paying so much money to be able to find out higher and higher levels of "knowledge") while at the same time it turns people into deranged lunatics (Tom Cruise) or pathetic crybabies (Issac Hayes, and, sadly, Nancy Cartwright).

Scientology is nothing but silly nonsense and I'm not sure whether I feel sorry for those suckered into it's idiotic premise or if I just hate those people for their excessive stupidity.

[Moe Gets a Cellphone]

I understand the frustration and anger that Tom Cruise stirs up in people whenever he rattles off some anti-psychiatry spiel but I'd like to remind folks that the majority of scientologists inductees are sad,broken down people usually suffering from clinical depression or worse. Scientology finds these already fragile people and breaks them down even further using all the typical cult techniques like bullbaiting and breaking off all contact from the outside world. Sorry to be the preachy PC thug. I lost a good childhood friend to a cult when he went to college so I'm a bit defensive about the "blame the victim" vibe that many have regarding those lost to cults. Which I don't think anyone was really expressing here besides a tastless albiet harmless joke.

ANYHOO, if Nancy did quit do you think they'd end the show?

[moed'oh]

ANYHOO, if Nancy did quit do you think they'd end the show?

without a doubt, yes. i think if anyone of the main people leave they would end it

[Swartzweldian]

Hehe..Lets all go and say hello :)

We could all use a good audit. :LOL:

[Swartzweldian]

Sorry to bring up a dead thread...but I wonder if Mirkin knew Cartwright was a scientologist when he recorded the commentary for Joy Of Sect. Nothing but Scientology bashing.

I assume when they made the episode Nancy was not a Scientologist.

[H Thompson]

No apparently she's been a scientologist since the early 90's, I checked just in case there was any correlation between when she became one and the decline in the show, but nope she already was one years before that.

[Lisa Is A Nut]

Maybe she kept quiet about it and Mirkin never knew.

[banana plantation]

Eh, it's ok to be a scientologist. But I was born a snake handler, and I will die a snake handler.

lol, one of my favorite insane lines.

[Jamie]

I was reading the LA Weekly and there was a small ad that said something like

MEET THE VOICE OF BART SIMPSON!
Nancy Cartwright
[picture of nancy]
at the scientology center

[Rufus Jones]

Not Nancy too!!!!!:'(



Just out of curiosity, what was the line that Nancy got upset about?

[Gorilla's Choice]

^ Bart said something like "Mormanism? Thats the second-freakiest religion there is!" to which the viewer must infer what the "freakiest religion" would be.

[H Thompson]

I was reading the LA Weekly and there was a small ad that said something like

MEET THE VOICE OF BART SIMPSON!
Nancy Cartwright
[picture of nancy]
at the scientology center
Holy shit that's fucking disgraceful

[Starman]

Ah, Religion/Cult, they're both pointless, disgusting diseases that can't be stopped.
(I don't care if this offends people, religion offends me even more.)

[Rhodan]

Wouldn´t logically only relevant point of this thread be the question if that thing has happened at all? I remember in the past Channel surfer was dismising it as "probably fake".

[moleman31]

Ah, Religion/Cult, they're both pointless, disgusting diseases that can't be stopped.
(I don't care if this offends people, religion offends me even more.)

i feel sorry for you man...what makes someone think the Holy Bible is all made up? how was the earth created? what happens when someone dies? we probably shouldn't be discussing religion but you have to open your mind a little bit. religion is not pointless, and it shouldn't offend you. sorry about this rant, but your comment offended me.

[Gatorgod]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/gatorgod/GatorIcons/WTFGator6.gif Nancy's a Scientologist??

..I always wondered if some celebrities arnt paid to be members? Its good advertisement, and it is run like a business, and companies always pay high profile sports or film people to be associated with their product by way of ads and such. ..Hmmmm?
I'd just need one celeb to break ranks and admit to taking Sci/Tol money to bare out my theory...

[Rhodan]

This thread needs to be closed. It goes out of topic in every direction.

[H Thompson]

Religions though used to exploit people and start wars, all generally have some cultural and historic foundations. Scientology really is just something someone made up to make money.

And do we really have to close a thread just because it goes off topic, if there's still a decent level of discussion going on, it should be allowed to continue. It's better than keeping a thread open that's on topic, but thats dull, repetitive and idiotic.

[dave9199]

What's that line from Bart that starts with: Church/cult, cult/church. I forget the rest of it.

[Swartzweldian]

This thread needs to be closed. It goes out of topic in every direction.
Who cares? What, every thread that doesnt do exactly what the title suggests must be locked? I can't stand forums with Nazi rules.

As far as I can tell it's on topic completely.

[Imperciph]

If religion is kept to a personal level and not used as an organisational tool to further propaganda or collect money from folks, I don't see why it would be called a disease. If religion is practiced individually for the purpose of achieving a state mental peace with no one trying to force his belief down on anyone else, it's perfectly fine.