The Tragic Loss of Chef

When thinking about South Park’s most iconic characters, it feels kind of bizarre to realize that one of THE most iconic hasn’t been on the show in EIGHTEEN years. While South Park made a huge splash with its irreverent humor, vulgarity and cheap animation, back in its early days, there were few characters more beloved than Isaac Hayes’ Chef. The soul singin’ mentor to the main 4 boys, Chef was effectively the primary adult character in the show AND the series’ voice of reason for a lot of its early run. That is, until a much publicized and contentious exit from the show in 2006 after South Park lampooned scientology. Despite this messy end for Chef, and later revelations about the nature of his exit, Chef is STILL one of the most important characters in the show’s history, and while they’ve managed to find new characters to elevate and new kinds of stories to tell, I think he has left an undeniable hole in the show that will never quite be filled. So today let’s look at one of South Park’s most beloved characters and explore the Tragic Loss of Chef.

Quote VO by Stephen McCann

Music:
Johnny 2 Cellos Theme Music - Norman Marston
Johnny 2 Cellos Theme Remix- @BlackTyeChi
@massobeats
massobeats- honey jam
massobeats- rose water
massobeats- midnight
massobeats- magic carousel
massobeats- cloudy
massobeats- lavender
massobeats- floral
massobeats- midnight
massobeats- warmth

Video Used:
South Park (1997-2024)

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted.

[pokemonmanic]

Honestly the way Stan says “Chef, we love you” just gets me, Trey and Matt really did love Isaac.

[delphoxhoopa]

It's honestly sad that we lost one of the most iconic characters in the show because of factors that were literally out of the voice actor's control. Hopefully he's at peace now.

[liesebeam]

My favorite detail relating to chef is that he's the only adult that the kids see in the anime style in good times with weapons. It's genuinely sweet!

[stagnantlasagna]

When Chef says "ok Children we're almost to China" while on the South Park school bus makes me laugh so fucking hard everytime. The thought of a Colorado school bus driving all the way to China is just so fucking stupid and hilarious to me

[KicktheSky]

Chef’s departure really was kind of the turning point for this show. I feel like the kids really got a lot more cynical and self-reliant (in a bad way) after his death.

[FakeTrashbags]

31:24 Having Ceric read that quote was absolutely DIABOLICAL 💀😂

[BugsyFoga]

At times I just think how with chef dead the boys lost the only true adult they could ever look up to, and that’s pretty heartbreaking, almost makes me wonder if Matt and Trey ever had any regrets with ending off the character the way they did after Isaac Hayes unfortunate passing.

[TheCheat]

6:30 I miss when Jesus was a regular resident of South Park with a talk show.

[claytonrios]

I always get a bit teary eyed when I have to face Zombie Chef in Stick of Truth.

But that just makes me want to beat Clyde all the more. Isaac Hayes was a national treasure.

[tahleahtheegg]

Honestly, Chef is one of the first characters I think of when someone mentions Southpark, I wished we had more time with Isaac Hayes

[chadsummerchild]

I thought it was funny that even if he’s just talking to one of the boys he still address them as children not child or by their own name.

[ZachariahMorningstar]

He wasnt just some Token Black guy, that was Tolkien. Chef was a strong male leader, who wasnt perfect, but he had always the children's best interest at until that last episode

[AdThest]

Issac Hayes III coming in to play Chef's son would genuinely make me cry

[will]

Damn I miss Chef. “Alright, everyone get in a line so I can whoop all yo asses”

[willow]

I just found out Issac Hayes took my Nana to homecoming when they were in school together. She said when they went he was sweet to her and she was shocked to hear he initially passed. They stopped talking before he started voice acting Chef tho.

[miltonblipp]

31:23 broooo good call on having Ceric read the quote 😂

[Flower_Mom]

I miss Chef. RIP Issac Hayes. I love your idea of having a previously unknown son of Chef's voiced by Hayes' actual son becoming a part of the show. I think it'd be a sweet way to carry on the legacy of both the character and the man behind him.

[jtszabo]

I can’t hear about the Loch Ness monster without thinking about chef’s parents, that bit has lived rent-free in my head for over 25 years

[RealRainbowRapidash]

It’s silly, but whenever I come home, I greet my pets with “hello there children!”

[TheCheat]

"Hello there children!"

"Hey Chef."

"How's it going?"

"Bad."

"Why bad?"