Wow, first Bernie Mac and now this: Isaac Hayes, the R&B superstar who managed in his 65 years to make one of the greatest makeout records ever and be a featured player in one of the finest and most profane tv comedies of all time, was found dead next to a running treadmill in his Memphis home.
Chances are if you are reading this blog -- or any blog -- you know all about Hayes's contributions as Chef on South Park. Probably, you also know how in the wake of the South Park's Tom Cruise/R. Kelly mashup "Trapped in the Closet" episode, Hayes's membership in the Church of Scientology (not to mention a January 2006 stroke) may have contributed to his leaving the show, which in turn forced South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to write his character out. (Chef had been brainwashed, you see, by a bunch of weirdos.) Parker and Stone had publicly expressed the hope that Hayes would eventually return; we harbored similar hopes. And we are unspeakably sad that they won't be realized. (It always seemed like a longshot, sure, but still, our karmic fingers were crossed.)
Hayes is survived by 3 ex-wives and 1 current one, 12 children, 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. And by millions of babies who owe their inception to "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic."