While it's never won awards for being kinder and gentler entertainment (though it does have two Emmys) now South Park is on the run in Russia. Prosecutors are looking to ban the "extremist" cartoon [1] after viewer complaints. Filing suit against the network showing the cartoon, the spokesman says, "South Park is just one of many cartoons that need to be banned from open broadcast . . . as it insults the feelings of religious believers and incites religious and national hatred."

The episode in question? The 1999 episode called "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" that shows the cast singing Christmas Carols. The spokesman goes on to say, "It's one thing if they are on cable TV and viewers pay money and make a conscious choice. But young children should not be able to turn on the TV after school and watch this. They need to be defended."

In 2006, Russia passed a law extending the definition of extremism to include "the abasement of national dignity" and "inciting religious and national hatred." Does South Park do this — or is it all in good fun?