The controversial "Trapped In The Closet" episode of South Park, which poked fun at Tom Cruise, is the cheeky installment which earned creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone an Emmy Awards nomination yesterday.

The parody, which questioned Cruise's sexuality and mocked his Scientology beliefs, was caught up in controversy when it first aired last November, and led to South Park regular Isaac Hayes, a fellow Scientologist, quitting the show.

But rather than steer clear of the controversy, brave Emmy voters have embraced it, declaring it worthy of a nod for Outstanding Animated Program, according to news website TMZ.com. The controversial episode hasn't been repeated since the initial furore and a planned re-airing in March was scrapped.

South Park will compete with The Simpsons, Camp Lazlo, Family Guy and Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends when the Emmys are announced next month.

- List of Emmy nominees
- South Park image gallery

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)