Which South Park episode centers on Scientology and features Tom Cruise in a closet?

The South Park episode centered on Scientology and Tom Cruise hiding in a closet is “Trapped in the Closet.” It is the twelfth episode of season nine and originally aired on Comedy Central on November 16, 2005.

The story begins when Stan takes a free personality test offered by Scientologists. After an auditing session reveals unusually high “thetan” levels, the church identifies him as the reincarnation of founder L. Ron Hubbard. The episode then presents a satirical version of Scientology’s cosmology, including the story of Xenu.

Tom Cruise arrives at the Marsh home after hearing Stan criticize his acting. Offended, Cruise locks himself in Stan’s closet and repeatedly refuses requests to “come out.” The scene uses the phrase’s double meaning and became one of the most recognizable jokes in South Park history. R. Kelly and John Travolta also become part of the escalating gag.

The episode generated controversy. A scheduled 2006 repeat was replaced, and Isaac Hayes later left the series; Hayes was a Scientologist. “Trapped in the Closet” was nevertheless released on DVD, rebroadcast, and nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.