As a long-time connoisseur of animated television shows, I find it quite fascinating to delve into the history of cartoons that have been banned or censored over the years. It seems like every era has its share of controversial episodes that push the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable for family viewing.
Sitcoms are designed to bring laughter into households, but not all episodes succeed in pleasing everyone, and sometimes they can even provoke such strong reactions that they end up being banned. Here are some episodes from renowned sitcoms that stirred up controversy due to their content.
“The Puppy Episode” – Ellen
Simultaneously, in real life and on television, Ellen DeGeneres publicly acknowledged her sexuality, and so did her character in “Ellen” – marking the first lead character on a TV series to do so – in “The Puppy Episode.” This two-part Season 4 episode of Ellen turned out to be an Emmy-winning hit and ratings triumph, but faced opposition: some ABC affiliates declined to air the episode, and several advertisers opted not to sponsor during its broadcast.
“Edith’s 50 Birthday” – All In The Family
In the two-part episode titled “Edith’s 50th Birthday” from the eighth season of All in the Family, I found myself in a chilling ordeal. Jean Stapleton’s character, Edith, was nearly attacked by a supposed detective who she somehow managed to evade. However, the incident left me deeply shaken and traumatized. This powerful dramatic moment in a sitcom was heartrending for many viewers, as seeing a beloved character like Edith in such a harrowing situation was incredibly emotional and difficult to watch.
“Partial Terms Of Endearment” – Family Guy
Initially planned as the final episode for Season 8 of “Family Guy”, “Partial Terms Of Endearment” follows Lois (Alex Borstein) who consents to carry a child for another couple. However, they meet an untimely demise in an accident, leading Lois to contemplate having an abortion. Due to its satirical take on a highly contentious real-life issue, the episode was prohibited from airing on U.S. television but can be found in the United States on DVD.
“Running Zack” – Saved By The Bell
In a different phrasing, it can be stated that Zack Morris, a character from the sitcom “Saved by the Bell”, is often recognized as one of the misbehaving children on television. However, an attempt was made in the show to portray him positively, which instead had severe negative consequences. This particular episode, where Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s character learns about his Native American heritage and wears a headdress for a school project, later caused regret from the actor himself.
“You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato” – Murphy Brown
In the final episode of Season 4 from Murphy Brown, Murphy Bergen, portrayed by Candace Bergen, decides to raise her newborn alone. This choice faced criticism from then-Vice President Dan Quayle, and the upcoming season premiere directly addressed his comments about single motherhood.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – Roseanne
Roseanne, marking a groundbreaking moment in sitcom history, presented television audiences with characters from the working-class sphere. However, it didn’t stop at this innovation; the show dared to challenge norms further, as evidenced by an episode where Roseanne Barr’s character shares a kiss with another woman in a scene depicting a lesbian relationship. The comedian faced opposition from ABC when they were reluctant to air this episode due to concerns about potential backlash from conservative religious groups, and their apprehension proved well-founded.
“The Bicycle Man” – Diff’rent Strokes
In a notable episode titled “Diff’rent Strokes‘s “very special episode,” characters Arnold (Gary Coleman) and Dudley (Shavar Ross) find out that bicycle shop owner Mr. Horton (Gordon Jump) is an adult they shouldn’t be left unsupervised around. Known for its daring portrayal of the risks posed by inappropriate behavior from adults towards minors, it faced criticism for not toning down its humor as much as some thought necessary.
“Episode #1.1” – Soap
Initially, the satirical daytime soap opera Soap received significant criticism from many quarters due to its handling of controversial topics that were still considered taboo in the late 1970s. The character played by Billy Crystal, Jodie Dallas, faced criticism not just from anti-gay groups but also from the gay community. They felt that while the show’s characters were breaking new ground, they were portrayed in a way that reinforced stereotypes and was disrespectful to their culture.
“Maude’s Dilemma” – Maude
In the debut season of the popular spin-off series Maude, originally from All in the Family, they broadcasted a two-part episode where Bea Arthur’s character finds herself pregnant and contemplates, given her age, that it might be best not to keep the child. This episode, titled “Maude’s Dilemma”, was one of the first TV shows to address the abortion controversy, causing CBS to receive numerous letters of protest.
“The Puerto Rican Day” – Seinfeld
The penultimate episode of Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David’s legendary comedy series, “Seinfeld,” is not often regarded as one of its finest episodes because the same reasons led to it being pulled from circulation for many years. An example of this is the episode titled “The Puerto Rican Day,” where the main characters find themselves stuck in traffic due to a parade, but later became accessible again through syndication and streaming platforms. The controversy stemmed from a scene where Kramer inadvertently sets fire to a Puerto Rican flag and tries to extinguish it by stomping on it, which was deemed culturally insensitive.
“Lucy Is Enceinte” – I Love Lucy
In the 1950s, it was forbidden to say the word “pregnant” on television, so Lucy (Lucille Ball) never actually says the word in her efforts to tell Ricky (Desi Arnaz) about her big news in the famous “I Love Lucy” episode. The clever way they got around this censorship almost didn’t allow the episode “Lucy is Enceinte” to air, as advertisers were hesitant because acknowledging that Lucy and Ricky had been intimate by making Lucy pregnant was a sensitive topic for them.
“The Speech” – The IT Crowd
In the third season of the humorous British sitcom called The IT Crowd, the character Douglas Reynholm, played by Matt Berry, learns that his girlfriend April is transgender (as shown in an offensive montage depicting her engaging in traditionally male activities). This revelation leads to a turbulent end of their relationship. The episode was met with criticism when it first aired, and in 2020, U.K.’s Channel 4 removed it from its streaming service. This decision led creator Graham Lineman to part ways with the network.
“The One With The Lesbian Wedding” – Friends
The initial TV show to portray a marriage between two women was “Friends” during Season 2, specifically in the episode titled “The One with the Lesbian Wedding.” Remarkably, numerous NBC network affiliates, such as those located in Texas, declined to broadcast this particular episode where Ross’ ex-wife Carol (played by Jane Sibbett) and her partner Susan (Jessica Hecht), exchange vows.
“Advanced Dungeons & Dragons” – Community
The second season episode of the TV show “Community,” titled “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons,” was unavailable for streaming for a long time because of a scene where Ken Jeong’s character, Chang, dressed up in what seemed like blackface to portray a “dark elf.” However, Yvette Nicole Brown, a cast member from “Community,” explained to Gizmodo that the episode should not be dismissed entirely, as her character, Shirley Bennett, criticizes Chang’s insensitive behavior in the storyline.
“Stark Raving Dad” – The Simpsons
In a particular episode of The Simpsons, Michael Jackson lends his voice without credit, portraying an individual confined in an institution who thinks he is the “Thriller” artist. After the airing of the documentary Leaving Neverland in 2019, this specific episode was withdrawn and can no longer be accessed for streaming.
“Eric’s Buddy” – That 70s Show
In an episode of “That ’70s Show,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt appeared as Buddy, a character who surprises Eric (Topher Grace) by showing romantic interest beyond lab partners when he kisses him unexpectedly. This otherwise progressive episode has faced criticism for portraying the gay character primarily as a joke and a tool for Eric to affirm his heterosexuality.
“200” – South Park
The animated series South Park is famed for numerous instances where it challenges boundaries, and creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker chose to honor these moments in the show’s two-part 200th episode. As one might expect, the episode encountered significant criticism upon release, and since its original airing, it has been edited due to its portrayal of Islamic faith.
“Koi Pond” – The Office
One little-known prank from the TV show “The Office” that some fans might not have seen is found in the opening scene of an episode titled “Koi Pond.” In this segment, Michael (played by Steve Carell) sets up a fake suicide as part of Dunder-Mifflin’s Halloween haunted house. This prank left young trick-or-treaters upset and viewers displeased due to its inappropriate handling of the sensitive topic.
“Comedians” – Beavis And Butt-Head
In a twist of events, Beavis and Butt-Head attempt stand-up comedy but fail miserably. As retribution, they decide to torch the comedy club where they once performed, finding amusement in its destruction as it goes up in flames. An incident in 1993 brought this cartoon series under scrutiny when a young boy named Austin Messner, watching a report in The New York Times, accidentally set his house on fire and tragically killed his sister. This led MTV to remove the episode from regular broadcasts. However, it was later revealed in 2008 by Austin Messner himself (as reported by PopCulture) that he had never watched Beavis and Butt-Head because his mother, who struggled with addiction, couldn’t afford cable.
“I’ll See You In Court” – Married… With Children
Although “Married… with Children” wasn’t known for its most refined image, Fox initially declined to broadcast an episode where characters Al (Ed O’Neill) and Peg Bundy (Katey Sagal), after a night at a motel, discovered their escapade was recorded and decided to sue. Initially deemed inappropriate, an edited version of the episode eventually aired on FX much later.
“Live Show” – 30 Rock
30 Rock faced criticism twice when they aired live episodes, particularly for their use of blackface. For example, the Season 5 episode “Live Show” had its East Coast broadcast removed from syndication due to a scene where guest star Jon Hamm’s character displayed his hand transplant from a donor of African descent.
“Prom-ises, Prom-ises” – Boy Meets World
Back in the day, I used to cherish the TGIF comedy “Boy Meets World” on Disney Channel. Recently, it seems some episodes have vanished from their rerun rotation, and among them is the unforgettable Season 5 episode titled “Prom-ises, Prom-ises.” In this heartfelt storyline, our beloved characters Cory (played by Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) grapple with a crucial decision – whether to take their relationship to the next level on prom night. Little did they know that his parents were living it up in a hotel room nearby, adding an unexpected twist to the night!
“The Hunger Strike” – The Boondocks
12 years passed before “The Hunger Strike,” an episode of The Boondocks initially titled “BET Sucks” and initially planned for Adult Swim in 2008, eventually aired on American television. The exact cause behind its ban remains unverified, but rumors suggest that BET threatened legal action due to the episode’s harsh satire of their cable network’s content.
“Mid-Life Crustacean” – SpongeBob Squarepants
Despite the enduring popularity of “SpongeBob Squarepants,” some episodes from Season 3, such as “Mid-Life Crustacean,” are unlikely to be viewed today on Nickelodeon or with a Paramount+ subscription. Remarkably, it’s astonishing that this particular episode ever aired. In the episode “Mid-Life Crustacean,” Mr. Krabs (voiced by Clancy Brown) attempts to regain his youth by joining SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke). However, their misguided quest leads them to raid a woman’s undergarment drawer, unknowingly breaking into the home of none other than Mr. Krabs’ own mother.
“Boston” – Aqua Teen Hunger Force
In the year 2007, battery-operated signboards modeled after characters from the cartoon show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” specifically The Mooninites, were positioned around Boston as a promotional tactic for the adult animated film titled “Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters.” However, these placards were mistakenly identified as potential explosives. Subsequently, the creators of the original show fashioned an episode revolving around this incident, where the characters Frylock (voiced by Carey Means), Master Shake (Dana Snyder), and Meatwad (Dave Willis) are misconstrued as explosive devices in Boston. This episode turned out to be the first one banned from the series, but it resurfaced online in 2015.
“Something’s Up There” – Back To You
The brief Fox television series titled “Back to You“, featuring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as feuding news anchors, has largely been overlooked since its 2008 conclusion. One episode sparked controversy upon release due to a line directed at a Polish character during an attempt to persuade them to go bowling: “Why don’t you give it a try? It’s in your nature, like sausages and historical alliances with the Nazis.
“Leap Frogs” – Rocko’s Modern Life
Besides being one of the most peculiar Nicktoons ever produced, “Rocko’s Modern Life” stood out as particularly racy. Nickelodeon often allowed for a degree of mature humor, but they did take the unusual step of banning an episode where Mrs. Bighead attempted to seduce the main character, Rocko the wallaby.
“Elephant Issues” – Tiny Toon Adventures
The animated series “Tiny Toon Adventures,” produced by Steven Spielberg, marked a fresh chapter in the enduring legacy of Looney Tunes. However, it occasionally veered into darker territories throughout its broadcast. For example, one episode, intended as a public service announcement, was prohibited from airing. In this episode, Buster Bunny, Plucky Duck, and Hamton J. Pig found themselves in a situation where they became intoxicated and were involved in a car accident.
“Dentist” – Adventure Time
In the Season 6 episode of Adventure Time, titled “Dentist”, Finn, played by Jeremy Shada, undergoes dental treatment from a group of ants. The storyline itself is not controversial in its essence. However, the inclusion of a character named Lt. Gamergate, which happens to be a type of ant, sparked some controversy online as it was perceived as a reference to the ongoing “GamerGate” movement.
30. “Fat Like Me” – Daria
Originating from “Beavis and Butt-Head,” the series “Daria” centered around the character Daria, a sarcastic, tonally flat teenager voiced by Tracy Grandstaff. One specific episode of this animated show was not broadcast on Teen Nick (previously known as The N, a Nickelodeon subsidiary) in reruns due to its portrayal of how high school social status is related to obesity.
“Terms Of Endearment” – Drawn Together
The show titled “Drawn Together” is an animated sitcom on Comedy Central, structured like a mockumentary. It centers around a diverse group of cartoon characters sharing a living space. One particular episode stirred up controversy due to its satirical representation of the horse riding incident that left Christopher Reeve, the actor who portrayed Superman, paralyzed. Tragically, he passed away prior to the series’ debut.
“Man’s Best Friend” – Ren & Stimpy
One of the most unhinged episodes of Ren & Stimpy was banned on Nickelodeon for a violent scene in which Ren beats up a character with an oar, as well as the depiction of dog treats that, for some reason, look like cigars and feces. The episode was later broadcast on MTV, which is certainly a more appropriate home for its subject matter.
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2024-12-23 23:38