9 American TV Series Banned Overseas

As a child of the ’90s, I can vividly remember the excitement that shows like Family Guy, Knots Landing, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers brought into our living rooms. Each of these shows, in their unique ways, shaped my formative years and left an indelible mark on popular culture.

In comparison to many other countries, American TV viewers tend to be more open-minded, allowing show creators greater freedom in developing their fictional characters’ journeys without having to tread too carefully. However, this is not always the case in other nations, where citizens may have cultural sensitivities regarding content or governments may heavily regulate viewing practices. As a result, some well-known American TV shows have fallen victim to the strict censorship of foreign countries.

Among the topics that content regulators often scrutinize are items like sexually explicit material, kind of comedy, political affiliations, spiritual perspectives, and suitability for different age groups.. In some cases, creators might have benefited from additional precautions to make their work more acceptable worldwide. Nevertheless, certain regulatory bodies have shown a tendency towards excessive strictness, prohibiting shows that feature LGBTQ characters or carry messages counter to government-approved narratives.

9 Sex and the City (1998 – 2004)

Banned in Singapore

Sex and the City, modeled after Candace Bushnell’s column and book by the same name, delves into the lives of four New York City women, each with unique personalities and varying viewpoints on relationships and sexuality. Spanning across their thirties and forties, these friends navigate through a range of contemporary topics such as sexual openness, safe sex practices, and the evolving role of women in the workforce.

The Title Didn’t Do the Show Any Favors

Scholars frequently debated whether Sex and the City was feminist, against feminism, or post-feminist, but these disagreements were usually overshadowed by captivating love stories. As audiences in America reveled in it, viewers in Singapore missed out on the enjoyment.

Within the specified Asian country, it’s important to note that all free-to-air local television networks are under government control through MediaCorp. As a result, when the HBO drama first premiered, it immediately caught the attention of the Subscription TV Programme Code due to its title and was subsequently prohibited. However, in 2004, regulations began to loosen, allowing the show to air, albeit with some alterations. Crucial scenes were omitted, which made following the storyline more challenging. Nevertheless, this situation represented a compromise, as it was better than no broadcast at all.

8 MAS*H (1972 – 1983)

Banned in South Korea

M*A*S*H originated from the 1970 film with the same title, which was inspired by Richard Hooker’s 1968 best-selling novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors.” The series follows a group of doctors and their staff as they navigate through various mishaps while working at the “4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital” during the Korean War in South Korea.

A Legitimate Debate about the Portrayal of Koreans

Known for frequently disregarding traditional storytelling norms and exhibiting a fluctuating style that combined humor and drama, this show garnered significant acclaim. Its fast-paced, intriguing, and captivating nature led to impressive ratings during its broadcast. Unsurprisingly, Korean government officials expressed unease over the portrayal of Koreans as being excessively reliant on American resources in the series. Furthermore, a notable number of characters were not portrayed by Korean actors.

I understand where some criticism is coming from regarding the portrayal of foreign settings in American media, often with a focus on soldiers as heroes at the expense of local characters. However, it’s important to note that the depiction of South Korea as predominantly agrarian in the 1950s might have been accurate, given the country’s agricultural background during that period.

7 The Simpsons (1989 – Present)

Banned in China, Myanmar, Venezuela

The Simpsons revolves around an endearing suburban American family that undertakes all their activities with infectious enthusiasm and zest. The members of this family are Homer, who works as a safety inspector at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Marge, their stay-at-home mom, and their children Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.

A Myriad of Genuine Concerns

The show, The Simpsons, is an unrelenting, side-splittingly funny rollercoaster that has earned its title as the longest-running animated series, not without a reason. Despite being one of the most extraordinary television finds, it was actually prohibited in three countries for reasons that were occasionally comprehensible.

The Chinese administration encouraged citizens to prioritize local animated programs for increased job prospects. On the other hand, the Myanmar government faced issues with the frequent use of red and yellow in their visuals, as these colors were favored by anti-government rebels. Lastly, Venezuela was concerned that many children might be drawn to watch it due to its adult-oriented content.

6 The Big Bang Theory (2007 – 2019)

Banned in China

Ideal for science fanatics as well as comedy lovers, The Big Bang Theory features an array of captivating characters. This show follows the lives of five companions: Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), who are physicists at Caltech and live together in an apartment; Penny (Kaley Cuoco), a neighbor who works as a waitress; and their friends, Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), an aerospace engineer, and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), an astrophysicist, who are also part of their circle.

No Explanations Were Given

Brimming with pop culture allusions, clever quips, and a sprinkle of scientific tidbits, The Big Bang Theory rightfully claimed its spot among the top sitcoms of the 2000s. Remarkably, China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) prohibited it in 2014 without providing any reasoning. As reported by Time, the series was being enjoyed by approximately 1.3 billion viewers prior to someone flipping the “off” switch. Several hypotheses have arisen as to the cause, with the primary one suggesting that China sought to prevent its populace from fully adopting the “nerd” lifestyle portrayed in the show.

5 Cow and Chicken (1997 – 1999)

Banned in India

The show “Cow and Chicken” narrates the humorous escapades of Cow and Chicken, two unusual siblings with distinct personalities: the gentle, dim-witted yet energetic Cow, and her intelligent but mischievous brother Chicken. Despite their different species, they share a close bond. They frequently face challenges from their flashy, egoistic adversary, Red Guy (also voiced by Charlie Adler), who is portrayed as a comical representation of the Devil.

Cows are Sacred in India

Filled with countless jokes, the cartoon series Cow and Chicken was up for several awards during its four-season span, including an Emmy. Due to syndication, it gained popularity worldwide, however, Indian censorship boards refused to allow it within their borders. This is due to the fact that cows are revered as sacred animals in religions such as Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The show’s portrayal of a devil character who continually harasses a cow only exacerbated the situation.

4 Modern Family (2009 – 2020)

Banned in Iran

The series titled “Modern Family” offers a refreshing departure from the conventional family settings commonly portrayed in sitcoms of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Instead, it presents three distinct types of contemporary families – blended, nuclear, and same-sex families. These families are all residents of suburban Los Angeles and share connections through Jay Pritchett, a successful entrepreneur who owns a closet company, and his two children, Mitchell and Claire.

A Clone was Made

A number of TV shows explore multiple aspects of society within a single episode, and the humor in this show is carefully crafted, earning it a remarkable 22 Emmy nominations and widespread popularity worldwide. Remarkably, Iran initially banned the show but later produced a copy called Half Slang, swapping out the main gay couple for a heterosexual one due to its well-written LGBTQ characters. In countries with conservative views towards homosexuality, such as those where same-sex relationships are punishable by death, shows like Modern Family cannot be aired. Instead of ignoring it altogether, Iran chose to replicate the series without obtaining the necessary rights from 20th Century Fox Television, the original producers.

3 Family Guy (1999 – Present)

Banned in Numerous Countries

Family Guy chronicles the humorous escapades of the Griffins, an unconventional family residing in the fictitious town of Quahog, Rhode Island. The clan includes parents Peter and Lois, their children Meg, Chris, and the headstrong Stewie, as well as their anthropomorphic canine companion, Brian. The series has been likened to The Simpsons, with some shared characteristics, but it frequently pushes boundaries when tackling sensitive topics.

Hardly Surprising, Given the Content

Over time, Family Guy continually adapts, standing as a prime example of the animation genre that Fox developed and perfected in the 1990s. Its metafictional jokes, cutaways, and fearless satire make it a must-watch, but its controversial content has led to rejection in numerous countries worldwide. With its tendency to mock religions and stereotype various groups, Family Guy has more than justified its censorship restrictions. At present, the series is not accessible in Russia, Indonesia, South Africa, Iran, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Venezuela, Malaysia, Egypt, South Korea, and several other nations.

2 Knots Landing (1979 – 1993)

Banned in South Africa

Knots Landing is a spin-off from the well-known daytime drama Dallas. It’s situated in the make-believe coastal area of Knots Landing, California, and revolves around several families residing there. The principal characters are Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford) and his wife, Valene “Val” Ewing (Joan Van Ark). Over its 14-season duration, the soap opera delves deeply into themes such as friendship, love, deception, and family.

No Soaps for Racists

Speaking about character development and unexpected twists, few shows can rival the greatness of “Knots Landing“. Its impact was so profound that it inspired numerous gifted screenwriters. Alan Ball openly admitted that the show served as a source of inspiration for his successful series “Six Feet Under“, describing his own work as a funeral home-set version of “Knots Landing“. Similarly, Marc Cherry acknowledged that the soap opera provided him with ideas which eventually grew into the hit series “Desperate Housewives“.

As a passionate viewer, I’d like to share an interesting perspective about a popular show in South Africa during the apartheid era. Although technically not banned, its distributor, Lorimar, chose not to distribute it within the country due to the intense and inhumane practices of Apartheid that were deeply entrenched at that time.

1 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993 – 1996)

Banned in Malaysia

The TV series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, which draws on footage from the Japanese Super Sentai series, centers around a group of high school students from Angel Grove, California. These students have been chosen by the farsighted alien Zordon to be part of a superhero team called the Power Rangers. Their daily activities include safeguarding Earth from various bad guys, with many of their problems originating from the sorceress Rita Repulsa.

Sniffing for Drugs

Due to its appealing action scenes suitable for children and endearing characters, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers gained immense popularity, leading to a vast franchise encompassing games and numerous other merchandise. The rangers traveled extensively across the world, but their journey was halted at the Malaysian border by the country’s film censorship authority.

In a nation where on-screen kissing and exposed cleavage are forbidden, the TV program raised concerns due to its controversial name. The authorities feared that the term “morphin” – meaning ‘metamorphosis’ – might be confused with the narcotic morphine, leading to a ban. A more effective resolution could have been devised; in numerous other countries, the show continued to air using the abbreviated title, “Power Rangers.

2024-09-16 00:02