TV Scenes So Bad They Were Pulled From The Show

For die-hard TV show enthusiasts, deleted scenes are like elusive legendary creatures. In earlier times, you could only catch a glimpse of these scenes if you purchased the series on DVD, which contained footage shot but eventually removed before airing. Yet, there exists a more elusive type of deleted scene – ones that were initially broadcast but later taken off-air.

Occasionally, viewers may find specific scenes offensive or unsuitable, prompting networks to exclude them from future broadcasts immediately. In some instances, societal norms evolve, making a previously acceptable scene inappropriate, leading to its omission from re-runs and online streaming platforms. Additionally, there are cases where a scene is deleted for trivial reasons, such as an unintended object appearing within the frame.

Executives might prefer us to disregard these specific scenes as if they never happened, however, the truth is, they indeed do exist, and at one point or another, they were broadcasted on television. The TV instances mentioned below are so inappropriate or offensive that they’ve become elusive, but we’ve gathered all the relevant information about them for your perusal.

Squid Game included a real phone number

The popular Netflix show “Squid Game,” known for its controversy, isn’t just violent but also critiques capitalism by exposing the profound inequalities prevalent in today’s world through a deadly game competition where financially struggling individuals fight for the opportunity to become millionaires. An intriguing aspect that hasn’t been widely discussed is that the first season of this series caused significant disruption in someone’s real life due to the incorporation of a genuine phone number, which led to unwanted calls and attention.

In the debut of “Squid Game”, character Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) gets a card with a phone number he can dial if he wants to participate in the games. Interestingly, even though it’s just eight digits, it functions as a local call. After the series launched on Netflix, the person associated with that number started receiving countless calls every day. The individual expressed to Money Today, “Since ‘Squid Game’ aired, I have been bombarded with texts and calls round-the-clock, making it challenging for me to carry out my daily life.” They added, “I get curious calls day and night without regard for time, to the extent that my phone battery drains within half a day.

In the first episode of “Squid Game”, another individual, like this person, experienced similar distress due to their phone number being close to one used in the show: They complained about the constant prank calls they were receiving (as reported by The Korea Times). It was a real-life horror for them, initially unaware that the TV series was causing it. Thankfully, Netflix modified the episode, ensuring viewers today can’t spot any problematic numbers.

The Big Bang Theory cut a trip to the sperm bank

For more than a decade, “The Big Bang Theory” dominated popular culture, but its start wasn’t always smooth. Notably, there’s an early, unaired version of the show where Katie (played by Amanda Walsh) was the female lead instead of Penny (Kaley Cuoco). Even the pilot that eventually aired required adjustments, as demonstrated by the controversial sperm bank scene that was later removed due to being too explicit.

The initial scene of the pilot introduces us to Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons), as they visit a specialized sperm bank due to their high IQ levels to earn some money. Given that this series is filled with jokes about how incredibly nerdy these characters are, starting off in such an explicit manner seems quite unexpected. It also appears unusual for Sheldon, a character who later in the show exhibits difficulty understanding and navigating sexual situations.

Initially, a scene involving a sperm bank was removed from the show’s broadcast on syndication. However, if you watch it on Max, you’ll find that scene included. Although this scene may provoke some thought, it’s crucial because it sets up a reference in Season 12. The plot revolving around sperm donation resurfaces in the episode titled “The Donation Oscillation,” where characters Zack (Brian Thomas Smith) and Marissa (Lindsey Kraft) ask Leonard if he would be their sperm donor.

The Mandalorian’s Jeans Guy was digitally removed

As a die-hard “Star Wars” fan, I’ve always been captivated by the Force, lightsabers, and cosmic whales navigating hyperspace. However, even in the universe of “The Mandalorian,” a man casually dressed in jeans was an unexpected sight. In Chapter 12, “The Siege,” my favorite character, Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), found himself in a firefight with Stormtroopers. Thankfully, he had the support of Cara Dune (Gina Carano) and Greef Karga (the legendary Carl Weathers). If you paid close attention to the lower right corner during this scene, you might have spotted an intriguing figure standing behind a doorway. He wore a green shirt, a watch, and a pair of blue jeans – quite a departure from the norm in this galaxy far, far away!

In an amusing turn of events, a mistake during editing was overlooked, which provided plenty of entertainment for fans who couldn’t resist poking fun at it. This oversight led to the creation of a meme, nicknaming the unintentionally visible crew member as “Admiral Jeff Blue-Jeans,” complete with a satirical action figure design. There’s no underlying significance to this incident since it was simply someone who thought they were out of sight, but the internet has an uncanny knack for remembering everything – even when Disney tries to sweep it under the rug. Known as “Jeans Guy,” he was swiftly edited out of “The Siege” soon after its release, but his memory will live on.

13 Reasons Why showed too much of the central suicide

The following slide includes references to suicide.

The series “13 Reasons Why” provides an honest portrayal of the hardships faced by numerous high school students, such as bullying, depression, and heartbreakingly, suicide. The first season focuses on the death of Hannah Baker (played by Katherine Langford), who recorded cassette tapes to explain her actions. Though suicide is a recurring theme, the tension reaches its peak in Episode 13, “Tape 7, Side A,” where viewers witness the events that led to Hannah’s tragic end.

In his statement to X, writer Brian Yorkey explained that in Season 1, they chose to portray suicide in a raw, gruesome manner to depict the harsh truth of such an act and discourage others from attempting it. However, many experts argued that such depictions could encourage viewers to consider suicide. After facing criticism, Netflix added more warning labels, and over two years later, they removed the scene entirely due to the controversy.

Despite attempts to modify it, “13 Reasons Why” may still be seen as highly controversial due to its content. As Dr. Lisa Horowitz, a pediatric psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health, pointed out to NPR, the show essentially presents 13 hours of a suicide note, which is problematic because mental health professionals typically advise against discussing or publicizing suicide notes.

The Office also got in trouble for depicting suicide

The following slide includes references to suicide.

13 Reasons Why seemed to originate with noble intentions. In Season 6, Episode 8 of The Office, titled “Koi Pond,” it was evident that they were aiming for shock humor. The Dunder Mifflin employees constructed a suitably unimpressive haunted house for some children to explore, with Michael Scott (Steve Carell) vowing to genuinely terrify them. After the tour’s conclusion, we find out that his plan to scare them involved pretending to commit suicide, only to later break character and state, “Remember kids, suicide is never an option.” Throughout this scene, Michael donned a costume reminiscent of the “D*** in a Box” characters from Saturday Night Live, adding another layer of questionable taste.

The amount of questionable taste displayed here is excessive, even for the setting of “The Office.” Consequently, numerous viewers expressed their displeasure, and there were reported criticisms from Caryn Zucker, who was once married to NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker and has a background in suicide prevention. Notably, this entire opening scene was taken out of reruns, and it’s no longer accessible on Peacock, its current streaming platform. The joke appears to align with Michael Scott’s tendency to misread social situations, but it seems more fitting for a show like “Family Guy” rather than “The Office.

Several shows have removed offensive blackface scenes

In the past, performers would don blackface – a deeply offensive and racist act involving dark makeup to mimic Black people, which dates back to the 19th century. Regrettably, this practice resurfaced on modern screens in shows like “30 Rock” and “The Office.” However, during the Black Lives Matter protests triggered by George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020, many streaming platforms took action, removing or editing episodes that included blackface from their content. As a gamer, I believe it is essential to acknowledge our past mistakes and strive for progress and understanding in the future.

In various instances, complete episodes have been omitted from streaming platforms like Hulu, such as five episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” However, some shows, such as “The Office,” only remove specific controversial scenes instead. For instance, in the “Dwight Christmas” episode of Season 9, Dwight (played by Rainn Wilson) dresses up as Belsnickel, a character from Germanic folklore. Upon learning about the character’s sidekick, Zwarte Piet or Black Peter, Dwight’s colleagues express concern due to the traditional portrayal of this character using blackface. Although Dwight claims he wouldn’t go that far, he later instructs his associate Nate (Mark Proksch), who is wearing blackface, to remove it. This scene is no longer accessible on Peacock.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “The Office” creator Greg Daniels acknowledged that the show used satire to highlight and condemn unacceptable behavior, and to promote a message of inclusivity. However, a scene from the series featured an actor wearing blackface, which was intended as criticism of a particular racist European practice. Regardless of intent, blackface is offensive and reusing it in this manner is harmful and inappropriate. Daniels expressed his regret for any pain caused by this decision. It’s high time that producers recognize the need to abandon this outdated and discriminatory practice altogether.

SpongeBob SquarePants cut out a live-action car crash

Although primarily known for kid-friendly content, Nickelodeon has a past of excising inappropriate scenes deemed unfit for air. For instance, the “SpongeBob SquarePants” episode titled “Procrastination” encountered issues with Nickelodeon’s guidelines. The episode revolves around SpongeBob attempting to write an essay to secure his boating license. A scene showing Patrick applying sunscreen to Sandy was later edited out, possibly due to being too suggestive. Additionally, a sequence depicting SpongeBob doing calisthenics with his nose moving in an unusual manner was also removed by Nickelodeon, likely for causing discomfort to some viewers. However, the most conspicuous scene deleted from reruns is one where SpongeBob fantasizes about what he would do once he gets his license.

In this episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, a segment of his dream is shown through live-action footage featuring a drag racer losing control, flipping, and crashing against a wall. This sequence is intense and potentially inappropriate for young viewers. Interestingly, these scenes were initially removed but later reappeared when the episode “Procrastination” started airing on Nicktoons in 2019. Following suit, Nickelodeon brought back these scenes during broadcasts in 2024, and they can still be found intact on Paramount+. It’s intriguing that more such scenes weren’t edited out from subsequent airings of the show.

Animaniacs included a phone sex hotline in an infomercial

In the original “Animaniacs,” many details might go unnoticed by kids, but adults would pick up on them. When the series returned in 2020, it kept its carefree spirit. However, there was one instance where they pushed the boundaries too much. In a specific episode, Brain produced an infomercial aimed at alien invaders planning to conquer Earth, promising them his help and allowing him to rule (as he usually does). Towards the end of the ad, Brain provides a number that viewers might assume is fake. However, when some viewers decided to call it out of curiosity, they discovered it was for an adult telephone service, which isn’t suitable for the show’s intended audience – children.

Initially, Hulu took down an episode, then reinstated it with all on-screen text removed, leaving only Brain talking within a blue border. However, this change didn’t enhance the infomercial parody. Later, Hulu edited the scene again to restore the text and replace the phone number with 1-800-555-0199, which is a fictional number. If “Squid Game” and “Animaniacs” have demonstrated anything, it’s the importance of checking any “fake” numbers before incorporating them into an episode to avoid actual calls.

This Bluey bathroom scene set a bad example

Many people adore the animated series “Bluey.” It has uplifting themes for children and can even make adults tear up with its heartwarming moments. However, even this popular show has faced some criticism, such as the controversial episode “Fruit Bat” from Season 1. The central idea of the episode revolves around Bluey wanting to be a fruit bat, but her initial portrayal sliding on a wet bathroom floor like a penguin may seem harmless at first. The episode initially ran in Australia without issue, but when it was broadcast internationally, some countries removed the scene because there were worries that kids might mimic Bluey’s behavior.

It’s undeniable that slipping on a bathroom floor can be hazardous, especially for kids who might get overexcited and attempt to mimic a lively Blue Heeler puppy. While it’s not as alarming as witnessing a real car crash in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” for instance. As of now, the bathroom scene is available on Disney+ under “Fruit Bat.” Some might argue that the temporary removal of the scene was excessive, but considering “Bluey” aims to be a positive influence, it’s wiser to err on the side of caution, so we’ll give the creators the benefit of the doubt.

The Game of Thrones coffee cup that went viral

The epic series “Game of Thrones” was so immense in production that it’s astonishing how well it managed to pull off – despite not delivering the finale we truly hoped for. There were numerous hints suggesting that the final season was starting to unravel a bit, like the scene where a coffee cup was left on a table during the episode “The Last of the Starks.” Unlike what many believed, it wasn’t a Starbucks cup; instead, it came from a local Northern Irish coffee shop near the filming location. This small business may have benefited greatly from the publicity that Starbucks received in this situation.

As anticipated, HBO swiftly removed the coffee cup from view, likely to prevent widespread speculation about the existence of coffee shops in Westeros. It’s fortunate that no Starbucks or similar establishments exist in this fictional world – imagine trying to spell Daenerys, a name even some baristas might find challenging! Similarly, in the last episode of “Game of Thrones”, a water bottle was noticed during a scene. While mistakes happen at work, few are seen by millions of viewers like that one.

2025-02-25 20:31