These are some interesting examples of on-screen kisses that led to real-life complications or controversies. From Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s unexpected chemistry leading to a public feud with Kanye West, to Lili Reinhart’s allergic reaction during a romantic make-out montage in “Riverdale,” these instances highlight the blurred lines between fiction and reality. It’s important to remember that although these scenes may seem glamorous or exciting on the surface, they can often have unintended consequences for those involved.
The following article contains discussions of sexual harassment and sexual assault
As a dedicated gamer of television shows, I can tell you that on-screen kisses have a unique ability to leave a lasting impression. They may serve as the climax of a long-awaited romantic subplot or unexpectedly ignite conflict among characters. These emotional moments tug at our heartstrings as viewers and challenge actors to deliver authentic performances. However, filming these intimate scenes can present challenges for both cast and crew. The potential backlash from audiences or behind-the-scenes tension could threaten the very existence of the show we all love.
Some TV kisses have sparked debate by testing the boundaries of acceptable on-screen affection throughout history. In certain instances, behind-the-scenes accounts from actors about these scenes have raised issues for their colleagues, directors, and producers. Prior to the introduction of on-set experts and intimacy coordinators, filming romantic moments could be a risky endeavor for industry professionals.
Twelve on-screen kisses in TV productions sparked numerous off-camera complications for the actors, directors, and producers involved. Many times, these complications resulted in terminations, cancellations, or other unwanted consequences.
Kirk and Uhura’s groundbreaking lip-lock caused problems with NBC
One intriguing scene from the third season of “Star Trek,” originally aired in 1968 as “Plato’s Stepchildren,” stands out for its captivating impact. In this episode, Captain James T. Kirk, portrayed by William Shatner, shares an historic on-screen first kiss with Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols. This moment was not only a significant development for fans of these beloved characters but also stirred controversy due to its status as one of the earliest interracial romantic scenes on American television. Preceding this, romantic pairings such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s on “I Love Lucy” had already paved the way, yet their relationship did not face the same level of scrutiny and debate due to racial differences.
In the aftermath of Loving v. Virginia’s historic Supreme Court decision permitting interracial marriage under the Constitution in 1967, NBC executives expressed concern that a scene in “Plato’s Stepchildren,” which aired just the following year, might provoke backlash from some viewers due to its portrayal of a romantic kiss between Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura. In response, the network mandated the production of alternate takes where this pivotal moment did not occur on-screen. However, the show’s creators, Shatner and Nichols, were determined to preserve the authentic depiction of the kiss for television audiences. As a result, they intentionally sabotaged the non-kiss takes by making deliberately awkward performances, such as Shatner crossing his eyes in one take and flubbing lines in another. Although the Kirk-Uhura kiss went down in TV history, the BBC refrained from rebroadcasting the episode until 1994 due to its depiction of villainous characters rather than the kiss itself.
Melissa Gilbert felt uncomfortable on the set of Little House on the Prairie
As a dedicated gamer delving into television history, I’d recount it this way: In the 1970s, “Little House on the Prairie” left a lasting impact on TV, but behind the scenes, there were moments some cast members wanted to forget. Among them was Melissa Gilbert, who rose to fame as Laura Ingalls at just 15 years old. The episode “Sweet Sixteen” held significance for me; it marked my first on-screen and real-life kiss. However, filming this pivotal scene wasn’t without challenges. Tension on set almost prevented this milestone from unfolding as planned.
As a gamer, I’d tell it this way: Back in my teenage days, there was a big stir caused by my mom being displeased with my first kiss at 15. The object of my affection was none other than Dean Butler, who portrayed my TV husband and was a full eight years older than me, at 23. However, looking back now, the age difference seems insignificant compared to how it felt back then, which was like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. I even wrote about this in my memoir, published by Daily Mail.
As a devoted fan of “Little House on the Prairer,” I can understand both perspectives regarding the controversial kiss scene between a teenage character and an adult man portrayed in one episode. Although Butler, the creator, defends this moment as significant for the characters’ development, it’s important to acknowledge that not all viewers share the same sentiment. The broadcast of this episode elicited criticism from some viewers who felt uncomfortable with the potential implications of the depicted relationship between a teenager and an adult man.
Ray Thomas didn’t enjoy his time on Cheers
As a passionate gamer and avid fan of “Cheers,” I can’t help but reflect on Rhea Perlman’s unforgettable portrayal of Carla Tortelli. Her exceptional performances earned her an impressive four Emmy awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. However, her on-screen success came with some unexpected challenges off-camera.
During his radio broadcast, Thomas received a query from a listener about the atmosphere on the set of “Cheers.” In response, Thomas quipped to Page Six (as reported), “It’s tough. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman on screen.” According to James Burrows’ memoir detailing his tenure on “Cheers,” this comment did not sit well with the show’s producers. Consequently, they dismissed the actor. Thomas came to understand the backlash from comedy writers when he disparaged a cherished comedic actress.
Instead of continuing to exclude Eddie from the show, Jay Thomas’ character met an unfortunate end in a Zamboni accident. Decades later, Thomas insisted his criticism was aimed at Perlman’s character, Carla, due to her unfriendly demeanor. Conversely, Perlman maintained that Thomas was dismissed because she didn’t want the show to focus solely on her and Carla. Regardless, keeping the two actors apart seemed to benefit everyone involved with the production.
Roseanne Barr and Mariel Hemingway joked about the reactions to their TV kiss
Just like the groundbreaking kiss between Kirk and Uhura in “Star Trek,” the ABC sitcom “Roseanne” paved new paths for television viewers with its daring portrayal of a same-sex kiss in the sixth season episode titled “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Aired in 1994, this episode saw Roseanne venturing to a gay bar to show off her coolness. However, things took an unexpected turn when Sharon (Mariel Hemingway) kissed Roseanne, leading to complications not only for the characters on screen but also for the show’s creators behind the scenes.
When they became aware of the on-screen kiss, ABC officials considered scrapping the episode as an act of self-censorship. However, due to Roseanne Barr’s announcement that she would shop “Roseanne” around to other networks, along with Tom Arnold’s public disclosure of the controversy before broadcast, the controversial episode titled “Don’t Ask, Don’ Connell” was aired, but with a cautionary notice and a few less sponsors.
The episode received acclaim from numerous viewers for addressing homophobia, yet faced criticism and pushback from conservatives. This backlash may have hindered subsequent shows, such as “Friends,” in depicting same-sex relationships. However, “Roseanne” satirized the controversy in later installments, while Hemingway brought it up during her 1995 “Saturday Night Live” stand-up performance, playfully kissing several of the female cast members behind the scenes.
Sarah Silverman was fired from Pride & Joy for her kissing technique
In the world of acting, it’s uncommon for an actor’s dismissal from a project to be attributed solely to their on-screen kissing skills. Nevertheless, Sarah Silverman bucked this trend. The comedian has enjoyed a prosperous career in the entertainment industry since the early 2000s. However, her beginnings in the ’90s were rocky. Following a forgettable one-season tenure on “Saturday Night Live,” Silverman was given a role on the NBC sitcom “Pride & Joy,” starring alongside Jeremy Piven and Caroline Rhea. Unfortunately, Silverman’s time on the show never made it to the small screen.
During a Q&A session in 2021, the actress admitted that she landed the role of Craig Bierko’s wife in “Pride & Joy” (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter). Silverman shared an embarrassing story about her excessive enthusiasm during filming a scripted kiss. She confessed, “I went all out with open-mouth tongue kisses every time. I didn’t realize it was too much until later!” It seemed that Silverman’s interpretation of on-screen smooches was influenced by her limited experience watching “Happy Days.” Clearly, the show’s producers found her passionate kisses to be excessive.
Instead of being given another chance with a script note, Silverman was unexpectedly let go from her role. Subsequently, Julie Warner took over the part on the ’90s sitcom. Fortunately, this turn of events might have proved beneficial for Silverman as the show was eventually cancelled after airing just six episodes.
Adrien Brody’s unprompted Oscars kiss with Halle Berry was certainly memorable
At times, the most awkward on-screen kisses aren’t limited to those that are unexpectedly unplanned, but also include real-life instances between actors instead of their characters. A prominent example of this occurred during the 75th Academy Awards in 2003, broadcasted on ABC. This was the year Adrien Brody took home the best actor award for “The Pianist.” One of the most talked-about incidents from that night unfolded when Brody unexpectedly kissed presenter Halle Berry, who had won the best actress honor the previous year for “Monster’s Ball,” before receiving his award.
As a passionate movie fan, I can’t help but reflect on one of the most shocking moments in Oscars history. Though it left many speechless at the time, opinions have been divided regarding its aftermath. In response to this incident, a reader from the Chicago Tribune expressed their discomfort in these words: “Watching that event made me uneasy, just like I’d feel if I witnessed any stranger forcing a kiss on someone else. Brody’s actions transcended the boundaries of polite or impolite behavior. They were abusive.”
It’s unfortunate that Brody and Berry have contrasting accounts of the same moment. While Brody described it as a kiss so profound that it seemed time stood still for him, Berry shared a vastly different perspective on “Watch What Happens Live.” According to her, she was taken aback, thinking, “What in the world is happening now?”
Allie DiMeco outed The Naked Brothers Band for an uncomfortable kissing scene
There has been much conversation recently about the distressing aspects of Nickelodeon, from abusive producers on several of their renowned sitcoms to circumstances that put child actors at risk. Regrettably, this unhealthy production environment extended to “The Naked Brothers Band,” which featured Nat and Alex Wolff and was helmed by their mother, Polly Draper. To bring the band in the show to life, a roster of young musician actors was assembled, including Thomas Batuello, David Levi, Qaasim Middleton, and Allie DiMeco.
In an interview following the release of the “Quiet on Set” documentary, DiMeco shared her distressing experience on TikTok about being compelled to kiss a 30-year-old adult actor during her teenage years at Nickelodeon. The incident occurred when she was around 14 or 15 years old. To add insult to injury, Jake Hertzog, the accused adult, wasn’t even a professional actor but rather a backup guitarist for the band who persistently requested to be included in the show. Amidst an environment filled with nepotism, it proved challenging for DiMeco to assert her stance as one of the few external hires.
According to DiMeco, both she and her mother objected to the on-screen kiss, only to be faced with the consequence of losing their jobs. As she recounted to The Hollywood Reporter, a female producer became irate and forcibly kissed DiMeco, declaring, “This is your first kiss, isn’t it? Now go film.”
If you suspect that you or someone you’re familiar with is a victim of child abuse, reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. You can call them at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453), or use their live chat services for assistance.
Once Upon a Time’s less-than-fairy-tale romance
In the enchanting world of “Once Upon a Time,” where fairy tales come to life, it’s no wonder that the cast found themselves drawn into some romantic storylines of their own. This was particularly true for co-stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas, who brought Snow White and Prince Charming to life on screen. However, their blossoming romance faced an obstacle: at the beginning of filming, Dallas was married to Lara Pulver from “Sherlock,” while Goodwin was engaged to Joey Kern.
Their on-screen romantic connection as Snow White and Prince Charming on the show may have sparked a real-life relationship between Dallas and Kelly Ripa’s co-host, Ryan Seacrest. When asked about resisting romance while filming, Dallas admitted they didn’t try to fight it but instead gave in to their feelings. The public revelation of their romance came just a few months after Dallas’ divorce, indicating a strong chemistry between the two stars.
As a fan, I can’t help but speculate about the backstory of Goodwin and Dallas’ on-screen relationship. While there’s no definitive evidence that their romantic scenes were insincere, it’s worth noting that both actors were going through significant off-screen changes at the time. Goodwin called off her engagement, and Dallas finalized her divorce. The timing is certainly intriguing, and it seems plausible that these events could have influenced their on-screen chemistry. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their initial motivations, there’s no denying that they’ve since created a beautiful family. Goodwin and Dallas tied the knot in 2014, and together they’ve welcomed two lovely children into the world.
Mindy Kaling couldn’t resist Lee Pace on The Mindy Project
It isn’t unusual for actors to unexpectedly kiss their co-star during filming, as demonstrated by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard’s unplanned kiss scene in “Jurassic World.” However, this can create complications when the actor is also the showrunner. Mindy Kaling experienced this predicament on her Fox series “The Mindy Project,” where her character’s romantic encounters with attractive guest stars occasionally left Kaling momentarily confused.
One guest star in Season 3 was Lee Pace, portraying Alex, a past college crush whom Mindy’s character regretted not keeping. During the filming of the episode “San Francisco Bae,” Kaling spontaneously kissed Pace during a scene. However, not all crew members approved, with writer-producers Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen expressing their concerns. They warned Kaling, “‘Mindy, what’s going on? This could lead to legal issues!'” Startled, Kaling retorted, “Threaten me with that again, and you’ll be out of here.”
As a passionate fan, I’ve noticed an overwhelming amount of criticism towards Mindy Kaling online recently, particularly regarding her “Velma” series on HBO. Amidst this backlash, an old interview of hers on Conan resurfaced, sparking renewed controversy. In the clip, she openly discussed and joked about past experiences that would be considered sexual harassment in today’s societal context. This revelation has caused many former supporters to express their disappointment and criticize her for it.
The Duffer Brothers were criticized for forcing their kid actors to kiss
Navigating through a TV show with minage kissing scenes can be challenging. With “Stranger Things,” the issue is amplified if those unexpected kisses weren’t intended by the creators. The second season finale, titled “The Gate,” concludes at the school Snow Ball where Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) share a dance and a surprise kiss. However, this scene also marks the first kiss between Max (Sadie Sink) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), which was unplanned when they arrived on set.
In the Netflix after-show “Beyond Stranger Things,” Sink shared that Duffer, one of the show’s co-creators, informed her she would need to kiss McLaughlin. Hearing this news left me utterly shocked and apprehensive. According to IndieWire, Duffer recounted that he was merely joking at first, but my intense reaction made him decide it was necessary for us to go through with the scene. That‘s the story behind it – you can blame me for your unexpected kiss!
The admission sparked strong criticism from some fans on social media, who believed that the Duffer Brothers pressured the two young actors into filming an uncomfortable kiss scene without their consent, taking into account that it was McLaughlin’s first kiss experience. However, Sink appears to have a positive outlook when reflecting on this awkward TV incident.
Sparks flew between Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson on SNL
“Saturday Night Live” has witnessed its share of buzzworthy smooches, and one of them left some people raising their eyebrows, not just viewers at home but also the performers themselves. In 2021, Kim Kardashian hosted “SNL,” receiving mixed reviews, and during an Aladdin-themed sketch, she shared a kiss with Pete Davidson. The audience’s response to the kiss hinted that it might have sparked enough intrigue in Kardashian to eventually pursue a romantic relationship with Davidson.
When Kardashian and Davidson’s romance began to flourish, I, as a devoted fan of Kanye West, couldn’t help but feel uneasy about it. Over the course of their year-long relationship, I watched with growing concern as West publicly criticized their union. He accused Kardashian of inviting him to her Saturday Night Live performance to manipulate her and me by making us witness her kissing Davidson. Furthermore, he went as far as threatening physical harm against Davidson through provocative social media posts and song lyrics.
Numerous famous figures rallied behind Davidson in response to West’s criticisms, such as directors James Gunn and Jon Stewart, in addition to his “The Big Bang Theory” co-star Kaley Cuoco. Kardashian claimed that West left the “SNL” stage before her monologue aired, following her joking remarks about him, though it’s uncertain if this event transpired prior to the broadcast of the “Aladdin” sketch. Despite questionable reviews for her debut hosting gig on “Saturday Night Live,” she managed to generate intriguing content for her Hulu series due to the ensuing drama.
Lili Reinhart’s make-out montage in Riverdale had disastrous consequences
As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of “Riverdale,” I’ve seen my fair share of passionate moments between the characters. But nothing prepared me for the explosive kissing scene in the season finale episode, “Sex Education.” The entire main cast got lost in a shared dream sequence, and it was filled with intense lip-locking actions. However, one particular cast member had an unexpected issue on the day of shooting – it wasn’t due to fan backlash or behind-the-scenes drama. It was simply an allergy that made filming an uncomfortable experience for them.
Lili Reinhart, the actress portraying Betty, has confessed to sharing a kiss with various characters on “Riverdale,” but for this imaginative scene, she predominantly kissed KJ Apa, representing Archie. However, the set decorators’ efforts to add charm to the scene presented some hassles for Reinhart, as she revealed to Entertainment Weekly: “There were tiny floating objects intended to create a romantic atmosphere… But I was severely allergic to them. Consequently, I had to keep leaving set amidst takes because my entire body was reacting with itchiness.”
The frequent love scenes between acting partners on Riverdale may appear comfortable on screen, but behind the scenes, they often involve risks to the actors’ health. Nevertheless, such kissing montages pale in comparison to some of the more outrageous events that unfold in the show.
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2024-07-13 19:31