10 Notorious Volume TV Episode, From Friends to Blue

While no network ever plans to have episodes go unaired, pulled from syndication, or removed from streaming services, there have been some notoriously banned TV episodes over the years. This could be due to controversial content, behind-the-scenes issues with the performers involved or even unforeseen medical reasons. From children’s animation to family-friendly sitcoms, many infamous episodes have garnered their fair share of controversy and had to be banned either temporarily or removed completely.

Some of the most controversial television episodes of all time have been subject to censorship and their planned broadcast changed or interfered with. While viewers could not associate the child-friendly animated series Blue Controversially, even this well-meaning show produced an episode that is currently unavailable on streaming. Although Friends was a sitcom beloved by millions across the globe, one notorious episode was banned by television networks Which has a problem with its representation of LGBTQ+ content.

10

Pokemon (1997 – present)

Season 1, Episode 38: “Dennō Senshi Porygon”

While many of ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​most most notorious band TV episodes related to controversial content that pushed against social taboos, this was not the case for this infamous Pokemon episode. “Dennō Senshi Porygon,” also known as “Electric Soldier Porygon,” was controversial due to the inclusion of repetitive visual effects that accidentally caused seizures in many viewers. The episode was only broadcast once in Japan in 1997 when over 600 children were hospitalized due to strobe lights featured in one scene (via Skeptical Inquirer.)

This is forbidden Pokemon Episode caused viewers to experience blurred visionHeadache, dizziness and nausea. In extreme cases, audience members suffered from seizures, blindness, convulsions, and unconsciousness, and it was reported that 685 spectators, 310 boys and 375 girls, were taken to hospitals by ambulance. “Dennō Senshi Porygon” led to changes in television standards, and a set of guidelines around the use of flashing images was established to ensure that the incident was not repeated.

9

Sesame Street (1969 – present)

Season 23, Episode 19: “Snoofy’s Parents Get a Divorce”

For more than 50 years, Sesame Street Educated children on complex issues as it made family problems and difficult circumstances understandable to young viewers. One episode from 1992 tried to explore divorce as it showed the elephant-like map Mr. Snuffleupagus’s parents splitting up and the puppet characters experiencing the hard feelings that this brought. While “Snoofy’s Parents Get a Divorce” was supposed to comfort children going through a difficult time, it actually had the opposite effect.

“Snuffy’s Parents Get a Divorce” never even made it out, when test screenings revealed that children were confused by its message and misunderstood its content ( via Mental Floss.) the Sesame Street Episode resulted in some children worrying that if their parents fought, a divorce was imminent and that if they separated, parents would no longer love their children. The failure of this episode before it even aired meant that Sesame Street He did not address the issue of divorce until many years laterIn 2012’s initiative Small children, big challenges: divorce.

8

Married with children (1987 – 1997)

Season 3, Episode 10: “I’ll See You in Court”

The FOX sitcom Married… with children was the antithesis of the happy American TV family as it embraced the rough and tumble. However, behind the often raunchy comedy and dysfunctional nature of the Bundy family, they still love and care for one another, and the episodes are full of valuable, family-friendly themes. However, some episodes pushed the network too far, and one episode that aired in 1989 was not broadcast in the United States until 2002.

It was Season 3’s “I’ll See You in Court,” which saw Al and Peg want to improve their marriage by going to stay in a shabby hotelOnly to find a sex tape of their neighbors Steve and Marcy that was recorded without their consent. This controversial development led to them taking the hotel to court and trying to get compensation for this horrible and illegal act. Long considered a lost episode of the series, “I’ll See You in Court” eventually aired during re-runs on FX.

7

South Park (1997 – present)

Season 5, Episode 3 “Super Best Friends”

As a series that is no stranger to controversy, South Park has had several forbidden episodes over the years, but perhaps the most fascinating one was “Super Best Friends.” The Season 5 episode featured several religious figures and depicted the Prophet MuhammadAn act that some followers of Islam believe is not permitted. The episode actually aired on July 4, 2001, with very little controversy, and it was only a few years after Super Best Friends was canceled.

South Park Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were in trouble after the episodes “200” and “201” also featured an image of Muhammad, and they received Islamist death threats in 2010, which led to all the episodes being pulled from syndication. The South Park Studios The website no longer streams “Super Best Friends,” and it cannot be purchased from their online stores. The dispute meant that when South Park Transferred to HBO Max in 2020, five episodes, which also included “Cartoon Wars Part I” and “Cartoon Wars Part II,” would not be available on the platform due to proof of Muhammad.

6

The Simpsons (1989 – present)

Season 3, Episode 1: “Strong Raving Dad”

While The Simpsons had several banned episodes, one notorious episode only becoming controversial decades after it first aired. It was the third season premiere titled “Stark Raving Dad,” which featured Homer in a mental institution with a man who claims to be Michael Jackson. As the character was actually voiced by the late pop star himself, the episode was pulled from circulation in 2019 after renewed allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson.

“Stark Raving Dad” is The only episode of The Simpsons Which is banned worldwide on Disney+ And is pulled around the same time the Leaving Neverland Documentary was released, which featured interviews of people who alleged that Jackson abused them as children. With the episode featuring Jackson’s character with Bart and writing a song together, it’s no surprise that Disney+ pulled the episode entirely.

5

It’s always sunny in Philadelphia

Season 4, Episode 3 “America’s Next Top Paddy’s Billboard Model Contest”

While It’s always sunny in Philadelphia has always pushed the boundaries of what can be depicted on screen, there are some episodes that can no longer be streamed (via Collider.) One notorious example of this is Season 4’s “America’s Next Top Paddy’s Billboard Model Contest,” which was The first episode to introduce Reynolds’ infamous character of Martina Martinez. As one of the wannabe actresses’ characters, Martina was controversial because white actress Kaitlin Olson portrayed her in full blackface.

The representation of race in Always sunny has always been a difficult subject, because the creators were well aware of the controversies surrounding shows like this, and satirically commented on the issues. The same difficulties arose with the use of blackface mac characters to portray Roger Murtaugh in The Gang’s Fraud Lethal weapon Movies. The nuances of Martina Martinz’s characterization are easily misunderstood, and it seems streaming services have decided it’s better to pull episodes like this altogether.

4

Cow and Chicken (1997 – 1999)

Season 2, Episode 7A: “Buffalo Gals”

Although Cow and chicken was a Cartoon Network series aimed at children, it was packed with adult humor and jokes that often went over kids’ heads. One episode that pushed this a little too far was “Buffalo Gals,” which featured a group of butch female bikers who acted as a crude representation of lesbian stereotypes (via. CBR.) As an episode that was quickly banned after it first aired, “Buffalo Gals” was packed with sexual innuendos and raunchy, mean-spirited, and far from subtle humor.

The gang depicted in “Buffalo Gals” favorite sport is softball, a notable lesbian stereotype that is made even cruder as they are depicted literally munching on carpets. This obvious and crude attempt to portray LGBTQ + stereotypes feels shocking today and Highlights how much children’s entertainment has changed in the decades since Cow and chicken First air. Although the series is often outrageously funny, “Buffalo Gals” missed the mark and was too offensive for an audience of young children.

3

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Season 3, Episode 18, “Ershot”

Sometimes, TV episodes can become controversial due to the bad timing in which they are scheduled to air. This is certainly the case for “Earshot” from Season 3 of Buffy the Vampire SlayerHer broadcast was postponed as a result of the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999. This Buffy Episode was temporarily banned As it featured a high school student loading a gun in what initially looked like a planned school shooting.

However, “Earshot” was actually an exploration of a deeply troubled student who planned to commit suicide and further explored. Buffy S Topics around the high school experience. After the Columbine massacre, media consumption was a hot topic, as the effects the violent concept had on impressionable teenage viewers became a source of debate. With this in mind, the broadcast of “Ershot” was delayed for several months and eventually aired in September 1999.

2

Bluey (2018 – present)

Season 2, Episode 13: “Daddy’s Baby”

Like the story of a young blue puppy, Blue Teach life lessons to preschoolers in a simple and educational way that they can understand. This made the series very successful, as its constructive parenting messages showcased a positive depiction of everyday family life. However, one episode garnered some controversy and, as a result, was banned on Disney+, although it can still be viewed on Only Official YouTube channel.

It was the second season episode “Dad Baby,” where Bluey’s father, Bandit, experienced how things were for his wife, Chili, as Bandit pretended to be pregnant. Although this was a harmless exercise in imagination, the controversy related to a scene where Bandit pretended to give birth, and although there were no graphic images, it seems that Disney felt that it took things too far. As a show aimed at very young children, “Dad Baby” was a little too unusual to make it to streaming in the United States.

1

Friends (1994 – 2004)

Season 2, Episode 11: “The One With the Lesbian Wedding”

Although many things of Friends It is not old age, it must be admitted that despite a lack of ethnic diversity and a litany of stereotypes, it is still quite progressive when it came to LGBTQ + representation. While jokes about Chandler Bing’s transgender father can feel poignant with the power of hindsight, The same-sex relationship between Ross’s ex-wife Carol Willick and her partner Susan Bunch is always presented as loving and stable. Despite the occasional joke with an aura of 1990s homophobia, Carol and Susan’s relationship was depicted as valid and accepted.

However, one episode that caused a stir was Season 2’s “The Lesbian Wedding,” where Carol and Susan finally decided to tie the knot. As the second gay wedding ever featured in a sitcom, several television networks took issue with its concept, as KJAC-TV in Port Arthur, Texas, and WLIO in Lima, Ohio, refused to air the episode ( via Pink news.) It was a real shame, as the surprisingly poignant episode saw Ross accepting Carol and Susan’s relationship and, after his ex-wife started getting cold feet on the day, actively encouraging her to go through with it.

Sources: Skeptical Inquirer, Mental Floss,Collider, CBR, Blue YouTube, Pink news