15 Controversial TV Moments from the Past That Wouldn’t Air Today
Here's a deep dive into 15 controversial TV moments from the past that pushed boundaries and would be deemed unacceptable in today's more socially aware media landscape. These moments showcase how humor, race, gender, and culture have evolved on screen.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
This journey shines the spotlight on 15 historic TV moments from the past which formerly broke boundaries of humor, race, gender, and social mores and would now be unthinkable within contemporary media. By looking back at these moments, we see just how far television has evolved — and why some of these formerly accepted tropes would be received with outrage in today’s world.
1. The “I Love Lucy” Pregnancy Plot (1952)
Image from IMDb
The pioneering sitcom broke ground by having Lucille Ball’s actual pregnancy integrated into the show. During this period, TV networks were not only reluctant to use the term “pregnant” on the airwaves but also reluctant to depict women being pregnant in general. In the current atmosphere, having a woman’s pregnancy portrayed so naturally and without sensationalism would now probably be considered plain tame, but then it was a moment of history.
2. “The Fonz” Jumps the Shark (1977)
Image from IMDb
In Happy Days, The Fonz jumped over a shark on water skis in a stunt used as a metaphor for a show running out of creativity and newness. This spectacle-based “jump the shark” moment represented the period’s desire for outrageousness rather than character-driven storytelling. The excessiveness of this moment would be decried today as a cop-out effort at “making waves.”
3. “The Simpsons” Apu Controversy (1990s-2020s)
Image from IMDb
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, played by a white actor, was among the first big TV characters to be accused of reinforcing racial stereotypes regarding South Asians. The character’s portrayal controversy took years to build steam, but by the 2020s, many viewed it as extremely problematic. In contemporary TV culture, Apu’s characterization would most likely trigger a review of casting and cultural representation expectations.
4. “All in the Family” and Racial Slurs (1970s)
Image from IMDb
All in the Family was renowned for tackling race, politics, and bigotry bluntly, frequently relying on racist slurs for the shock effect. Archie Bunkers were some of the characters who spouted abusive language, mirroring the era but also tackling issues frontally. Today, such raw use of racial slurs in the media would be unacceptable, with more understated and less offensive methods of addressing bigotry.
5. “The Benny Hill Show” and Gender Stereotypes (1970s-1980s)
Image from IMDb
The British variety show The Benny Hill Show consisted of hundreds of scenes of men chasing women about in suggestive, slapstick comedy, underscored by the theme song “Yakety Sax.” Such physical comedy tended to depict women as objects of desire, reinforcing antiquated gender relations. Nowadays, such portrayals would be questioned for perpetuating unhealthy attitudes towards consent and objectification.
6. The Dukes of Hazzard Confederate Flag Car (1979-1985)
Image from IMDb
The General Lee, the vehicle used by the Duke brothers in The Dukes of Hazzard, prominently featured a Confederate flag, which, in retrospect, has been commonly regarded as a representation of racial oppression. The program was popular when it aired, but the flag would, today, be deemed racially insensitive and unacceptable. In the wake of protests such as Black Lives Matter, this image would not be permitted on television without substantial discussion of its historical context.
7. “The Office” (U.S.) - Michael Scott’s “Blackface” (2005)
Image from IMDb
In one notorious instance, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) wore blackface to a dinner party as part of a misguided sense of humor. At the time, it was a groan-inducing but tolerated comedic moment for the show’s uncomfortable humor. Nowadays, such a scene would be considered extremely offensive and a breach of contemporary cultural sensitivities.
8. “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” Vietnam War Parody (1960s)
Image from IMDb
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour evolved into a forum for anti-war and anti-establishment comedy, causing conflicts with network executives. One of the bits, a satirical examination of the U.S. military’s involvement in the war, was censored by the network, resulting in the brothers’ denunciation of corporate censorship. In the current politically charged atmosphere, such anti-establishment sentiments would still have an impact but would be subject to much stricter scrutiny from network executives and viewers.
9. Married with Children Portrayals of Marriage (1987-1997)
Image from IMDb
Married with Children turned the idealized family situation on its head by presenting the Bundy family as dysfunctional and making constant jokes about the decline of marriage and sex. The satirical treatment of relationships, gender roles, and family life on the show was frequently crude, prompting frequent complaints about the show’s bad taste. Today, such irreverence towards traditional family structures might be deemed too cynical or inappropriate for a mainstream network.
10. “Friends” - Transphobic Joke (1994)
Image from Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki - Fandom
In Friends, at one point, Chandler plays a joke at the expense of his father, a drag queen, making fun of transgender identity as something to be mocked. In the 90s, this was more prevalent, but today, the same plotline would elicit outrage for perpetuating negative stereotypes around gender identity and transgender individuals. This would probably be criticized for its lack of sensitivity towards trans issues.
11. “The Golden Girls” - Gay Stereotype (1980s)
Image from IMDb
On an episode of The Golden Girls, the ex-husband of Dorothy is playfully depicted as flamboyantly gay in a manner now far too stereotypical. Although the show pioneered the portrayal of LGBTQ+ issues, such moments were interpreted through a prism that did not fully capture the complexity of gay individuals. Now, such representations would probably be attacked for their reduction of multi-dimensional characters to offensive and antiquated stereotypes.
12. “South Park” - Terrence and Phillip (1997)
Image from IMDb
The South Park animated show is well known for crossing boundaries, but its depiction of Canadian characters, Terrence and Phillip, was one of the most offensive aspects initially. The characters were shown to be crude and immature, and they frequently engaged in offensive humor, which was a direct criticism of crude comedy at the time. Nowadays, such characters would be criticized for spreading anti-Canadian and anti-immigrant ideologies.
13. “The Brady Bunch” Homophobia (1970s)
Image from IMDb
In an early episode of The Brady Bunch, a homophobic joke about a child’s teacher is told, which was typical of the cultural climate of the era. Such jokes were typical in family television shows, but by today’s standards, would be utterly inappropriate. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships in mainstream media today makes such jokes look like artifacts of a less enlightened era.
14. The Mary Tyler Moore Show - Sexism Jokes (1970s)
Image from IMDb
Although The Mary Tyler Moore Show was groundbreaking in showing a single woman employed as a TV producer, it did have jokes and situations that mirrored the era’s gender disparity. An example is when Mary’s male co-workers belittle her or patronize her due to her gender. In the present era, such gender-based humor would be seen as old-fashioned and unacceptable.
15. “Will & Grace” - Gag About HIV/AIDS (1998)
Image from IMDb
During an early season episode of Will & Grace, there is a joke made regarding HIV/AIDS that would be considered deeply offensive today. The series did better on HBO in terms of LGBTQ+ representation, but the flippant handling of such a dire situation in the late ’90s mirrored the misunderstanding surrounding HIV back then. Nowadays, this sort of humor would be condemned for disrespect and its reduction of the AIDS epidemic.