16 TV Episodes That Only Aired Once and Were Never Seen Again
These rare TV episodes aired just once before being pulled, censored, or quietly erased from history.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Television has its fair share of forgotten gems and controversial missteps. Some episodes were so bizarre, offensive, or unsettling that they only saw the light of day once. Here’s a deep dive into 16 elusive TV episodes that vanished after a single broadcast.
1. “Electric Soldier Porygon” – Pokémon (1997)
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This episode caused seizures in hundreds of children in Japan due to flashing lights. The backlash was immediate, and the show went on hiatus. It never aired outside Japan and has been locked away since.
2. “Partial Terms of Endearment” – Family Guy
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This banned episode dealt with abortion, sparking massive controversy. Fox refused to air it in the U.S., though it later surfaced overseas and on DVD.
3. “The Puerto Rican Day” – Seinfeld
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Aired only once due to backlash over a flag-burning gag, this episode was pulled immediately. Critics and cultural groups found it offensive, leading NBC to quietly remove it from rotation.
4. “Home” – The X-Files
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This gruesome episode featured a deformed, inbred family and sparked outrage upon airing. Fox pulled it from reruns due to its disturbing content. It developed cult status for pushing horror TV boundaries.
5. “201” – South Park
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The episode addressed depictions of Muhammad, sparking censorship and threats. Comedy Central heavily edited it and refused future airings. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone condemned the decision.
6. “Buffalo Gals” – Cow and Chicken
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Featuring a gang of motorcycling women who “chew carpet,” this episode was banned for its suggestive lesbian stereotypes. Cartoon Network yanked it immediately.
7. “Mister Rogers Talks About Conflict” – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
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This five-episode arc about nuclear war and conflict was pulled after its initial broadcast. It was deemed too heavy for children during tense political times.
8. “A Serpent’s Tooth” – Have Gun – Will Travel
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Pulled after one airing for tackling teen pregnancy and religious zealotry. It was rare for a Western to dive into such taboo topics.
9. “Elephant Issues” – Tiny Toon Adventures
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This episode tackled teen suicide in one segment, drawing outrage from parents. Airing just once, it was pulled before reruns could air. Its message was earnest, but the delivery shocked audiences.
10. “The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson” – The Simpsons
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Featuring the World Trade Center prominently, this episode was pulled after the 9/11 attacks. While not offensive on release, real-world events changed its context. It remained absent for years before reappearing.
11. “Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips” – Looney Tunes
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A WWII propaganda cartoon that portrayed Japanese characters with offensive stereotypes. It aired once in the ’40s and was immediately buried.
12. “Trapped in the Closet” – South Park
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Targeting Scientology and featuring Tom Cruise, this episode was shelved after threats of lawsuits. It only aired once before Comedy Central pulled it.
13. “One Beer” – Tiny Toon Adventures
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Another odd inclusion for a kids’ show, this episode showed characters getting drunk and dying. Parents were furious, and it was never re-aired. The segment was meant as a warning but came off as too dark.
14. “Never-Before-Seen Pilot” – Pee-wee’s Playhouse
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The original pilot featured a darker, more adult tone and strange characters. It aired once late at night and was never shown again. CBS shelved it in favor of a lighter remake.
15. “The Encounter” – The Twilight Zone (1964)
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Banned for depicting a Japanese-American as a traitor in WWII. CBS pulled it after complaints and never aired it again until the 2000s.
16. “The Contest” (UK Broadcast) – Seinfeld
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Though a U.S. classic, the BBC pulled it due to its thinly veiled masturbation theme. It aired once late at night, then vanished from the British lineup. American audiences embraced its boldness, but UK censors weren’t amused.