18 TV Characters from the Past Who Wouldn’t Be Written Today
A retrospective look at once-popular TV characters who wouldn’t make it past the pitch room today due to changing cultural, social, and ethical standards in entertainment.
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
Television is a cultural mirror, and the characters it champions reflect the values of their times. Many beloved characters of the past were rooted in stereotypes, insensitivity, or toxic traits that would no longer be acceptable in a modern series. As audiences grow more socially aware, today’s TV writers are rethinking how to represent race, gender, sexuality, and power dynamics responsibly — making these characters unlikely to be written again without major reinvention.
1. Archie Bunker – All in the Family
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Archie was blunt, racist, sexist, and xenophobic — but somehow still the centerpiece of one of TV’s most groundbreaking shows. His views were meant to spark conversation, but today they might be seen as giving too much space to harmful ideology. Writers now would be reluctant to center a whole show around someone so openly bigoted, even for satire.
2. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon – The Simpsons
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Voiced by a white actor using a heavy Indian accent, Apu was once a beloved character. Over time, his portrayal fed into harmful stereotypes about South Asians. The backlash led to his eventual removal, and today’s creators would be far more cautious about such ethnic caricatures.
3. Michael Scott – The Office
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Michael’s cringe-inducing behavior — ranging from racial insensitivity to outright harassment — was often played for laughs. While his cluelessness was part of the joke, much of his behavior would be too inappropriate for today’s comedy standards. His character would need significant reworking to avoid reinforcing toxic workplace norms.
4. Miss Piggy – The Muppet Show
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Miss Piggy’s over-the-top flirtation with Kermit the Frog was once seen as comical. However, her aggressive behavior, including physical outbursts and a refusal to accept no for an answer, may now be perceived as problematic. Consent and emotional boundaries are treated with greater care in today’s children’s programming.
5. Samantha Jones – Sex and the City
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Samantha was bold, sexually liberated, and unashamed — but often in a way that leaned into stereotypes about hypersexuality. Her quips about race and gender sometimes lacked sensitivity. A modern version of her would likely be more nuanced and culturally aware.
6. Mr. Yunioshi – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (TV airings and influence)
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Though not originally a TV character, Mr. Yunioshi’s portrayal by Mickey Rooney influenced many similar Asian caricatures in TV reruns and parodies. Yellowface and exaggerated accents were common punchlines for decades. Today, that kind of casting would be called out instantly as offensive and dehumanizing.
7. Joey Tribbiani – Friends
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Joey was lovable but often portrayed as dim-witted and sexually aggressive. His womanizing behavior, which was mostly played for laughs, often ignored the importance of consent. A contemporary version of Joey would probably face serious rewrites to tone down the sleaze.
8. Al Bundy – Married… with Children
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Al was a grumpy, misogynistic shoe salesman who constantly insulted his wife and ogled women. His brand of humor was steeped in bitter resentment toward marriage and women. In today’s climate, he’d likely be viewed as too toxic to root for.
9. Dr. Perry Cox – Scrubs
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Dr. Cox was known for his biting sarcasm and endless rants, often directed at colleagues in cruel or belittling ways. What once passed for tough love now reads more like emotional abuse. A modern script would demand more accountability and empathy from his character.
10. Brian Kinney – Queer as Folk
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Brian was unapologetically promiscuous, emotionally unavailable, and manipulative — an antihero of early 2000s queer TV. While he broke ground for gay representation, his actions today might be seen as reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Modern queer storytelling leans toward complexity without glorifying toxicity.
11. Fez – That ’70s Show
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Fez’s identity was deliberately vague, played for laughs, and his character was overly sexualized in a creepy way. His obsession with women and lack of respect for boundaries wouldn’t sit well today. Writers are now more intentional about crafting characters from marginalized groups with care.
12. Howard Wolowitz – The Big Bang Theory
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In the earlier seasons, Howard’s behavior toward women was invasive, inappropriate, and often brushed off as nerdy awkwardness. He even installed a camera on a drone to spy on a woman sunbathing. These antics, once comedic, would now be considered outright predatory.
13. Karen Walker – Will & Grace
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Karen’s hilarious one-liners often included offensive jokes about immigrants, the poor, and people with disabilities. Her lack of empathy was part of her charm, but it came at the expense of punching down. Writers today would be more cautious about who their jokes hurt.
14. Hank Hill – King of the Hill
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Hank’s conservative views and discomfort with anything outside his norm often veered into subtle homophobia and cultural intolerance. While he was meant to represent a well-meaning traditionalist, today’s shows demand more sensitivity and growth. He’d likely need a broader arc of introspection in a reboot.
15. Charlie Harper – Two and a Half Men
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Charlie was a bachelor stereotype taken to the extreme — boozing, womanizing, and emotionally detached. Much of his dialogue objectified women and normalized casual misogyny. Today’s viewers would expect some moral counterbalance or commentary, not just a parade of one-night stands.
16. Blaine Anderson – Glee
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Though progressive for his time, Blaine’s storyline often leaned into the trope of the “perfect gay boyfriend.” His queerness was polished to be palatable to straight audiences, often neglecting the messier realities of LGBTQ+ life. In 2025, the emphasis would shift from idealization to authenticity.
17. Fonzie – Happy Days
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Fonzie was the epitome of cool in the 1970s, but much of that coolness came from dominating women and resolving conflict with violence. While he had a good heart, his approach to masculinity was rigid and outdated. A new version would need to soften the machismo and deepen the emotional range.
18. Denise Huxtable – The Cosby Show
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Denise was stylish, independent, and Bill Cosby’s legacy now shadows a fan favorite, but the show she was part of. The context surrounding the series has altered how viewers perceive her character. While she herself wasn’t problematic, her presence is tied to a show that would no longer be aired without controversy.