18 TV Episodes That Were Banned After They Aired
Here's a curated list of 18 television episodes that faced bans post-broadcast due to various controversies.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Television has always been a medium that reflects societal norms, challenges boundaries, and occasionally stirs controversy. Some episodes, despite initial broadcasts, were later pulled from circulation due to public outcry, cultural sensitivities, or unforeseen consequences. This list delves into 18 such episodes, exploring the reasons behind their bans and the impact they had on audiences and networks alike.
1. “Electric Soldier Porygon” - Pokémon
Nintendo on Wikimedia Commons
Aired once in Japan in 1997, this episode caused seizures in hundreds of children due to flashing lights, leading to its global ban and a four-month hiatus of the series.
2. “Mid-Life Crustacean” - SpongeBob SquarePants
Nickelodeon on Wikimedia Commons
Featuring a controversial “panty raid” scene, this 2003 episode was pulled from rotation in 2018 for being inappropriate for children.
3. “Voltes V” - Philippines Ban
Bluemask (talk) and Dino Bartomucci on Wikimedia Commons
In 1979, the anime was banned in the Philippines by President Marcos, allegedly for violence, but many believe it was due to its themes of rebellion against tyranny.
4. “Dad Baby” - Bluey
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
This episode featured Bluey’s dad pretending to give birth in a role-play game. Disney chose not to air it in the U.S., citing concerns about content that might not align with cultural norms. Fans outside the U.S. found the decision overly cautious and unnecessary.
5. “Episode 847” – Sesame Street
Sesame Workshop on Wikimedia Commons
The Wicked Witch of the West visits Sesame Street and tries to get her broom back. The performance scared so many children that PBS received a wave of concerned calls from parents. The episode was pulled and has remained unaired since 1976.
6. “Conflict” Series – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
Fred Rogers Productions on Wikimedia Commons
Fred Rogers tackled Cold War tensions in a five-episode arc about peace, war, and diplomacy. While thoughtfully presented, the episodes were considered too intense for young children. They aired only once and weren’t included in reruns for decades.
7. “Prom-ises, Prom-ises” – Boy Meets World
Disney on Wikimedia Commons
This episode showed Cory and Topanga planning to have sex on prom night. Disney Channel later decided the topic was too mature for its younger viewers. It was removed from their rerun schedule entirely.
8. “Earshot” – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Snaevar on Wikimedia Commons
Buffy hears everyone’s thoughts and discovers a student might be planning a school attack. The episode was scheduled to air just days after the Columbine tragedy. Out of sensitivity, it was postponed and didn’t air until months later.
9. “Bored, She Hung Herself” – Hawaii Five-O
ewen and donabel on Wikimedia Commons
A yoga scene in this episode showed a woman accidentally hanging herself. After a viewer reportedly died trying to imitate it, CBS reacted quickly. The episode was pulled from reruns and has never been officially released.
10. “One Beer” – Tiny Toon Adventures
Logotta2 on Wikimedia Commons
Buster, Plucky, and Hampton get drunk on one beer, steal a car, and drive off a cliff. The episode was meant as a dark parody of after-school specials. However, the content was deemed too mature, and it was banned from reruns.
11. “The Encounter” – The Twilight Zone
Cayuga Productions, Inc. CBS Productions on Wikimedia Commons
This episode featured a Japanese-American character confronting racism and WWII trauma. It included racial slurs and uncomfortable themes that weren’t acceptable for TV at the time. CBS pulled it after one airing and didn’t show it again until decades later.
12. “I’ll See You in Court” – Married… with Children
Sony Pictures Digital Productions Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
Al and Peggy Bundy discover their hotel room had hidden cameras and that their sex tape is circulating. The episode was shelved for years because the network deemed it too explicit. It became known as the “lost episode” until it aired in 2002.
13. “America’s Next Top Paddy’s Billboard Model Contest” – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
IASIPTC.png: CovertAffairs22 derivative work: RanZag (talk) on Wikimedia Commons
The episode, intended as satire but still highly offensive, featured characters in blackface. In 2020, it was pulled from Hulu and other platforms during a broader content review. The creators later addressed the issue and supported the decision to remove it.
14. “Adoption” – You Can’t Do That on Television
Liza on Wikimedia Commons
This Canadian kids’ show aired an episode where children joked about returning adopted kids. The backlash was swift, with parents and advocates calling the jokes cruel and insensitive. It aired just twice before being permanently banned.
15. “Partial Terms of Endearment” – Family Guy
20th Century Fox on Wikimedia Commons
Lois considers having an abortion after agreeing to be a surrogate, and the couple dies in a car crash. Fox refused to air the episode in the U.S. due to its sensitive topic. It was later released on DVD but remains unaired on American television.
16. “Buffalo Gals” – Cow and Chicken
Cartoon Network on Wikimedia Commons
This Cartoon Network episode featured a group of female bikers called the “Buffalo Gals” who “chewed carpet” and broke into people’s homes. Viewers quickly noticed the overt lesbian stereotypes and innuendos. The network pulled it permanently, and it has never been shown again.
17. “See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey” – The Powerpuff Girls
The Cartoon Network, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
This rock opera episode had heavy religious imagery, including scenes that resembled crucifixion and worship. It was deemed too controversial for American audiences and skipped during U.S. broadcasts. Fans had to track it down through international releases.
18. “Holiday Innacula” – Invader Zim
Viacom International Inc., Nickelodeon, Oni Press on Wikimedia Commons
This unaired episode revolved around Dib getting bitten by a vampire and turning into one himself. Nickelodeon shelved it due to its dark tone and blood-related humor. Despite never officially airing, the episode gained cult status.