18 TV Episodes That Were Pulled After Airing
Many television episodes across genres have been pulled after airing due to controversy, real-life tragedies, or fears of public backlash.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Television history is filled with episodes that were deemed too dangerous, offensive, or sensitive to continue airing. From children’s shows like Pokémon and Sesame Street to adult series such as South Park and Family Guy, networks have often reacted quickly to criticism or real-world events. These pulled episodes remind us how media can intersect with culture, morality, and politics in ways that leave a lasting impact.
1. Pokémon – “Electric Soldier Porygon” (1997)
Image from Wikipedia
This infamous Pokémon episode aired in Japan and caused seizures in hundreds of children due to flashing red and blue lights. The health scare became international news and forced the show to permanently remove the episode from circulation. Porygon, the Pokémon featured, was unfairly blamed and has barely appeared in the anime since.
2. The X-Files – “Home” (1996)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode featured a family of inbred killers living in isolation, shocking both viewers and critics. The graphic violence and disturbing subject matter were considered too intense for broadcast television. Fox pulled the episode from rotation for years, only later releasing it on DVD.
3. South Park – “201” (2010)
Image from Wikipedia
The episode depicted the Prophet Muhammad in a bear suit, leading to threats from extremist groups. Comedy Central heavily censored it, but eventually decided not to air reruns at all. Today, the episode remains officially unavailable on streaming or broadcast.
4. The Simpsons – “Stark Raving Dad” (1991)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode featured Michael Jackson as a guest voice, playing a man who thought he was Michael Jackson. After the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland revived allegations against Jackson, the episode was pulled from circulation. It has not been shown on TV or streaming since.
5. Family Guy – “Partial Terms of Endearment” (2010)
Image from Wikipedia
This controversial episode centered on Lois becoming a surrogate mother and later facing the topic of abortion. Fox deemed the content too sensitive to air, though it was released on DVD. It is often cited as one of the show’s most notorious banned episodes.
6. Boy Meets World – “If You Can’t Be with the One You Love…” (1997)
Image from Wikipedia
In this episode, Cory and Shawn drink alcohol, and Shawn becomes dependent on it. Disney pulled the episode from rotation, fearing it was too dark for young audiences. However, fans praised it for addressing teen drinking realistically.
7. Tiny Toon Adventures – “Elephant Issues” (1991)
Image from Wikipedia
This animated episode included a segment where the characters drink beer, get drunk, and die in a car crash. Parents criticized the storyline as inappropriate for children. Warner Bros. quickly banned it from reruns and syndication.
8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – “Earshot” (1999)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode featured a school shooting plotline, which became controversial after the Columbine massacre occurred just before its scheduled airing. Out of sensitivity, The WB pulled it for months. It eventually aired later, but the delay made it infamous.
9. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood – “Conflict” Week (1983)
Image from Wikipedia
This five-part storyline dealt with the threat of nuclear war during the Cold War. PBS feared it was too frightening for children and pulled it from reruns. It was largely forgotten until resurfacing decades later in archives.
10. Arthur – “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” (2019)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode showed beloved teacher Mr. Ratburn marrying a man, sparking controversy in some states. Alabama Public Television refused to air it, citing parental objections. While widely praised, it became a lightning rod in debates over LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media.
11. The Boondocks – “The Hunger Strike” and “The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show” (2008)
Image from Wikipedia
These episodes mocked BET executives and depicted the network as destructive to Black culture. BET reportedly pressured Adult Swim to keep them from airing. They were never broadcast in the U.S. but appeared on the DVD release.
12. Sesame Street – “Episode 847 with Margaret Hamilton” (1976)
Image from Wikipedia
Margaret Hamilton reprised her role as the Wicked Witch of the West, scaring many children. Parents flooded PBS with complaints about nightmares. The episode was pulled after just one airing and never rerun.
13. Hannibal – “Œuf” (2013)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode involved children being brainwashed into murdering their families. NBC pulled it from broadcast following real-life violent tragedies involving youth. The decision was made out of respect for grieving families.
14. Alfred Hitchcock Presents – “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (1961)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode told the grim story of a magician’s assistant who kills his mentor’s wife. NBC thought it was too violent and disturbing for its audience. As a result, it was pulled before broadcast and only surfaced later in syndication.
15. Married… with Children – “I’ll See You in Court” (1989)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode revolved around the Bundys accidentally being videotaped in a motel room. Due to explicit jokes and sexual themes, Fox pulled it from the schedule. It finally aired on cable TV in 2002.
16. The Lone Gunmen – Pilot (2001)
Image from Wikipedia
This spinoff of The X-Files had a shocking plot: terrorists hijack a plane to crash it into the World Trade Center. Just months later, the real 9/11 attacks occurred. The episode was pulled and became infamous for its eerie foreshadowing.
17. The Powerpuff Girls – “See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey” (2004)
Image from Wikipedia
This episode featured a musical storyline where a gnome takes over Townsville. It was never aired in the U.S. due to concerns about its religious imagery. However, it was broadcast internationally and later leaked online.
18. Beavis and Butt-Head – “Comedians” (1993)
Image from Wikipedia
In this early episode, Beavis and Butt-Head play with fire, and a boy watching reportedly imitated them, causing a tragic real-life house fire. MTV quickly pulled the episode and avoided showing the duo playing with fire afterward. It remains one of the most infamous bans in TV history.