Banned TV Entertainment

You’ve probably heard of books being challenged and banned, like The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and even The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. These books were controversial for their sexual, violent, and racial themes. Literature does tend to shed light on the darkest parts of psychology and humanity. These themes can also warrant the banning of television shows.

WatchMojo listed the Top 10 Banned Television Episodes. They look at shows that have been banned because of backlash as well as ones that never even made it to the screen.

The Twilight Zone was known for its disturbing content, but it’s episode “The Encounter” was criticized and removed from re-airing for its depiction of Asian-American character, Arthur Takamori. It actually turned up again on the Sci-Fi channel in 2016.

Many Pokémon episodes have actually been banned. “Electric Soldier Porygon” was banned because of the flashing red and blue screen after Pikachu’s electric explosion. To keep kids safe from the negative effects of that screen, the episode was never aired again.

“Promises, Promises” from Boy Meets World was heavily modified from its original version that depicted Corey and Topanga on prom night.

When the Simpsons travel to NYC in “The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson,” he finds his car illegally parked at the World Trade Center. This episode was removed after the attacks, although there was nothing disagreeable about the show.

Shows and books can be banned to keep positivity in the spotlight.