Popular Cartoons That Are Banned

Originally airing in 1998 on the Cartoon Network, the Cow and Chicken episode “Buffalo Gals” was banned for its sexual innuendo regarding lesbians. After it aired, a parent called and complained about the frequent and inappropriate innuendo. Cartoon Network quickly pulled it from the schedule and replaced it with “Orthodontic Police.”

While Beavis and Butthead thrived on idiotic comedy gags, the episode “Comedians” did something they weren’t expecting. It influenced a five-year-old to burn down his own house with his sister inside; the episode said burning things was fun. MTV quickly removed the episode and banned it from ever airing again.

Due to its profanity and violence, Fox decided the Futurama episode “A Tale of Two Santas” wasn’t right for the 7 pm time slot. They delayed it for over a year. Creator David X. Cohen considered this their “lost episode” but said it was later aired at a different time slot.

Commissioned by the BBC 3 network, the cartoon Popetown proved too controversial when British Catholics were up in arms over the treatment of the Pope and the Vatican. It never aired on the network but was released on DVD instead.

While not technically “banned,” Song of the South has been constantly mired in controversy for its depiction of African Americans. It’s also been criticized for its ambiguous nature regarding race relations in the south, making them seem much more harmonious than reality. In 2010, Disney’s CEO Robert Iger called the movie “antiquated” and “rather offensive.” It’s been locked away in the Disney vault for some time. It is unlikely to ever be re-released again.