Let’s face it: comedy does not exactly keep well. What had us laughing hysterically in the ’90s or early 2000s may leave us uncomfortable now. And because of the streaming boom, we can watch every cartoon and sitcom of our childhood—only to find that some “edgy” jokes have not aged so well. In many cases, networks and streaming services have stepped in with edits, disclaimers, or outright bans. From awkward stereotypes to full-on scandals, here are 15 sitcom and TV episodes that got pulled, reworked, or buried entirely.
15. WWE’s Wild Years Get a Cleanup
WWE never hesitated to push boundaries, yet venerable shows have not stood the test of time. On Peacock, numerous iconic battles were extensively edited out for racial slurs, homophobic humor, and even blackface sketches. They are so heavy-handed, certain matches bear little resemblance to their original airs.
14. Disney’s Quiet Movie Makeovers
Even Disney, family-friendly as it is, has returned to clean up after itself. In Toy Story 2, the mid-credits scene of Stinky Pete making innuendos to two Barbies has been removed. Lilo & Stitch replaced a dryer-concealing joke with a more innocuous pizza-box one. And Splash? A digitally-blanketed bum by Daryl Hannah was given the treatment. A great deal of odd CGI hair.
13. The Simpsons Erases “Stark Raving Dad”
The Michael Jackson episode of Season 3 vanished from syndication following new allegations against the artist of abuse. It is now the sole missing episode in the world on Disney+ among The Simpsons.
12. Married… with Children Locks Away “I’ll See You in Court”
The Bundys lived on shock value, but this Season 3 episode—concerning a tape scandal—was put on the shelf in America for more than a decade. It wasn’t broadcast until 2002, years after being originally shot.
11. Sesame Street Shelves a Divorce Storyline
Producers tried to tackle divorce in the episode “Snuffy’s Parents Get a Divorce,” but test screenings indicated it distressed children more than it comforted them. The episode never reached the air, and the subject was not addressed again for years.
10. Pokémon’s Notorious Porygon Episode
“Dennō Senshi Porygon” went into television history because it caused hundreds of children to have seizures from severe flashing effects. The episode was never reaired, and Porygon was silently benched out of the show.
9. Bluey’s “Dad Baby” Gets Cut in the U.S.
Bluey is possibly TV’s most innocent children’s program, but that episode when Bandit pretended to be pregnant and “gave birth” didn’t feature on Disney+ in the US. It remains available online for those willing to search it out.
8. Buffy Holds Back “Earshot” Following Columbine
This episode, featuring a student carrying a rifle at school, was postponed for months after the Columbine tragedy. It finally aired once the media storm over school violence had calmed.
7. Cow and Chicken’s “Buffalo Gals” Pulled for Stereotypes
One episode of the Cartoon Network series leaned heavily into crude lesbian stereotypes, prompting the network to ban it after just one airing.
6. UK Comedies Face a Blackface Reckoning
From Peep Show and The Mighty Boosh to Bo’ Selecta and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, several British sitcoms have been edited or removed from streaming for blackface sketches and racist caricatures. Numerous actors have made public apologies since.
5. South Park’s Muhammad Episodes Vanish
Episodes containing bad faith portrayals of the Prophet Muhammad, such as “Super Best Friends” and “Cartoon Wars,” were removed from official channels after death threats to the creators.
4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Removes Blackface Episodes
Even a series based on bending over backward has boundaries. Several episodes where characters wore blackface were removed from streaming services in a silent move, with the creators admitting the controversy.
3. Friends’ Same-Gender Wedding Blocked in Some Regions
The Season 2 episode of Carol and Susan’s wedding was a first for its day—but a couple of networks won’t show it. Despite being banned in some U.S. markets, it’s now a celebrated milestone in LGBTQ+ representation on TV.
2. Little Britain, Come Fly With Me, and More Removed
Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ sketch programs have been removed from most platforms for blackface, racial caricature, and insensitive depiction of gay and disabled individuals. Edited Little Britain has since been restored to BBC iPlayer.
1. The IT Crowd’s Transphobic “The Speech” Removed
This former hit episode faced criticism for deriding a trans woman character and featuring a brutal fight scene. Channel 4 later took it down, and star Matt Berry has since described it as “ridiculous and dated.”
Streaming has made it easier than ever to go back and visit old favorites—but also more difficult to deny their rough spots. Whether you view these cuts as long-overdue consequences or unwarranted censorship, one thing is certain: comedy moves quickly, and what’s hilarious today may tomorrow be a cautionary tale.