Top 20 Sitcom Storylines That Would NEVER Happen Today

[@WatchMojo]

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[@mikeymessier]

Brady Bunch sub-titled in Spanish

[@sjduges67]

@@mikeymessier at least when Jan yells, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia," it won't need to be translated. Isn't that the Spanish spelling of the name? 🤪

[@mikeymessier]

me gusta @@sjduges67

[@MikeLawlorBarefoot]

Any Republican political debate

[@frankenviews4069]

I don't know if it counts but there are several amazingly hilarious Anime comedies that rival some of the best English speaking sitcoms.

[@chamlo11]

As a Gen Xer who grew up with many of these shows (Facts of Life, All in the Family, and Diff'rent Strokes), the "Very Special Episodes" were often the gateway to having really serious conversations in my household. Perhaps some of these "Special Episodes" should still be done today...

[@cocoaorange1]

I agree.

[@ColinoSpasm]

Gen.X also in UK. I got the feeling that I was being wound up to generate 'clicks', so I was glad to read your measured response. I've deleted a number of comments to this video due the offence it would cause, but I must say this one thing before I go.......Where was 'The Cosby Show'? Pow! Out of the park! 😁How do you like them apples WatchMojo?!.......thank you and good night!

[@oniminikui]

Sorry for being "That guy", but you mentioned Facts of Life twice. Great show, though!

[@ernestthorick64]

Granted, some of these were insensitive, but with all the restrictions society now imposes upon writers for political correctness the amount of 'humour' that week be present in sitcoms (situational comedies) will be negligible at best.

[@nigefal]

Yeah they had ‘life lessons’ and so on. Gave two points of view.

[@acousticmonkey2209]

I really love the "All in the Family" arc with Edith as they continued it to the next episode to show trauma will manifest. Initially, he escapes, but eventually, the police catch him, and she uses the chance to go identify him as a way to look him in the eye, get back some power, and start mending her fear and trauma. We should do tough episodes, but we should do them like this: carry it over to the next to show that issues don't just disappear and have no consequences. Too many shows like to have their one off, "someone learned something" or "Oooh, this thing happened" episode without that knowledge, growth, or experience changing people.

[@schanecoker9882]

I thought this was a great episode! This is how my mom talked to me and my brothers about sexual assault in general and how it can happen to anyone....not many shows making relevant and relatable shows that mirror real life situations

[@donsmeltzer4083]

I saw this episode when it originally aired. All In The Family never shied away from difficult subjects.

[@dawntraveler42]

Amazing how much mature people were in the 1970's and 1980's Rather than declaring micro-aggressions and hiding, these shows took on serious subjects of the day. Edith facing down a rapist was just one of the many topics dealt with by All in the Family. I can only imagine how many smelling salt tablets Mojo's staff would need for Archie's surgery episodes and the Jefferson wedding.

[@dhenderson1810]

I find it hard to believe Edith was only turning 50 in that episode.

[@samanthas6073]

I’m Puerto Rican and I think the Puerto Rican episode of Seinfeld was hilarious. Me and my brother always used to crack up watching it. Not everything needs to be super serious. Sheesh.

[@kpowers]

I’m Puerto Rican too and I love the episode too. Apparently, the humor went over most people, and used it as a reason just to bitch and complain. God I hate Woke people

[@bambooblinds]

Honestly - I think that only two of the 20 were problematic enough to meritnot being made today.

[@Jorge23Costa]

The whole premise of Seinfeld is that the main characters are terrible people. Even the ending is a conclusion of that. So anyone being offended by the way the characters handle situations is missing the point, they are selfish hypocrite assholes, that's the point! Same thing with The Office episode by the way, the point is Michael thinks he is doing a favor to his employees with diversity day. The joke isn't the stereotypes, the joke is Michael Scott.

[@dhenderson1810]

I thought the ep would have worked better if the four characters spend the entire episode in the car in the traffic jam.

[@glentor3]

Wokies ruin everything.

[@sureshmukhi2316]

The entire series of Three's Company could not be made today. All of Mr. Roper's gay jokes against Jack would be called homophobic and all of Jack and Larry's womanizing would be called toxic masculinity. Chrissy would also be canceled for perpetuating the dumb blonde stereotype.

[@the1magageneral323]

No such thing as toxic masculinity like how the left tries to demonize all men.

[@Leonardo01569]

As a brazilian, Blame Lisa is one of my favourite episodes. It was meant to be an exageration, like their Japan episode.

[@philipguyott3352]

They made fun of my country to! I laugh every time

[@Psilomuscimol]

Too bad they didn't get to try yerba mate in Brazil

[@jamesfogarty8380]

I love that episode some people just don’t have a sense of humour

[@ljbimoore]

Amen. They regularly make fun of Canada and of Canadians, and I'm good with it too. They make fun of everyone, but they make fun of America and Americans more than any other.

[@mstevensh]

Exageration? Robbed be childrens and kidnapping are things that never happen in Brazil?

[@ladymay30]

The show never downgraded Chandlers dad actually. The only problem was Chandlers acceptance of his dad which everybody can understand. Later he made peace with his dad at his wedding.

[@kleanthisxanthopoulos4697]

God forbid you show the journey towards acceptance. It should be taken for granted and if not given, you should cancel the person! How....."progressive".

[@holeighg9237]

And Chandler's biggest issue was his dad cheating on his mom with the pool boy and destroying Thanksgiving. Nothing to do with the gender identity of the parent.

[@ladymay30]

@holeighg9237 That's true.

[@ladymay30]

@kleanthisxanthopoulos4697 Chandler needed years for that. It's a journey what the show portrait realistically.

[@mikeymessier]

Enter insightful comment here

[@bonosanchoTV]

what's funny is that these were offensive at the time. But back then, when something offended us we just didn't watch it. I believe that's still an option.

[@SGlitz]

Sorry, no. It just won't get made so you can't watch it because it would be offensive to someone (mostly them).😂

[@bambooblinds]

@@SGlitz I think you're agreeing - he meant it's still an option to not watch what you don't like and you're saying we don't get the opportunity anymore - both correct

[@Xenon-h9z]

half of it's not even offensive now. An inanimate dummy coming to life and killing people in a dream? OH MY HEAVENS! Seriously how is this channel still around.

[@RoyalRumble246]

or we just got offended and then moved on

[@glenb.9811]

@@RoyalRumble246 Or, we didn't get offended by it and mouth off about it because: a. social media didn't exist; b. virtue-signalling wasn't a thing; c. social justice warriors didn't really exist; d. getting offended on behalf of someone else-even if they weren't offended-also wasn't a thing; and e. the whole world really did NOT want to hear your opinion. In other words, the good old days.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

Watching Edith defend herself with her own birthday cake always made me think of my mom or grandma having to fight of a predator; i wanted to leap thru the screen and hug her, honestly.

[@SheilaRough]

Thus episode showed that survivors of assault can be anyone, including sweet middle aged women in their own homes. Also showing how Edith was traumatized to the point she couldn't leave her house, only to getting up her courage to go identify her attacker was a great ending to episode

[@KingNewJersey]

The whole show “All in the Family” would not fly today.

[@karlshuler1011]

I remember it well. Even as a young boy it bothered me that someone would hurt her. Not understanding it wasn't real. She always seemed like such a nice person. It's a great episode. It's probably one of the few you could show today.

[@bethpedone8771]

Jean Stapleton was incredible in that episode(s).

[@TrippingHawk]

i’ll take things that never happened for $500

[@SupernovaX72]

So basically we can no longer portray real life and reality in movies and tv.

[@jimbo9208]

no you can

[@tmbline]

Nobody is stopping you from being terrible

[@kozakuchan1745]

When they do happen today people will get offended

[@Philipasu]

Overly sensible people are demanding tolerance... by not tolerating anything they dislike. It's stupid but many others are just foolishly placating snowflakes. Now criminals can't be sent to jail, cuz it would hurt their feelings.

[@fumpr84]

Exactly, cause Gen Snowflake will throw a temper tantrum and 'cancel' anyone who dares to not be a part of their "We are perfect and thus are the deciders" hivemind.

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

That episode of “All in the Family” won Jean Stapleton an Emmy. It was a major talking point at the time, along with “the kiss heard ‘round the world” with Sammy Davis Jr.

[@chamlo11]

Personally, I wish more sitcoms portrayed serious issues like "All in the Family". Classic TV, but in a sense fits the theme, they don't make sitcoms like that anymore.

[@shallendor]

@@chamlo11 No they don't! :(

[@raymondhopwood9393]

The look on Archie's face after Sammy kissed him was absolutely priceless!

[@Jorge23Costa]

@@chamlo11 yes they do, Brooklyn 99 for example which is a recent show quite often portrayed racial problems and homophobia without making light of the situation.

[@deathscythe6682]

That Sammy Davis episode is legend

[@pintospice]

That All in the Family episode, oh my God. To this day it gives me chills. The acting was stellar and Jean Stapleton's performance, wow!

[@gigimain217]

Sometimes I don’t like how sensitive ppl are today, the special episodes we’re making you aware of the dangers in the world

[@brandonpage7087]

Exactly!!! I'd love to know how these snowflakes think we should approach serious topics, in sitcoms, today!!!

[@placeholdermcgavinport5343]

None of these are offensive nor should be censored. The narrative watch mojo tries to say is commonplace is actually quite rare. Not all of us are outraged by comedy.

[@christopherfoley8322]

Plus they talked about the tiny toons episode, i was 5 and saw 2 beloved heroes die within a year of each other, Roy Fokker in Robotech, and Optimus Prime in Transformers the animated movie

[@ThePsho]

True. Not to mention, a lot of the "controversial" storylines also wouldn't have worked in the past. In fact, a lot of mundane storylines in the present would have been outright banned in the past. Even the mildest Family Guy episode, if aired in the 1950s, probably would have had people losing their minds. The whole "good old days" and "everyone is soft these days" mentality is just an over sensationalized cliche. For every one thing that isn't acceptable anymore, there are 10+ things that are just becoming acceptable. Some people are just bitter and want to complain about everything. Some complain to get this stuff removed, others complain that it gets removed. The reality is, both sides are fringe. They're just loud, and obnoxious. Lastly, just want to throw out my daily reminder to anyone reading: context. Please consider context. For instance, in that IT Crowd episode (one of the best shows ever btw) Douglas doesn't accept the trans woman, but he's clearly made out to be the asshole and is shown crying alone at the end. Anyone who watches that episode and thinks the message is saying it's ok to assault trans people, clearly has prior issues that have nothing to do with the comedy show. COMEDY show.

[@christopherfoley8322]

@@ThePsho I agree with alot of what you say, we need the characters who are truly unacceptable today or yesterday to realize there will always be that person. I mean some people of today think "Blazing Saddles" is a very racist movie, when it was pretty much picking on the racist rednecks. The Sheriff was pretty much the smartest person in the movie(WIth Gene Wilder). If they can do things like that and put comedy and true context on it, that is great comedy. I just dont like the movies and shows where they explain the context, a person should be smart enough to grasp the context without being told

[@the1magageneral323]

Their lists are reaching and overusaged of the word 'problematic'. Some people like being offended on behalf of others when they are not bothered by this.

[@CurlyFromTheSwirly]

There is a part of the population that may be a small number but gets exaggerated, who has no sense of humor.

[@ronwinkleheimer6298]

I remember reading an article about that episode of All In The Family. They interviewed the actor who played the sexual predator and he said that the audience was literally growling and he was afraid that they were going to rush the stage.

[@chuckolah4525]

I couldn't make it past #19. There's nothing offensive about that scene from Cheers and it is one of the funniest scenes on TV ever. If only people could remember how to have a sense of humor, then the world would be a great place again.

[@slchance8839]

100% I was looking for this comment about Cheers. Cheers was socially relevant, smart, and never insulted the intelligence of it's audience. I am unsubscribing and stopping the video. I guess it's ok to strip Thor naked against his will in front of an audience today, but in the 1980s Sam cant get in an argument with an intelligent co-worker.

[@alansnow1129]

I think majority does still just the minority few who are deranged insane morons

[@dolleyes5062]

Sam & Diane slapping each other was offensive. I'm not the most p.c. person in the world either, but perpetrating violence against women for laughs is messed up. The "All in the Family" episode where Edith was assaulted was smart, powerful and tastefully done, which is why it's a classic; the Sam & Diane slapping scene is neither.

[@Kinosis79]

@@dolleyes5062 Someone should slap you.

[@SethHolmes]

It's not that they're offensive (well, not all of them). It's that they touch on subjects in a way that makes people uncomfortable. The Cheers was was a little odd, but I think it's the threat of domestic violence in it. But a lot of them as they reached #1 were just... topics people don't want in their sitcoms.

[@sjduges67]

I grew up watching All in the Family. My maternal grandfather WAS Archie Bunker. The thing about AITF is that while the language was very risky and edgy, a show like that needed to be made. One last thought-regardless of the language used, the themes (which were groundbreaking as others have said), and the bigotry, the theme of the show is that the joke was ALWAYS on Archie. And the fact that the Archie character grew is probably part of what Norman Lear wanted to accomplish.

[@bambooblinds]

Maybe you already knew this, but AITF wasn't an original creation of Norman Lears. It was an American remake of a BBC show called 'Till Death Us Do Part,' so the intent behind the offensive old father character was what Johnny Speight wanted to portray.

[@sjduges67]

@@bambooblinds, yes! I don't know how old I was when I found that out. There are many TV shows that are "borrowed" from England. I think Sanford and Son and Three's Company are also examples. From then on I was fascinated by how TV shows are often retreads or readaptations of other shows.

[@Music-vr7sz]

You're not allowed to grow. Unless you're one of them in which case you can't be held responsible for your actions.

[@TheTlin82180]

Basically every episode of married with children.

[@lexkanyima2195]

What ?

[@TheTlin82180]

I take it you never watched the show. I'd say 90% of the storylines would not fly today @@lexkanyima2195

[@thebigorangecouch6261]

Agree completely.

[@leto-nl]

I was about to post the same yes. And it did not surpise me one episode made the list. Its still is one of the best comedy shows

[@Music-vr7sz]

Basically comedy

[@catastrophic3]

I believe most of these can be done today. It just depends on how it’s handled.

[@Nicholasmcmath-cr1xl]

Same

[@Aetium]

this. most of these subjects can be handled with care and deliver a message about the rights and wrongs of it all.

[@rhaimusg5785]

@@Aetium The problem with some of the older shows is how they are now viewed and not how they were intended. All in the Family for example a lot of people don't realize that Archie's ignorance and racial tendencies were intended to make him look like an idiot and make him the brunt of the joke. The Jeffersons were the same thing just with George kind of being the same way. Both were solid shows but would struggle to get made today.

[@RobertTaylor-gz2fu]

@@Aetium Why are #1 & 2 in sitcoms? They're not comedy at all.

[@mdkfuzz187]

I want to get a count of how many people have watched this and require a safe space with no additional snowflakes? Good grief..

[@rachelmckitterick]

Cheers and Married With Children are two of the best shows ever! They will always be hilarious.

[@iceWaterProductions1]

I love how they call current times modern times. We need shows like All in the Family, The Jefferson’s, Three’s Company etc more and more today to say f’@$off to a certain type who’s so sensitive.

[@saramarshall2957]

I always appreciated the all on the family episode. One Edith fought for herself which they used to teach you not to do and is a good way to die but also it showed her dealing with the trauma which is very realistic

[@mistermattmoose]

i agree and would put the one where gloria is attacked as the objectionable episode, because archie and the policeman discourage her from pressing charges against the creep.

[@gregbasore2108]

The creator of the show was quoted as saying he didn't want the rapist character to be a "funny goofball" which was a common trope at the time. He wanted to portray the reality and gravity of the situation. With that in mind, it makes sense that they'd follow up with Edith's trauma and show viewers that the pain and fear doesn't magically disappear when the immediate threat is over. It's a lesson a lot of modern sitcoms could benefit from.

[@shallendor]

Norman Leer created so many controversial shows, but they are some of the best loved shows of all time!

[@catherinewilliams9680]

You also saw just how deeply Archie loved Edith.

[@mr.x8259]

I didn’t see anything wrong with the Family Matters episode.

[@serenequeen1125]

Me either

[@raymondhopwood9393]

They probably got their inspiration from similar themed episodes of "The Twilight Zone".

[@monkeyballs512]

There wasn’t anything at all wrong with it except that it was super corny

[@TwilightxKnight13]

People are WAAY too sensitive and have no sense of humor anymore. These shows were funny back then, and are still funny now. All in the Family is one of the greatest shows to ever be produced. None of its episodes are bad. It is self-aware and the exact way to deal with racism.

[@robertsmith2879]

Exactly, but what I find hypocritical and ironic is all these are "offensive" they have no problem with the violence against women and kids in these creepy lifetime movies we don't hear how bad those are, don't understand how those make TV but these storylines are offensive

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Nearly every episode of Married with Children. If they made that today, it would get canceled after the first episode.

[@mexsnoop]

This show is goated and every can agreed it would get canceled by everyone 😂😂😂😂

[@glentor3]

Yes, it was definitely a wonderful show.

[@AgnessaMo]

The male nanny storyline in Friends aged fine though... even though Sandy was fired, it was acknowledged the entire time that he was a great babysitter despite the preconceptions of his gender and Ross was in the wrong having the prejudice.

[@felly13santos83]

I agree. It just gave more reason to hate Ross. Lol

[@SethHolmes]

Honestly, I think that was the point was to play on Ross's prejudices. And perhaps his jealousy.

[@bambooblinds]

@@SethHolmes Yeah, I don't think it was prejudice. I think it was jealousy he was unable to acknowledge (maybe even to himself?) after the arrangement he'd made with Rachel. He was more comfortable with the idea that he had a bias that made him treat a man unfairly than he was opening up about his real feelings. An important element is that it would have played very differently if he'd fired a woman from a typically male job, which doesn't really make a lot of sense but is consistent with both Ross' character and how the writers likely thought about sex discrimination at the time.

[@andrearobyn3701]

In the course of Friends, it is never stated that Chandler's Dad is trans, just that he's gay and a drag performer. Dressing feminine and performing exaggerated feminity doesn't make a person trans. There is a lot to critique the show for over the representation and making his sexuality itself a joke, but referring to him as a trans woman when in the show he isn't uncomfortable with pronouns or deadnaming kind of distracts from what the show actually got wrong.

[@guwopman3503]

Marta Kauffman has said the character was trans and had regret over misgendering her

[@andrearobyn3701]

@@guwopman3503 Yeah I understand the regret the writers and creators had over their portrayal and how problematic it was. Although, calling her trans now feels like a retcon. Plus it also fails to address how they dealt with multiple characters' sexuality as a joke throughout the entire series.

[@stephenmiller2337]

TBF, the episode was groundbreaking at the time because it dealt with Chandler's hurt and confusion on the issue. Would it be done better now? Yes it would, but if you view through the lense of the 90's, it was groundbreaking at the time.

[@Denis-89]

@@guwopman3503 but that was more of an after thought from her part, to rub off the modern critique. But nowhere during the original run was it treated as trans, nor did Kathleen Turner portray her as trans. Her portrayal was just that of a drag-queen, which worked since Turner has a deep booming voice, making the whole plot somewhat plausible. Saying it is transphobic or whatever is wrong since that is not the case.

[@guwopman3503]

@@andrearobyn3701 No, I’m in agreement that it’s a slight retcon (which makes narrative sense). I just wanted to clarify that we can’t really fault WatchMojo since they’re using information that is relevant now, even if it wasn’t available then.

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

I love looking back at the "very special episodes " of the 80s. Maybe they didn't help anyone, but they were memorable. 😋 And All In The Family still holds up today.

[@WillisVision]

After growing up in an era of people smoking in grocery stores dripping their ashes on the produce, believing that nuclear apocalypse could happen at any moment, and people commonly streaking naked through live sporting events, nothing humanity could televise would surprise or offend me.

[@michaelmitchell5098]

😅!

[@bambooblinds]

early 1970's? sounds like elements of different decades

[@howardhales6325]

I pretty much only watch older shows and movies. I don't feel guilty, either.

[@christinecremen4151]

Same here !

[@bambooblinds]

me too. you can pick the cream of the crop because you're getting something classic. modern shows are mostly dreary exercises and we don't yet know which is a hidden gem.

[@brandonpage7087]

Same here!! Also, what in the hell is wrong or offensive about Stevil????

[@ERJOGAZ]

Another WatchMojo fail. We'll just see this list grow as honest writers will continue to portray life from their funny, sarcastic, tragic, happy, psychotic and sometimes indifferent point of view

[@jimbo9208]

how is this a fail

[@ERJOGAZ]

@@jimbo9208 These shows had artistic and cultural standpoints. Some of these were even written for advancement of certain laws and civil rights. They represent not only their time but also belief. For better or for worse, most people have not drastically changed (although displayed otherwise in certain media). If you push topics out of the mainstream - they get worse in the shadows. Same as prohibition - when they tried to remove alcohol from the public, they created a new form of crime. When they tried to create globalization and politically correct they just made more extreme left and right wings, who sarcastically use freedom of speech to show actual bigotry and hate. Need I say more?

[@sammic7492]

@@ERJOGAZ Well said, bit don't expect too many of those who like these lists from watch mojo to get where you are coming from. I used to enjoy watch mojo but more and more of their lists are becoming unwatchable with their blatant political bias.

[@Reaperguy67]

​@@ERJOGAZso true. You could not have explained it better. Have a good day.

[@DiscoSamurai]

@@ERJOGAZyou pretty much hit the nail in the head, my dude. Cheers.

[@mikerhodes8454]

I'm surprised they didn't include the episode of Night Court where Harry and Dan are both fighting over the affections of a woman. When Dan finds out she's a lesbian, he says, "Where do you get off looking like that and liking girls? You're supposed to wear flannel and look like Pete Rose."

[@ljbimoore]

K, never saw that episode, didn't really watch Night Court, but you do understand that the joke there, is that HARRY is an idiot, and stupid for believing that ridiculous stereotype. They're making fun of people who are too dumb to realize that sexuality doesn't present itself in any one particular way. That IS the joke. 🤷‍♀

[@Matt-j7b]

It is sad to see a lesbo that is attractive, but it's still a lesbo

[@gregbasore2108]

There's also the episode where Dan's old highschool or college buddy comes for a visit and it turns out she's transitioned since they last saw one another. Much like the Friends episode, the message might be decent, but the jokes haven't aged well.

[@Matt-j7b]

@gregbasore2108 What do you mean it didn't age well, it's funnier now than ever

[@D-Fens_1632]

Lol now that's comedy. Don't forget the comment came from the mouth of a dirt bag. You portray people as "bad" by having them say these "bad" things.

[@ironbat1993]

I will defend Cheers because that dynamic still works because of the writing. I watched it 3 years ago for the first time and I was captivated the whole time. Good dialogue can make any situation work.

[@bambooblinds]

agreed. i don't know about ''toxic''as mojo said but the relationship was certainly unhealthy - and that was imho dealt with by the writers in a pretty realistic way from the pilot to the final breakup and even the episode where diane returned for a visit. unhealthy relationships, where neither part of the couple is bad or at fault, are very real. it's fine to have them in shows and it's good when (as you've said) the writing is good. i don't understand what mojo wants? only fairy tale happy relationships or else bad relationships where there's someone who's the villain?

[@siewheilou399]

Have you heard about a certain Z actress who played Snow White? She said The Prince is a stalker stalking Snow White.

[@lew8450]

Its called entertainment... All of these shows and episodes are great... People need to relax and enjoy life

[@abellewis3062]

Enough said.

[@kpsonicdude]

Exactly. People need to stop being easily offended snowflakes and enjoy movies, TV shows and video games for what they are.

[@abellewis3062]

@@kpsonicdude Yes!

[@glentor3]

Won’t happen anytime soon. Part of the problem are people who use the term ‘problematic’. THEY are the problem.

[@bezelboot6652]

It seems to me that the reason why these old episodes wouldn't work today is that most people have become over-sensitized and have lost their sense of humor.

[@rachelmckitterick]

I agree. The older shows and basically everything listed here is pure gold.

[@alansnow1129]

They lost their dam mind too, not just their sense of humor! They need to grow up

[@lastguyminn2324]

Honestly, you could have just said EVERY All in the Family episode. The entire series was ground breaking.

[@ohlord3650]

“Diversity Day” was the funniest ever episode of The Office. Smh at people nowadays wanting to be offended by everything.

[@bambooblinds]

true. was a great episode

[@redryan20000]

The entire point of the episode was to highlight 1) How dumb and insensitive Michael was 2) How terribly corporate diversity programs can be Without episodes like that, society in general can't confront their biased and ignorant stereotypes about other people.

[@mamosixx878]

The "modern audience" has ruined film and tv. Simple.

[@ashh4929]

I was just going to say that. You basically can't do any kind of sitcoms at this point anymore.

[@assaultonlife]

Oh you can but they're all woke and politically correct and agenda based specifically gender politics and they all consist of strong women and weak man and old people that are idiots😂😂 comedy is dead and liberals killed it

[@Psilomuscimol]

Everyone should be able to laugh at stuff that bothers them. It helps to get over it a bit

[@MsOctober30]

They ruined everythangggg!!!!! 😔 they wouldn’t have survived the 90s chileee😂

[@anthonyamato8019]

People get easily offended at everything these days

[@thebigorangecouch6261]

The Very Special Episodes were the best way to get discussion about serious topics. Just the same as the Maude episode where she's speaking to a psychiatrist about her marriage, etc. It's literally a one woman show with Bea Arthur putting in an amazing performance but I doubt an episode like that would fly today. Those episodes date badly because we've now got much more info than back then.

[@Lanwarder]

South Park pretty much had to make 200 and 201. If a show like South Park start voluntarily leaving alone subjects that are controversial at the moment because it insults a large group of people and a very small percentage of them threaten violence, then what kind of allegedly pro freedom of speech show would it be?

[@Archangelglenn]

I think the Saved by the Bell episode could still be done today. Honestly they did it right the first time. Zack was rightfully called out by his teacher for his inappropriate project display. While the class found it funny his teacher did not. She then decided to send him to actually learn about native Americans, as for the stereotypes it actually has nothing to do with native Americans but more to do with Californian stereotypes. He was a surfer dude, that's not Native American, that pure American., specifically California American.

[@alansnow1129]

He was part Native American and that was Zach’s ancestors nothing wrong with that episode

[@Archangelglenn]

@@alansnow1129 Yeah I did forget to,put that in my comment as well. The end where it shows him in thr full dress and thr speech he recites at the end is very good. Which I remember my native American history right was said by the Chief Quana Parker right as the Nez Pierce tribe were at the end of their trek,towards Canada.

[@bambooblinds]

i never saw it. was zach actually part native american? the video suggests it might just be the wrong picture. are you saying zach is a surfer or the fellow he was sent to visit?

[@Archangelglenn]

@bambooblinds Okay, so the episode in question has the kids of Bayside our cast, looking into their family histories. Zack, while digging around his family history, finds the picture and recounts that his parents have stated they did have native American blood in them. So the episode assumes this to be correct, as in previous episodes, they have established that Zack was actually a fairly capable athlete in track and field. This episode eludes to his abilities in this area to his Native American ancestry because of how physically capable as a people the Native Americans were and, to a large extent, still are very capable in this regard. As to the second part, it was the man he was sent to that I was referring to as a surfer dude. The surfer dude stereotype isn't a Native American stereotype, but a California stereotype

[@angelh1743]

That Simpson episode about Brazil was 100% fact back then and today.

[@Panwere36]

While some of these are bad, many are just proof that some people are too easily "offended" for their own good.

[@Sarappreciates]

I still can't get over how Jackie Gleason's Character, Ralph Kramden, used to threaten to beat his wife for laughs, "To the moon, Alice!"

[@sondragramse1770]

I never liked that show

[@glentor3]

Oh please, it was exaggerated and cartoony. Ralph was never scary or violent. It was his hyperbolic way of expressing frustration. So sick of how offended wokies get.

[@fizzy6412]

@@glentor3really? how much Bud Light do you drink?

[@bambooblinds]

@@glentor3 agreed. it wasn't an actual threat. it was an ''i'm so mad/frustrated that'' and ridiculous hyperbole. ''To the moon'' is a real threat only from Superman or the Hulk.

[@bambooblinds]

@@fizzy6412 that isn't about being offended. it's about politics.

[@jeffreycoogan09]

The one key element that made the season 8 episode of (All In The Family: Edith's 50th Birthday Part 1) so significant. Is that it helped to shine the light on the inaccuracies of ''Rape''. For many years Rape was believed to be an act of sexual desire. When in reality...Rape is more about violence, not sex. It's all about having power and control over another person. Three out of five rapists are also in consenting sexual relationships. This old myth would take the blame off of the rapist. And they would not be hold accountable for their actions. ''Norman Lear'' is a genius!

[@tr5947]

@jeffreycoogan09 "All In The Family" had many great episodes, but I think this was one of the most important ones for the reasons you said. The fact that doing those episodes was seen as "courageous" had nothing to do with the producers, actors, and writers knowing this needed to be shown, it was they had to fight a network to do it. Life today is like a 1970's censor's handbook where no one dare be offended or challenged. That someone wouldn't get the brilliant satire of that "The Office" episode, and feel it's something that shouldn't have been done, is scary.

[@johnbruce9792]

That’s like the tamest Married…with Children plot that you could’ve picked

[@jabberwock6]

what was the most controversial married with children episode?

[@maestri09]

@@jabberwock6 Some say it's the episode "Her cups runeth over" where Al goes to buy Peggy a bra. A woman named Terri Rakolta (I think that was her name) started a campaign to cancel the series after she saw it. I think some sponsors pulled out of the series. There were other episodes, though, like the Labour day BBQ, where Al has sex with Peggy seemingly against her will (which is rather weird, since Peggy always begged for sex); nevertheless, the scene looked like they took it too overboard. Another one that I remember (and though I love the whole series) was where guest star Corey Feldman left Kelly stranded in the woods because she wouldn't have sex with him: 'put out or get out!' That one, did make me upset with Feldman's character...but then again, it's acting...and it's just a TV show...

[@Will_kid_cortez]

We really need to get back to laughing at ourselves and not taking stuff so seriously

[@emersongalli]

I'm from Brazil and when I watched that episode of The Simpsons, I didn't feel offended, that was actually a funny episode. Believe me, Rio is really dangerous, there are a lot of crimes happening every year. The only things that episode didn't do right were the monkeys on streets and the distance between Rio and the Amazon Forest.

[@tpgorman15]

Lilly most certainly did not go along with Barney’s antics. That episode is one of several in which she makes him own up to his misdeeds. She’s not helping him find the women so he can score again, she’s doing it so he can learn accountability. Also it’s been thoroughly established that most fans take Barneys conquest with a grain of salt as we are being fed the information by future Ted. Ted might have been Barneys best friend, but he was essentially performing a character assassination so his kids would think he was no good for Robin. Thus giving Ted the green light to date her again, with Tracey having died.

[@brandonpage7087]

Wow!!! I never even thought about that!! You make a good point, there!!

[@dhenderson1810]

The only problem with that theory is that Barney was like that from series one, but Ted getting together with Robin wasn't planned until later, so that is revisionist history.

[@tpgorman15]

@@dhenderson1810 I guess but it’s been established the writers made the decision to kill off Tracy and settle on Robin with Ted by season 2. So while Barney had some disconcerting moments in season 1 and 2, the levels of his depravity were at their worst in the middle seasons. Specifically seasons 3-6. Thus the idea of future Ted making “present/past” Barney look like total scum still holds to a certain degree.

[@dhenderson1810]

@@tpgorman15 Barney would not have been a good match with Robin. Guys like him never settle down. He would have cheated on her before long.

[@l.salisbury1253]

Amos n Andy- entire series Hogan's Heroes- entire series McHale's Navy- entire series 'Allo 'Allo- entire series

[@michaelmitchell5098]

Please throw in 2 broke girls and 2 and a half men.

[@trevormillar1576]

And It Ain't Half Hot Mum the entire series.

[@thebigorangecouch6261]

Also Love Thy Neighbour - entire series.

[@Egilhelmson]

Yes, Hogan’s Heroes is incredibly anti-German, with most played by Jewish comedians. .exit sarc mode Playing incompetent Nazis was most of Werner Klemperer’s film career. Robert Cleary was a concentration camp inmate. Amazingly, none of them objected to the series.

[@danilutka]

The most ironic part of this list is that these shows are more popular than "modern" shows.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

The 19:01 storyline from Different Strokes will never happened today. Shockingly, Different Strokes had an episode where Kimberly and Gary was held hostage by a kidnapper. Yeah, the 80s was a decade that started to take risks on many levels. 😢😢

[@Mr.WestcottX]

Hmm 🤔

[@InuYugiHakusho]

Both episodes started out with Phillip Drummond's actor, Conrad Bain, speaking seriously to the audience, warning about their sensitive subject matters.

[@RobertTaylor-gz2fu]

Why did the writers of a sitcom choose to write those non-comedy storylines?

[@leighburton832]

And Sam got kidnapped the first episode of the last season.

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@RobertTaylor-gz2futo make it happening

[@hnstlywhtevr]

My Native American friend showed me that saved by the bell episode & thought it was the funniest thing ever

[@andrewmacdonald570]

I’m surprised Arrested Development didn’t come up. There was the plot line where GOB uses Franklin the black puppet to write a song about racial harmony, but he’s just horribly racist. There’s also the plot line where Michael is dating the mentally handicapped English woman, but nobody can tell she’s mentally handicapped because of her accent

[@southbeachtalent]

"All this presssssurereeeee to be riggghhhhttttt....... I GOT KIDS ALL OVER TOWWWWWWNNNNNN!"

[@Hallmark44]

And Lucille's homophobia. And Tobias just being...Tobias.

[@glentor3]

Anyone who has a problem with AD is the problem.

[@cyric2010]

Men in dresses will always be somewhat funny to me. There was a funny scene in Frasier, where Frasier imagined being caught by the cops, with a male prostitute (dressed as a woman) in his car. His freak out was funny :D

[@TheJollyGreen]

Part of why this is on the list is they didn't cast a male in a dress for his dad, it was Kathleen Turner. That was part of the joke, have a woman play a man who dresses like a woman, but nowadays that'd be insensitive and a mockery to men who dress drag not to have hired a male actress. But I guess you could say out of the billion times men have mocked woman on tv/film, this is one of the few times a woman was used to mock men. Turner has since recognized the casting choice wasn't the best idea, but come on it's hard to hate Kathleen Turner, and it's "Friends".

[@cyric2010]

Sure. I dont have a problem with Kathleen Turner or the Friends joke. @@TheJollyGreen

[@TheJollyGreen]

@@cyric2010 Woop didn't mean to apply ya did, my b. Scenes where actors slap on a dress when they don't normally wear I find funny too. I'm obsessed with Frasier, fav show all time easy, but my fav example is Chris Farley next to Adam Sander's "Hank" 🤣🤣

[@bambooblinds]

What would people say about the Frasier episode where he starts losing his marbles from having a dream where he wakes up in bed with a man? likely 'phobia' would be cited.

[@ethandollarhide7943]

Statistics show that leads to a rise in extreme hate crimes against the Trans Community ya Sadist, but you're a Matt Walsh follower so you love it.

[@dannyayala3462]

I went to school for creative writing. I was instructed to create conflict and outlandish situations to improve and create better stories. Leave it up to people today. We get stories like a child walks home from school and receives milk and cookies, does his homework watches TV then goes to bed

[@joeterp5615]

And then logs into some social media sites and tries to help cancel a few people. A good day in our current age.

[@MultiNotAnti]

It's really just going backwards. If you read only that synopsis without the context of the rest of your comment it could be a freaking Leave It To Beaver episode. Next thing you know, we'll go so far backwards we won't even be able to show a toilet on television because it might offend someone 😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@beaudure01]

“Lemonade?” “Please.” “I made it just for you.” “You are my best friend.”

[@dannyayala3462]

@@beaudure01 sir you just created the next great American novel, RESPECT !!!!

[@beaudure01]

@@dannyayala3462It’s a Simpsons bit. Marge complains about Itchy and Scratchy, and they end up drastically changing it.

[@sammic7492]

Sitcoms reflect real life to a degree, the fact we sanitise comedy and see everything as problematic, when life isn't and can't be sanitised and we can no longer make fun of things that are unsavoury or uncomfortable, just shows how molly coddled people have to be now, they seem to be incapable of dealing with anything, there are way too many overly sensitive people now.

[@jonaskeller6399]

Most people are not demanding for art and entertainment to only show perfect human beings. There are very few of those loud, obnoxious people, and there are some more on the other side of the aisle who act like it's invasion of the woke body snatchers. Both extremes are idiotic. 95 percent of humanity is fine with art showing imperfect people, or even horrible people, as long as the show/movie/book itself doesn't promote being horrible. Sure, if it's a show that truly embraces racism or sexism (and not a show that's centered around racist or sexist characters the audience is meant to judge) then it's problematic. But most people have no problem with flawed people being portrayed as what they are.

[@XLVIetII]

So sad and alarming how quickly our society has artificially regressed so rapidly.

[@jeffm9770]

I don't think the Steevil episode is really problematic. Kind of a tired horror trope, but not really on par with the other episodes on the episodes on the list.

[@GapingLotusX]

Right? It makes no sense to me why it was on here.

[@D-Fens_1632]

I'm still trying to figure out how that was offensive but started getting a headache so I stopped.

[@raymondhopwood9393]

There are two or three episodes of "The Twilight Zone" that have a similar theme, which you still can see. So what was so different about this episode?

[@brandonpage7087]

Having the Stevil episode on here is laughable!!! That episode is awesome!!!

[@JackActionYo]

There is definitely an episode or 2 of King of Queens where they make fun of Deacons child for being a little gay. In one Halloween episode he’s in a power puff girl costume and another episode, he likes the color of a lipstick a lil “too much”. NO WAY that would fly in any sitcom these days. Separately, there’s also multiple episodes where they blatantly make fun of Spence and Danny (two single guys who live together)…there’s also an episode where they pretend to be a same sex couple to get a free ski vacation. NONE of this would be allowed if produced today

[@bambooblinds]

i think the culture is in real trouble if you CAN'T make fun of a boy being a powrpuff girl

[@betsyduane3461]

Diversity Day literally says it's bad in the episode, you just showed it. That was the entire point.

[@jamalvargas6146]

That Slut Shaming Episode Of George Lopez (2002-2007) Poor Carmen my favorite character on the show

[@WeekendGamerTX]

"Modern audiences" is a euphemism for speech police who get to decide what is acceptable and what is not. Its embarrassing really.

[@raymondhopwood9393]

I have another name for them; self-righteous grammar freaks!

[@Section47A]

Perhaps, the problem isn't with the shows or the topics; rather the problem could be with what people call "modern sensibilities". Looking at the past through the lens of the present often results in a myopic view of events and subjects. Additionally, these so called "modern sensibilities" have destroyed comedy and entertainment for that matter.

[@haezeushawkins436]

Preach

[@anne6821]

i call it gen z they are the problem they are over sensitive and dont understand things that where before there time. everthing has to be watered down so not to upset them gen z are to blame for cancel culture.

[@lexkanyima2195]

But you need to have limits of your own good taste of humor

[@haezeushawkins436]

@@lexkanyima2195 it’s humor grow a pair or change the show you can’t governor what ppl find funny

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@haezeushawkins436 but i can see why they can't do it on tv anymore. Back then they had liberties, and no remorse of hurting sensitive people.

[@badbiker666]

I don't remember anyone that found (HIMYM) Barney's behavior "endearing." Most of the time, the things he said and did were disgusting, and the other characters called him on it. Even in the short clip you showed, Lily said that all the women she was looking at had a reason to hate him. Barney was SUPPOSED to be disgusting. That was how his character was written ... on purpose. The fact that the man who played him was gay, THAT was funny! To me, anyway.

[@jean-bernardtheard569]

We grew up with parents that were pearl clutchers only to have children who are in turn clutching their pearls.

[@mshilah]

Yep. Only your generation is right about things 🙄

[@jean-bernardtheard569]

@@mshilah no I’m saying maybe being offended is natural and we were the exception 😉

[@MaatAset]

Okay but The Simpsons has made fun of and used stereotypes of every country that has appeared on the show.

[@chef_lyfe]

Every married with children storyline lol

[@ozmega]

#19 is milder than anything on modern family and here we are..

[@ericbetterige]

Diversity day is one of the best office Episodes, and it’s not like Michael is perceived as smart

[@Hallmark44]

Michael being off base about race is THE WHOLE POINT. That episode is a classic. I don't care what the censors say.

[@jonaskeller6399]

@@Hallmark44 Yeah, early-show Michael is a horrible person. Everybody is supposed to know that he is a horrible person. He is sexist, racist, a bully, an idiot... It's true that his eventual transformation to lovable goof kind of makes his earlier behavior more problematic retrospectively, as audiences embraced the character more the less toxic he grew and might be shocked if they see the old Michael again. But that doesn't mean that the early seasons were wrong-headed. The show worked by making Michael the butt of the joke, and there's nothing bad about that. If the show had portrayed Michael as a sexist pig AND as a lovable character it would have been more problematic (still could be handled well, but it's difficult within the confines of a comedy), but it didn't do that.

[@Hallmark44]

@@jonaskeller6399 Basically Packer is what Michael would've become, except Michael had a soft side and was open to being a better person

[@barry4649]

It’s Always Sunny would get away with all of these today lol

[@TF-vb9us]

For real, it’s not that anything is “off limits” it’s just the things that people laugh at have changed. It’s not about people being “too sensitive these days” it’s that you can’t take cheap shots at vulnerable populations and still get cheap laughs.

[@barry4649]

@@TF-vb9us but you can still make good jokes at minorities though and that’s the nuance that a lot of people don’t get that is ruining comedy lately

[@TF-vb9us]

@@barry4649 correct, it takes stronger comedy now, you can’t just dunk on queers and expect a laugh. It has to actually be funny.

[@barry4649]

@@TF-vb9us 100%

[@glentor3]

@@TF-vb9us Yes, things are off limits and people are too sensitive these days. Most people are tired of bleating humorless wokies imposing their worthless sensibilities on the rest of us. The backlash has started, and I hope it gets vicious.

[@pettykittyfam]

2:25 No kink shaming MoJo

[@stanislavvaldman8354]

As someone who was born in the 1980's, I loved these episodes. It didn't make me uncomfortable. If anything, it made me laugh! These are one of my favorite episodes to date. Lack of these "special episodes" is a part of the reasons current comedy sucks. One of the only few that remain are South Park and Family Guy. They did learn to make decent thrillers and horror though.

[@Rob-Raz]

To be clear. The Simpsons portrayal of Brazil was pretty spot on. Sure, Brazil is not proud of it. Nevertheless, it is an accurate portrayal. 1:17

[@54raynor]

That the Cheers kiss - one of the most iconic moments in TV history - is considered too problematic now is Exhibit A for why Gen Z has lost the ability to date.

[@pmpkmc]

And this is why there are so few respectable sitcoms today. Pushing boundaries has historically advanced society. Satire can be very an effective tool for progress. People rallying against it push us backwards in an attempt to 'make it better'

[@ProfessorTakatoPalm]

While I’m not surprised with number one, I will say this. It’s amazing what you could get away with back in time. On no level am I saying people should allow it to go back to the old days, what is saying is it’s crazy how time change and what can and cannot work anymore.

[@Mr.WestcottX]

For real

[@lexkanyima2195]

And why it is a issue ?

[@p.d.l7023]

Trivia: The two guys that were confronting Kramer = The one on the right also played "Jambi" on Pe3-wwes Playhouse.

[@Mr_Oggie]

Back in the 'olden days a lot of the entries on this list could have been found in quite a few other shows, not just the ones listed here. But for all this, a lot of it really comes down to how expensive shows are to produce and as a result they "play it safe" on almost everything so as not to offend viewers, the networks or especially the advertisers. This is where some other stuff falls in to the "times have changed" category with what was viewed as offensive or disturbing back then being different from now.

[@gregbasore2108]

Entertainment goes through hot and cold periods like that. Just look at how safe and samey movies in the early '60s were, compared to how daring and risky they were in the early '70s. Give it time and we'll see more daring stuff sooner or later.

[@globalautobahn1132]

1:22 damn you if you don’t have a sense of humor, because what Marge says is hilarious! Haha 😂

[@TheMulToyVerse]

200 & 201 are hilarious to me for 1 reason only They’d already parodied DC’s Super Friends with *all* the major religious figures, including Jesus and Muhammad and others years prior without hardly anyone batting an eye. I think it was the context of 200 & 201 that made it such a big deal

[@minakomel]

it's a pitty about that IT crowd episode...the "internet" box episode was hillarious and probably the best episode of the series

[@placeholdermcgavinport5343]

That IT crowd episode mentioned here is hilarious. What's the problem?

[@minakomel]

@@placeholdermcgavinport5343 as the video said above, people found the "trans fight" segment offensive (or the whole trans story of the episode). Channel 4 never aired the internet episode again 😔

[@nicktaylor2657]

There was also an exchange of slaps between Sam and Diane that end with each twisting each other nose 😮

[@AdmirDemondo]

I remember of course that showed domestic abuse and then Sam said I didn’t slap you that hard

[@wellsfamily]

13:06 why is this episode of benson problematic? It’s just a who-done it episode🤨 honestly most of these shows and episodes are fine

[@p.d.l7023]

Wait a minute. There was a Halloween episode of Punky Brewster where all her friends and her dog got killed. Scared the shit out of me!

[@TheDucky101]

I actually think many of these could/should be made today as some of the lessons still hold up in relevance

[@lexkanyima2195]

Why ?

[@bambooblinds]

Agreed - only 2 of the 20 are in my view problematic enough to deserve to not be made today - but the listmakers are probably right that today's sensitivity would prevent every one of them.

[@jeffm9770]

The All in the Family episode I thought was powerful and moving

[@MrJayehawk]

At 17:40 to mention an episode where Jerry "drugs his girlfriend" to play with her vintage toys. He made her a meal of turkey and gravy with wine. That's not "drugging" someone, FFS. Grow up. Damn, people are pretty soft now.

[@TheMikeCharlton_]

Most of these could and would still happen today. The Animated Series American Dad had all types of edging episodes to this day. The Family Matters killer dummy episode was great.

[@williamsherman3047]

I wonder how many people are actually that delicate.

[@AnthonyMason-cq9gi]

You know Sam and Diane invented that for other sitcoms.🥰🥰🥰

[@ArwensHubby]

After watching this entry, maybe we can have a Watchmojo on "Top 20 WM Episodes That Overreact With Can't Be Shown Today".

[@bethpedone8771]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ArwensHubby]

WM please understand that I enjoy your channel and much of your content. I just disagree with this particular entry.

[@MikeLawlorBarefoot]

I'd be interested in a follow-up video showing the reversed. Where shows like Star Trek were introduced to early and would now have a much more powerful effect when the same ideas are presented in such a clear and precise way of different forms of life working together as a team between an advanced AI type system with voice access and the ability to respond with the correct information, leading to work that's being done today. But also by introducing such a diverse set of characters such as the true audacity and ridiculous idea of a women of color and the crazy misogynistic values still carried over even though it was supposed to show an heir of inclusiveness and equalized division of strengths assigned to each member of the team by the captain who knew the abilities well enough of each team member to be able to lead so many things happening at once in a way that only an experienced captain would understand

[@alansnow1129]

All these episodes you listed should be made today! Who cares what few have problem with them. They need to grow up

[@lolahernandez6871]

Ah yes....for "Modern Audiences"......😎

[@JustAcommenter29]

"The younger generations don't understand HUMOR, here's the proof" There, I fixed the title for you. 😒

[@dmixdup]

Interesting that you can hear that this video was edited with a different script in a few places. Never noticed that before in a watchmojo video.

[@bambooblinds]

i heard it during the friends section. i suspect they ''misgendered'' the possibly trans character in friends and had to rerecord it. the odd audio says 'parent' instead of father. also imho the character wasn't trans. he was written as a gay drag queen. the trans interpretation was only suggested about 6 or 7 years ago.

[@zapkvr]

You forgot that Marge Simpson attacked her attacker. She whupped his sorry arse in The strong arm of the Ma

[@TheLonelySoulja]

#11 .. and that’s why they can’t remake this Office Remake.

[@CoopToons]

All great clips. 😊