CONTROVERSIAL TV MOMENTS - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PajamaParty · 09-08-2007, 06:14 PM

Name what you think were the most controversial moments in tv history, whether it was ground breaking, revolutionary, broke taboo barriers, pushed the envelope...etc.

Ireneparalegal · 09-08-2007, 06:52 PM

It wasn't controversial to me, but it was I am sure to a lot of people, the scene on ROSEANNE where Roseanne is kissed by Mariel Hemingway's character on the lips.

The KKK episode on the Jeffersons.

All In the Family when Edith is attacked by the rapist.

Facts of Life when the Natalie character loses her virginity.

The Lucy Ricardo character is the first time an actress is pregnant on television.

mrs.gingerhinkley · 09-08-2007, 07:59 PM

Wouldn't All in the Family qualify as one big controversial television moment?

Ireneparalegal · 09-08-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs.gingerhinkley

Wouldn't All in the Family qualify as one big controversial television moment?

Let's just say any Norman Lear show.

Zoneboy · 09-08-2007, 08:27 PM

St. Elsewhere: A Moon for the Misbegotten, Dr Donald Westphall (Ed Flanders) moons Dr. John Gideon (Ronny Cox) then tells him to kiss his a$$.

sunshinefizzy · 09-08-2007, 09:18 PM

The masturbation episode of Seinfeld.

Brian Damage · 09-08-2007, 09:27 PM

The Bicycle Man episode from Diff'rent Strokes.

Heidi Dawn · 09-08-2007, 09:28 PM

The abortion episodes on Maude.

treky · 09-09-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

It wasn't controversial to me, but it was I am sure to a lot of people, the scene on ROSEANNE where Roseanne is kissed by Mariel Hemingway's character on the lips.

The KKK episode on the Jeffersons.

All In the Family when Edith is attacked by the rapist.

Facts of Life when the Natalie character loses her virginity.

The Lucy Ricardo character is the first time an actress is pregnant on television.

no, that wasn't the first time they showed an actress pregnant on TV. I thought it was too; but someone said in another post on here that it had previously been done by Mary Kay in a 1947 sitcom called "MARY KAYE AND JOHNNY".

SBTB Geek · 09-09-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Let's just say any Norman Lear show.

With the exception of "Silver Spoons," which always played it safe.

JT · 09-09-2007, 01:31 AM

A controversial moment occured in 1964 when, within its first year on the air, "Another World" featured TV's first abortion, performed on lead character Pat Randolph.

treky · 09-09-2007, 01:40 AM

another controversial moment occured on an episode of "MAUDE" when she called Walter a son-of-a-bitch; the first time that had been done in prime time.

When "ALL IN THE FAMILY" premiered; it was controversial.

treky · 09-09-2007, 02:33 AM

a ground breaking moment occured on the night of Feb. 14, 1963 when the special "A TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE WITH MRS. JACKELINNE KENNEDY" was broadcast on NBC, ABC, and CBS-the first time a show was shown on the 3 major networks.

Heather987 · 09-09-2007, 02:45 AM

The Brady Bunch - The parents shared a bed; sharing a bed was not standard for that era of shows, dont think it was the first show to do it, but I remember hearing it was a big deal

Ellen - When Ellens character came out that she was gay/lesbian

TJL · 09-09-2007, 05:52 AM

[QUOTE=Ireneparalegal

All In the Family when Edith is attacked by the rapist.

[/QUOTE]

To this day, I don't think there has ever been an episode of any TV show that was so real, frightening or shocking.

Nowadays, something like that would never make it on network TV.

That moment has my vote.

09-08-2007, 06:14 PM	#1
PajamaParty Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 13, 2006 Location: New England Posts: 27	CONTROVERSIAL TV MOMENTS Name what you think were the most controversial moments in tv history, whether it was ground breaking, revolutionary, broke taboo barriers, pushed the envelope...etc.

09-08-2007, 06:52 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	It wasn't controversial to me, but it was I am sure to a lot of people, the scene on ROSEANNE where Roseanne is kissed by Mariel Hemingway's character on the lips. The KKK episode on the Jeffersons. All In the Family when Edith is attacked by the rapist. Facts of Life when the Natalie character loses her virginity. The Lucy Ricardo character is the first time an actress is pregnant on television.
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09-08-2007, 07:59 PM	#3
mrs.gingerhinkley Bette Davis Fan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 2,478	Wouldn't All in the Family qualify as one big controversial television moment?
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09-08-2007, 08:27 PM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	St. Elsewhere: A Moon for the Misbegotten, Dr Donald Westphall (Ed Flanders) moons Dr. John Gideon (Ronny Cox) then tells him to kiss his a$$.
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09-08-2007, 09:27 PM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	The Bicycle Man episode from Diff'rent Strokes.
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09-08-2007, 09:18 PM	#6
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	The masturbation episode of Seinfeld.

09-08-2007, 09:28 PM	#8
Heidi Dawn Muppets Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 883	The abortion episodes on Maude.
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09-09-2007, 01:31 AM	#11
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	A controversial moment occured in 1964 when, within its first year on the air, "Another World" featured TV's first abortion, performed on lead character Pat Randolph.
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09-09-2007, 01:40 AM	#12
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	another controversial moment occured on an episode of "MAUDE" when she called Walter a son-of-a-bitch; the first time that had been done in prime time. When "ALL IN THE FAMILY" premiered; it was controversial.

09-09-2007, 02:33 AM	#13
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	a ground breaking moment occured on the night of Feb. 14, 1963 when the special "A TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE WITH MRS. JACKELINNE KENNEDY" was broadcast on NBC, ABC, and CBS-the first time a show was shown on the 3 major networks.

09-09-2007, 02:45 AM	#14
Heather987 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 13, 2004 Posts: 476	The Brady Bunch - The parents shared a bed; sharing a bed was not standard for that era of shows, dont think it was the first show to do it, but I remember hearing it was a big deal Ellen - When Ellens character came out that she was gay/lesbian
	Last edited by Heather987; 09-09-2007 at 03:06 AM.

09-09-2007, 05:52 AM	#15
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	[QUOTE=Ireneparalegal All In the Family when Edith is attacked by the rapist. [/QUOTE] To this day, I don't think there has ever been an episode of any TV show that was so real, frightening or shocking. Nowadays, something like that would never make it on network TV. That moment has my vote.
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