15 TV Episodes That Never Aired Due To Controversy

[TMC]

http://screenrant.com/tv-episodes-ne...d-controversy/

2. CHEERS: SAM MALONE IS DIAGNOSED WITH AIDS


Over the course of eleven seasons on Cheers, Ted Danson’s Sam Malone is an all but incurable ladies’ man. As roguish as he is charming, Sam also takes part in one of television’s first iconic “will they, won’t they” couples, along with Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers. Yet since he is such a legendary womanizer, tension ensues between them and precludes any real long term involvement.

However, at one point, the minds behind Cheers considered a far more dramatic consequence of his womanizing ways. In 1988, in the midst of the AIDS epidemic, the idea of having Sam diagnosed with AIDS was seriously considered. The script was written and the episode had begun rehearsals for production, but, according to co-creator Les Charles, “the specter of AIDS was taking all the humor out of it.” Given the wry bar humor so distinctive of the series, it suffices to say that burdening its beloved male lead with this tragic diagnosis would have caused the series to suffer far greater controversies and struggles — even if it was an issue worth talking about.

[PracTz]

Agree that that storyline would have killed the comedic aspects of the show. However; it might have made a fitting series finale (along with Cliff and/or Norm being crippled after driving drunk and facing major prison time).