Top 20 Sitcom Storylines That Would NEVER Happen Today

[TMC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5yQMq859BI

Some themes no longer fly in our day and age! For this list, we’ll be looking at infamous moments when funny programs from 2010 or earlier touched on sensitive subjects or mishandled topics that wouldn’t sit well with modern audiences. Our countdown includes moments from “How I Met Your Mother”, “Married... with Children”, “Family Guy” and more! What’s the best non-English speaking sitcom?

• 20. Blame It On Lisa - The Simpsons (1989-): Portrayed the country of Brazil in a less than favorable light. The family was robbed by children, Homer was kidnapped for ransom by a taxi driver, and Bart was eaten by a snake.
  
• 19. Showdown - Cheers (1982-93): Sam and Diane got into an argument. Sam told Diane being attracted to her makes him sick; Sam told Diane he wanted to bounce her against every wall at the office; Diane responds by uttering more insults before both passionately kissed.
  
• 18. The Bracket - How I Met Your Mother (2005-14): With a mysterious woman hindering his adulting ability, Barney created a list of women he’s dated that would have hated him enough to see revenge and made it into a creepy tournament of suspects. When Barney apologized for his questionable treatment of women, he revealed he may have sold a woman in the past, and no one called him out on it.
  
• 17. Stevil - Family Matters (1989-98): The episode seemingly parodies Chucky from Child’s Play as the toy hunted down his former master and the rest of the family.
  
• 16. Elephant Issues - Tiny Toon Adventures (1990-92): Hampton, Buster, and Plucky drinking a bottle of alcohol and getting wasted. They also stole a car to go joyriding, driving off a cliff.
  
• 15. Comedians - Beavis and Butt-Head (1992-97; 2011; 2022-): In 1993, Austin Messner set his home on fire, which caused his sister her life. Messner’s mother claimed he was inspired to do this after watching the episode titled “Comedians”. In 2008, Messner says he didn’t watch the episode because his family didn’t have cable at the time.
  
• 14. I’ll See You In Court - Married… with Children (1987-97): Al and Peggy wanted to spice up their marriage, so they decided to check into a hotel. Unfortunately for Al and Peggy, the staff recording them and other couples while they were intimate. Al and Peggy decided to take the hotel to court, but lost their case because the jury refused to believe they were intimate, so Peggy and Al hooking up in the courtroom.
  
• 13. Partial Terms Of Endearment - Family Guy (1999-2003; 2005-): Lois agreed to be a surrogate mother for Naomi Robinson (Lois former college roommate) and her husband Dale. Unfortunately, when the Robinsons were killed in a tragic accident, Lois decided to abort the child.
  
• 12. I’m Free - That 70s Show (1998-2006): After a run in with the law, Fez married Lori to stay in the U.S., causing Red to have a heart attack. Red made racially insensitive remarks and threatened to snitch on Fez to immigration.
  
• 11. Diversity Day - The Office (2005-13): After Michael’s awkward Chris Rock impression, everyone at the Scranton office had to take part in a racial sensitivity seminar. Michael mocked Kelly’s Indian heritage with a goofy accent and bizarre mannerisms, resulting in him getting slapped by her.
  
• 10. 200 & 201 - South Park (1997-): Tom Cruise and other celebrities they had previously mocked threatened to sue unless he gets to meet the prophet Muhammad. Depictions of Muhammad are prohibited as such the South Park residents are worried about retaliation from extremists.
  
• 9. The Speech - The IT Crowd (2006-13): April confessed to a man she was dating (Douglas) that she was a transwoman, only for him to be cool about it. It turned out he thought she said she was from Iran. Later when Douglas dumped April, April became aggressive and punched Douglas, leading to a fight in a laboratory.
  
• 8. Fear Strikes Back - The Facts of Life (1979-88): When Natalie was attacked by a stranger after walking home from an Halloween party, it registered little sympathy and instead characters carry on with easy to reach jokes, while complaining about how Natalie’s trauma affects them.
  
• 7. Death In A Funny Position - Benson (1979-86): A two part episode about a friend is murdered on a yacht and Benson, who is a butler solves the case.
  
• 6. Urban Fear - Punky Brewster (1984-88): A killer is prowling the north side of Chicago. Henry ignores the sensationalism to protect Punky, but Punky worries that Henry would be killed.
  
• 5. The One With Chandler’s Dad - Friends (1994-2004): A non trans actress playing the part of Helena, Chandler’s estranged dad. Helena and Chandler are estranged because Chandler is embarrassed by her gender identity. The dialogue and framework of the episode treats Helena as something more akin to a gay man or a drag artist.
  
• 4. Running Zach - Saved by the Bell (1989-93): When Zach finds an old picture of a Native American man and thus claim to be one himself, using Screech as a canvas for war paint and stereotypes.
  
• 3. The Puerto Rican Day - Seinfeld (1989-98): When the gang leaves the Mets game early to beat traffic, their route is blocked by the Puerto Rican parade. Kramer accidentally lights a Puerto Rican flag on fire with a sparkler, angering the crowd and real life Puerto Rican groups, who weren’t amused by Kramer’s takeaway from the riot.
  
• 2. Edith’s 50th Birthday - All in the Family (1971-79): A man pretending to be a cop arrives to warn Edith about a criminal who’s committed sexual assault, but it soon becomes apparent he’s referring to himself, keeps her terrified until her burned birthday cake gives her an out.
  
• 1. The Bicycle Man - Diff’rent Strokes (1978-86): After doing some odd jobs for Mr. Horton, Arnold and Dudley become friendly with the man who gives them free ice cream and free bike radios. But things take a turn for the worse when Horton slips a dirty magazine, wine, and photos of himself with boys into the mix. Their final visit includes Boston cream pie, adult cartoon, and sedatives. Fortunately, the party is crashed by the police.

[LittleRoom02]

People literally complained and got the puerto rican day parade episode banned back in the day