Top 10 TV Episodes That Offended the Most People

#10: “Breaker of Chains”“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)

This gritty fantasy show has always attracted controversy due to its violence, nudity, and explicit sex scenes, consensual or otherwise. But many felt this Season 4 episode’s violent sexual assault went beyond the pale. In the wake of King Joffrey’s death, his mother Cersei begs her brother and lover Jaime to kill Tyrion. Instead, Jaime forces himself on Cersei right beside her son’s tomb. Reactions grew more heated following director Alex Graves’ comments on the encounter becoming “consensual by the end.” Many felt the scene was done for pure shock value. A very common criticism of the show as a whole, unfortunately.

#9: “Birth 101”

“Murphy Brown” (1988-1998)

This CBS sitcom follows the titular news reporter and journalist as she struggles with drinking problems and sexism in the workplace. When the father of her child declines to become a parent, Murphy decides to have the child anyway. Predictably, the show’s decision sparked major ire among conservative viewers for defying family values. Vice President Dan Quayle even criticized the storyline during the 1992 presidential campaign. In an inspired, if daring response, the series actually included Quayle’s real-life comments in the script, with Murphy Brown directly addressing them on TV. Life critiques art, and art critiques life right back.

#8: “Nude Awakening”

“NYPD Blue” (1993-2005)

For a police detective show, this show stirred quite a bit of controversy. Granted, “NYPD Blue” was a realistic and often gritty take on the personal and professional lives of the detectives in question. This includes foul language but also a surprising amount of nudity. The Parents Television Council was first established, in fact, because of this series, filing its first complaints to the FCC against “NYPD Blue” for obscenity. The PTC even tried to fine ABC $1.4 million dollars for the scenes in “Nude Awakening” before the U.S. Court of Appeals threw out the suit. All much ado about nothing on.

#7: “Her Cups Runneth Over”

“Married… with Children” (1987-97)

There is realism and then there is realism. In this Season 3 episode, wife Peggy finds out her favorite bra has been discontinued and must venture forth to a lingerie store to buy it. Cue sexually risqué moments, including ogling, cross-dressing, and heavily-implied nudity. Unsurprisingly, the episode got backlash, with activist Terry Rakolta trying to get advertisers to boycott the show. Politicians also criticized the series for its lewdness, including Joe Lieberman. The attempted boycott and criticism wound up helping the show’s ratings, however, and “Married…with Children” even addressed the criticism in later episodes. C’est la vie.

#6: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

“Roseanne” (1988-97; 2018)

LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance came slowly, but popular culture definitely helped. This popular sitcom in particular included a kiss between two women. In this Season 6 episode, Roseanne goes to a gay bar to prove her cool factor, where she is hit on by her friend’s girlfriend, and even given a kiss. Fearing the inevitable backlash, ABC initially refused to air the episode, backing off only when lead actress Roseanne Barr threatened to move her show. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation also urged ABC to air the episode uncensored. Fortunately for ABC, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” although inspiring great outrage, had high ratings and viewership. Pretty good results for one kiss.

#5: “The Puppy Episode”

“Ellen” (1994-1998)

Speaking of which, this episode alone proved to be a game changer for LGBTQIA+ representation. This Season 4 two-parter focused on Ellen’s realization that she is attracted to women. She finally comes out to her crush Susan at the airport, but in typical sitcom fashion, she says it into a microphone. The producers were so loath to have Ellen be gay that they considered giving her a puppy instead, hence the tongue-in-cheek title. The episode was as much praised as it was condemned, incurring right-wing boycotts, petitions, and even a bomb threat. In an era where few actors came out in shows, this puppy episode really opened doors.

#4: “The Speech”

“The IT Crowd” (2006-13)

This British sitcom got itself on the audiences’ wrong side with this Season 3 episode. Here, Douglas falls for journalist April, who turns out to be a transgender woman. When he learns the truth, Douglas reacts violently, getting into a fist fight with her. For obvious reasons, the episode inspired complaints about violence against a transgender woman played for laughs. Show writer Graham Linehan’s comments about trans women were criticized as well for their transphobia. In 2020, Channel 4 removed “The Speech” from its streaming service, citing the backlash as the reason. The show came to an end one season later, perhaps never quite recovering from this controversial episode.

#3: “Maude’s Dilemma”

“Maude” (1972-1978)

There is one topic arguably more controversial than nudity, sexual violence, and LGBTQIA+ rights, and this gutsy ‘70s CBS show tackled it. When 47-year-old Maude finds herself pregnant, she is torn between continuing the pregnancy and getting an abortion. This simple plot attracted thousands of protest letters and a campaign by the United States Catholic Conference. Others point-blank refused to air the two-parter. The timing was especially opportune, or inopportune: It aired just two months before Roe v. Wade. Could this episode be done today? Creator Norman Lear tried to do a live reading of the show in 2024, but ABC did not greenlight it. Time may move forwards, but society can always go backwards.

#2: “Episode 847”

“Sesame Street” (1969-)

Nothing beats the Wicked Witch of the West when it comes to breaking taboo. This iconic villain from the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” appeared on “Sesame Street” in this 1976 episode, with Margaret Hamilton reprising her role. In it, denizens of Sesame Street stand up to the Wicked Witch of the West’s villainous ways…except Oscar the Grouch, who is predictably enamored with a fellow grump. The episode spurred complaints from angry parents that the episode was too frightening for their children. Although the evidence was inconclusive, Children’s Television Workshop decided not to re-air the episode. It was eventually archived by the Library of Congress for preservation purposes.

#1: “Lucy Is Enceinte”

“I Love Lucy” (1951-57)

It’s hard to believe there used to be an era of television where pregnancy itself was considered bad taste. But this seminal show led by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz eased the stigma considerably. In Season 2, going against CBS’ wishes to hide Ball’s real-life pregnancy, Arnaz and writer Jess Oppenheimer decided to incorporate it into the show’s plot. While it was not the first time a TV show has done this, it was certainly the most controversial. The show had to skirt the network’s censors by avoiding the word “pregnant,” opting for “expecting” and other euphemisms. The storyline was a great success, and no less than 44 million Americans turned into Lucy’s delivery episode. All’s well that ends well.

Which other TV episode do you know attracted a storm of controversy? Let us know in the comments down below!