5 Controversial Banned TV Episodes

“When You Wish Upon A Weinstein”

In light of the recent storms that have killed hundreds throughout the South, Fox has decided not to air its hurricane-themed cross over episodes of “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and “The “Cleveland Show.” Granted, these shows were conceived months in advance, and the writers were obviously not intending to make light of the current situation. Even so, Fox felt running the episodes now would be in poor taste. However, to the network’s credit, the episodes will air next season, weather permitting.

Through out the years, there have been numerous episodes of popular shows that, for one reason or another, have been yanked from the air. Here are five examples.

The Puerto Rican Day – “Seinfeld” (May 7, 1998)

This last regular episode of “Seinfeld” was surrounded in controversy, thanks to a comical scene in which Kramer accidentally burns the Puerto Rican flag. Even though the episode was clearly not intending to mock Puerto Ricans in any way, some civil rights groups were outraged, or at least pretended to be in order to get on TV. The episode was banned from syndication for years, and some broadcasters, including TBS, still refuse to show it. Somehow, they feel crap like “Are We There Yet” is less insulting.

The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson – “The Simpsons” (Sept. 21, 1997)

In this notable episode of “The Simpson’s,” Homer must travel to New York City to retrieve his car. When it aired in 1997, no one thought anything of the fact that the car was left at the World Trade Center. But four years later, after a bunch of assholes flew planes into the famous landmark, Fox pulled it from syndication. In recent years, someone must have figured out that keeping the episode off the air served absolutely no purpose, and it has been gradually reworked into reruns.

When You Wish Upon a Weinstein – “Family Guy” (Nov. 9, 2003)

This episode of “Family Guy” should have aired in 2000. Unfortunately, Fox decided the content would be too offensive. The plot involved Peter converting to Judaism in order to become more financially successful, and contains the classic “Family Guy” song, “I need a Jew.” The episode was included on the 3rd season DVD set, and eventually aired on Cartoon Network three years later. Eventually, Fox broke down and aired the episode as well.

Bill Hick’s Stand-up – “The Late Show With David Letterman (October 1, 1993)

This entry doesn’t involve an entire episode, but rather a segment of the show. Even so, close to 20 years later, people are still talking about it. Bill Hicks, who is considered a legend in the world of stand-up comedy, performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” only to have his entire set edited out. One joke in particular (“if Jesus came back he might not want to see so many crosses”) scared both Letterman and the network enough to pull the plug. In January of 2009, Letterman had Hick’s mom on the show, and apologized for the way the situation was handled. Hick’s himself could not be there to accept, since he died of cancer in 1994)

Home – “The X Files” (Oct. 11, 1996)

This famous episode of “The X Files” featured dead babies, incest, deformities and murder. What’s not to like? Oh, right: the dead babies, incest, deformities and murder. Although the show was well received by critics and fans alike, it was banned from reruns by the network.

5 Controversial Banned TV Episodes

“When You Wish Upon A Weinstein”

In light of the recent storms that have killed hundreds throughout the South, Fox has decided not to air its hurricane-themed cross over episodes of “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and “The “Cleveland Show.” Granted, these shows were conceived months in advance, and the writers were obviously not intending to make light of the current situation. Even so, Fox felt running the episodes now would be in poor taste. However, to the network’s credit, the episodes will air next season, weather permitting.

Through out the years, there have been numerous episodes of popular shows that, for one reason or another, have been yanked from the air. Here are five examples.

The Puerto Rican Day – “Seinfeld” (May 7, 1998)

This last regular episode of “Seinfeld” was surrounded in controversy, thanks to a comical scene in which Kramer accidentally burns the Puerto Rican flag. Even though the episode was clearly not intending to mock Puerto Ricans in any way, some civil rights groups were outraged, or at least pretended to be in order to get on TV. The episode was banned from syndication for years, and some broadcasters, including TBS, still refuse to show it. Somehow, they feel crap like “Are We There Yet” is less insulting.

The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson – “The Simpsons” (Sept. 21, 1997)

In this notable episode of “The Simpson’s,” Homer must travel to New York City to retrieve his car. When it aired in 1997, no one thought anything of the fact that the car was left at the World Trade Center. But four years later, after a bunch of assholes flew planes into the famous landmark, Fox pulled it from syndication. In recent years, someone must have figured out that keeping the episode off the air served absolutely no purpose, and it has been gradually reworked into reruns.

When You Wish Upon a Weinstein – “Family Guy” (Nov. 9, 2003)

This episode of “Family Guy” should have aired in 2000. Unfortunately, Fox decided the content would be too offensive. The plot involved Peter converting to Judaism in order to become more financially successful, and contains the classic “Family Guy” song, “I need a Jew.” The episode was included on the 3rd season DVD set, and eventually aired on Cartoon Network three years later. Eventually, Fox broke down and aired the episode as well.

Bill Hick’s Stand-up – “The Late Show With David Letterman (October 1, 1993)

This entry doesn’t involve an entire episode, but rather a segment of the show. Even so, close to 20 years later, people are still talking about it. Bill Hicks, who is considered a legend in the world of stand-up comedy, performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” only to have his entire set edited out. One joke in particular (“if Jesus came back he might not want to see so many crosses”) scared both Letterman and the network enough to pull the plug. In January of 2009, Letterman had Hick’s mom on the show, and apologized for the way the situation was handled. Hick’s himself could not be there to accept, since he died of cancer in 1994)

Home – “The X Files” (Oct. 11, 1996)

This famous episode of “The X Files” featured dead babies, incest, deformities and murder. What’s not to like? Oh, right: the dead babies, incest, deformities and murder. Although the show was well received by critics and fans alike, it was banned from reruns by the network.

*How Krasinski Said Goodbye To Carell On ‘The Office’*

We’ve known Michael Scott was leaving Dunder Mifflin for awhile, so we’ve had time to mentally prepare ourselves. The cast of “The Office” has known even longer, but they weren’t prepared to get emotional on Steve Carell’s last day. While promoting the romantic comedy Something Borrowed, John Krasinski shared his own tearful farewell.

(Click Here To See Video Of Will Ferrell’s Debut On “The Office.”)

“I definitely cried on the last day,” Krasinski said. “Wasn’t expecting it and then the last scene of the day was our goodbye of characters. We hadn’t said goodbye and so that was an incredibly existential black hole. It was like way too much happening. So there were definitely tears.”

The show has wrapped for the season but it was several weeks ago that Carell wrapped. Krasinski describes his feelings graphically. “Brutal, in no uncertain terms which I only say because it wasn’t so clear when it was happening. I think I was under the impression of my logical brain saying, ‘This is just what happens. People move on and they have contracts that expire and there’s nothing personal’. Then you realize that a huge part of your show, a huge part of your everyday life, a huge part of the energy around you every day is gone. It’s just sad to lose a friend like that. It was tough but it’s all fantastic and our energy level on set is tremendous and we all feel incredibly excited about what’s to come. Everybody was talking about a spinoff 2 ½, three years ago. This is the show sans Steve. It’s ‘The Office 2.’”

When Will Ferrell appeared last week as the new boss, Jim and Pam’s storyline had them showing off their baby a little too much for his tastes. They won’t beat that joke any further. Instead they’ll find all new ways to annoy their new boss.

“No, I think that played out in the episode, or at least was highlighted in that episode and we definitely find other relationship avenues to take.”

“The Office” airs Thursday nights at 9 on NBC.

*How Krasinski Said Goodbye To Carell On ‘The Office’*

We’ve known Michael Scott was leaving Dunder Mifflin for awhile, so we’ve had time to mentally prepare ourselves. The cast of “The Office” has known even longer, but they weren’t prepared to get emotional on Steve Carell’s last day. While promoting the romantic comedy Something Borrowed, John Krasinski shared his own tearful farewell.

(Click Here To See Video Of Will Ferrell’s Debut On “The Office.”)

“I definitely cried on the last day,” Krasinski said. “Wasn’t expecting it and then the last scene of the day was our goodbye of characters. We hadn’t said goodbye and so that was an incredibly existential black hole. It was like way too much happening. So there were definitely tears.”

The show has wrapped for the season but it was several weeks ago that Carell wrapped. Krasinski describes his feelings graphically. “Brutal, in no uncertain terms which I only say because it wasn’t so clear when it was happening. I think I was under the impression of my logical brain saying, ‘This is just what happens. People move on and they have contracts that expire and there’s nothing personal’. Then you realize that a huge part of your show, a huge part of your everyday life, a huge part of the energy around you every day is gone. It’s just sad to lose a friend like that. It was tough but it’s all fantastic and our energy level on set is tremendous and we all feel incredibly excited about what’s to come. Everybody was talking about a spinoff 2 ½, three years ago. This is the show sans Steve. It’s ‘The Office 2.’”

When Will Ferrell appeared last week as the new boss, Jim and Pam’s storyline had them showing off their baby a little too much for his tastes. They won’t beat that joke any further. Instead they’ll find all new ways to annoy their new boss.

“No, I think that played out in the episode, or at least was highlighted in that episode and we definitely find other relationship avenues to take.”

“The Office” airs Thursday nights at 9 on NBC.

Kate Hudson isn’t ready to have her second child

Kate Hudson is apparently just weeks away from giving birth to her second child, but she doesn’t really feel ready for the big moment.

Hudson and Matthew Bellamy will be having their first child together, but the actress thinks it has all gone too quickly, states UsMagazine.com. “I don’t feel prepared,” Hudson told David Letterman.

But it seems that she better be ready because she admitted she is already almost at the point where she can’t fly anymore.

Kate Hudson isn’t ready to have her second child

Kate Hudson is apparently just weeks away from giving birth to her second child, but she doesn’t really feel ready for the big moment.

Hudson and Matthew Bellamy will be having their first child together, but the actress thinks it has all gone too quickly, states UsMagazine.com. “I don’t feel prepared,” Hudson told David Letterman.

But it seems that she better be ready because she admitted she is already almost at the point where she can’t fly anymore.

Housewives of OC’ star talks how the show has changed her life

Real Housewives of Orange County’ star Alexis Bellino is in her second season of reality TV and it seems she’s finally realizing how much everything has changed.

Bellino recently admitted that her friendships have definitely undergone a drastic change, states Celebuzz. “It’s sad because I thought with Peggy [Tanous] coming on we would be able to survive and get back to the friendship. We’re not really on good terms as of right now,” Bellino admitted.

But, she has learned how to deal with all the changes and scrutiny that come with the show: “I don’t even read what is in the press. I stay out of it because I know that no matter what, people are going to say negative things.”

Housewives of OC’ star talks how the show has changed her life

Real Housewives of Orange County’ star Alexis Bellino is in her second season of reality TV and it seems she’s finally realizing how much everything has changed.

Bellino recently admitted that her friendships have definitely undergone a drastic change, states Celebuzz. “It’s sad because I thought with Peggy [Tanous] coming on we would be able to survive and get back to the friendship. We’re not really on good terms as of right now,” Bellino admitted.

But, she has learned how to deal with all the changes and scrutiny that come with the show: “I don’t even read what is in the press. I stay out of it because I know that no matter what, people are going to say negative things.”

‘Jersey Shore’ cast can’t be filmed in Italy bars or clubs

The upcoming season of ‘Jersey Shore’ is apparently going to be very different as themayor of Florence has set down some strict rules for the MTV crew.

Matteo Renzi, the mayor, reportedly wants to show Florence as it is, not as a party scene, states the New York Post. Due to this, he has set down some strict guidelines that include the cast not being filmed in bars or clubs that serve alcohol.

Snooki and the rest also can’t be filmed drinking in public as the mayor wants the Italian culture to be on display instead.

So, it sounds like the cast will have to get creative this time around.

‘Jersey Shore’ cast can’t be filmed in Italy bars or clubs

The upcoming season of ‘Jersey Shore’ is apparently going to be very different as themayor of Florence has set down some strict rules for the MTV crew.

Matteo Renzi, the mayor, reportedly wants to show Florence as it is, not as a party scene, states the New York Post. Due to this, he has set down some strict guidelines that include the cast not being filmed in bars or clubs that serve alcohol.

Snooki and the rest also can’t be filmed drinking in public as the mayor wants the Italian culture to be on display instead.

So, it sounds like the cast will have to get creative this time around.

*Who survived another week on ‘Dancing with the Stars’?*

Dancing with the Stars’ finished off another week and another contestant was voted off.

The person who will not be seeing another performance was model Petra Nemcova, states RadarOnline.com. Despite doing well with the judges in past weeks, her most recent performance wasn’t up to par.

Other low scorers, Kendra Wilkinson, Ralph Macchio and Kirstie Alley, all survived without being in the bottom two with the final tally.

“It’s been a life-changing journey … Not just for me, but also so many people got inspired because of the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ show,” Nemcova said about the journey.

Do you think the right person was voted off?

Photo Courtesy ABC/Dancing With The Stars

*Who survived another week on ‘Dancing with the Stars’?*

Dancing with the Stars’ finished off another week and another contestant was voted off.

The person who will not be seeing another performance was model Petra Nemcova, states RadarOnline.com. Despite doing well with the judges in past weeks, her most recent performance wasn’t up to par.

Other low scorers, Kendra Wilkinson, Ralph Macchio and Kirstie Alley, all survived without being in the bottom two with the final tally.

“It’s been a life-changing journey … Not just for me, but also so many people got inspired because of the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ show,” Nemcova said about the journey.

Do you think the right person was voted off?

Photo Courtesy ABC/Dancing With The Stars