The Simpsons has long been a staple of animated television, known for its sharp humor and social commentary. However, some episodes have crossed the line and wound up on a ban list. We’re covering the reasons these 10 episodes of The Simpsons ended up banned!
10. Little Big Mom
In this episode, Marge breaks her leg during a ski trip, leaving Lisa in charge of the household. To motivate Bart and Homer to clean up, Lisa convinces them they have contracted leprosy. However, in Japan, leprosy is a sensitive subject, which fast-tracked the episode to a ban. Japanese viewers would have to search the internet if they wanted to watch the episode – and see Flanders tell Homer his ski outfit feels like he’s wearing nothing at all.
9. E. Pluribus Wiggum
This episode features a bar scene where Lenny and Carl make a joke about Argentina’s military dictatorship and reference the “dirty war,” where thousands of citizens disappeared. This sparked outrage among Argentinian viewers, and following complaints, Fox pulled the episode from several Hispanic countries.
8. 30 Minutes Over Tokyo
The Simpsons’ trip to Japan was met with controversy, leading to the ban of this episode in Japan and South Korea. Homer’s disrespectful behavior towards Japanese culture, combined with references to seizures caused by cartoons and an overall portrayal of Japanese culture deemed offensive, resulted in the ban.
7. Weekend at Burnsie’s
This episode tackles the topic of medical marijuana, which is a sensitive subject in many cultures. While it aired without issue in the U.S., the UK banned it due to its heavy use of controlled substances. The episode’s portrayal of drug use was deemed inappropriate for prime-time television, leading to its restriction in multiple regions.
6. Goo Goo Gai Pan
When Disney Plus launched in Hong Kong, this episode was notably absent from the listings. The storyline involves Selma adopting a child, which touches on sensitive issues regarding unmarried couples in China. Additionally, the episode’s references to Tiananmen Square and the Chinese government’s strict policies on family structure led to its ban in Hong Kong and mainland China.
5. Blame It On Lisa
In this episode, the Simpsons travel to Rio de Janeiro, where the portrayal of the city as a crime-ridden slum sparked outrage. The Brazilian tourism board was so upset that they considered legal action against the show. The episode returned to air after the controversy subsided.
4. Stark Raving Dad
This episode features Homer in a mental institution with a character voiced by Michael Jackson. Following the release of the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which reignited allegations against Jackson, the episode was pulled from all reruns and streaming platforms.
3. Cape Feare
The use of Nazi iconography is heavily restricted in Germany (for obvious reasons), so Cape Feare was banned in Germany due to its use of Nazi imagery. The episode features a character wearing Nazi memorabilia, which is also strictly prohibited in Germany. Although it eventually aired after edits, the initial ban was unsurprising given Germany’s attitude towards the portrayal of Nazis in all types of media, television included.
2. The Cartridge Family
This episode portrays Homer’s reckless attitude towards gun ownership, which did not sit well with audiences in the UK. The depiction of firearms and gun culture led to its ban on certain channels, though after some revisions, the episode was eventually allowed to air, but it remains a controversial topic in discussions about gun control in media.
1. The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
Following the events of 9/11, this episode was removed from syndication due to its insensitive jokes about New York City. It took five years for the episode to return, and even then, it underwent significant edits. The shift in public sentiment following the tragedy made the original humor feel inappropriate.
