they’re the moments that had adults glued to their screens and children
glued to their screens and children
glued to their screens and children asking their parents a few very
asking their parents a few very
asking their parents a few very important questions welcome to
important questions welcome to
important questions welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 most
down our picks for the top 10 most
down our picks for the top 10 most controversial things on 1980s TV I don’t
controversial things on 1980s TV I don’t
controversial things on 1980s TV I don’t believe they’re making people
believe they’re making people
believe they’re making people uncomfortable but I also don’t believe
uncomfortable but I also don’t believe
uncomfortable but I also don’t believe in lying for this list we’re ranking
in lying for this list we’re ranking
in lying for this list we’re ranking those infamous moments on TV in the
those infamous moments on TV in the
those infamous moments on TV in the 1980s that led to some intense
1980s that led to some intense
1980s that led to some intense water-cooler conversations talk shows
water-cooler conversations talk shows
water-cooler conversations talk shows movies and very special sitcom episodes
movies and very special sitcom episodes
movies and very special sitcom episodes will all be considered for this list so
will all be considered for this list so
will all be considered for this list so get ready to travel back to a decade
get ready to travel back to a decade
get ready to travel back to a decade that may have been totally awesome but
that may have been totally awesome but
that may have been totally awesome but also encountered its fair share of
also encountered its fair share of
also encountered its fair share of controversy okay fellas here we go
controversy okay fellas here we go
controversy okay fellas here we go number 10 the mold avian massacre
number 10 the mold avian massacre
number 10 the mold avian massacre dynasty hit him oh nothing can stop us
dynasty hit him oh nothing can stop us
dynasty hit him oh nothing can stop us tomorrow
tomorrow
tomorrow audiences came to expect outrageous
audiences came to expect outrageous
audiences came to expect outrageous twists on the popular primetime soap
twists on the popular primetime soap
twists on the popular primetime soap opera dynasty but how would they react
opera dynasty but how would they react
opera dynasty but how would they react to a bit of real-world conflict mixed in
to a bit of real-world conflict mixed in
to a bit of real-world conflict mixed in with all the cheesy drama what are you
with all the cheesy drama what are you
with all the cheesy drama what are you after
after
after I shall put it in one word mr. Dexter
I shall put it in one word mr. Dexter
I shall put it in one word mr. Dexter destiny well on May 15 1985 that’s
destiny well on May 15 1985 that’s
destiny well on May 15 1985 that’s exactly what they got in the fifth
exactly what they got in the fifth
exactly what they got in the fifth season finale that episode ended in a
season finale that episode ended in a
season finale that episode ended in a cliffhanger as terrorists interrupted a
cliffhanger as terrorists interrupted a
cliffhanger as terrorists interrupted a wedding taking place in the Moldavian
wedding taking place in the Moldavian
wedding taking place in the Moldavian region of Europe
the lives of nearly the entire cast of
the lives of nearly the entire cast of characters were in jeopardy as bullets
characters were in jeopardy as bullets
characters were in jeopardy as bullets rained down upon everyone in attendance
everything did work out come season six
everything did work out come season six however as it was revealed that only two
however as it was revealed that only two
however as it was revealed that only two supporting characters actually suffered
supporting characters actually suffered
supporting characters actually suffered fatal wounds I’m gonna die Steve I don’t
fatal wounds I’m gonna die Steve I don’t
fatal wounds I’m gonna die Steve I don’t want to hear that you understand number
want to hear that you understand number
want to hear that you understand number nine
nine
nine Andrew Dice Clay the 1989 MTV Video
Andrew Dice Clay the 1989 MTV Video
Andrew Dice Clay the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards come a long way to make
Music Awards come a long way to make
Music Awards come a long way to make your smile I’m gonna do it different
your smile I’m gonna do it different
your smile I’m gonna do it different gonna do it die style
gonna do it die style
gonna do it die style stand-up comedy enjoyed a lucrative and
stand-up comedy enjoyed a lucrative and
stand-up comedy enjoyed a lucrative and successful boom in the 1980s thanks in
successful boom in the 1980s thanks in
successful boom in the 1980s thanks in part to the rise of comedy nightclubs
part to the rise of comedy nightclubs
part to the rise of comedy nightclubs and cable television specials raising
and cable television specials raising
and cable television specials raising the profile of up-and-coming comics
the profile of up-and-coming comics
the profile of up-and-coming comics one such performer was Andrew
one such performer was Andrew
one such performer was Andrew silverstein also known as Andrew Dice
silverstein also known as Andrew Dice
silverstein also known as Andrew Dice Clay who made a career out of his
Clay who made a career out of his
Clay who made a career out of his abrasive and off-color bad-boy character
abrasive and off-color bad-boy character
abrasive and off-color bad-boy character modeled largely after Jerry Lewis’s
modeled largely after Jerry Lewis’s
modeled largely after Jerry Lewis’s buddy love character from the Nutty
buddy love character from the Nutty
buddy love character from the Nutty Professor not everyone took to Clay’s
Professor not everyone took to Clay’s
Professor not everyone took to Clay’s offensive and often sexist material
offensive and often sexist material
offensive and often sexist material however with one particularly raunchy
however with one particularly raunchy
however with one particularly raunchy performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music
performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music
performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards earning him a lifetime ban from
Awards earning him a lifetime ban from
Awards earning him a lifetime ban from the network rock-a-bye baby on the tree
the network rock-a-bye baby on the tree
the network rock-a-bye baby on the tree top your mother’s alright yup pop this
top your mother’s alright yup pop this
top your mother’s alright yup pop this band was eventually repealed in 2011 I
band was eventually repealed in 2011 I
band was eventually repealed in 2011 I like to know I’m banging a chicken you
like to know I’m banging a chicken you
like to know I’m banging a chicken you know a chick is good to bang when she’s
know a chick is good to bang when she’s
know a chick is good to bang when she’s bigger than the bed you’re on number
bigger than the bed you’re on number
bigger than the bed you’re on number eight Geraldo Rivera punched in the nose
eight Geraldo Rivera punched in the nose
eight Geraldo Rivera punched in the nose Geraldo the Holocaust did it happened
Geraldo the Holocaust did it happened
Geraldo the Holocaust did it happened Bob Mike hey does it matter does it
Bob Mike hey does it matter does it
Bob Mike hey does it matter does it matter
matter
matter tabloid talk shows were a dime a dozen
tabloid talk shows were a dime a dozen
tabloid talk shows were a dime a dozen in the 1980s but the genre was starting
in the 1980s but the genre was starting
in the 1980s but the genre was starting to change due in large part to former
to change due in large part to former
to change due in large part to former ABC reporter Geraldo Rivera who entered
ABC reporter Geraldo Rivera who entered
ABC reporter Geraldo Rivera who entered the ring with his own show in 1987
the ring with his own show in 1987
the ring with his own show in 1987 Geraldo often invited guests onto a show
Geraldo often invited guests onto a show
Geraldo often invited guests onto a show like Satanists or members of the KKK
like Satanists or members of the KKK
like Satanists or members of the KKK strictly to stir up controversy
strictly to stir up controversy
strictly to stir up controversy the delicate governmentís one
the delicate governmentís one
the delicate governmentís one particularly memorable episode on
particularly memorable episode on
particularly memorable episode on November 3rd 1988 saw a brawl break out
November 3rd 1988 saw a brawl break out
November 3rd 1988 saw a brawl break out between Roy Innes of the Congress of
between Roy Innes of the Congress of
between Roy Innes of the Congress of racial equality and John Metzger
racial equality and John Metzger
racial equality and John Metzger director of the white Aryan resistance
director of the white Aryan resistance
director of the white Aryan resistance Youth the host received a chair shot to
Youth the host received a chair shot to
Youth the host received a chair shot to the face and a broken nose during the
the face and a broken nose during the
the face and a broken nose during the melee but refused to press charges after
melee but refused to press charges after
melee but refused to press charges after the incident the show’s ratings
the incident the show’s ratings
the incident the show’s ratings skyrocketed
number seven it was all a dream
number seven it was all a dream Dallas what does a writer do when one of
Dallas what does a writer do when one of
Dallas what does a writer do when one of the most popular characters has killed
the most popular characters has killed
the most popular characters has killed off at the end of one season but it’s
off at the end of one season but it’s
off at the end of one season but it’s hired to come back a year later simple
hired to come back a year later simple
hired to come back a year later simple make the entire previous season a dream
make the entire previous season a dream
make the entire previous season a dream no it’s true he died because of me he
no it’s true he died because of me he
no it’s true he died because of me he was trying to save me if that sounds too
was trying to save me if that sounds too
was trying to save me if that sounds too incredible to be true then ya haven’t
incredible to be true then ya haven’t
incredible to be true then ya haven’t watched the ninth season of Dallas which
watched the ninth season of Dallas which
watched the ninth season of Dallas which fans refer to as the dream season I like
fans refer to as the dream season I like
fans refer to as the dream season I like the way that sells yes
the way that sells yes
the way that sells yes turns out Bobby Ewing’s death and the
turns out Bobby Ewing’s death and the
turns out Bobby Ewing’s death and the events of the entire night season were
events of the entire night season were
events of the entire night season were all dreamed up by Bobby’s wife Pamela
all dreamed up by Bobby’s wife Pamela
all dreamed up by Bobby’s wife Pamela and how did Pamela and viewers find this
and how did Pamela and viewers find this
and how did Pamela and viewers find this out she discovers her thought to be
out she discovers her thought to be
out she discovers her thought to be deceased husband Bobby in the shower
deceased husband Bobby in the shower
deceased husband Bobby in the shower washing up as if nothing had ever
washing up as if nothing had ever
washing up as if nothing had ever happened number six the counselor mr.
happened number six the counselor mr.
happened number six the counselor mr. Belvedere no Wes I think you enjoyed
Belvedere no Wes I think you enjoyed
Belvedere no Wes I think you enjoyed doing anything as long as you’re not
doing anything as long as you’re not
doing anything as long as you’re not supposed to be doing it sure does
supposed to be doing it sure does
supposed to be doing it sure does everybody the late 80s sitcom known as
everybody the late 80s sitcom known as
everybody the late 80s sitcom known as mr. Belvedere was one of the few
mr. Belvedere was one of the few
mr. Belvedere was one of the few primetime comedy programs based on a
primetime comedy programs based on a
primetime comedy programs based on a novel in this case the Gwen Davenport
novel in this case the Gwen Davenport
novel in this case the Gwen Davenport penned Belvedere from 1947 I think I’m
penned Belvedere from 1947 I think I’m
penned Belvedere from 1947 I think I’m gonna be in miss Pritchard group from
gonna be in miss Pritchard group from
gonna be in miss Pritchard group from now on the show wasn’t afraid to tackle
now on the show wasn’t afraid to tackle
now on the show wasn’t afraid to tackle social issues as evidenced by a couple
social issues as evidenced by a couple
social issues as evidenced by a couple of controversial episodes from the
of controversial episodes from the
of controversial episodes from the series five year run including one
series five year run including one
series five year run including one entitled Wesley’s friend which deals
entitled Wesley’s friend which deals
entitled Wesley’s friend which deals with misinformation about the AIDS virus
with misinformation about the AIDS virus
with misinformation about the AIDS virus I heard you can get it just by playing
I heard you can get it just by playing
I heard you can get it just by playing tag or swingin on the same swings even
tag or swingin on the same swings even
tag or swingin on the same swings even more controversial was the episode
more controversial was the episode
more controversial was the episode called the counselor which deals with
called the counselor which deals with
called the counselor which deals with the fallout after a counselor attempts
the fallout after a counselor attempts
the fallout after a counselor attempts to sexually molest the owns family’s
to sexually molest the owns family’s
to sexually molest the owns family’s youngest son Wesley while he’s at summer
youngest son Wesley while he’s at summer
youngest son Wesley while he’s at summer camp Oh
camp Oh
camp Oh getting goose bumps the counselor ends
getting goose bumps the counselor ends
getting goose bumps the counselor ends with a PSA telling children what to do
with a PSA telling children what to do
with a PSA telling children what to do if they ever find themselves in an
if they ever find themselves in an
if they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable situation if you have to
uncomfortable situation if you have to
uncomfortable situation if you have to keep a secret that makes you feel bad
keep a secret that makes you feel bad
keep a secret that makes you feel bad it’s not worth keeping number five
it’s not worth keeping number five
it’s not worth keeping number five trash TV the Morton Downey jr. show let
trash TV the Morton Downey jr. show let
trash TV the Morton Downey jr. show let me tell ya Hitler and Mussolini were
me tell ya Hitler and Mussolini were
me tell ya Hitler and Mussolini were probably nice people the only thing they
probably nice people the only thing they
probably nice people the only thing they did wrong was kill people we mentioned
did wrong was kill people we mentioned
did wrong was kill people we mentioned earlier how the 1980s assured in a new
earlier how the 1980s assured in a new
earlier how the 1980s assured in a new decade of daytime talk shows that
decade of daytime talk shows that
decade of daytime talk shows that weren’t afraid of pushing the envelope
weren’t afraid of pushing the envelope
weren’t afraid of pushing the envelope when it came to
when it came to
when it came to sensational content the Morton Downey
sensational content the Morton Downey
sensational content the Morton Downey jr. show might be the most
jr. show might be the most
jr. show might be the most unapologetically abrasive of them all
unapologetically abrasive of them all
unapologetically abrasive of them all thanks to its host and his hyper
thanks to its host and his hyper
thanks to its host and his hyper confrontational style no Saints did
confrontational style no Saints did
confrontational style no Saints did something approved they were safe sorry
something approved they were safe sorry
something approved they were safe sorry I prayed I prayed for years and years
I prayed I prayed for years and years
I prayed I prayed for years and years that’s good that’s good
that’s good that’s good
that’s good that’s good Morton Downey jr. yelled finger pointed
Morton Downey jr. yelled finger pointed
Morton Downey jr. yelled finger pointed and Shane smoked on his show and thought
and Shane smoked on his show and thought
and Shane smoked on his show and thought nothing of blowing smoke into the faces
nothing of blowing smoke into the faces
nothing of blowing smoke into the faces of his guests at a moment’s notice this
of his guests at a moment’s notice this
of his guests at a moment’s notice this chaotic carnival atmosphere made Downey
chaotic carnival atmosphere made Downey
chaotic carnival atmosphere made Downey very successful in the ratings
very successful in the ratings
very successful in the ratings department however as his talk show
department however as his talk show
department however as his talk show enjoyed success and infamous notoriety
enjoyed success and infamous notoriety
enjoyed success and infamous notoriety during its two-year run tell you what
during its two-year run tell you what
during its two-year run tell you what everyone who agrees with the judge turn
everyone who agrees with the judge turn
everyone who agrees with the judge turn off your television set now for the next
off your television set now for the next
off your television set now for the next 15 minutes
15 minutes
15 minutes number 4 nuclear war the day after
number 4 nuclear war the day after
number 4 nuclear war the day after unless you’re seriously injured could
unless you’re seriously injured could
unless you’re seriously injured could you please go to one of the other campus
you please go to one of the other campus
you please go to one of the other campus buildings the 1970s and 80s were a
buildings the 1970s and 80s were a
buildings the 1970s and 80s were a fruitful time for made-for-tv movies
fruitful time for made-for-tv movies
fruitful time for made-for-tv movies with many television films of the era
with many television films of the era
with many television films of the era enjoying classic status even today it’s
enjoying classic status even today it’s
enjoying classic status even today it’s only been 5 days and I can’t remember
only been 5 days and I can’t remember
only been 5 days and I can’t remember what Bruce looks like one of these was
what Bruce looks like one of these was
what Bruce looks like one of these was the day after which received a record
the day after which received a record
the day after which received a record 100 million viewers for its debut on
100 million viewers for its debut on
100 million viewers for its debut on November 20th 1983 the film looked at
November 20th 1983 the film looked at
November 20th 1983 the film looked at the possibility of a full-scale nuclear
the possibility of a full-scale nuclear
the possibility of a full-scale nuclear war between the United States and the
war between the United States and the
war between the United States and the Soviet Union with startling realism
according to some sources mr. Rogers
according to some sources mr. Rogers neighborhoods controversial conflict
neighborhoods controversial conflict
neighborhoods controversial conflict episodes were produced in direct
episodes were produced in direct
episodes were produced in direct response to the film explaining issues
response to the film explaining issues
response to the film explaining issues of violence and the possibility of
of violence and the possibility of
of violence and the possibility of nuclear war to children who might have
nuclear war to children who might have
nuclear war to children who might have caught the film with their parents so
caught the film with their parents so
caught the film with their parents so please get a grown-up that you love to
please get a grown-up that you love to
please get a grown-up that you love to watch this program with you because
watch this program with you because
watch this program with you because we’re going to talk about some sad and
we’re going to talk about some sad and
we’re going to talk about some sad and scary things whether or not that’s true
scary things whether or not that’s true
scary things whether or not that’s true this film put people on edge it’s going
this film put people on edge it’s going
this film put people on edge it’s going through you like an x-ray right into
through you like an x-ray right into
through you like an x-ray right into yourself
yourself
yourself what if they killed all these animals
what if they killed all these animals
what if they killed all these animals number three Madonna’s like a virgin
number three Madonna’s like a virgin
number three Madonna’s like a virgin live the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards the
live the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards the
live the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards the idea of an award show for the
idea of an award show for the
idea of an award show for the then-fledgling cable channel known as
then-fledgling cable channel known as
then-fledgling cable channel known as MTV was a gamble at the time but music
MTV was a gamble at the time but music
MTV was a gamble at the time but music televisions roll of the dice proved
televisions roll of the dice proved
televisions roll of the dice proved lucrative credit the performance of a
lucrative credit the performance of a
lucrative credit the performance of a similarly fresh-faced artist known as
similarly fresh-faced artist known as
similarly fresh-faced artist known as Madonna who made TV history right out of
Madonna who made TV history right out of
Madonna who made TV history right out of the gate parents and older viewers lost
the gate parents and older viewers lost
the gate parents and older viewers lost their minds as the singer rolled around
their minds as the singer rolled around
their minds as the singer rolled around on the floor during her rendition of
on the floor during her rendition of
on the floor during her rendition of like a virgin while kids soon began
like a virgin while kids soon began
like a virgin while kids soon began mimicking the material girls classically
mimicking the material girls classically
mimicking the material girls classically outlandish fashion sense
the spectacle would cement both MTV and
the spectacle would cement both MTV and Madonna as two of the most influential
Madonna as two of the most influential
Madonna as two of the most influential forces in popular culture and no one
forces in popular culture and no one
forces in popular culture and no one would forget the performance even
would forget the performance even
would forget the performance even decades later number 2 the bicycle man
decades later number 2 the bicycle man
decades later number 2 the bicycle man Diff’rent Strokes
Diff’rent Strokes
Diff’rent Strokes we urge families children and parents to
we urge families children and parents to
we urge families children and parents to watch the special episode together
watch the special episode together
watch the special episode together because some of the material presented
because some of the material presented
because some of the material presented might be disturbing to younger children
might be disturbing to younger children
might be disturbing to younger children sitcoms of the 1980s loved to include a
sitcoms of the 1980s loved to include a
sitcoms of the 1980s loved to include a number of very special episodes during
number of very special episodes during
number of very special episodes during their runs Diff’rent Strokes was no
their runs Diff’rent Strokes was no
their runs Diff’rent Strokes was no stranger to this trend and handled
stranger to this trend and handled
stranger to this trend and handled difficult issues with a surprising
difficult issues with a surprising
difficult issues with a surprising amount of drama tension and poignancy
amount of drama tension and poignancy
amount of drama tension and poignancy did mr. Horton give unity Dudley top
did mr. Horton give unity Dudley top
did mr. Horton give unity Dudley top hill he said it make me feel good
hill he said it make me feel good
hill he said it make me feel good the hitch-hiker episode focused on the
the hitch-hiker episode focused on the
the hitch-hiker episode focused on the kidnapping of Arnold and Kimberly
kidnapping of Arnold and Kimberly
kidnapping of Arnold and Kimberly Drummond for example and the bicycle man
Drummond for example and the bicycle man
Drummond for example and the bicycle man took on child molestation I’m only 11
took on child molestation I’m only 11
took on child molestation I’m only 11 years old should I be hearing all of
years old should I be hearing all of
years old should I be hearing all of this in this two-part episode Arnold and
this in this two-part episode Arnold and
this in this two-part episode Arnold and his friend Dudley are lured to the
his friend Dudley are lured to the
his friend Dudley are lured to the apartment of their local cycle store
apartment of their local cycle store
apartment of their local cycle store owner and are convinced to let him take
owner and are convinced to let him take
owner and are convinced to let him take shirtless Polaroids of them it’s a lot
shirtless Polaroids of them it’s a lot
shirtless Polaroids of them it’s a lot of fun it is Evan yeah fortunately they
of fun it is Evan yeah fortunately they
of fun it is Evan yeah fortunately they eventually alert adults to what’s going
eventually alert adults to what’s going
eventually alert adults to what’s going on creepy and powerful the bicycle man
on creepy and powerful the bicycle man
on creepy and powerful the bicycle man remains an infamous 80’s television
remains an infamous 80’s television
remains an infamous 80’s television moment to this day this is an x-rated
moment to this day this is an x-rated
moment to this day this is an x-rated cartoon it’s dirty
cartoon it’s dirty
cartoon it’s dirty yeah I know
yeah I know
yeah I know before we reveal our most controversial
before we reveal our most controversial
before we reveal our most controversial moment on ATS television here are a few
moment on ATS television here are a few
moment on ATS television here are a few shocking honorable mentions I know
shocking honorable mentions I know
shocking honorable mentions I know someone else like that
number one goodbye farewell and amen
number one goodbye farewell and amen mash you don’t mind it like to exchange
mash you don’t mind it like to exchange
mash you don’t mind it like to exchange my straitjacket for something in a 39 or
my straitjacket for something in a 39 or
my straitjacket for something in a 39 or one episode of 80s television can claim
one episode of 80s television can claim
one episode of 80s television can claim to be the most watched television
to be the most watched television
to be the most watched television broadcast in American history a record
broadcast in American history a record
broadcast in American history a record it held from 1983 until 2010 that
it held from 1983 until 2010 that
it held from 1983 until 2010 that episode is the series finale of mash a
episode is the series finale of mash a
episode is the series finale of mash a two and a half hours send-off for the
two and a half hours send-off for the
two and a half hours send-off for the beloved dramedy entitled goodbye
beloved dramedy entitled goodbye
beloved dramedy entitled goodbye farewell and amen
but the episode proved notable for
but the episode proved notable for another reason as well controversially
another reason as well controversially
another reason as well controversially it tackled series lead Hawkeye Pierce’s
it tackled series lead Hawkeye Pierce’s
it tackled series lead Hawkeye Pierce’s battles with PTSD as he prepares to
battles with PTSD as he prepares to
battles with PTSD as he prepares to return home from the Korean War dear dad
return home from the Korean War dear dad
return home from the Korean War dear dad but the first time I understand what a
but the first time I understand what a
but the first time I understand what a nervous disorder is because it seems
nervous disorder is because it seems
nervous disorder is because it seems I’ve got one the episode pulls no
I’ve got one the episode pulls no
I’ve got one the episode pulls no punches depicting Hawkeye struggle with
punches depicting Hawkeye struggle with
punches depicting Hawkeye struggle with the demons in his mind with actor and
the demons in his mind with actor and
the demons in his mind with actor and director Alan Alda performing
director Alan Alda performing
director Alan Alda performing tremendously in the role simply stated
tremendously in the role simply stated
tremendously in the role simply stated goodbye farewell and ahmen his classic
goodbye farewell and ahmen his classic
goodbye farewell and ahmen his classic television storytelling at its best and
television storytelling at its best and
television storytelling at its best and most challenging there it is that’s the
most challenging there it is that’s the
most challenging there it is that’s the sound of peace do you agree with our
sound of peace do you agree with our
sound of peace do you agree with our list which 80’s TV moment do you feel
list which 80’s TV moment do you feel
list which 80’s TV moment do you feel was the most controversial here let me
was the most controversial here let me
was the most controversial here let me give you a hand for more time-traveling
give you a hand for more time-traveling
give you a hand for more time-traveling top 10s published every day be sure to
top 10s published every day be sure to
top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com some hugs and
subscribe to watchmojo.com some hugs and
subscribe to watchmojo.com some hugs and kisses are still ok
”
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