get ready for a ride in the wayback machine because we’re heading to the 90s
machine because we’re heading to the 90s
machine because we’re heading to the 90s welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 most controversial things on 90’s TV
for this list we’re looking at episodes
for this list we’re looking at episodes and moments from 90s television that
and moments from 90s television that
and moments from 90s television that shocked us or caused public controversy
shocked us or caused public controversy
shocked us or caused public controversy on a large cultural scale hot stuff
on a large cultural scale hot stuff
on a large cultural scale hot stuff coming through dad why did you bring me
coming through dad why did you bring me
coming through dad why did you bring me to a gay steel mill we’ll also be taking
to a gay steel mill we’ll also be taking
to a gay steel mill we’ll also be taking into account the level of controversy
into account the level of controversy
into account the level of controversy brought on by the vibe of a series as a
brought on by the vibe of a series as a
brought on by the vibe of a series as a whole programs which by nature tended to
whole programs which by nature tended to
whole programs which by nature tended to push the envelope for content or
push the envelope for content or
push the envelope for content or controversy ard does not want Rivera in
controversy ard does not want Rivera in
controversy ard does not want Rivera in the ring
the ring
the ring throws him right out to the concrete
throws him right out to the concrete
throws him right out to the concrete Madison Square Garden floor number 10
Madison Square Garden floor number 10
Madison Square Garden floor number 10 heroes beavis and butt-head whoa this
heroes beavis and butt-head whoa this
heroes beavis and butt-head whoa this MTV animated series from creator Mike
MTV animated series from creator Mike
MTV animated series from creator Mike judge was known for courting controversy
judge was known for courting controversy
judge was known for courting controversy almost from the very beginning but this
almost from the very beginning but this
almost from the very beginning but this second season episode proved
second season episode proved
second season episode proved particularly troublesome for judge and
particularly troublesome for judge and
particularly troublesome for judge and his crew hi there welcome to Bob’s fancy
his crew hi there welcome to Bob’s fancy
his crew hi there welcome to Bob’s fancy ski you boys 18 uh no hmm
ski you boys 18 uh no hmm
ski you boys 18 uh no hmm let me start again hey there you boys 18
let me start again hey there you boys 18
let me start again hey there you boys 18 in heroes our dim-witted metalhead
in heroes our dim-witted metalhead
in heroes our dim-witted metalhead protagonists waltz into a gun store
protagonists waltz into a gun store
protagonists waltz into a gun store easily pick up a couple of rifles and
easily pick up a couple of rifles and
easily pick up a couple of rifles and decide to go skeet shooting this is cool
decide to go skeet shooting this is cool
decide to go skeet shooting this is cool uh push/pull unfortunately their target
uh push/pull unfortunately their target
uh push/pull unfortunately their target practice ends with the duo accidentally
practice ends with the duo accidentally
practice ends with the duo accidentally shooting down an airplane that crash
shooting down an airplane that crash
shooting down an airplane that crash lands in a field not far off
this little stunt naturally resulted in
this little stunt naturally resulted in beavis and butt-head receiving
beavis and butt-head receiving
beavis and butt-head receiving complaints not only from anti-gun
complaints not only from anti-gun
complaints not only from anti-gun activists but also from concerned
activists but also from concerned
activists but also from concerned parents and got the episode banned
parents and got the episode banned
parents and got the episode banned clapping half way left no pregnant women
clapping half way left no pregnant women
clapping half way left no pregnant women on board how did that happen yeah number
on board how did that happen yeah number
on board how did that happen yeah number nine the WWF during the Attitude Era
nine the WWF during the Attitude Era
nine the WWF during the Attitude Era through some fifty years the World
through some fifty years the World
through some fifty years the World Wrestling Federation has been an
Wrestling Federation has been an
Wrestling Federation has been an entertainment mainstay here in North
entertainment mainstay here in North
entertainment mainstay here in North America and all over the world one of
America and all over the world one of
America and all over the world one of the reasons for that longevity is as the
the reasons for that longevity is as the
the reasons for that longevity is as the times have changed so have we
times have changed so have we
times have changed so have we Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling
Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling
Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation now known as World Wrestling
Federation now known as World Wrestling
Federation now known as World Wrestling Entertainment underwent a sharp creative
Entertainment underwent a sharp creative
Entertainment underwent a sharp creative makeover back in the late 90s shocking
makeover back in the late 90s shocking
makeover back in the late 90s shocking those who grew up in the more innocent
those who grew up in the more innocent
those who grew up in the more innocent times of cartoonish 80s rasslin flying
times of cartoonish 80s rasslin flying
times of cartoonish 80s rasslin flying headscissors almost as he was up on his
headscissors almost as he was up on his
headscissors almost as he was up on his shoulder couldn’t control away he hooked
shoulder couldn’t control away he hooked
shoulder couldn’t control away he hooked the lake WWF during the Attitude Era as
the lake WWF during the Attitude Era as
the lake WWF during the Attitude Era as it eventually came to be known was a
it eventually came to be known was a
it eventually came to be known was a playground of realistically bloody
playground of realistically bloody
playground of realistically bloody violence adult imagery and bizarre
violence adult imagery and bizarre
violence adult imagery and bizarre storylines all of which fans ate up like
storylines all of which fans ate up like
storylines all of which fans ate up like candy
parents weren’t as amused and often
parents weren’t as amused and often complained to McMahon about the
complained to McMahon about the
complained to McMahon about the program’s drastic shift to maturely
program’s drastic shift to maturely
program’s drastic shift to maturely themed content
to join Stephanie Marie McMahon and the
to join Stephanie Marie McMahon and the unholy wedlock
unholy wedlock
unholy wedlock crystal Lord of Darkness time and a lack
crystal Lord of Darkness time and a lack
crystal Lord of Darkness time and a lack of serious competition would eventually
of serious competition would eventually
of serious competition would eventually soften the WWE’s creative stance however
soften the WWE’s creative stance however
soften the WWE’s creative stance however with today’s programming coming across
with today’s programming coming across
with today’s programming coming across as decidedly more PG than extreme Sam is
number eight the puppy episode Ellen
number eight the puppy episode Ellen site yeah yeah that’s how I feel with
site yeah yeah that’s how I feel with
site yeah yeah that’s how I feel with you if there’s one thing I’m feeling
you if there’s one thing I’m feeling
you if there’s one thing I’m feeling right now is comfortable where do we
right now is comfortable where do we
right now is comfortable where do we start with this one perhaps with the
start with this one perhaps with the
start with this one perhaps with the humorously misleading title of the puppy
humorously misleading title of the puppy
humorously misleading title of the puppy episode I don’t date men Oh
why or maybe we can discuss how bold it
why or maybe we can discuss how bold it was for comedian Ellen DeGeneres to use
was for comedian Ellen DeGeneres to use
was for comedian Ellen DeGeneres to use her ABC sitcom as a vehicle for her and
her ABC sitcom as a vehicle for her and
her ABC sitcom as a vehicle for her and her characters coming-out party I’m 35
her characters coming-out party I’m 35
her characters coming-out party I’m 35 years old I’m so afraid to tell people I
years old I’m so afraid to tell people I
years old I’m so afraid to tell people I mean I just Susan I’m gay it wasn’t
mean I just Susan I’m gay it wasn’t
mean I just Susan I’m gay it wasn’t quite as easy back in 1997 for a
quite as easy back in 1997 for a
quite as easy back in 1997 for a situation comedy to have a lesbian
situation comedy to have a lesbian
situation comedy to have a lesbian leading character but that’s exactly the
leading character but that’s exactly the
leading character but that’s exactly the trail DeGeneres was blazing with this
trail DeGeneres was blazing with this
trail DeGeneres was blazing with this episode miss would you try one of our
episode miss would you try one of our
episode miss would you try one of our new granola bars they’re the perfect
new granola bars they’re the perfect
new granola bars they’re the perfect snack whether you’re on the go or in the
snack whether you’re on the go or in the
snack whether you’re on the go or in the closet
closet
closet ABC faced criticism and backlash from
ABC faced criticism and backlash from
ABC faced criticism and backlash from both religious groups and advertisers
both religious groups and advertisers
both religious groups and advertisers concerning the episode but the two-part
concerning the episode but the two-part
concerning the episode but the two-part puppy nevertheless aired unedited and in
puppy nevertheless aired unedited and in
puppy nevertheless aired unedited and in the process gained DeGeneres a whole new
the process gained DeGeneres a whole new
the process gained DeGeneres a whole new audience of appreciative fans God’s sake
audience of appreciative fans God’s sake
audience of appreciative fans God’s sake go enjoy your key
number seven home the x-files witnessing
number seven home the x-files witnessing Scully’s undiluted animal behavior
Scully’s undiluted animal behavior
Scully’s undiluted animal behavior mankind absent its own creation of
mankind absent its own creation of
mankind absent its own creation of civilization technology and information
civilization technology and information
civilization technology and information regress to an almost prehistoric state
regress to an almost prehistoric state
regress to an almost prehistoric state the subject of incest is never an easy
the subject of incest is never an easy
the subject of incest is never an easy one to broach even on the most serious
one to broach even on the most serious
one to broach even on the most serious of dramas never mind a science fiction
of dramas never mind a science fiction
of dramas never mind a science fiction juggernaut like Chris Carter’s the
juggernaut like Chris Carter’s the
juggernaut like Chris Carter’s the x-files reason breed their own stuff you
x-files reason breed their own stuff you
x-files reason breed their own stuff you can get my beanie the controversial fan
can get my beanie the controversial fan
can get my beanie the controversial fan favorite episode home shocked and
favorite episode home shocked and
favorite episode home shocked and horrified viewers back in 96 with its
horrified viewers back in 96 with its
horrified viewers back in 96 with its grim and bleak portrayal of the deformed
grim and bleak portrayal of the deformed
grim and bleak portrayal of the deformed peacock family who’ve been burying
peacock family who’ve been burying
peacock family who’ve been burying babies alive in the backyard of their
babies alive in the backyard of their
babies alive in the backyard of their property this plot point alone would be
property this plot point alone would be
property this plot point alone would be enough to earn the show its parental
enough to earn the show its parental
enough to earn the show its parental discretion advised er II but home pushed
discretion advised er II but home pushed
discretion advised er II but home pushed the boundaries that much further by
the boundaries that much further by
the boundaries that much further by adding in the fact that the Peacocks
adding in the fact that the Peacocks
adding in the fact that the Peacocks matriarch had been inbreeding with her
matriarch had been inbreeding with her
matriarch had been inbreeding with her sons for years disturbing not only
sons for years disturbing not only
sons for years disturbing not only Mulder and Scully but also audiences
Mulder and Scully but also audiences
Mulder and Scully but also audiences around the world we’re gonna make sure
around the world we’re gonna make sure
around the world we’re gonna make sure that you get home she already is huh
that you get home she already is huh
that you get home she already is huh it’s mrs. peacock she’s their mother
it’s mrs. peacock she’s their mother
it’s mrs. peacock she’s their mother number six homers phobia The Simpsons
number six homers phobia The Simpsons
number six homers phobia The Simpsons listen up I want all of you to say hello
listen up I want all of you to say hello
listen up I want all of you to say hello to the Simpsons it’s the whole world
to the Simpsons it’s the whole world
to the Simpsons it’s the whole world gone insane The Simpsons has always been
gone insane The Simpsons has always been
gone insane The Simpsons has always been known for its clever bits of social
known for its clever bits of social
known for its clever bits of social commentary but this season 8 episode
commentary but this season 8 episode
commentary but this season 8 episode stands as one of the strongest of the
stands as one of the strongest of the
stands as one of the strongest of the entire series you’re a dick Oh be nice
entire series you’re a dick Oh be nice
entire series you’re a dick Oh be nice noted exploitation filmmaker John Waters
noted exploitation filmmaker John Waters
noted exploitation filmmaker John Waters voices the Simpson family’s new friend
voices the Simpson family’s new friend
voices the Simpson family’s new friend John who’s revealed homosexuality comes
John who’s revealed homosexuality comes
John who’s revealed homosexuality comes across as a threat to Homer listen
across as a threat to Homer listen
across as a threat to Homer listen carefully
carefully
carefully John is a ho mo right sexual
John is a ho mo right sexual
John is a ho mo right sexual it wasn’t too often where we saw the
it wasn’t too often where we saw the
it wasn’t too often where we saw the lovably dim-witted homer offering up
lovably dim-witted homer offering up
lovably dim-witted homer offering up some sincere troubled pathos but the
some sincere troubled pathos but the
some sincere troubled pathos but the writers here did a great job at juggling
writers here did a great job at juggling
writers here did a great job at juggling a Father’s love for his family balanced
a Father’s love for his family balanced
a Father’s love for his family balanced against his own recently discovered
against his own recently discovered
against his own recently discovered prejudices I don’t want you calling him
prejudices I don’t want you calling him
prejudices I don’t want you calling him a sissy
a sissy
a sissy this guy’s a fruit enough no wait wait
this guy’s a fruit enough no wait wait
this guy’s a fruit enough no wait wait wait queer queer queer that’s what you
wait queer queer queer that’s what you
wait queer queer queer that’s what you like to be called right well that or job
like to be called right well that or job
like to be called right well that or job number 5 ozz to go die today the
number 5 ozz to go die today the
number 5 ozz to go die today the landscape of violence on cable
landscape of violence on cable
landscape of violence on cable television has always been one of peaks
television has always been one of peaks
television has always been one of peaks and valleys but oz managed to push the
and valleys but oz managed to push the
and valleys but oz managed to push the creative envelope for what would be
creative envelope for what would be
creative envelope for what would be displayed on the small screen
this original HBO series was set in a
this original HBO series was set in a maximum-security prison and displayed in
maximum-security prison and displayed in
maximum-security prison and displayed in shocking detail all of the daily bits of
shocking detail all of the daily bits of
shocking detail all of the daily bits of violence rape and intrigue that go on
violence rape and intrigue that go on
violence rape and intrigue that go on behind bars inmates and guards alike
behind bars inmates and guards alike
behind bars inmates and guards alike indulged in the carnage which ranged
indulged in the carnage which ranged
indulged in the carnage which ranged from gang rape and murder to
from gang rape and murder to
from gang rape and murder to scatological humiliation making oz a
scatological humiliation making oz a
scatological humiliation making oz a program that can still manage to disturb
program that can still manage to disturb
program that can still manage to disturb even today
number four politically incorrect the
number four politically incorrect the real incriminating thing for Clinton is
real incriminating thing for Clinton is
real incriminating thing for Clinton is that the Indians kept calling him by his
that the Indians kept calling him by his
that the Indians kept calling him by his Indian name
Indian name
Indian name Pocahontas there may not have been any
Pocahontas there may not have been any
Pocahontas there may not have been any rampant sex or violence on politically
rampant sex or violence on politically
rampant sex or violence on politically incorrect with Bill Maher but this
incorrect with Bill Maher but this
incorrect with Bill Maher but this late-night talk show was never without
late-night talk show was never without
late-night talk show was never without its fireworks they take a viable baby
its fireworks they take a viable baby
its fireworks they take a viable baby from a mother all the way except at the
from a mother all the way except at the
from a mother all the way except at the top of the head shove a scissors through
top of the head shove a scissors through
top of the head shove a scissors through the base of its skull and suck out its
the base of its skull and suck out its
the base of its skull and suck out its brains and you’re complaining about him
brains and you’re complaining about him
brains and you’re complaining about him politically incorrect thrived on
politically incorrect thrived on
politically incorrect thrived on conversation and in-depth discussions
conversation and in-depth discussions
conversation and in-depth discussions with people who possessed diverse and
with people who possessed diverse and
with people who possessed diverse and passionate opinions about everything
passionate opinions about everything
passionate opinions about everything from social culture to politics you’re
from social culture to politics you’re
from social culture to politics you’re telling morning teenagers is the only
telling morning teenagers is the only
telling morning teenagers is the only thing that you can do is be abstinent
thing that you can do is be abstinent
thing that you can do is be abstinent and condoms don’t work so kids are not
and condoms don’t work so kids are not
and condoms don’t work so kids are not going to use kind of too thick because
going to use kind of too thick because
going to use kind of too thick because they’re going to listen to you and
they’re going to listen to you and
they’re going to listen to you and figure well why should we even use
figure well why should we even use
figure well why should we even use condoms and that to me is it responsive
condoms and that to me is it responsive
condoms and that to me is it responsive as a result Mars show consistently
as a result Mars show consistently
as a result Mars show consistently provided a forum for those whose
provided a forum for those whose
provided a forum for those whose positions didn’t always make for easy
positions didn’t always make for easy
positions didn’t always make for easy listening ensuring that heated arguments
listening ensuring that heated arguments
listening ensuring that heated arguments would become the norm Marv would even
would become the norm Marv would even
would become the norm Marv would even land in political hot water himself due
land in political hot water himself due
land in political hot water himself due to some controversial statements the
to some controversial statements the
to some controversial statements the comedian made on his program shortly
comedian made on his program shortly
comedian made on his program shortly after 9/11 resulting in calls for his
after 9/11 resulting in calls for his
after 9/11 resulting in calls for his cancellation we have been the cowards
cancellation we have been the cowards
cancellation we have been the cowards lobbying cruise missiles from 2,000
lobbying cruise missiles from 2,000
lobbying cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away that’s Howard won number
miles away that’s Howard won number
miles away that’s Howard won number three earshot Buffy the Vampire Slayer
three earshot Buffy the Vampire Slayer
three earshot Buffy the Vampire Slayer tomorrow this episode of Buffy falls on
tomorrow this episode of Buffy falls on
tomorrow this episode of Buffy falls on our list thanks to its timing with
our list thanks to its timing with
our list thanks to its timing with earshot having the unfortunate
earshot having the unfortunate
earshot having the unfortunate distinction of being scheduled to air
distinction of being scheduled to air
distinction of being scheduled to air one week after the Columbine High School
one week after the Columbine High School
one week after the Columbine High School massacre the episode doesn’t actually
massacre the episode doesn’t actually
massacre the episode doesn’t actually deal with gun violence in reference to
deal with gun violence in reference to
deal with gun violence in reference to homicide however instead telling a sad
homicide however instead telling a sad
homicide however instead telling a sad tale of one student suicide in a clock
tale of one student suicide in a clock
tale of one student suicide in a clock tower I I wouldn’t ever hurt anybody
I came up here to kill myself still the
I came up here to kill myself still the fact that earshot contained a scene of a
fact that earshot contained a scene of a
fact that earshot contained a scene of a young teen assembling a rifle caused its
young teen assembling a rifle caused its
young teen assembling a rifle caused its network the WB to air a rerun episode
network the WB to air a rerun episode
network the WB to air a rerun episode instead pre-empting earshot until later
instead pre-empting earshot until later
instead pre-empting earshot until later in the season
number two the Puerto Rican Day Seinfeld
number two the Puerto Rican Day Seinfeld no it’s the Puerto Rican Day Parade it
no it’s the Puerto Rican Day Parade it
no it’s the Puerto Rican Day Parade it may seem difficult to believe that an
may seem difficult to believe that an
may seem difficult to believe that an episode of that show about nothing could
episode of that show about nothing could
episode of that show about nothing could be banned for its content
be banned for its content
be banned for its content but that’s exactly what happened to the
but that’s exactly what happened to the
but that’s exactly what happened to the Puerto Rican Day episode of Seinfeld
Puerto Rican Day episode of Seinfeld
Puerto Rican Day episode of Seinfeld yeah streets you all blocked I think
yeah streets you all blocked I think
yeah streets you all blocked I think every Puerto Rican in the world is out
every Puerto Rican in the world is out
every Puerto Rican in the world is out here when it is our day
sorry in this episode an unfortunate
sorry in this episode an unfortunate series of events leads to Kramer’s
series of events leads to Kramer’s
series of events leads to Kramer’s accidental burning of the Puerto Rican
accidental burning of the Puerto Rican
accidental burning of the Puerto Rican flag no severe
hey there’s a guy dropping the Puerto
hey there’s a guy dropping the Puerto Rican flag the resulting heat was not
Rican flag the resulting heat was not
Rican flag the resulting heat was not only focused on Cosmo however but also
only focused on Cosmo however but also
only focused on Cosmo however but also on the show itself with NBC being forced
on the show itself with NBC being forced
on the show itself with NBC being forced to issue an apology and to ban the
to issue an apology and to ban the
to issue an apology and to ban the episode altogether Majan laughs he could
episode altogether Majan laughs he could
episode altogether Majan laughs he could have gotten if you would yelled that out
have gotten if you would yelled that out
have gotten if you would yelled that out of the actual disaster
of the actual disaster
of the actual disaster it wasn’t until 2002 that the episode
it wasn’t until 2002 that the episode
it wasn’t until 2002 that the episode began airing unedited in syndication I
began airing unedited in syndication I
began airing unedited in syndication I just have one thing to say to you boys
before we reveal our number one pick
before we reveal our number one pick here are some honorable mentions hi you
here are some honorable mentions hi you
here are some honorable mentions hi you guys welcome gals gals motorcycle riding
guys welcome gals gals motorcycle riding
guys welcome gals gals motorcycle riding gang that randomly person to people’s
gang that randomly person to people’s
gang that randomly person to people’s homes and shows up their carpet
what are you thinking buster let’s drink
what are you thinking buster let’s drink it drink it but Buster this is a bike
it drink it but Buster this is a bike
it drink it but Buster this is a bike you I know but in this episode we’re
you I know but in this episode we’re
you I know but in this episode we’re showing the evils of alcohol some people
showing the evils of alcohol some people
showing the evils of alcohol some people may say oh that’s ignorant we all know
may say oh that’s ignorant we all know
may say oh that’s ignorant we all know you know HIV can’t be tricky but you
you know HIV can’t be tricky but you
you know HIV can’t be tricky but you know what I don’t know I’ve never lived
know what I don’t know I’ve never lived
know what I don’t know I’ve never lived with anybody with HIV what guess we’re
with anybody with HIV what guess we’re
with anybody with HIV what guess we’re gonna agree to disagree
gonna agree to disagree
gonna agree to disagree number one the Jerry Springer Show I’m
number one the Jerry Springer Show I’m
number one the Jerry Springer Show I’m not sure
come on you know you love it you’re not
come on you know you love it you’re not alone either as it seemed that just
alone either as it seemed that just
alone either as it seemed that just about everyone was tuning into the Jerry
about everyone was tuning into the Jerry
about everyone was tuning into the Jerry Springer Show back in the 90s for their
Springer Show back in the 90s for their
Springer Show back in the 90s for their daily dose of talk-show chaos this
daily dose of talk-show chaos this
daily dose of talk-show chaos this former mayor of Cincinnati translated
former mayor of Cincinnati translated
former mayor of Cincinnati translated his natural ease in front of the camera
his natural ease in front of the camera
his natural ease in front of the camera into a career as ringmaster for his own
into a career as ringmaster for his own
into a career as ringmaster for his own circus of allegedly choreographed
circus of allegedly choreographed
circus of allegedly choreographed fistfights outrageous storylines and
fistfights outrageous storylines and
fistfights outrageous storylines and salacious material the likes of which
salacious material the likes of which
salacious material the likes of which would make just about anyone blush we’re
would make just about anyone blush we’re
would make just about anyone blush we’re gonna meet the woman now who is married
gonna meet the woman now who is married
gonna meet the woman now who is married to your brother and has a child with
to your brother and has a child with
to your brother and has a child with your father
your father
your father the Jerry Springer Show quickly became
the Jerry Springer Show quickly became
the Jerry Springer Show quickly became known as the most controversial tabloid
known as the most controversial tabloid
known as the most controversial tabloid talk show around consistently upping the
talk show around consistently upping the
talk show around consistently upping the ante in terms of guests actors posing as
ante in terms of guests actors posing as
ante in terms of guests actors posing as guests and general all-around lunacy
guests and general all-around lunacy
guests and general all-around lunacy very right so no I got the half-breed
very right so no I got the half-breed
very right so no I got the half-breed FBI okay Dennis do you agree with our
FBI okay Dennis do you agree with our
FBI okay Dennis do you agree with our list what did you find controversial on
list what did you find controversial on
list what did you find controversial on 90s TV for more fun top ten lists
90s TV for more fun top ten lists
90s TV for more fun top ten lists published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com when the preoccupation
to watchmojo.com when the preoccupation
to watchmojo.com when the preoccupation with flatulence takes precedence over
with flatulence takes precedence over
with flatulence takes precedence over human lightning
”
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