The golden age of television is constantly evolving.
What generated lots of laughs in the ’80s or ’90s might make people cringe today. Unfortunately, this includes a lot of racism , sexism, and stereotypes.
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Some storylines don’t even make sense in these modern times. To learn more, below are 19 shows that would never make it to air today.
*Friends*
This one’s hard to write, considering how loveable the show is. I mean, it’s still mega-popular today!
But it has some major issues that are hard to look past today, such as its lack of diversity, negative stereotypes, and homophobia/transphobia.
*I Dream of Genie*
A show about a woman who calls a man, “Master”? Yikes! Totally wouldn’t fly today.
The actress, Barbara Eden, couldn’t even show her belly button back then. This ’60s sitcom needs to stay in the bottle.
*Honey Boo Boo*
It’s hard to watch little girls being forced into the pageant life by their stage moms, regardless of the year.
Also, allegations of Mama June’s relationship with a child molester has left a permanent stain.
*The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air*
Since Will Smith was so charming, it was easy for viewers to overlook the fact that his mother gave up her son to have him live with her relatives. Many would feel against this neglect today.
*Family Matters*
This was a sitcom centered around a middle-class African American family.
As hilarious as it was, labeling the neighbor Steve Urkel as a nerd today wouldn’t fly. Far too many kids are self-conscious about their image already.
*That ’70s Show*
Back in the 2000s when the show came out, the ’70s weren’t that far away.
But a show about the ’70s today in 2021? Well, many wouldn’t watch. Also, there would be a lot of issues surrounding the stereotypical portrayal of Fez, the foreign exchange student.
*19 Kids and Counting*
This show could never work today, knowing what we know now.
Unfortunately, this is that the oldest son, Josh, molested two of his younger sisters. He was also involved in a cheating scandal and has recently been accused of possessing child p**n.
*Sanford and Son*
The series, which began in 1972, is best left in the past. The role of Fred G. Sanford was very similar to the chauvinistic Archie Bunker and Red Foxx’s character too casually dropped racial slurs.
*All In The Family*
As popular as the show was, the leading character, Archie Bunker, was extremely problematic. He didn’t treat his wife right by calling her a dingbat constantly and was very bigoted and outspoken.
*Married… with Children*
Similar to All in the Family , the main character, Al Bundy, was problematic.
Whenever he wasn’t sexualizing women, he was being mean to them. In one episode, he was angry that the women in his life had their periods.
*Smart Guy*
This ’90s show centered around a child genius named T.J. Henderson who skips several grades to go from the fourth grade to high school.
If it sounds familiar, that’s because it is. It’s called Young Sheldon !
*Who’s The Boss*
As entertaining as the show was, the storyline wouldn’t be applicable for this day and age.
It centered around a male live-in housekeeper for a single-mother female executive. These days, working mothers aren’t a huge shock.
*The Dukes of Hazard*
You won’t find many re-runs of the 1980s show today. That’s because people took issue with the cousins speeding around and getting into trouble with a large Confederate flag painted on the roof of their car.
*The Jeffersons*
This former show centered around successful Black Americans.
Regardless, it’s hard to look past George Jefferson’s character. Since he was outspoken and bigoted, many viewed him to be almost as bad as Archie Bunker.
*The Honeymooners*
Gender equality is so important these days. So it wasn’t cool that the husband on the show said, “one of these days Alice–pow! Straight to the Moon!” to his wife every time she messed up. This wouldn’t last long on TV.
*Bosom Buddies*
In case you’re wondering, yes, that’s Tom Hanks.
In the early days of his career, he was a part of this show that wouldn’t fly today. It centered on two guys dressing in drag in order to land cheap rent at an all-female apartment building.
*Baywatch*
The blatant sexism in this show makes it a no-go for TV today. There was a constant barrage of scantily clad women running in slow motion down the beach. Meanwhile, the men around them often got to wear full outfits.
*The King of Queens*
The show’s title alone is problematic. Carrie was also portrayed as the nagging wife to Doug.
He also had unrealistic expectations for her, like when he wanted her to learn pole dancing so she could perform nightly shows for him.
*Cheers*
You may have heard that there’s a special place in h**l for women who don’t support other women. Well, today’s female viewers would certainly take issue with the character Carla.
She would constantly put other women down in her viewpoint that she was “not like other girls.”
Last Updated on September 28, 2021 by Sarah Kester
