10 TV Shows that got cancelled owing to controversial theme

Television has been a realm for bending and breaking the rules of storytelling for ages. Every once in a while, the themes portrayed by a show go a little too far to be pleasant for network audiences. Controversies can give rise to discussion, hence serving as an injection for increased viewership. On the contrary, when protests become stronger, the controversies can also lead to cancellations. Some shows have been shelved for ethical or political sensitivities, or public outcry, even when they have large fan followings.

Certain shows were criticized for glamorizing unhealthy behavior, while others were condemned for making light of serious issues in dangerous ways. From Netflix's flagship shows to network disasters barely remembered, their cancellations had different rationales; the common thread? Controversies.

Below are 10 controversial TV shows that got much hate and were shut down at a time when the subject matter proved to be divisive. Some were way ahead of their time; others were just too hot to handle.

1) Roseanne

The once beloved working-class sitcom had a massive revival in 2018 with Roseanne; however, controversy arose when Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet that led ABC to promptly cancel the show. The network condemned Barr's comments as "abhorrent" and nevertheless chose to pull the show from its lineup, despite its high ratings. ABC then proceeded with the Conners to carry on with the Conner family, leaving Barr’s character behind.

2) The Playboy Club

A show based on the legendary Playboy brand was going to be controversial. NBC's The Playboy Club tried to bring the glamour and glamour of Hugh Hefner's empire to prime-time TV, but it was soon criticized for objectifying women. Feminist organizations condemned the show as exploitative and not suitable for network TV. Even with its lavish production cost and retro look, it tanked in ratings and was canceled after only three episodes.

3) Insatiable

Netflix's dark comedy Insatiable was quickly met with outrage upon its trailer drop. The series followed a formerly overweight teenager who becomes a beauty queen and gets revenge on her tormentors. Critics called it out for perpetuating fat-shaming and unhealthy body ideals. A petition calling for its cancellation gathered over 200,000 signatures before the show even premiered. Despite the outcry, it was renewed by Netflix for a second season, but the controversy never abated. By 2020, Insatiable was cancelled, and many felt that its toxic premise and declining viewership did it more harm than any other criticism.

4) God, The Devil and Bob

This animated sitcom had a risqué premise: God offers a slacker named Bob an opportunity to demonstrate that humanity is worthy of living, with the Devil attempting to undermine him. Religious organizations instantly picketed God, The Devil and Bob for its irreverent perspective on religion, with some going so far as to threaten boycotts. NBC gave in to the outcry and canceled the show after only four episodes. Although it eventually gained a cult following abroad, the legacy of the show is still that of a groundbreaking but doomed experiment that tested the limits of religious satire a bit too far for television's primetime.

5) Kid Nation

Reality TV tends to survive on controversy, but Kid Nation crossed the line. The program dropped 40 kids in a ghost town and had them manage their own society without adult supervision. Critics and viewers alike were appalled, deeming it child exploitation. Stories emerged of hazardous conditions, with kids getting burned and injured on set. CBS was subject to legal examination, and though it initially defended the show, it was canceled in secret after one season. While it tried to be reality TV meets Lord of the Flies, Kid Nation ended up being a lesson in the ethics of television production.

6) The Swan

One of the most horrific reality shows ever produced, The Swan pushed "makeover" TV to new extremes. Contestants were subjected to radical plastic surgery makeovers and critiqued on their new appearance. Critics disliked it for perpetuating unhealthy beauty ideals, emotional manipulation, and unscrupulous medical practices. Mental health professionals cautioned that the show's concept could inflict serious psychological harm on participants. Although it was short-lived, the backlash was intense enough to prevent it from ever coming back. In retrospect, The Swan is now universally decried as an exploitative product of too-extreme early 2000s reality television.

7) Luck

HBO's Luck featured a powerful cast, an intriguing horse-racing storyline, and a cinematic style. Off-screen, it also had a heartbreaking issue: several horses were killed in the making. Animal rights activists, such as PETA, protested the show being canceled because filming conditions were not safe. HBO initially defended the show, but when the third horse died, they canceled the show before it could begin the second season. Even as a great drama, Luck is remembered today more for the off-screen tragedies than for its narrative, a testament to how ethics can trump even the greatest of creative intentions.

8) Heathers

A TV adaptation of the cult classic film Heathers would seem promising, but it encountered trouble early on. With a satirical look at high-school violence, bullying, and social justice culture, the show was postponed time and again because of the real-world occurrences of school shootings. Its critics and audiences felt the dark humor was too ill-timed and inappropriate. Ultimately, the Paramount Network decided to withhold a full release, again, for the issue being too sensitive. Some episodes aired in international markets, though Heathers never had a proper launch in the U.S, making it rare in that it was essentially scrapped for being too controversial.

9) Underground

Although a highly acclaimed drama series about the Underground Railroad, Underground encountered major adversity owing to its material. Although not outright canceled over controversy, its themes of racism and America's troubled past were seen by many to render networks reluctant to maintain it as a part of their programs. Following changes in ownership of WGN America, the series was canceled despite high ratings. Fans and pundits speculated that the new administration had desired to distance itself from politically active subject matter.

10) The Mick

Fox's The Mick was a raunchy but divisive sitcom that survived on being transgressive. Featuring Kaitlin Olson as an irresponsible aunt raising her rich niece and nephews, the show often toyed with dark humor about children. Episodes involved off-color jokes, irresponsible antics, and morally ambiguous life lessons that some considered too far. Though it had a devoted fan base, advertisers were nervous about its provocative content. Despite positive reviews and a loyal fan base, Fox chose not to renew The Mick after two seasons.