10 Banned Episodes Of Famous TV Shows

10. Man's Best Friend (1992) - Ren And Stimpy

Ren and Stimpy is but one of a number of animated TV shows that's synonymous with word 'controversy.'

The 1990s cartoon was one of the flagship shows of newly introduced kids channel Nickelodeon, along with the noticeably milder Rugrats and Doug. However, with its hyper-surreal, confrontational style and disturbingly dark humour, questions were asked from the beginning as to whether Ren and Stimpy was suitable - or, indeed, even intended - for a pre-teen audience.

Yet despite anxieties from both outraged parents and network executives, no episodes of Ren and Stimpy were banned outright until season 2's Man's Best Friend. This episode sees unhinged military man George Liquor adopt the cat and chihuahua, and subject them to increasingly unnerving psychological torture in the name of discipline.

Nickelodeon refused to air Man's Best Friend on grounds of excessive violence, mostly due to the climax in which Ren viciously beats up his master with a wooden oar. Shots of a goldfish smoking a cigarette, plus some fairly gross poo jokes, probably didn't help matters.

The episode is widely taken to be the key reason the original creative team behind Ren and Stimpy was replaced after season 2. Ultimately it wasn't broadcast on American television until 2003.