Times change and so do values and views about what’s inappropriate. The 90s were full of extremes and grossness. Today, the shows would be viewed as insensitive and politically incorrect. These 90s shows would never fly now.
10. Gritty Kitty – The Ren & Stimpy Show
The show kept shoveling Stimpy’s deep and endearing love of cat litter in the audience’s face. The dirtier the better. Any time he was home, Stimpy parked his big red behind in the litter box. Sometimes there were whole episodes about Kitty litter and, in particular, Stimpy’s favorite brand – Gritty Kitty. With today’s sensibilities, this pitch would die in the boardroom.
9. Cornholio – Beavis and Butthead
Irreverent humor characterized Beavis and Butthead. Beavis would eat too much sugar or coffee or medication and turn into his alter ego, Cornholio. He would quote his catchphrase in a faux-Spanish accent: “I need TP for my bunghole.” It worked in the 90s but such behavior would be seen as insensitive today, to say the least. These infamous slackers were nihilistic.
8. Dated Superhero – Space Ghost: Coast to Coast
This cartoon from the 1990s was made for adults. The set deliberately resembles a vintage comic book, in a cheap 1950s-1960s way, which wasn’t necessarily good. Even though the jokes were intellectually clever, the show dated itself by using references to pop culture that were too old even then. Audiences today wouldn’t have a clue what these jokes mean.
7. Girls, Girls, Girls – Ed, Edd, n’ Eddy
There’s absolutely no way this completely obvious joke about an underage kid having a dirty magazine stash would fly today. The occasional reference to “gentleman’s magazines” was glaringly obvious. No cartoon today would allow this, regardless of how many kids actually had such secret stashes in real life. A lot of what went on with this notorious trio was also borderline.
6. Heifer – Rocko’s Modern Life
Rocko, the main character, had a friend named Heifer. He’s a male, so he’s not a Heifer. This might come off like a sexist or transphobic joke nowadays. The show centered all of its gross-out jokes – most about food – on Heifer, who happily indulges in gluttony. In one episode “Heifer” is “milked,” which heaped on the obvious innuendo.
5. Cartman’s Mom – South Park
Cartman seemed to be clueless about what his mother did for a living. He was shocked every time he was confronted with yet another one of his mother’s sexual escapades. The show went over the top with an episode entitled, “Cartman’s Mom is a Dirty Slut.” Today, people would see this as full-on slut-shaming. Nonetheless, South Park is still going strong.
4. Johnny Incel? – Johnny Bravo
It’s pretty obvious now that Johnny Bravo was an incel. But that word didn’t even appear until the late 1990s. According to Merriam-Webster, an incel is a person (usually a man), who regards him or herself as being involuntarily celibate. Today, it’s likely the show would get shot down at the pitch stage.
3. Lab Animals Aren’t Funny – Pinky and the Brain
Pinky and The Brain are genetically enhanced mice who live in the lab. The brain isn’t very smart. He’s simply delusional, and that’s why none of his schemes ever work. But today’s sensibilities would instantly see through the show’s flaws, such as Pinky laughing at his impaired intelligence. Also, the cruel treatment that lab animals endure couldn’t be ignored.
Read More: 15 TV Catchphrases From the 90s We’ll Never Forget
2. The “Baby Got Back” Commercial – SpongeBob SquarePants
The show walked a fine line between content for children and that written for adults. The show got itself in trouble many times. One was when the show collaborated with Burger King on a parody of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s song “Baby Got Back.” It was called inappropriately sexual. You can see the commercial on YouTube today and it’s jaw-dropping even now.
Read More: 15 Cartoons From the 80s You Totally Forgot About
1. The Whoop-A** Girls – The Powerpuff Girls
The Powerpuff Girls might seem like a kid’s show. However, when you check out the dialogue of this cartoon, it’s clear this material is aimed at adults. The original proposed title of the show was The Whoop-A** Girls. They may have gotten away with that title back in the 90s, but it would never fly for kids today.
Read More: 10 Controversial Cartoons That Could NEVER Be Made Today
