Entertainment
10 Divisive TV Shows That Nobody Remembers Today
There are iconic TV shows through the decades, including controversial ones that remain topic of conversation today. But there are a few divisive shows from decades past that most people have long forgotten about. All these shows were bold in their approach. Some depicted topics that, at least at the time, were even considered risqué. Others were divisive for different reasons.
Each of these shows has made its mark on history one way or another, loved or hated by viewers and critics, some a little bit of both. From reality TV to teen dramas, sitcoms, and even a kids’ musical show, many of these series have long been forgotten. But at one point in time, they caused uproar, or at least some negative pushback.
10
‘Degrassi Junior High’ (1987–1989)
Long before shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Dawson’s Creek, there was a little Canadian teen drama called Degrassi Junior High that eventually became popular in the U.S. once it began airing on PBS. While shows like Euphoria have since pushed the envelope for what teen dramas can be, Degrassi Junior High was progressive for its time.
The series covers controversial topics like teen pregnancy, drug use, eating disorders, abuse, and more. This is par for the course today. But back in the late ’80s, the realism in the show caused a stir, some believing it was a little too real. But by and large, Degrassi Junior High is considered one of the forgotten but pioneering teen drama shows that showed relatable stories from real teenage actors. While many remember Degrassi: The Next Generation, a revival that aired from 2001 through 2015 and famously starred Drake, many of the younger generation who watched had never seen the show it was based on.
9
‘Bosom Buddies’ (1980–1982)
In one of Tom Hanks‘ earliest high-profile roles, he plays Kip Wilson in the sitcom Bosom Buddies, a man who convinces his friend Henry (Peter Scolari) to dress as a woman so they can live in the female-only Susan B. Anthony Hotel and take advantage of the cheap rent. It’s easy to see why this premise is frowned upon today, as many feel it makes a mockery of the LGBTQ+ community.
Of course, Bosom Buddies was meant to be a lighthearted comedy, not setting out to be offensive in any way. But since Hanks’ popularity exploded, and he has become an A-list movie actor, this role has fallen into the background of his career, not to mention sitcom history. The show had some recent attention with the tragic passing of Scolari in 2021. But it’s merely a blip on Hanks’ resume today.
8
‘Skins’ (2007–2013)
The British teen drama is not much different than others of its kind today, like Euphoria and 13 Reasons Why. But Skins was arguably a decade too soon, sparking controversy for its depiction of heavy topics among teens, including mental health conditions, depression, sexuality, and bullying. While fans love the realness and rawness of the show, some felt the mature themes and the graphic ways in which they were presented were too much for the younger audience the show was attracting.
One of the most divisive shows ever made, Skins ended up becoming a cult classic. Looking at it compared to other series today, the show clearly knew where the landscape was going. Skins spawned an American remake of the same name in 2011, but the heavy sexual content led to advertiser pushback, and the show only lasted a single season.
7
‘Dear White People’ (2017–2021)
A more recent show, Dear White People, attracted a massive following of fans who love its depiction of Black college students in an Ivy League school. The show touches on race from the opposite lens of what’s usually depicted on television, a welcome change that highlights the Black experience in modern-day culture.
However, some people felt that in doing so, Dear White People highlights discrimination against white people. But the comedy-drama is written to be provocative and serve as social commentary, and it does. The goal was met, sparking conversation with topics like white privilege and systemic racism intentionally presented in a satirical but also uncomfortable way.
6
‘Minipops’ (1983)
Anyone who grew up in the ’80s remembers the kids’ musical group Minipops, but you may have forgotten about the short-lived TV show. Airing in the U.K., the show features the young cast singing and performing modern-day pop songs and older classics, dressed to look like the original performers. It’s cute, fun, and energetic, but some viewers did not like that the pre-teens were sometimes singing lyrics with sexual innuendo. The adult costumes and heavy make-up didn’t sit right with some, either, some believing this could have negative psychological effects on children.
Of course, had we been able to predict shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, Minipops looks tame in comparison. A five-year-old singing the words “we make love” in the song “9 to 5,” for example, was cause for a stir. Today, you’ll find that many song covers sung by kids in groups like Minipops and others use altered, child-friendly lyrics to ensure appropriateness.
5
‘The Colbys’ (1985–1987)
The Colbys was arguably among the first series to prove that just because a show does amazingly well doesn’t mean a spinoff will. The primetime soap opera is a spinoff of Dynasty, one of the most iconic soap operas ever made. But it didn’t quite hit the same. The series has a fantastic cast that includes Charlton Heston, Barbara Stanwyck, and Ricardo Montalbán, and centers on the rival wealthy family. While die-hard fans of Dynasty loved it, the show just didn’t get the viewership it needed.
The biggest mistake The Colbys arguably made was serving as a copy of Dynasty with different characters and storylines that were far too similar. It didn’t stand on its own, though it had the potential to do so. Even the actors were divided on the show, with Stanwyck reportedly believing it was not working while Heston thought it had promise to continue. One thing we can agree on: the series had one of the most iconic TV plot twists of the ’80s with its series finale.
4
‘Joe Millionaire’ (2003)
As far as reality dating shows go, Joe Millionaire was by far one of the most bizarre. It was largely forgotten until it was brought back in 2022 for a third season. The show’s first season centers around Evan Marriott, a handsome man presented to potential suitors as a millionaire businessman. But he’s actually a working-class construction worker. As he goes through the process of dating all the women, he must pare it down to his one choice, then reveal the truth and see if she stays with him or not.
Some appreciated the premise that set out to hopefully show that love means more than money. But there’s no denying that deception isn’t really the way to go about proving that point. It made for great entertainment but didn’t really result in any meaningful moral lessons. Nonetheless, Joe Millionaire was the type of show you wanted to see through to the end to get to the explosive reveal.
3
‘The Tom Green Show’ (1994–2000)
Aside from an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2019 and starring in the Canadian comedy series The Trades, Tom Green hasn’t really been in the spotlight for some time. But once upon a time, his show, The Tom Green Show, was a big hit. Airing on MTV in the U.S. from 1999, the show presents the type of raunchy, risqué humor that people either love or hate.
Green hosts the show along with others, and it employs a sketch comedy style, usually involving stunts that poke fun at his parents or embarrass people (and himself) in public. Think surprising his parents in bed with a severed cow’s head. The shock comedy slant is similar to the series Jackass, which itself is one of those shows that’s an acquired taste. Green himself is considered an acquired taste, which is why the show was beloved by some, widely criticized by others.
2
‘Tiger King’ (2020–2021)
Tiger King, also known as Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness, was the darling of the COVID-19 pandemic. It came out at the perfect time when people were stuck at home looking for ways to fill their time. Once you caught the first episode of this true crime docuseries, you were completely hooked and couldn’t look away. It tells the story of eccentric former zookeeper Joe Exotic, who gets into a dangerous war with rival big cat conservationist Carole Baskin. The story takes unbelievable twists and turns, the characters and their stories drawing you in such that you can’t believe it really happened.
Tiger King was beloved enough that the series led to a second and third season, and inspired a flood of memes online. But some organizations and individuals didn’t take kindly to the inaccuracies about wildlife conservation, the second and third seasons even spawning a lawsuit relating to the footage used. Nonetheless, Tiger King goes down in history as one of the most successful and talked-about Netflix docuseries that everyone has since forgotten about.
1
‘Iron Fist’ (2017–2018)
It seems like pretty much everything within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is, at the very least, memorable. But Iron Fist, also known as Marvel’s Iron Fist, is perhaps the most polarizing. The series, which shares continuity with the movies, was the fourth for Netflix and stars Finn Jones as the titular character, a martial arts expert with the special power of an iron fist.
Despite strong viewership numbers, Iron Fist got mostly negative reviews and was canceled after two seasons. After being removed from Netflix and with Disney now offering all Marvel series, the show has largely been forgotten. But the drastic difference in reception from critics versus audience, just a 20% Rotten Tomatoes critics score for Season 1 compared to 71% by fans, suggests the show remains one of the most divisive MCU titles.
Iron Fist
- Release Date
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March 17, 2017
- Network
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Disney Channel
- Showrunner
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Scott Buck
- Directors
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Scott Buck
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