6 things banned from TV in the past that would be seen as mild today
The content of TV shows has dramatically changed in the past decades. Today, violence and swearing are seen as the “normal” on prime-time TV. However, back in the day, these mild references caused quite a stir.
1. The same bed
On I Love Lucy, Rick and Lucy slept in twin beds connected by a headboard console. In the episode “First Stop” the characters were seen sharing beds for the first time, a change that was only made possible due to the show’s successful ratings.
2. A woman’s belly button
In an episode on I Dream of Jeannie, Barbara Eden was set to wear a costume that would expose her belly button. When NBC executives were made aware of the plans they discussed whether this was appropriate for TV and eventually stopped it. Later in the show, when Jeannie visits the beach she is seen wearing a one-piece.
3. The word “pregnant”
When Lucy was pregnant on I Love Lucy, networks officials were not thrilled. On the show, no one was allowed to say the word “pregnant” so characters instead used phrases such as “with child” and “having a baby”.
4. Elvis’ hip movements
When Elvis first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, staff were in for a shock. Elvis’ seductive hip movements were said to be inappropriate for TV and the camera man was reportedly instructed to focus on Elvis’ face. However, the studio audience off-camera were loving the performance with screams being heard by fans.
5. Interracial kissing
Although the interracial kiss between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols on Star Trek was not the first on TV, it had a significant impact. The scene was filmed twice, once with a kiss and once without a kiss, as NBC was worried about the response from audiences in the South. William ruined the only good take without the kiss and their famous kiss was aired in 1968.
The content of TV shows has dramatically changed in the past decades. Today, violence and swearing are seen as the “normal” on prime-time TV. However, back in the day, these mild references caused quite a stir.
1. The same bed
On I Love Lucy, Rick and Lucy slept in twin beds connected by a headboard console. In the episode “First Stop” the characters were seen sharing beds for the first time, a change that was only made possible due to the show’s successful ratings.
2. A woman’s belly button
In an episode on I Dream of Jeannie, Barbara Eden was set to wear a costume that would expose her belly button. When NBC executives were made aware of the plans they discussed whether this was appropriate for TV and eventually stopped it. Later in the show, when Jeannie visits the beach she is seen wearing a one-piece.
3. The word “pregnant”
When Lucy was pregnant on I Love Lucy, networks officials were not thrilled. On the show, no one was allowed to say the word “pregnant” so characters instead used phrases such as “with child” and “having a baby”.
4. Elvis’ hip movements
When Elvis first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, staff were in for a shock. Elvis’ seductive hip movements were said to be inappropriate for TV and the camera man was reportedly instructed to focus on Elvis’ face. However, the studio audience off-camera were loving the performance with screams being heard by fans.
5. Interracial kissing
Although the interracial kiss between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols on Star Trek was not the first on TV, it had a significant impact. The scene was filmed twice, once with a kiss and once without a kiss, as NBC was worried about the response from audiences in the South. William ruined the only good take without the kiss and their famous kiss was aired in 1968.
6. Toilet flush
During the 1950s and 1960s, scenes with toilets were censored to avoid any vulgarity. In 1973, on All In the Family, we hear Archie Bunker flushing a toilet. This was the first toilet flush on primetime TV.