The Simpsons: Too Hot for UK TV

A DVD which features only two of the episodes on this list. "Flagrant false advertising" indeed.

It must be said that The Simpsons often seems to be treated like a childrens’ programme by UK television… and over the years, that’s created a fair few problems. There are hundreds of examples of censorship cuts by the BBC, Sky and Channel 4, and listing them all… is probably a bit beyond me. But one thing I can do (hopefully comprehensively) is list all the times that the entire episode was a problem. There’s yet to be a case of an episode being entirely banned in the UK, thankfully, but many were either delayed or only allowed to air after the 9pm watershed (which, in practise, means they’re seen very rarely). This article provides a list of every episode that was affected for reasons of inappropriate content; see also my earlier piece The Simpsons on the BBC: A Ludicrously Comprehensive Timeline, which contains a few other items of interest.

If you have any additions or corrections to make to this list, please get in touch!

The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson (season 9)

Between late 2001 and mid 2005, this episode was not shown by any UK channel for obvious reasons. (It was the only episode the BBC never screened at all.) It returned to the schedules in 2005 with a heavily edited version that removes as much of the Twin Towers as possible.

The Cartridge Family (season 9)

I’ve already written about this for the BBC Timeline, so this is just a copy+paste of what I wrote there:

It’s also worth noting that “The Cartridge Family” was banned by Sky back in 1997 due to the depiction of foolish use of firearms, hence why the BBC used it as the premiere episode as they had no qualms about showing it uncut – so it was the episode’s premiere on UK television altogether, not just the BBC. (It had, however, already been available on an official video, “Too Hot for TV”, since 1999, so it wasn’t the first opportunity for UK viewers to see it – the VHS also made the most of this ‘exclusive’ episode. When Sky got the rights to Season 9 back from the BBC, they also began airing “Cartridge”.)

Natural Born Kissers (season 9)

Sky 1 initially banned this episode for content reasons, but later relented and allowed it to be shown as the season 10 premiere.

Wild Barts Can’t Be Broken (season 10)

Shortly before this episode was due to make its BBC premiere, there was a controversy around a sniper that meant it was pulled from the schedule due to Moe’s line about the sniper at the all-star game. The delay was only about three weeks, though; it aired after the rest of the season with the offending line (and possibly more; see the BBC Timeline) cut.

Day of the Jackanapes (season 12)

Although this episode first aired on Sky 1 without problems, there was a period for several years where they wouldn’t air it, presumably due to the suicide bomber storyline.

Weekend at Burnsie’s (season 13)

The drugs storyline means that this episode is currently only allowed to air after the watershed on both channels. (I’ve seen at least one page claim that Channel 4 banned it outright; this isn’t true, it has aired at least once on C4 as when they premiered this season they were still showing new episodes in primetime rather than at 6pm, and it’s possibly had some late-night outings since then.)

Love, Springfieldian Style (season 19)

The repeated use of the word “bollocks” means this episode is currently restricted to post-watershed showings only on Sky 1; Channel 4 use a heavily edited version that shows pre-watershed.

Smoke on the Daughter (season 19)

This episode is currently completely banned by Channel 4 due to the storyline about an 8-year-old girl taking up smoking, although this hasn't always been the case; it aired at least once, possibly in a late-night slot, when they first got the rights to this season. (I am not sure about Sky, but I would guess it was shown there as well.)

American History X-cellent (season 21)

Sky 1 currently only shows this episode post-watershed due to violent content; I believe Channel 4 air an edited version before the watershed.

What Animated Women Want (season 24)

Channel 4 currently only shows this episode after the watershed due to its 50 Shades of Grey-inspired storyline. (Sky showed it in its usual timeslot, although it may have been subject to censorship.)

Whiskey Business (season 24)

Both Channel 4 and Sky 1 show this episode post-watershed only due to the plotline around Moe’s suicide attempt.

Blazed and Confused (season 26)

It seems Sky 1 had some concerns about the drugs-related content of this episode, and skipped it during their first run of the season; however, they later relented and allowed it to be shown in the usual timeslot (there may have been some edits made).

Halloween of Horror (season 27)

Sky 1 currently refuses to air this episode before the watershed (it was skipped during their first run of season 27 and finally showed up in a midnight double bill with “Gal of Constant Sorrow”, below). The reason given is the content, although I have absolutely no idea why this is, as there is nothing in the episode whatsoever that could be considered unsuitable for before the watershed. Still, that’s what they say, so it’s on this list.

Gal of Constant Sorrow (season 27)

Much the same as “Halloween of Horror” above, only there is a legitimate reason why the episode might be deemed inappropriate, namely the drugs storyline.

Treehouse of Horror XXVII (season 28)

Due to the violent nature of this episode, Sky 1 currently refuses to broadcast it before the 9pm watershed. (The previous year’s Treehouse had been cut to ribbons in the usual timeslot, which might have played a part in this decision.)