Adult Swim quietly pulls a number of controversial episodes due to ‘cultural sensitivities’
Adult Swim has removed multiple “problematic” episodes from its streaming platforms due to current “sensitivities”.
The adult cartoon network retired episodes from three major shows: Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Boondocks, and The Shivering Truth.
A representative of Adult Swim explained the decision to The Daily Beast, stating: “When Adult Swim transitions series to a new platform we determine what episodes are selected through creative and cultural filters and our standards and practice policies.
“Oftentimes these decisions are made in collaboration with the show’s creators.”
Eagle-eyed fans were the first to notice the missing episodes and posted about their absence on Reddit.
Among the instalments that have been either temporarily or permanently “rested” is a 2009 Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode from season six which depicts the equivalent of blackface.
From the surreal stop-motion series The Shivering Truth, an episode titled “Ogled Inklings” has been pulled due to “sensitivity around current events”.
Additionally, some fans noted that multiple episodes of The Boondocks have also been withheld, including “The Story of Jimmy Rebel”, an episode which features a famed racist country singer.
The news comes after a summer in which similarly offensive and controversial episodes have been pulled from entertainment services.
The shows impacted include 30 Rock, Community, Little Britain and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Recently, the creators of Rick and Morty spoke out about the controversy surrounding whitewashing in animation after several cartoons, including Netflix’s Big Mouth and Disney’s The Simpsons, announced that they will no longer have white actors voicing non-white characters.
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