Credit: DisneyIn recent years, Disney fans have accused the company of running away from its past. They expressly point to the closure of rides like Splash Mountain, Muppet Vision 3D, Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island.
However, Disney has attempted to censor its past by removing offensive films and putting cultural warnings on its movies, like Dumbo (1941) and Peter Pan (1953).
Disney removed Song of the South (1946) from all its streaming services, and it is no longer available for purchase due to what some perceive as racism in the form of the African American character Uncle Remus.
However, most fans believe that the company couldn’t possibly want to censor its 1990s Disney Channel shows. After all, what could be more wholesome and vanilla than an early Disney Channel show?
But now, Disney has done just that, pulling 90s Disney Channel shows from Disney+ due to insensitive or controversial topics.
Boy Meets World
Few Disney shows explore growing up in a more bland way than Boy Meets World. Unfortunately for Disney, eventually, the boy would have to become a man or at least a teenager.
Disney has banned three episodes of the show that deal with teenage sex and drinking.
In episode 18 of season five, Corey and Shawn attend a party where they both start drinking. Later in the episode, Shawn is seen day drinking. When his brother learns of his drinking, he informs Shawn that their father was an alcoholic.
Despite the episode dealing with real-life issues, Disney banned the episode because of underage drinking. The characters were only 16 at the time.
Later in season five, Corey and Shawn are trying to lose their virginity on prom night. Despite the fact that none of the characters actually had sex or even said the word sex, Disney still, through the episode, was too racy.
Season six brought sex back to the forefront. This time, it was the idea of casual sex with a friend.
Shawn and Angela were about to have random sex, but after they discussed it, they both realized there needed to be an emotional connection before they had sex.
Darkwing Duck
Yes, that Darkwing Duck. Disney has censored an episode of its 90s cartoon for containing Satanic references.
In the episode, Darkwing Duck, Gosalyn, and Morgana attend the Eldritch Academy of Enchantment. Beelzebub tricks Gosalyn into helping him steal Darkwing’s soul, and the group must travel to hell to get it back.
The episode features several issues Disney wants to avoid, such as Satan, hell, souls, religion, and the occult. Rather than help kids better understand those issues, Disney simply banned the episode.
Disney appears to be purging any episode that’s even slightly controversial from its Disney+ lineup. You had better check in on the shows from your childhood before they’re gone.