Bluey , the adorable and insightful children’s show from Australia, has become a worldwide favorite. However, even the most beloved shows can run into issues.
A few episodes of Bluey have been banned or censored for various reasons, often due to concerns about cultural sensitivity or inappropriate content for children. Here are five episodes that faced cancellation or edits - judge for yourself whether they deserved to be snipped!
1. "Teasing"
This episode was temporarily pulled from circulation due to concerns about its portrayal of teasing among siblings. Critics argued that the show did not provide a strong enough message against teasing, which could lead to misunderstandings among young viewers about the seriousness of bullying.
In addition to this, Bluey and Bandit use the phrase "ooga booga," which drew complaints due to its offensive connotations for Indigenous Australians. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) stated that the use of this language was unintentional and expressed sincere apologies, emphasizing their commitment to combating discrimination. Consequently, ABC removed the episode, along with another Season 1 episode, "Daddy Robot," which featured the same phrase. When the "Teasing" episode aired on Disney+, the phrase was replaced with "shoobi-doo-wop."
2. "Dad Baby"
" Dad Baby " was flagged for its comedic take on pregnancy and birth. The episode featured Bandit, Bluey’s father, pretending to be pregnant, which some viewers found inappropriate for young children. Concerns were raised about whether the topic was handled in a way that was sensitive to different cultural norms.
This episode of Bluey was the first to be completely omitted by Disney when the show was introduced to the U.S. market. While Disney hasn't officially stated why the episode was excluded, it's likely due to its discussion of childbirth, which may have been deemed too sensitive for some audiences. For those interested in exploring the content that led to its removal, the episode is still accessible for streaming on Fubo.
3. "Squash"
This episode was criticized for promoting aggressive behavior. While the premise of a squash game between Bandit and his friend was meant to be lighthearted, some parents felt it showed overly competitive and rough behavior that could influence young viewers. As a result, the episode was edited to tone down the competitive elements.
4. "Markets"
" Markets " faced censorship because of a brief scene showing a character playing with a pretend syringe. Given the sensitivities around medical equipment and their use, particularly in the context of the global pandemic, some broadcasters opted to remove or edit the scene to avoid any potential misinterpretation or fear among children.
In Season 1, Episode 20, titled "Markets," a minor detail prompted an edit that many viewers might have missed. During the episode, Bluey and Bingo encounter a pony named Buttermilk, whimsically referred to as a "unicorn" because of a horn on her head. When Buttermilk defecates on the grass, the girls react with screams and run away. While the original version showed the poop, this was removed in the Disney+ version, likely to make the scene less graphic for younger audiences.
5. "Grannies"
In the episode " Grannies ," a scene where Bluey and Bingo pretend to be elderly women and fall over was deemed potentially offensive to older viewers. There were concerns that the portrayal might be seen as making fun of the elderly and the physical challenges they face, leading to edits that softened the depiction.
