Top 20 Most Shocking Sitcom Moments
#20: Jodi’s Overdose “Mom” (2013-21)
This sitcom uses humor to discuss the tough subject of addiction. In season 3, Christy and her friends from Alcoholics Anonymous meet teenage addict Jodi. Over the season, Christy becomes her sponsor and helps get her back on her feet. However, Jodi begins dating another former addict, who’s only just gotten clean. In the episode "Diabetic Lesbians and a Blushing Bride," Christy receives a devastating phone call that Jodi overdosed and did not survive. After the final scene, Anna Faris, Allison Janney and a real-life doctor appeared in a public service announcement to discuss the severity of addiction.
#19: Jessie Takes Caffeine Pills “Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)
It found a new life as a meme on the internet, but Jessie's breakdown on "Saved by the Bell" is no laughing matter. Played by Elizabeth Berkley, Jessie Spano feels the mounting pressure of being Bayside High School's most studious go-getter. To help cope with the stress, she takes caffeine pills, and soon the quick fix turns into an addiction. Between the pressure of her academics and the added demands of the upcoming talent show, she soon unravels in the arms of her friend, Zach Morrison, singing and pleading for help. A departure from the "Bell's" lighter flare, the episode stands out as a frank portrayal of adolescent stress.
#18: Greg’s Car Accident “Family Ties” (1982-89)
Throughout the 1980s, ‘very special episodes’ became a popular way for sitcoms to discuss serious subject matters. In the fifth season of "Family Ties," the show dedicated a two-part arc to explore the topic of grief. After learning that a longtime friend of Alex's, Greg, has died in a car accident, the Keaton family comes together to mourn. However, Alex understandably has a difficult time dealing with it. He feels a mix of anger and guilt, as he was actually supposed to be in the car with Greg. The second half takes place in an empty space while Alex talks to an unseen therapist. It's a theatrical approach that effectively allows the story's emotions to take center stage.
#17: Rosario’s Death “Will & Grace” (1998-2006; 2017-20)
During the original run of "Will & Grace," Rosario, played by Shelley Morrison, became a fan favourite. However, Morrison declined to reprise her role for the revival, as she had retired from acting. Six episodes into the revival, the character was killed off - dying from a heart attack off-screen. Rosario's former employer and friend, Karen, honors her by fulfilling a promise to throw her a belated quinceañera. As Karen, actress Megan Mullally delivers a truly moving and poignant speech that pays tribute to a beloved figure.
#16: Laura Faces Racism “Family Matters” (1989-98)
In the second season of "Family Matters," the comedy depicts a disturbing episode about racism. Inspired by Black History Month, Laura organizes an initiative to create a Black History class at her high school. Later, she and Steve find an unsettling note and racial slur on her locker. Tensions mount among the student body, and a hurt and exhausted Laura is ready to give up. After a conversation with Mother Winslow, she continues her crusade, and the school backs her idea for a class. While the episode has a positive ending, the story is rooted in a reality that the Black community continues to face, making it equally as relevant as when it first aired.
#15: Sandy’s Drunk Driving “Growing Pains” (1985-92)
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Matthew Perry joined the "Growing Pains" cast in 1989 as the recurring character Sandy, Carol's college boyfriend. In the episode "Second Chance," he invites her to attend a luncheon, but their plans go awry when he gets into a car accident after a night of drinking. While visiting him in the hospital, Carol learns that he has pending charges for driving under the influence, but other than that, seems relatively unscathed. By the time she gets home though, things turn tragic as she learns that Sandy has died from internal bleeding. It's a shocking twist that cuts deep, reminding viewers to drive responsibly.
#14: Penny’s Abuse “Good Times” (1974-79)
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In the 1970s, audiences could always rely on "Good Times'' for non-stop laughs. But even the most comedy driven shows can feature moments of deep seriousness. In seasons five through six, viewers welcomed the character of Penny Gordon Woods, a sweet, smiley and kind pre-teen. She came from a difficult home situation, including a physically abusive mother who forced her to run away from home. The storyline was an eye-opening look into the realities of child abuse. In the end, Willona adopts Penny, and they create the loving, supportive and safe household that every child deserves.
#13: Jackie’s Domestic Abuse “Roseanne” (1988-97; 2018)
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One of the things about "Roseanne" that made it stand out as a sitcom was that it never shied away from portraying reality. In the episode "Crime and Punishment," the title character notices a behavior change in her sister, Jackie, who suddenly appears skittish and irritated. Upon finding bruises, Roseanne learns she is being abused by her boyfriend, Fisher. Outraged, Jackie's brother-in-law, Dan, assaults Fisher and ends up arrested. While that doesn’t resolve matters, eventually, with Roseanne’s support, Jackie is able to move on from the relationship.
#12: John Ritter’s Passing “8 Simple Rules” (2002-05)
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In 2003, the world was shocked by the news that television icon John Ritter had suddenly passed away. As his fans and peers mourned his untimely loss, producers of his sitcom "8 Simple Rules" were faced with the difficult task of addressing his death. After a hiatus, the show returned with an episode titled "Goodbye." It was revealed that Ritter's character, Paul Hennessy, had also died suddenly. Viewers were glued to their screens as they watched as both the characters and actors navigated the loss. As the series continued, new faces like James Garner and David Spade joined the production, helping bring comfort, warmth and laughs to both the cast and the audience.
#11: Howard’s Mom’s Death “The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)
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Although her face never actually appeared onscreen, Debbie Wolowitz left a big impression on "The Big Bang Theory." Featured only through her distinct voice, Howard's mom could be overprotective, overbearing, and just plain over the top. Always well intended, her mothering ways were missed when she passed away in season eight. After receiving a phone call from his aunt, Howard grieves her passing with the support and love of his friends. The character's departure occurred a few months after the actress who portrayed her, Carol Ann Susi, died in 2014. In honor of their legacies, a photograph of Susi was hung on Sheldon and Leonard’s fridge.
#10: Rebecca’s Rock Bottom “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2015-19)
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Despite its cheery exterior, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" goes to some dark places. It was often praised for depicting protagonist Rebecca Bunch's struggles in an honest way. In season three, she finds herself at an all-time low. After escaping her life in West Covina, she seeks comfort from her mother Naomi in New York. Their relationship gets extremely strained when it's revealed that the mother’s been sneaking medication into her daughter's system. In the wake of this betrayal, Rebecca attempts to overdose by swallowing a handful of the leftover meds. She quickly realizes the severity of her situation and gets a flight attendant’s attention before it’s too late. The episode marked a major turning point in the series and promoted the importance of asking for help.
#9: Ben’s death “Scrubs” (2001-10)
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Cox’s brother-in-law Ben was treated for leukemia in the first season. When he returns in season three, he defends J.D. when a patient passes away on his watch. This stance angers Cox throughout the episode. But Ben is able to push the cranky doctor towards a place of forgiveness. But by the time he’s ready to move on, Cox realizes that the patient that passed away was Ben. It turns out that the doctor had been hallucinating that his brother in law was around after his death. The episode ends at the funeral. This emotional and jarring plot twist still hurts the hearts of fans decades later.
#8: Gloria’s Miscarriage “All in the Family” (1971-79)
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During an era when sitcoms often played it safe, "All in the Family '' was fearless. From racism to religion, the series never shied away from exploring topics other shows didn't dare tackle. And they didn’t wait long to dive into serious territory. In season one, the Bunkers learn that their daughter Gloria and her husband Mike are expecting a child. At first, the episode focuses on Archie’s anger about the pregnancy. But things soon take a somber turn when Gloria suffers a devasting miscarriage. The heavy episode depicts a genuine and honest portrayal of an issue that is often swept under the rug, even today.
#7: Terry’s Racial Profiling “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21)
As the Black Lives Matter movement became the subject of more and more headlines, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" had some tough conversations to confront. The comedy, which follows the misadventures of a New York City precinct, could not ignore the topic of policing and racism. They tackled the issue head on on by including a plot point where the Black officer Terry is racially profiled by a fellow cop. He spends the episode trying to decide whether or not to file a complaint while also trying to manage the emotional toll of the incident. It's a heavy but vital storyline. In a time where awareness is spreading about policing, storylines like this are needed to cast light on the topic.
#6: Mateo’s Deportation “Superstore” (2015-21)
"Superstore" always places emphasis on the importance of fundamental issues. In one of the show's most paramount episodes, the big box retail store witnesses one of their own facing deportation. Knowing that he does not have citizenship, sales associate Mateo lives in constant fear. His worst nightmare comes true when Cloud 9 is raided by ICE. His colleagues do everything in their power to hide and protect him. But in the end, he's found and taken away. The whole episode is heartbreaking because of how authentic it appears as this is the reality for countless people across America.
#5: Arnold & Mr. Horton “Diff'rent Strokes” (1978-86)
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In a chilling two-part episode, "Diff'rent Strokes" featured one of the most disturbing storylines in sitcom history. The content was so heavy that it even included a content advisory read by show lead Conrad Bain. Titled "The Bicycle Man", the arc followed the budding friendship between Arnold and Dudley and bicycle shop owner Mr. Horton. But it’s soon clear that the latter has sinister intentions for the young people he befriends. Fortunately, adults step in to aid their children through this difficult scenario. "Strokes" received acclaim for handling the sensitive subject matter well and was even credited with helping children identify inappropriate adult behavior.
#4: Marshall's Dad's Death “How I Met Your Mother” (2005-14)
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Season six of "How I Met Your Mother" included the death of Marshall's father. After he and Lily spend the day at the fertility specialists, they both anticipate the worst. But they never could have guessed that their bad news would come from another source. The moment Marshall receives some positive information about fertility, Lily arrives to tell him that his dad has suffered a fatal heart attack. Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan improvised the moment and shot the heartbreaking scene in just one take. Not only did this shock fans but also Segel as well. In the end, this approach led to one of the saddest moments in the entire show.
#3: Will’s Dad Leaves “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96)
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Despite spending over a decade apart, Will’s father Lou unexpectedly returned in a season four episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Uncle Phil immediately has his reservations about whether or not Lou will stick around. However, Will and Lou make plans to venture out on a road trip and mend their relationship. But the disappearing dad decides to abandon the plan and his son at the last moment. A distraught and rightfully hurt Will launches into an incredibly emotional monologue before breaking down in front of his uncle. It's a powerful moment made even stronger by both Will Smith's and the late James Avery's incredible acting.
#2: Maude's Pregnancy “Maude” (1972-78)
Split into a two-parter, the Norman Lear comedy "Maude" addressed a critical topic in its very first season. When the title character discovers she is pregnant at 47 years old, she has to decide what to do. She ultimately decides that getting an abortion is the right thing to do. Since such a topic was rarely discussed in mainstream media at the time, the subject matter received backlash. Some stations even decided to forgo airing the episode all together. Lear stood by the storyline and offered an honest depiction of a topic that is far too often kept in the dark. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Will & Carlton Are Robbed, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96) Fans Were Shocked When Will Was Shot Charles’ Abuse, “Full House” (1987-95) “Full House” Dedicated an Episode to the Topic of Child Abuse Dr. Cox’s Mistake, “Scrubs” (2001-10) The Doctor Breaks Down After a Mistake Leads to a Patient’s Death Edith’s 50th Birthday, “All in the Family” (1971-79) Viewers Were Shocked When Edith Was Assaulted Before Her Birthday Party Hawkeye’s Confession, “M*A*S*H” (1972-83) Hawkeye Made a Traumatic Confession in the “M*A*S*H” Finale Jamie’s Kiss, “Mad About You” (1992-99; 2019) Jamie & Paul’s Marriage Was on the Line After She Kissed Her Coworker
#1: Plane Crash “M*A*S*H” (1972-83)
For over a decade, "MASH" perfectly toed the line between comedy and drama. Situated during the Korean War at a military hospital, the show did not shy away from levity. One of the legendary series' most challenging moments hit audiences with an unforgettable gut punch. After Colonel Blake receives his discharge, we watch a bittersweet send off. Things take a heart aching turn when Radar delivers horrifying news. Apparently, Blake's plane crashed and he did not survive. The moment stands the test of time as one of the most brutal revelations in the history of American television.
