10 First Kiss Scenes That Caused Major Scandal
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VOICE OVER: Jennifer Silverman
WRITTEN BY: Joe Shetina
Pucker up for controversy! We're diving into the world of on-screen kisses that set tongues wagging. From unexpected pairings to groundbreaking moments, these lip-locks left audiences shocked, outraged, or cheering for more. Join us as we explore the first kisses that pushed boundaries and sparked heated debates in living rooms across the nation. Our countdown includes iconic moments from beloved shows like "Stranger Things," "Star Trek," and "Roseanne," as well as more recent controversies from "9-1-1" and "Monster." We'll uncover the behind-the-scenes drama, network pushback, and cultural impact of these unforgettable smooches.
Top 10 First Kiss Scenes That Caused Major Scandal
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the first kisses from live action TV shows that inspired backlash from audiences.
Sadie Sink joined the cast of the Netflix science fiction series in its second season. Her character, Max, soon became a love interest for Lucas, played by actor Caleb McLaughlin. The two share a kiss in the season two finale. However, fans were alarmed when during the official aftershow, Sink shared some behind-the-scenes details. Apparently, the Duffer Brothers wrote the kiss into the script after floating the idea to Sink and seeing her strong, anxious reaction. Sink responded to the online uproar by saying she did not object to the kiss, but many people remained skeptical of the somewhat callous attitude of the creators towards a sensitive issue.
The 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Erik and Lyle, have inspired several fictional recreations and much media speculation over the years. But Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Netflix series explores some uncharted territory in the relationship between the brothers. The second episode in particular drew criticism for what many thought was a disrespectful depiction of an intimate moment between the two. Critics deemed it exploitative. Murphy responded by explaining that the show aims to explore many theories and perspectives that seek to explain the Menendezes’ crimes. But this still left a bad taste in many viewers’ mouths.
In its seventh season, the primetime drama about first responders made headlines. Firefighter Evan Buckley, known affectionately as “Buck,” has an epiphany about his sexuality when he realizes he’s crushing hard on fellow firefighter Tommy Kinard. The two share a passionate kiss that came as a surprise to some viewers. Fans were largely receptive, if not downright ecstatic about the development. But actor Oliver Stark had to call out homophobic comments on his social media after the scene aired. If that weren’t enough, the scene also got some heat from supportive viewers who were just mad that Buck didn’t end up with another character, Eddie Diaz.
Jackie’s first kiss with Kelso really only became controversial in hindsight. She was already the youngest of the main group of teenagers on “That ‘70s Show.” But in real life, actress Mila Kunis was even younger than people thought. Kunis lied about her age to secure the part. Although she was only 14, once she came clean to the creators, they went ahead with her casting anyway. But the public coming to terms with this revelation made her first season kiss with now-husband Ashton Kutcher uncomfortable for many viewers, as he is several years older than her.
It’s hard to imagine the idealized world of “Little House” inspiring much in the way of controversy. But in his memoir, the actor who played opposite Melissa Gilbert’s Laura wrote how their first kiss would’ve been handled differently today. Dean Butler was in his twenties when he and Gilbert shared their first onscreen kiss. She was still a teenager. In the season six episode “Sweet Sixteen,” Laura and her future husband, Almanzo, steal a kiss. There was even more drama happening behind the camera. Reportedly, Gilbert’s mother was distraught about her daughter having her first kiss on camera.
The scandal surrounding this kiss started behind the scenes. From the start, “Dawson’s Creek” had parents up in arms over its portrayal of teen relationships. But showrunner Greg Berlanti did something truly groundbreaking. He put a romantic kiss between two gay characters on primetime TV. The network pushed back right away. The creators were hit with all sorts of limitations and rules about how to position the camera and actors in the scene. But the team didn’t back down — Berlanti even threatened to leave the show. Jack and Ethan don’t end up together, but it’s still a romantic and historic moment for representation on television.
The first kiss shared between lawyers C.J. and Abby was controversial for several reasons. Ahead of the 1991 episode’s airing, several sponsors expressed displeasure with the kiss, leading a few to actually pull their advertising. Reviews were mixed, but it was a hot topic for months afterward. The moment was also criticized by cultural commentators. No substantive gay romance storyline ever materialized. Afterward, “L.A. Law” was partially blamed for popularizing the “lesbian kiss episode” trend, a critique of shows that interject a one-time encounter between female characters as a ratings stunt.
Science officer Dax and Lenara Kahn’s 1995 kiss wasn’t exactly typical. Dax is a member of the Trill, an alien species capable of transferring to and from symbiotic host bodies. The attraction between Dax and Kahn comes about due to Kahn’s previous romance with one of Dax’s former hosts. Many praised the storyline, although there was some negative pushback. Phone calls from angry viewers poured in. A local broadcaster even removed the kiss from the episode entirely. But others remember the storyline fondly for its use of allegory to condemn homophobia.
Roseanne Conner may have been the know-it-all, but even she was in over her head a little when she went out to a gay bar with Jackie, Nancy, and Nancy’s new girlfriend Sharon. Played by Mariel Hemingway, Sharon takes to Roseanne immediately. She plants a kiss right on Roseanne’s lips to the excited hollering of the studio audience. It was a brazen moment that flew right in the face of the conservative criticisms of primetime TV at the time. ABC was reluctant to air the episode, fearing for its advertising dollars. “Roseanne” was one of its biggest shows. When it finally aired in March 1994, the reception was relatively positive. Hemingway would later joke about the moment when she hosted “SNL.”
In this landmark 1968 episode, a group of sadistic extraterrestrials use their psychic powers to force Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura into a passionate embrace. It may not be romantic, but the now iconic moment between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols turned out to be one of the first interracial kisses on American television. However, it wasn’t viewers who were most agitated. It was the network. NBC execs monitored it intensely the entire time. Worried about offending viewers, they suggested an alternate version of the scene without the kiss. Shatner forced their hand by ruining every single alternate take, forcing them to use the original. The kiss went to air and became a landmark TV moment.
Were you surprised by these choices? Tell us in the comments.
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the first kisses from live action TV shows that inspired backlash from audiences.
#10: Lucas Sinclair & Max Mayfield
“Stranger Things” (2016-)Sadie Sink joined the cast of the Netflix science fiction series in its second season. Her character, Max, soon became a love interest for Lucas, played by actor Caleb McLaughlin. The two share a kiss in the season two finale. However, fans were alarmed when during the official aftershow, Sink shared some behind-the-scenes details. Apparently, the Duffer Brothers wrote the kiss into the script after floating the idea to Sink and seeing her strong, anxious reaction. Sink responded to the online uproar by saying she did not object to the kiss, but many people remained skeptical of the somewhat callous attitude of the creators towards a sensitive issue.
#9: Erik & Lyle Menendez
“Monster” (2022-)The 1989 murders of José and Kitty Menendez by their sons, Erik and Lyle, have inspired several fictional recreations and much media speculation over the years. But Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Netflix series explores some uncharted territory in the relationship between the brothers. The second episode in particular drew criticism for what many thought was a disrespectful depiction of an intimate moment between the two. Critics deemed it exploitative. Murphy responded by explaining that the show aims to explore many theories and perspectives that seek to explain the Menendezes’ crimes. But this still left a bad taste in many viewers’ mouths.
#8: Evan “Buck” Buckley & Thomas “Tommy” Kinard
“9-1-1” (2018-)In its seventh season, the primetime drama about first responders made headlines. Firefighter Evan Buckley, known affectionately as “Buck,” has an epiphany about his sexuality when he realizes he’s crushing hard on fellow firefighter Tommy Kinard. The two share a passionate kiss that came as a surprise to some viewers. Fans were largely receptive, if not downright ecstatic about the development. But actor Oliver Stark had to call out homophobic comments on his social media after the scene aired. If that weren’t enough, the scene also got some heat from supportive viewers who were just mad that Buck didn’t end up with another character, Eddie Diaz.
#7: Jackie Burkhart & Michael Kelso
“That '70s Show” (1998-2006)Jackie’s first kiss with Kelso really only became controversial in hindsight. She was already the youngest of the main group of teenagers on “That ‘70s Show.” But in real life, actress Mila Kunis was even younger than people thought. Kunis lied about her age to secure the part. Although she was only 14, once she came clean to the creators, they went ahead with her casting anyway. But the public coming to terms with this revelation made her first season kiss with now-husband Ashton Kutcher uncomfortable for many viewers, as he is several years older than her.
#6: Laura Ingalls Wilder & Almanzo Wilder
“Little House on the Prairie” (1974-83)It’s hard to imagine the idealized world of “Little House” inspiring much in the way of controversy. But in his memoir, the actor who played opposite Melissa Gilbert’s Laura wrote how their first kiss would’ve been handled differently today. Dean Butler was in his twenties when he and Gilbert shared their first onscreen kiss. She was still a teenager. In the season six episode “Sweet Sixteen,” Laura and her future husband, Almanzo, steal a kiss. There was even more drama happening behind the camera. Reportedly, Gilbert’s mother was distraught about her daughter having her first kiss on camera.
#5: Jack McPhee & Ethan
“Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003)The scandal surrounding this kiss started behind the scenes. From the start, “Dawson’s Creek” had parents up in arms over its portrayal of teen relationships. But showrunner Greg Berlanti did something truly groundbreaking. He put a romantic kiss between two gay characters on primetime TV. The network pushed back right away. The creators were hit with all sorts of limitations and rules about how to position the camera and actors in the scene. But the team didn’t back down — Berlanti even threatened to leave the show. Jack and Ethan don’t end up together, but it’s still a romantic and historic moment for representation on television.
#4: C.J. Lamb & Abby Perkins
“L.A. Law” (1986-94)The first kiss shared between lawyers C.J. and Abby was controversial for several reasons. Ahead of the 1991 episode’s airing, several sponsors expressed displeasure with the kiss, leading a few to actually pull their advertising. Reviews were mixed, but it was a hot topic for months afterward. The moment was also criticized by cultural commentators. No substantive gay romance storyline ever materialized. Afterward, “L.A. Law” was partially blamed for popularizing the “lesbian kiss episode” trend, a critique of shows that interject a one-time encounter between female characters as a ratings stunt.
#3: Jadzia Dax & Lenara Kahn
“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1993-99)Science officer Dax and Lenara Kahn’s 1995 kiss wasn’t exactly typical. Dax is a member of the Trill, an alien species capable of transferring to and from symbiotic host bodies. The attraction between Dax and Kahn comes about due to Kahn’s previous romance with one of Dax’s former hosts. Many praised the storyline, although there was some negative pushback. Phone calls from angry viewers poured in. A local broadcaster even removed the kiss from the episode entirely. But others remember the storyline fondly for its use of allegory to condemn homophobia.
#2: Roseanne Conner & Sharon
“Roseanne” (1988-1997; 2018)Roseanne Conner may have been the know-it-all, but even she was in over her head a little when she went out to a gay bar with Jackie, Nancy, and Nancy’s new girlfriend Sharon. Played by Mariel Hemingway, Sharon takes to Roseanne immediately. She plants a kiss right on Roseanne’s lips to the excited hollering of the studio audience. It was a brazen moment that flew right in the face of the conservative criticisms of primetime TV at the time. ABC was reluctant to air the episode, fearing for its advertising dollars. “Roseanne” was one of its biggest shows. When it finally aired in March 1994, the reception was relatively positive. Hemingway would later joke about the moment when she hosted “SNL.”
#1: James T. Kirk & Nyota Uhura
“Star Trek: The Original Series” (1966-69)In this landmark 1968 episode, a group of sadistic extraterrestrials use their psychic powers to force Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura into a passionate embrace. It may not be romantic, but the now iconic moment between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols turned out to be one of the first interracial kisses on American television. However, it wasn’t viewers who were most agitated. It was the network. NBC execs monitored it intensely the entire time. Worried about offending viewers, they suggested an alternate version of the scene without the kiss. Shatner forced their hand by ruining every single alternate take, forcing them to use the original. The kiss went to air and became a landmark TV moment.
Were you surprised by these choices? Tell us in the comments.
