20 Moments in Children's TV That Did NOT Age Well
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VOICE OVER: Ryan Wild
WRITTEN BY: Beca Dalimonte
Avert your eyes, children! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for what hindsight has made the most shocking episodes, cameos, and segments in kids' TV. Our countdown includes moments from shows “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”, “Johnny Bravo”, “iCarly” and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for what hindsight has made the most shocking episodes, cameos, and segments in kids’ TV. Have you ever rewatched a scene from your favorite kids show that aged like milk? Let us know in the comments!
By 2008, cyclist Lance Armstrong was already the subject of rumors claiming his meteoric rise to fame was due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. But Armstrong vehemently denied these claims, and appeared to pass several tests proving his innocence. It was during this time that the athlete made an appearance on “Arthur,” teaching one of its characters about the importance of bike lanes. He would return in the show’s following season, this time discussing his experience living with cancer and discussing the best ways one can be there for someone who has an illness. Both episodes are entirely innocuous and feature good lessons for the show’s young audience, but were nonetheless buried – and occasionally picked apart – following Armstrong’s scandal and subsequent confession.
Being unhoused is no laughing matter. Even a show like “Glee,” which many thought mishandled other sensitive subjects, knew to treat this particular issue with sensitivity and tact. For “iCarly,” however, it was apparently considered a funny enough topic for a running gag. The season-three episode “iEnrage Gibby” even features a certain party in which the main characters dress as stereotypical unhoused people. Not only is this party offensive, but it bizarrely has nothing to do with the rest of the episode. The strange sight gag would become one of the show’s last references to them, as Nickelodeon would put an end to the recurring joke in the following year.
Sometimes good intentions can lead to poorly aged moments. In “Saved by the Bell”s second season, the Bayside High kids are made to present on their personal family heritages. Zack Morris doesn’t take the assignment seriously, and cites Native American ancestry as an excuse to do a stereotype-laden speech as his classmates laugh. His teacher threatens to fail him, endangering his spot on the track team unless he agrees to meet with a Native American man named Chief Henry. What initially appears to be a good teaching moment dives headfirst back into cringe territory when Zack arrives at school in a full headdress. Although he’s slightly more educated about the culture than when the episode began, that doesn’t excuse this blatant display of appropriation.
Children’s shows can be smarter than people give them credit for, as can their target audience. But sometimes a topic is just too complex to cover in a half hour cartoon. For “The Powerpuff Girls,” feminism was one of those topics. The episode “Equal Fights” attempts to criticize a specific brand of empty, man-hating feminism with its antagonist, Femme Fatale. Unfortunately, the character comes across as a strawman, and her valid critiques about representation and equality are dismissed once it’s clear she’s using them to get away with crime. While some adults have praised the episode’s nuanced approach, we think its message simply gets too muddled for a kid’s introduction to such an important topic.
The Nick sketch comedy series “All That” featured a number of child stars. Bryan Hearne was one of them, acting in the show’s seventh and eighth seasons, but would never entertain the same level of success as some of his castmates. In the docuseries “Quiet on Set,” Hearne claims that his time on the show was filled with frequent stereotyping and on set racism. The sketch Li’l Fetus is brought up as an example. On screen, the sketch plays up a stereotype, while, behind the scenes, Hearne was brought to tears when a crew member suggested that his skinsuit should be “charcoal.” Even without the racism involved, a preteen in a skintight bodysuit is just uncomfortable to watch.
Disturbing allegations of inappropriate conduct made against series creator John Kricfalusi may make many moments of “The Ren & Stimpy Show” hard to stomach. However, when it comes to what’s actually happening on screen, “Stimpy’s Cartoon Show” takes the cake for being a little too real. The episode depicts an abusive dynamic between Ren and Stimpy, with Ren demanding that Stimpy finishes a cartoon to his exact specifications - while doing none of the work himself. The writing certainly isn’t out of character for Ren, but those knowledgeable about “Ren & Stimpy”s production know that it also seemingly mirrors the behavior of his creator and former voice actor. The showrunner had been fired less than a year prior for his unacceptable behavior.
For far too long, the harassment of boy characters was seen as a joke, especially if their tormentors were girls. Whether it was Panini chasing after Chowder, or Helga practically stalking Arnold, cartoons regularly treated these creepy dynamics as something to be laughed at. One of the worst offenders was “Ed, Edd n Eddy”s Kanker sisters. The trio pretty much exists to harass the protagonists, often kissing them against their will. The Christmas special, “Ed, Edd n Eddy’s Jingle Jingle Jangle,” has a particularly bleak ending. The sisters lock the boys in a shed with a sign reading ‘Do not open until next X-Mas.’ Although it’s unlikely they actually held the Eds hostage that long, help doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon.
Like “All That,” “The Amanda Show” was filled with just as many uncomfortable sketches as it was genuinely funny bits. One of the stranger skits of the show was a fake commercial for Sumo, a drink consumed directly from the stomach of a sumo wrestler. The concept of young actors pretending to drink from the belly of a half naked adult is questionable at best. And making that adult a sumo wrestler adds an unfortunate layer of racism to the mix. In the ad, Amanda and her friends ask the audience why they would drink “boring old soda” when they can try something “new,” “Asian,” and “obese.” To make matters worse, the final descriptor is paired with a stereotypical caricature of the wrestler himself. Yikes!
In the second episode of this Nick series, Jimmy Neutron makes book gum, a tasty treat that’s basically edible SparkNotes. Cindy is the second to try out the new invention, saying it tastes like “fried chicken” before putting on an exaggerated accent and quoting Prissy from “Gone with the Wind.” For those who don’t know, the character she’s mimicking in this scene is an enslaved Black woman. Not only is it baffling that the writers would choose this book out of everything available, but the quoted line arguably isn’t even one of the most memorable from “Gone with the Wind.” Unsurprisingly, the combination of Cindy’s impression and the stated flavor of the gum has been criticized in recent years for being racially insensitive.
As some of the first girls to ever attend Pacific Coast Academy, Zoey and her friends are no strangers to sexism. Still, it’s unlikely any of them could have predicted this gross invasion of their privacy. In “Zoey 101”s third episode, the girls’ chauvinistic classmate, Logan, gifts them a giant teddy bear as a peace offering. They accept it, suspicious of his intentions, but completely unaware that he has planted a webcam inside. He spies on them throughout the episode, even using their secret conversations to turn them against each other. Obviously the show acknowledges that Logan’s actions were bad, but all he ends up losing is his job when he really should have been expelled.
1997 was a big year for LGBTIA+ representation on American television, with “Ellen” becoming the first primetime series to feature a female LGBTIA+ lead character. Unfortunately this progressive step forward for sitcoms would be followed by a massive step back for kids’ TV just one year later. This is when “Buffalo Gals” would air for the first and last time. The controversial “Cow and Chicken” episode included a literal depiction of a derogatory term for gay women, as well as several instances of shockingly blatant innuendo. It was swiftly banned at the time of release due to its inappropriate content, but nowadays its treatment of gay women would be seen as even more problematic.
It’s hard to imagine “Johnny Bravo” making it onto televisions at all in this day and age. Yes, the series’ title character is often punished for his sexist behavior, but you simply don’t see many serial womanizers in kids shows today. But that’s probably for the best, especially when you consider some of “Johnny Bravo”s worst moments - like this one from “The Perfect Gift.” In this episode, Johnny takes a job at a troubled teen hotline to earn money for a memorable mother’s day gift. What initially seems like a wholesome premise quickly turns sour when he hits on his first caller. Not only is this unseen girl calling for a serious conversation about her mental health, but she is also a minor!
The history of the United States is complex and dark, particularly when discussing the plight of its Indigenous peoples. Given this harsh reality, it should be unsurprising that “My Little Pony” dropped the ball when trying to translate the story of colonization into its magical world. Although the series’ showrunner has noted that a Native American consultant was hired for the episode, modern fans have criticized its whitewashing of real life events. “Over a Barrel” presents a world where settler ponies and indigenous buffalo have equal claim to a piece of land, and ultimately compromise in living and working together peacefully. Obviously this couldn’t be further from the truth in our human world, and the episode’s implications skew childhood perceptions of history.
The release of “Tomb Raider” inspired a lot of discussion about the portrayal of women in video games. This episode of “Life with Derek” tackles that subject in a surprisingly nuanced way, albeit with a parody game called ‘Babe Raider.’ Casey initially hates the game on principle, but soon learns she loves playing it and even dresses like its main character. This is where things get a little dicey. Although Casey is wearing a relatively modest crop top, her stepbrother calls her outfit “offensive” and her friend Emily suggests that she’s inviting “stupid comments” from boys. As Casey eventually edits her outfit, none of these criticisms are challenged, and thus the episode appears to support the body shaming and victim blaming hurled her way.
There are many ways to celebrate good news. Kissing a stranger shouldn’t be one of them. Yet, in this episode, the brothers find out they won a contest and celebrate by doing just that. Both of the boys’ victims seem happy to be kissed, but that doesn’t change the fact that the initial act was assault. To make matters worse, the scene is punctuated with a transphobic gag wherein one of the women is revealed to have a deep voice, startling Josh and the audience. The scene is far from the first questionable moment in the series. In the previous season, the boys thought their dad was having an affair, and were happy to cover it up as long as their parents stayed together.
Let’s cut to the chase: Dan Schneider’s shows have an obsession with feet. Whether you’re watching “The Amanda Show,” “iCarly,” or even “Drake & Josh,” you’re likely to run into a handful of jokes about the appendages each season. “Victorious” has some of the most egregious of these gags, with the most uncomfortable being the subplot of “Cat’s New Boyfriend.” In this episode, Trina begins using pooka fish to get rid of the dead skin on her feet. The other kids are obsessed with the smoothness and try the treatment themselves. Because the fish were purchased illegally, the teens end up in the hospital, where even the adult doctors are eager to rub their hands on their feet. Weird then, and even weirder now!
Dylan Sprouse may have refused to tell a fat joke on “Suite Life,” but that didn’t stop this creepy plotline from coming to fruition. In “Forever Plaid,” Zack and Cody are tasked with repairing a hole they made in the wall of the Tipton. They soon realize a girls’ soccer team is next door, and spend the rest of the episode watching them, even allowing their friends to join in on the salacious spying. The brothers obviously get in trouble for their actions, but their punishment doesn’t really fit the severity of their crime. “Suite Life on Deck” proves the brothers didn’t grow much after the incident, as they care more about seeing their female friend in revealing clothes than they do her comfort.
A relatively simple skit, Amanda’s Jacuzzi was a talk show segment on “The Amanda Show,” in which a teenaged Amanda Bynes interviewed adults in her hot tub. Considering some of the things that happened behind the scenes of the show, this set-up should be enough to raise eyebrows - even if all of the skit’s adult guests were fully clothed. But showrunner Dan Schneider inserting himself into the sketch is almost too cringey to watch. In the segment, Amanda asks for a raise and is quickly shot down. The response follows the same pattern as the other jacuzzi interviews, but is a few degrees more uncomfortable considering Schneider’s alleged hot and cold personality on set.
Gary may live underwater, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys taking baths. In an effort to get him into the tub, SpongeBob tries to convince his pet snail that their bathroom is secretly harboring buried treasure. He holds up two bars of soap, calling them doubloons before winking and saying “don’t drop ‘em!” To a kid this may just seem like a joke about the slippery nature of soap but, to an adult, it’s a clear reference to dropping soap in prison and risking assault. Another episode of the series is far less subtle. “Mid-Life Crustacean,” which has now been pulled from most streaming platforms, shows SpongeBob, Patrick, and Mr Krabs creepily sneaking into a woman’s home to steal her underwear.
By this point, it’s apparent that Dan Schneider got away with a lot of adult jokes in his children’s shows. One example of this is the recurring Pickle Boy skit on “All That.” The phallic nature of the food likely flies over the heads of most kids, but is uncomfortably apparent to any adult. This is especially true for a skit featuring Ray Romano, in which Pickle Boy slides a pickle through a hole in a bathroom door in what seems to be an allusion to an adult activity. But these skits aren’t just poorly aged because of their on-screen content. Pickle Boy himself is played by “All That” dialogue coach, Brian Peck, who was arrested in 2003 for inappropriate contact with a minor.
#20: Lance Armstrong’s Cameo
“Arthur” (1996-2022)By 2008, cyclist Lance Armstrong was already the subject of rumors claiming his meteoric rise to fame was due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. But Armstrong vehemently denied these claims, and appeared to pass several tests proving his innocence. It was during this time that the athlete made an appearance on “Arthur,” teaching one of its characters about the importance of bike lanes. He would return in the show’s following season, this time discussing his experience living with cancer and discussing the best ways one can be there for someone who has an illness. Both episodes are entirely innocuous and feature good lessons for the show’s young audience, but were nonetheless buried – and occasionally picked apart – following Armstrong’s scandal and subsequent confession.
#19: The Unhoused People Party
“iCarly” (2007-12)Being unhoused is no laughing matter. Even a show like “Glee,” which many thought mishandled other sensitive subjects, knew to treat this particular issue with sensitivity and tact. For “iCarly,” however, it was apparently considered a funny enough topic for a running gag. The season-three episode “iEnrage Gibby” even features a certain party in which the main characters dress as stereotypical unhoused people. Not only is this party offensive, but it bizarrely has nothing to do with the rest of the episode. The strange sight gag would become one of the show’s last references to them, as Nickelodeon would put an end to the recurring joke in the following year.
#18: Running Zack
“Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)Sometimes good intentions can lead to poorly aged moments. In “Saved by the Bell”s second season, the Bayside High kids are made to present on their personal family heritages. Zack Morris doesn’t take the assignment seriously, and cites Native American ancestry as an excuse to do a stereotype-laden speech as his classmates laugh. His teacher threatens to fail him, endangering his spot on the track team unless he agrees to meet with a Native American man named Chief Henry. What initially appears to be a good teaching moment dives headfirst back into cringe territory when Zack arrives at school in a full headdress. Although he’s slightly more educated about the culture than when the episode began, that doesn’t excuse this blatant display of appropriation.
#17: Fumbled Feminist Message
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)Children’s shows can be smarter than people give them credit for, as can their target audience. But sometimes a topic is just too complex to cover in a half hour cartoon. For “The Powerpuff Girls,” feminism was one of those topics. The episode “Equal Fights” attempts to criticize a specific brand of empty, man-hating feminism with its antagonist, Femme Fatale. Unfortunately, the character comes across as a strawman, and her valid critiques about representation and equality are dismissed once it’s clear she’s using them to get away with crime. While some adults have praised the episode’s nuanced approach, we think its message simply gets too muddled for a kid’s introduction to such an important topic.
#16: Li’l Fetus
“All That” (1994-2005; 2019-20)The Nick sketch comedy series “All That” featured a number of child stars. Bryan Hearne was one of them, acting in the show’s seventh and eighth seasons, but would never entertain the same level of success as some of his castmates. In the docuseries “Quiet on Set,” Hearne claims that his time on the show was filled with frequent stereotyping and on set racism. The sketch Li’l Fetus is brought up as an example. On screen, the sketch plays up a stereotype, while, behind the scenes, Hearne was brought to tears when a crew member suggested that his skinsuit should be “charcoal.” Even without the racism involved, a preteen in a skintight bodysuit is just uncomfortable to watch.
#15: Alleged Animator Misconduct
“The Ren & Stimpy Show” (1991-96)Disturbing allegations of inappropriate conduct made against series creator John Kricfalusi may make many moments of “The Ren & Stimpy Show” hard to stomach. However, when it comes to what’s actually happening on screen, “Stimpy’s Cartoon Show” takes the cake for being a little too real. The episode depicts an abusive dynamic between Ren and Stimpy, with Ren demanding that Stimpy finishes a cartoon to his exact specifications - while doing none of the work himself. The writing certainly isn’t out of character for Ren, but those knowledgeable about “Ren & Stimpy”s production know that it also seemingly mirrors the behavior of his creator and former voice actor. The showrunner had been fired less than a year prior for his unacceptable behavior.
#14: The Kanker Sisters’ Christmas
“Ed, Edd n Eddy” (1999-2009)For far too long, the harassment of boy characters was seen as a joke, especially if their tormentors were girls. Whether it was Panini chasing after Chowder, or Helga practically stalking Arnold, cartoons regularly treated these creepy dynamics as something to be laughed at. One of the worst offenders was “Ed, Edd n Eddy”s Kanker sisters. The trio pretty much exists to harass the protagonists, often kissing them against their will. The Christmas special, “Ed, Edd n Eddy’s Jingle Jingle Jangle,” has a particularly bleak ending. The sisters lock the boys in a shed with a sign reading ‘Do not open until next X-Mas.’ Although it’s unlikely they actually held the Eds hostage that long, help doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon.
#13: “That’s Not Soda, That’s Sumo!”
“The Amanda Show” (1999-2002)Like “All That,” “The Amanda Show” was filled with just as many uncomfortable sketches as it was genuinely funny bits. One of the stranger skits of the show was a fake commercial for Sumo, a drink consumed directly from the stomach of a sumo wrestler. The concept of young actors pretending to drink from the belly of a half naked adult is questionable at best. And making that adult a sumo wrestler adds an unfortunate layer of racism to the mix. In the ad, Amanda and her friends ask the audience why they would drink “boring old soda” when they can try something “new,” “Asian,” and “obese.” To make matters worse, the final descriptor is paired with a stereotypical caricature of the wrestler himself. Yikes!
#12: An Insensitive Impression
“The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius” (2002-06)In the second episode of this Nick series, Jimmy Neutron makes book gum, a tasty treat that’s basically edible SparkNotes. Cindy is the second to try out the new invention, saying it tastes like “fried chicken” before putting on an exaggerated accent and quoting Prissy from “Gone with the Wind.” For those who don’t know, the character she’s mimicking in this scene is an enslaved Black woman. Not only is it baffling that the writers would choose this book out of everything available, but the quoted line arguably isn’t even one of the most memorable from “Gone with the Wind.” Unsurprisingly, the combination of Cindy’s impression and the stated flavor of the gum has been criticized in recent years for being racially insensitive.
#11: Logan’s Teddy Cam
“Zoey 101” (2005-08)As some of the first girls to ever attend Pacific Coast Academy, Zoey and her friends are no strangers to sexism. Still, it’s unlikely any of them could have predicted this gross invasion of their privacy. In “Zoey 101”s third episode, the girls’ chauvinistic classmate, Logan, gifts them a giant teddy bear as a peace offering. They accept it, suspicious of his intentions, but completely unaware that he has planted a webcam inside. He spies on them throughout the episode, even using their secret conversations to turn them against each other. Obviously the show acknowledges that Logan’s actions were bad, but all he ends up losing is his job when he really should have been expelled.
#10: The Buffalo Gals
“Cow and Chicken” (1997-99)1997 was a big year for LGBTIA+ representation on American television, with “Ellen” becoming the first primetime series to feature a female LGBTIA+ lead character. Unfortunately this progressive step forward for sitcoms would be followed by a massive step back for kids’ TV just one year later. This is when “Buffalo Gals” would air for the first and last time. The controversial “Cow and Chicken” episode included a literal depiction of a derogatory term for gay women, as well as several instances of shockingly blatant innuendo. It was swiftly banned at the time of release due to its inappropriate content, but nowadays its treatment of gay women would be seen as even more problematic.
#9: Johnny’s New Job
“Johnny Bravo” (1997-2004)It’s hard to imagine “Johnny Bravo” making it onto televisions at all in this day and age. Yes, the series’ title character is often punished for his sexist behavior, but you simply don’t see many serial womanizers in kids shows today. But that’s probably for the best, especially when you consider some of “Johnny Bravo”s worst moments - like this one from “The Perfect Gift.” In this episode, Johnny takes a job at a troubled teen hotline to earn money for a memorable mother’s day gift. What initially seems like a wholesome premise quickly turns sour when he hits on his first caller. Not only is this unseen girl calling for a serious conversation about her mental health, but she is also a minor!
#8: Whitewashing U.S. History
“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” (2010-19)The history of the United States is complex and dark, particularly when discussing the plight of its Indigenous peoples. Given this harsh reality, it should be unsurprising that “My Little Pony” dropped the ball when trying to translate the story of colonization into its magical world. Although the series’ showrunner has noted that a Native American consultant was hired for the episode, modern fans have criticized its whitewashing of real life events. “Over a Barrel” presents a world where settler ponies and indigenous buffalo have equal claim to a piece of land, and ultimately compromise in living and working together peacefully. Obviously this couldn’t be further from the truth in our human world, and the episode’s implications skew childhood perceptions of history.
#7: Casey’s Crop Top
“Life with Derek” (2005-09)The release of “Tomb Raider” inspired a lot of discussion about the portrayal of women in video games. This episode of “Life with Derek” tackles that subject in a surprisingly nuanced way, albeit with a parody game called ‘Babe Raider.’ Casey initially hates the game on principle, but soon learns she loves playing it and even dresses like its main character. This is where things get a little dicey. Although Casey is wearing a relatively modest crop top, her stepbrother calls her outfit “offensive” and her friend Emily suggests that she’s inviting “stupid comments” from boys. As Casey eventually edits her outfit, none of these criticisms are challenged, and thus the episode appears to support the body shaming and victim blaming hurled her way.
#6: Drake & Josh Kiss Strangers
“Drake & Josh” (2004-07)There are many ways to celebrate good news. Kissing a stranger shouldn’t be one of them. Yet, in this episode, the brothers find out they won a contest and celebrate by doing just that. Both of the boys’ victims seem happy to be kissed, but that doesn’t change the fact that the initial act was assault. To make matters worse, the scene is punctuated with a transphobic gag wherein one of the women is revealed to have a deep voice, startling Josh and the audience. The scene is far from the first questionable moment in the series. In the previous season, the boys thought their dad was having an affair, and were happy to cover it up as long as their parents stayed together.
#5: Pooka Fish
“Victorious” (2010-13)Let’s cut to the chase: Dan Schneider’s shows have an obsession with feet. Whether you’re watching “The Amanda Show,” “iCarly,” or even “Drake & Josh,” you’re likely to run into a handful of jokes about the appendages each season. “Victorious” has some of the most egregious of these gags, with the most uncomfortable being the subplot of “Cat’s New Boyfriend.” In this episode, Trina begins using pooka fish to get rid of the dead skin on her feet. The other kids are obsessed with the smoothness and try the treatment themselves. Because the fish were purchased illegally, the teens end up in the hospital, where even the adult doctors are eager to rub their hands on their feet. Weird then, and even weirder now!
#4: Peeping Tom Twins
“The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” (2005-08)Dylan Sprouse may have refused to tell a fat joke on “Suite Life,” but that didn’t stop this creepy plotline from coming to fruition. In “Forever Plaid,” Zack and Cody are tasked with repairing a hole they made in the wall of the Tipton. They soon realize a girls’ soccer team is next door, and spend the rest of the episode watching them, even allowing their friends to join in on the salacious spying. The brothers obviously get in trouble for their actions, but their punishment doesn’t really fit the severity of their crime. “Suite Life on Deck” proves the brothers didn’t grow much after the incident, as they care more about seeing their female friend in revealing clothes than they do her comfort.
#3: Dan Visits Amanda’s Jacuzzi
“The Amanda Show” (1999-2002)A relatively simple skit, Amanda’s Jacuzzi was a talk show segment on “The Amanda Show,” in which a teenaged Amanda Bynes interviewed adults in her hot tub. Considering some of the things that happened behind the scenes of the show, this set-up should be enough to raise eyebrows - even if all of the skit’s adult guests were fully clothed. But showrunner Dan Schneider inserting himself into the sketch is almost too cringey to watch. In the segment, Amanda asks for a raise and is quickly shot down. The response follows the same pattern as the other jacuzzi interviews, but is a few degrees more uncomfortable considering Schneider’s alleged hot and cold personality on set.
#2: Soap Doubloons
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)Gary may live underwater, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys taking baths. In an effort to get him into the tub, SpongeBob tries to convince his pet snail that their bathroom is secretly harboring buried treasure. He holds up two bars of soap, calling them doubloons before winking and saying “don’t drop ‘em!” To a kid this may just seem like a joke about the slippery nature of soap but, to an adult, it’s a clear reference to dropping soap in prison and risking assault. Another episode of the series is far less subtle. “Mid-Life Crustacean,” which has now been pulled from most streaming platforms, shows SpongeBob, Patrick, and Mr Krabs creepily sneaking into a woman’s home to steal her underwear.
#1: The Pickle Boy
“All That” (1994-2005; 2019-20)By this point, it’s apparent that Dan Schneider got away with a lot of adult jokes in his children’s shows. One example of this is the recurring Pickle Boy skit on “All That.” The phallic nature of the food likely flies over the heads of most kids, but is uncomfortably apparent to any adult. This is especially true for a skit featuring Ray Romano, in which Pickle Boy slides a pickle through a hole in a bathroom door in what seems to be an allusion to an adult activity. But these skits aren’t just poorly aged because of their on-screen content. Pickle Boy himself is played by “All That” dialogue coach, Brian Peck, who was arrested in 2003 for inappropriate contact with a minor.
