Universal Pictures’ recent decision to shelve the film The Hunt in the face of protests from President Trump and others has put the spotlight on media and cultural censorship in America. The Onion takes a look at famous instances of censorship in U.S. History.
1798:
Repulsive, moronic shit-heap John Adams signs bill making it illegal to criticize president unless accusation could hold up in court.
1885:
Concord Public Library becomes first of many institutions to ban The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn for its unfair and prejudiced depiction of alcoholic fathers.
1921:
Ulysses banned for introducing masturbation to American readers.
1930:
Censorship threats lead film industry to agree on the Hays Code prohibiting portrayals of interracial relationships or anti-Christian behavior, a pact still widely enforced today.
1964:
Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart famously says about pornography, “I know it when I see it, and I see quite a lot of it because I am addicted to pornography. Please help me.”
1995:
NYPD Blue challenges FCC’s 60-year-old ban on Dennis Franz’s ass.
2000:
Thousands of gamers incensed to find Sims characters pixelated while taking showers.
2006:
Uncle Pete isn’t allowed to finish story about Mexican guy from work at Thanksgiving.
2019:
Duct tape gently placed over Ricky Gervais’ mouth during photoshoot for forthcoming Netflix special.
