Jump directly to the content

HULU has removed a 1988 episode of The Golden Girls due to a scene that shows Betty White and Rue McClanahan’s characters in blackface.

The move comes just two days after the streaming service that also featured controversial racial content.

 A 1988 episode of The Golden Girls has been removed from Hulu for featuring blackface
10
A 1988 episode of The Golden Girls has been removed from Hulu for featuring blackfaceCredit: NBC
 Dorothy's son, Michael, brought his girlfriend, Lorraine, over along with her family
10
Dorothy's son, Michael, brought his girlfriend, Lorraine, over along with her familyCredit: NBC
 The Golden Girls ran for more than 200 episode between 1985-1992
10
 The Golden Girls ran for more than 200 episode between 1985-1992Credit: Getty Images - Getty

During season three, episode 23 titled “Mixed Feelings”, Bea Arthur’s Dorothy met with her son Michael’s girlfriend, Lorraine, as he said he intended to marry the older Black woman.

As Lorraine - played by Rosalind Cash - arrived at the house with her family, Dorothy greets them at the door.

, 98, and Rue’s characters, Rose and Blanche, come out from the kitchen wearing a dark brown mud face mask.

"This is mud on our faces, we’re not really Black,” Rose Nylund joked.

 Betty White's Rose joked they are "not really Black"
10
Betty White's Rose joked they are "not really Black"Credit: NBC
 The episode centered around Dorothy's son's Black girlfriend and her family
10
The episode centered around Dorothy's son's Black girlfriend and her familyCredit: NBC
 Dorothy did not appear pleased after Rose made the comment
10
Dorothy did not appear pleased after Rose made the commentCredit: NBC

After the comment, Lorraine and her family appeared stunned.

Hulu has since taken off the episode from their platform, first reported.

The iconic sitcom - which aired for over 200 episodes between 1985-1992 - joined a growing number of TV shows that have been pulled or edited due to blackface allegations.

Scrubs has had three episodes featuring cast members in blackface removed from Hulu.

The episodes in question were season 3's "My Friend the Doctor" and the season 5 episodes "My Jiggly Ball" and "My Chopped Liver.”

 The Golden Girls has remained a popular choice on streaming services over the years
10
The Golden Girls has remained a popular choice on streaming services over the yearsCredit: Getty - Contributor

One featured Zach Braff's character J.D wearing blackface at a party in a flashback scene, while Sarah Chalke's character Elliot wore blackface in a fantasy scene.

The medical comedy ran from 2001 until 2010 and was a huge hit.

In the wake of the protests, the entertainment industry has been re-evaluating their content for racial sensitivity in film and television.

The axed Scrubs episodes comes just days after Tina Fey requested four episodes of her show 30 Rock be .

 Scrubs has had three episodes featuring cast members in blackface removed
10
Scrubs has had three episodes featuring cast members in blackface removed

reported a note written by Tina to the platforms read: "As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation.

"I understand now that ‘intent’ is not a free pass for white people to use these images.

"I apologize for pain they have caused. Going forward, no comedy-loving kid needs to stumble on these tropes and be stung by their ugliness.

 Tina Fey demanded four episodes of 30 Rock showing the cast in blackface be removed from streaming services
10
Tina Fey demanded four episodes of 30 Rock showing the cast in blackface be removed from streaming servicesCredit: TV Company
 Two episodes featuring Jane Krakowski’s character Jenna in blackface are to be removed
10
Two episodes featuring Jane Krakowski’s character Jenna in blackface are to be removedCredit: NBC

"I thank NBCUniversal for honoring this request.”

The episodes being flagged are season three's Believe In The Stars and season five's Christmas Attack Zone.

Both episodes featured Jane Krakowski’s character Jenna in blackface, while season six's Live from Studio 6H featured Jon Hamm in blackface as part of an Amos ‘n’ Andy parody.

Jimmy Fallon admits he's ‘horrified’ by 2000 blackface sketch and insists ‘I’m not a racist’ in first on-air apology
Topics