Disney+ Places Warning Label On The Muppet Show For 'Harmful Stereotypes'

Disney has put a warning at the beginning of The Muppet Show to alert audiences about sensitive material.

The Daily Mail reports the streaming arm of the corporation has suggested there are parts of the programme that 'includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures'.

When audiences select the flagged episode on Disney+, they will be greeted by a message that says: "These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now."

The warnings are believed to refer to stereotypes related to Native Americans, Arabs and East Asians.

There is one scene in particular from season five in 1980 that shows singer Johnny Cash performing in front of a Confederate flag.

The disclaimer has been added to 18 episodes throughout the show's five seasons, which ran from 1976 to 1981. It appears for 12 seconds before the episodes start.

Disney said in a statement: "Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.

"Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe."

The move follows Disney putting similar warnings at the beginning of several iconic films, as well as preventing children under the age of seven from being able to watch them.

Peter Pan, Dumbo and The Aristocats were some of the films that were removed for viewing for young children over concerns they promoted 'harmful stereotypes'.

It is understood Peter Pan was given a content warning is as it features a Native American tribe whose members are referred to as 'redskins'.

The Aristocats featured a Siamese cat character called Shun Gon, whose slanted eyes and prominent teeth have been deemed an offensive caricature of East Asian people.

Swiss Family Robinson, which was released back in 1960, is also among those removed after it was criticised for its 'yellowface' and 'brownface' pirates.

These movies and others that have been flagged by Disney+ will now carry the same warning message as The Muppets in a bid to ensure audiences understand some of the content they are about to watch will have dated jokes, characters or situations.

Featured Image Credit: Disney

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie