There's nothing that ignites the ire of conservative media outlets more than the prospect of cancel culture. But the latest target of their wrath, Disney Plus, isn't cancelling anything; they're just putting a warning label on it.
Much like corporate brands Aunt Jemima and professional sports teams like the Cleveland Indians and Washington Football team have reassessed their names for racist or stereotypical depictions, Disney Plus has added a content disclaimer to the beginning of 18 episodes of “The Muppet Show,” which started streaming on the platform on Friday.
“This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now,” the disclaimer reads. “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.”
The move is consistent for Disney Plus, which has also added disclaimers in front of "Dumbo," "Peter Pan," "The Aristocats, "and other animated films that veer off into racism.
The disclaimer has been attached to episodes hosted by Jim Nabors, Joel Grey, Steve Martin, Peter Sellers, Cleo Laine, James Coco, Spike Milligan, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers, Beverly Sills, Jonathan Winters, Alan Arkin, James Coburn, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Debbie Harry, Wally Boag and Marty Feldman.
The label has been added to each episode for a different reason. Here are a few that have been spotlighted for questionable content
Steve Martin
In his episode, Martin performs on a guitar while singing in a mock Chinese language.
Johnny Cash
The country star performs a song in front of a Confederate flag.
Jim Nabors
In the Nabors episode, there is a brief appearance of a puppet dressed as a stereotypical Native American (referred to as an “Indian”).
Spike Milligan
Milligan appears in a multitude of caricatured national costumes as part of a performance of "It’s a Small World After All," including as a Chinese person with exaggerated front teeth and a long braid.
Jonathan Winters
Winters appeared in a Native American segment and a sketch that included a Gypsy Muppet placing a curse.