Streaming network Hulu is taking episodes off of sitcom Scrubs which portrays white actors in a blackface appearance according to Comicbook.com. This move was apparently done at the creator and executive producer’s request, Bill Lawrence (Spin City).
Fans brought up concerns over the episodes portraying Blackface on Twitter. Lawrence in a tweet, was clear on urging streaming services to rid of those episodes completely.
The series as a whole ran for 9 seasons, from 2001 to 2010. The flagged episodes of the medical drama came from two seasons. The episodes include, “My Friend the Doctor” (Season 3, Episode 8), “My Jiggly Ball” (Season 5, Episode 4) and “My Chopped Liver” (Season 5, Episode 170 via CNN.
This decision comes regarding the wake when Tina Fey requested streaming services through letter to take off episodes of 30 Rock that show white actors with blackface. In her letter, Fey apologized for the four episodes and the “pain they have caused” according to CNN.
The Scrubs episodes show Zach Braff’s character J.D. as well as Sarah Chalke’s character Elliot in blackface according to Deadline. Many series and films are beginning to take a second look at their on screen portrayals. Simultaneously, HBO Max took off Gone With the Wind from the just released streaming platform but is set to bring back the film with a disclaimer to educate viewers of the historical context.