George Boyle
In 2019, Alabama Public Television refused to air an episode of the children's show Arthur that depicted a same-sex wedding. In the episode, Arthur and his friends attend their teacher Mr. Ratburn's wedding, where they discover that he is marrying a male aardvark. While the episode, titled Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone, was praised by many for its positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community, some considered it inappropriate for a children's show. This incident sparked a discussion about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes in children's programming and whether it could impact the show's ratings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show | Arthur |
| Episode | Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone |
| Season | 22 |
| Episode Premise | Arthur and his friends attend their teacher Mr. Ratburn's wedding |
| Mr. Ratburn's Partner | A male aardvark |
| States that refused to air the episode | Alabama, Arkansas |
| Reason for refusal | Violation of trust, against traditional values |
| Show's message | To represent the diversity of communities and normalise LGBTQIA+ relationships |
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What You'll Learn
Alabama refused to air the episode
Alabama Public Television (APT) refused to air the season 22 premiere of Arthur, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," which featured the character's same-sex wedding. Instead, the station aired a rerun of the show and stated that they had no plans to broadcast the episode at a later date.
APT's director of programming, Mike McKenzie, explained that the decision was based on maintaining trust with parents who expected child-appropriate content from the network. He emphasized that parents trusted APT to provide programming that was suitable for unsupervised viewing by children, including those younger than the target audience for Arthur.
This move by APT was not an isolated incident. In 2005, the network had pulled an episode featuring a character with two mothers. Allan Pizzato, the then-executive director of APT, had expressed a similar sentiment about upholding trust with parents regarding programming content.
The refusal to air the episode sparked mixed reactions. Some praised the depiction of a same-sex wedding in a children's show, while others considered it inappropriate. There were also critical responses to Alabama's decision, with some commenting on the state's track record on same-sex marriage rights and its educational attainment levels.
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Mr Ratburn's wedding was praised for its normalising of same-sex marriage
Mr Ratburn's wedding in the children's show Arthur was met with a mixed response. While some praised the normalising of same-sex marriage, others criticised it as inappropriate for a children's show. The episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone", premiered in May 2019 and depicted the character of Mr Ratburn marrying a man. This was the first time in the show's 22-year history that a gay wedding had been featured.
The episode was praised by many for its positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community. According to Vox's Allegra Frank, the segment "refreshingly avoids presenting it [the wedding] as 'different' or 'non-traditional,' and simply shows that it is worthy of celebration, just like any happy marriage." This sentiment was echoed by fans of the show, with one person tweeting, "Mr. Ratburn is the gay icon I never knew I needed."
However, the episode also faced criticism and was not aired by some PBS stations in Alabama and Arkansas. Alabama Public Television (APT) stated that they felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode, as many parents would not have been aware of its content. Republican commentators also criticised the episode, claiming that it was part of the "culture war" against traditional American values.
Despite the controversy, the episode was a significant step forward in terms of LGBTQ+ representation in children's programming. By including a same-sex wedding, the show normalised same-sex relationships and sent a message of acceptance and belonging to young viewers. This was in line with the show's goal of reflecting the diversity of communities across the nation, as stated in a PBS Kids network statement: "PBS Kids programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation. We believe it is important to represent the wide array of adults in the lives of children who look to PBS Kids every day."
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The episode was criticised for being inappropriate for children
The episode "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone" of the popular children's show Arthur received criticism for being inappropriate for children. The episode, which premiered in 2019, featured the same-sex wedding of Arthur's teacher, Mr. Ratburn, to a male aardvark. While the episode was praised by many for its depiction of a same-sex wedding, it was also met with backlash and was not aired by several state networks, including in Alabama and Arkansas.
Alabama Public Television (APT) refused to air the episode, citing concerns about maintaining trust with parents who relied on their programming to be suitable for children without supervision. Mike McKenzie, APT's director of programming, stated that "parents have trusted Alabama Public Television for more than 50 years to provide children’s programs that entertain, educate and inspire" and that they felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode. This decision was consistent with APT's previous actions, as they had pulled a 2005 episode of Arthur that featured a girl with two mothers.
The decision to not air the episode sparked discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in children's programming. Supporters of the episode argued that including LGBTQ+ content in G-rated entertainment for kids sends a message of inclusion and belonging. They emphasized the importance of showing that LGBTQ+ individuals exist and lead normal lives, including having normal relationships. Additionally, some viewers shared that representation in media can positively impact young LGBTQ+ individuals, possibly helping them feel more comfortable with their identities at an earlier age.
However, critics of the episode expressed concerns about the suitability of the topic for children's television. Some Republican commentators characterized the episode as part of the "culture war" against traditional American values. They viewed the inclusion of a same-sex wedding as inappropriate and imprudent for release by a public, educational children's network, suggesting it could offend the convictions of a sizable group of citizens.
The episode's handling of Mr. Ratburn's wedding varied across different regions and networks, reflecting the ongoing debate surrounding LGBTQ+ representation in children's programming and the balance between reflecting diverse communities and respecting parental trust in broadcasters.
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Arthur's writer Kathy Waugh believes the show's ending was a mistake
In 2019, the children's show Arthur made headlines with an episode depicting the same-sex wedding of Mr. Ratburn, a beloved teacher character. While the episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," was praised by many for its positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community, it also sparked controversy, with several state networks, including Alabama and Arkansas, refusing to air it.
The show's writer, Kathy Waugh, recently shared that Arthur has ended after 25 years. In an interview on the Finding DW podcast, Waugh expressed her belief that ending the show was a mistake:
> "Arthur is no longer in production. We had our wrap party two years ago. I think [PBS] made a mistake, and I know I'm not alone in thinking they made a mistake. I don't know if it was a ratings issue or if it felt like it needed to be retired. To me, it felt evergreen, like it was never going to end, but it did end; we finished the last episode, season 25, two years ago."
Waugh developed the show for PBS in 1996, based on the children's book series by Marc Brown. Over the years, Arthur explored various themes, including dyslexia, cancer, and LGBTQ+ representation, always handling them in a heartwarming and non-preachy way.
The decision to end the show may have been influenced by a variety of factors, including ratings, the desire to retire the show while it was still successful, or a shift in focus for PBS. However, Waugh's comments highlight the impact and longevity that the show had, and many fans will likely agree that its ending came too soon.
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The show has previously depicted LGBTQ+ characters
> Our feeling is that we basically have a trust with parents about our programming. This program doesn’t fit into that.
In the season 22 premiere, "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," Arthur and his friends attend their teacher Mr. Ratburn's wedding. Initially, they believe he is marrying a female rat named Penny, voiced by Jane Lynch. However, when they realise Penny is Mr. Ratburn's sister, they are surprised to see him walk down the aisle with another groom, a male aardvark.
The episode was praised by many for its positive portrayal of a same-sex wedding. Grown-up fans of the show expressed their support for the storyline, with some commenting on the importance of depicting a gay elementary teacher in a normal and non-predatory light. However, several state networks, including Alabama and Arkansas, refused to air the episode, and some Republican commentators criticised it as being part of the "culture war" against traditional America.
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Frequently asked questions
In the season 22 premiere, Arthur and his friends attend their teacher Mr. Ratburn's wedding, which they initially believe is to a female rat named Penny. However, they are surprised when Mr. Ratburn walks down the aisle with another groom, revealing that he is gay.
The episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone", received positive feedback from many viewers, with some praising its depiction of a same-sex wedding. However, several state networks, including Alabama and Arkansas, refused to air the episode, and some Republican commentators criticised it as being part of a "culture war".
Alabama Public Television stated that they did not air the episode due to a "trust with parents" about their programming, believing that airing the episode would violate this trust. They emphasised that parents trusted their children could watch their programs without supervision.
Yes, the show continued for a few more seasons. However, it eventually ended in 2022 after 25 years on air.
