In 1976, an episode of Sesame Street featuring The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz was aired once—and then promptly banned forever after a flood of complaints from horrified parents. The episode was so disturbing that it never re-aired and remained lost for decades, turning it into one of the most infamous pieces of censored children’s television.
The Plot: A Witch on Sesame Street
The episode, #847, starred Margaret Hamilton, reprising her legendary role as the Wicked Witch of the West. In the story, the Witch loses her broomstick in Sesame Street, and Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and the other characters must deal with her as she tries to get it back.
What was meant to be a fun and educational lesson on fear turned into something far more unsettling. Margaret Hamilton played the Witch just as intensely as she did in the 1939 film, complete with eerie cackling, dramatic threats, and supernatural powers. The performance was so effective that it terrified children watching at home.
Viewer Reactions: Instant Backlash
After the episode aired, PBS and the Children’s Television Workshop (CTW) were flooded with letters from outraged parents. Reports claimed that children were screaming, crying, and refusing to sleep after watching the episode. Some even had nightmares for weeks.
Key Complaints from Parents:
- The Witch’s presence was too intense for young viewers.
- The episode did not have a clear resolution to ease children’s fears.
- The Wicked Witch’s threats and magic felt too real, unlike other fantasy elements in Sesame Street.
Due to the overwhelming backlash, the episode was immediately pulled from rotation and never shown again.
The Lost Episode & Its Rediscovery
For decades, Sesame Street fans and lost media enthusiasts searched for any surviving footage of Episode 847. While script summaries and behind-the-scenes photos existed, the full episode remained unseen by the public—until 2022.
What Happened in 2022?
- The episode was leaked online, with a copy surfacing in the archives of the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB).
- Sesame Street historians confirmed its authenticity, and clips began circulating online before being taken down.
- Fans finally got to see why this episode became one of the most controversial in children’s television history.
Was It Really Too Scary?
Looking back, many people argue that the episode was not nearly as terrifying as reported. Some believe that it was an overreaction from parents rather than the episode itself being damaging. However, considering the psychological impact it had on young children at the time, it’s understandable why PBS and CTW chose to remove it permanently.
To this day, Episode 847 remains a fascinating example of how even beloved children’s programming can push boundaries too far—and how an innocent lesson on fear can turn into something far more unsettling.
Watch the Lost Episode
Was it truly too scary for children, or was it simply misunderstood? Watch the episode yourself and decide: