Disney Channel pulls episode of popular sitcom Jessie after backlash
Recently the Disney Channel pulled an episode of the popular “Jessie” starring Disney darling Debby Ryan. It received much backlash from parents because of its insensitivity towards children with severe food allergies. In this particular episode a new character named Stuart who has a gluten allergy is made fun of and ridiculed and also characterized as bratty and high maintenance. For example in one scene a character throws food at the child and the studio audience and character laugh along with the joke as if it wasn’t detrimental towards the child.
A petition was started to have the channel pull the episode from programming which the channel ultimately did do stating that they would review it further. Many children around the world have severe food allergies and must deal with this sort of treatment daily. It isn’t wrong to feel as if the episode entitled “Quitting Cold Koala” is making fun of a serious problem that many children face. The petition got more than 2,000 signatures. Many people are glad that Disney too the initiative to pull the offensive episode.
Below is a statement released by the Disney Channel.
To our viewers, we received your feedback about tonight’s “Jessie” episode which some of you accessed early on Video-on-Demand. We are removing this particular episode from our regular programming schedule and will re-evaluate its references to gluten restrictions in the character’s diet. Please accept our apologies for the upset this episode caused you and your family. We value your feedback and thank you for watching Disney Channel.
Below you can also view the offensive scenes from the episode.
Related articles
- Win Lose or Draw comes to Disney Channel (chipandco.com)
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
I have an uncommon food allergy and when I read the headline I thought, “Great, more overreacting parents.” When I read the article though, it became clear that it’s not so much a reaction to the insensitivity that the character has a food allergy, but the bullying it caused by the other characters. I’m glad that Disney removed the episode (even though my girls aren’t old enough to watch the show).