Cow and Chicken was part of a generation of iconic '90s shows on Cartoon Network. In many ways, it informed the style, tone and humor of Western cartoons for years to come. Like many of its contemporaries, Cow and Chicken contained humor and jokes that more than likely went far over the heads of its young target audience. However, one episode in particular, "Buffalo Gals," took things a bit too far for broadcast. Featuring crude and on the nose jokes making fun of lesbians, this infamous Cow and Chicken episode was only shown once on television. Here's a look at the infamous episode that had censors splitting hairs more than any other.
The Season 2 episode introduces the eponymous Buffalo Gals, a group of rather rough and tumble-looking ladies who ride motorcycles and wear buffalo helmets. They first appear by breaking into the family home of Cow and Chicken, where they promptly begin their favorite pastime of munching on the home's carpet. Cow quickly becomes enamored with the bovine beauties and signs up to join their brood. They engage in a playful game of softball before Chicken appears, hoping to coax his sister out of being a part of the Buffalo Gals.
The episode is rife with egregious sexual innuendos, namely at the expense of lesbians. The Buffalo Gals are portrayed in an incredibly dirty, disgusting and antagonist manner, namely toward men. When Cow and Chicken's father becomes scared of them, his wife remarks that they're definitely not after him.
Likewise, when Chicken tries to intervene in Cow joining their ranks, they angrily retort with the double entendre that they hate "chicken." The leader of the Gals, Munch Kelly, also showcases two female symbols on her business card, making the joke pretty obvious.
At one point, the Gals are confused for a group of men. Their favorite game of softball is also a notable lesbian stereotype. Other not-so-subtle jokes include eating carpets and discussing "pitching" and "catching" while playing baseball. Not to mention the titular song is sung to implore other potential Buffalo Gals to "come out" tonight. The term Buffalo Gals can also be seen as a play on the offensive term "bull dykes."
While Cow and Chicken's target audience was likely oblivious to all of this, it quickly drew the wrath of parents. Due to complaints, the episode only aired on television once on February 20, 1998. It was subsequently replaced by "Orthodontic Police" in future timeslots. This is true for Netflix streaming, too, meaning that the Buffalo Gals likely won't air ever again, which given the episode's poor taste and derogatory nature, is for the best.