Pixar has made a significant modification to its classic animated film Toy Story 2 more than two decades after its original release, eliminating a controversial blooper scene featuring a suggestive joke involving Stinky Pete and two Barbie dolls. The removal of the gag, once included in the blooper reel at the end of the movie, comes in response to shifting cultural norms and heightened sensitivity around issues of consent and exploitation.
The Toy Story franchise, celebrated for its heartwarming storytelling and clever humor, often weaves jokes for both children and adults, with subtle references that mature audiences may catch only upon rewatching. However, one particular blooper sequence from the second installment crossed a line that modern audiences have found increasingly uncomfortable, prompting its removal from recent editions of the film.
In the original 1999 version of Toy Story 2, the outtakes featured a staged behind-the-scenes gag where Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) spins around Stinky Pete’s box, interrupting a suspicious interaction. Inside the packaging, Stinky Pete, voiced by Kelsey Grammer, is seen conversing with two identical Barbie dolls in a flirtatious and inappropriate manner. In a suggestive tone, he remarks, “So, you two are absolutely identical? I’m sure I could get you a part in Toy Story 3,” implying a casting couch scenario where roles could be exchanged for favors.
The interaction becomes even more uncomfortable as Stinky Pete gently holds one of the Barbie dolls’ hands while continuing to flirt until he realizes he’s being watched. Upon noticing Woody observing the situation, Stinky Pete immediately backtracks, stumbling over his words and awkwardly excusing the dolls. He hurriedly concludes the interaction with, “Oh, I’m sorry, are we back? Lovely chatting with you, girls. If you ever need any acting tips, feel free to ask,” before nervously closing his box.
While the blooper was initially intended as a lighthearted jab at the sleazy behavior often rumored to exist in Hollywood, the joke has aged poorly. The #MeToo movement, which emerged prominently in 2017 following widespread allegations against high-profile figures like Harvey Weinstein, brought renewed awareness to issues of sexual misconduct and exploitation in the entertainment industry. The controversial nature of the joke became even clearer in this cultural context, as what was once seen as a harmless joke now echoes a much darker reality.
Pixar responded to the backlash by quietly editing the scene from the 2019 Blu-ray release of Toy Story 2. Disney+, which now streams the film, has also excluded the blooper from its version, effectively scrubbing the joke from newer official releases.
The decision to alter the movie after two decades has sparked a divided reaction among fans. Many viewers praised Pixar for taking accountability and removing content that could be seen as problematic in today’s climate. One fan posted on social media, “Honestly, I always felt that scene was a bit weird. It was the right call to take it out.” Another added, “Considering how much we’ve learned about Hollywood misconduct, this was a necessary decision.”
However, not all fans were supportive of the edit. Some argued the joke should have remained as a satirical take on Hollywood’s darker side, especially since Stinky Pete was portrayed as a morally questionable villain throughout the movie. “He was supposed to be a creep—it was part of his character. Removing it feels like erasing the point,” one user commented. Another fan echoed this sentiment, stating, “Comedy often shines a light on real issues. This feels like rewriting history rather than confronting it.”
The debate has further reignited conversations about censorship and historical context in art, particularly when it comes to animated films originally aimed at children. Some critics have expressed concerns that altering older works of art retroactively could set a precedent for sanitizing past mistakes rather than using them as teachable moments.
However, many in the industry, including cultural analysts and filmmakers, have defended Pixar’s choice, arguing that the blooper was never part of the main narrative and did not affect the core plot of Toy Story 2. Instead, the removal focuses on keeping family-friendly content appropriate for all audiences, especially since young children remain the primary viewers of the franchise.
The Toy Story series has long been a pioneer in family entertainment, balancing humor with emotional storytelling. The original films earned praise for their innovative animation and heartfelt messages about friendship, loyalty, and personal growth. However, like many older works of media, the humor crafted decades ago can sometimes clash with modern societal standards, especially when issues of consent and power dynamics are involved.
Interestingly, the decision to remove this scene also highlights a broader trend across the entertainment industry. Several other major studios have recently revisited their past content to remove outdated or offensive material. Disney, for instance, added disclaimers to older films like Dumbo and Peter Pan, acknowledging the harmful stereotypes they contained, while Warner Bros. included similar messages in classic Looney Tunes collections.
Ultimately, Pixar’s decision to remove the controversial joke from Toy Story 2 reflects an ongoing cultural shift where content creators are re-evaluating past work through a more modern lens. While some may view these revisions as censorship, others see them as a necessary step toward fostering a more respectful and inclusive entertainment landscape, particularly for younger audiences.
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