History Radar / HeyArnold

* '''Miriam's alcoholism.''' Even WordOfGod says that she's an alcoholic, but the Nickelodeon censors told Craig Bartlett and the writers that they couldn't outright say it. So what did they do instead? Have her as a depressed, narcoleptic ''[[FrothyMugsOfWater smoothie]]'' addict (never mind that some alcoholic drinks exist as smoothies -- piña coladas, hurricanes, daiquiris, etc). Also, if you pay close attention you'll notice that one of her ingredients for a smoothie is Tabasco sauce (which is usually found in cocktails). There are even hints that she was arrested for at least one DUI (one episode has Arnold ask Helga, "When did [Miriam] get her license back?" and another has Bob casually remark that she's supposed to start community service that morning). There are a few episodes where, if you listen closely, you can hear ice cubes rattling inside Miriam's usual cup of coffee.

** LyndonBJohnson calls Dino an "eye-talian nutjob" which is an ethnic slur.

*** The Latin American Spanish dub actually went UpToEleven, translating Helga's dialogue as "Arnold, my love, my sensual desire".

* In what is possibly the most well-known adult joke in the series, in the episode "Helga's Parrot", Helga recited one of [[https://youtu.be/-vrfjzgUH6s her obsessive love poems]] [[NotInFrontOfTheParrot in the presence of a parrot]], who then flew off and almost repeated it to Arnold. One line of the poem was: "Arnold, you make my girlhood tremble, my senses all go wacky."[[note]]One's "girlhood/womanhood" is a poetic term for a vagina.[[/note]]

* In what is possibly the most well-known adult joke in the series, in the episode "Helga's Parrot", Helga recited one of her obsessive love poems in the presence of a parrot, who then flew off and almost repeated it to Arnold. One line of the poem was: "Arnold, you make my girlhood tremble, my senses all go wacky."[[note]]One's "girlhood/womanhood" is a poetic term for a vagina.[[/note]]

* Mr. Simmons is on the receiving end of quite a few possible homophobic slurs, which would be especially harsh by the characters if they're aware that he [[WordOfGay is confirmed to be gay]] (by WordOfGod), though it's possible that these insults are aimed at his wimpy personality rather than his sexuality. Creator/DanButler, Simmons' voice actor (and basis for his character design) is openly gay. Mr. Robert Simmons ''may'' be based in part on the fitness guru Richard Simmons, who is not out as gay, but has been suspected to be, due to his flamboyant personality.

-->'''Arnold:''' But you're Arnie's girlfriend! And we're nine!

''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'' is well known for handling more mature themes despite its Y7 rating, so don't be to surprised with what you see.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sausage_photo_u1.jpeg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:The sign "Try My Sausage"]]
Hey Arnold! is well known for handling more mature themes despite its Y7 rating, so don't be to surprised with what you see.

** Pretty much every episode featuring Wittenburg and Tish ends with the implication that they're about to have make-up sex.
*** In "Best Man," Wittenburg says "impotence" when he means "importance."

* Curly's StalkerWithACrush interest in Rhonda is anything but subtle. He's constantly suggestively telling her to [[DoubleEntendre "Give Daddy some sugar..."]]

* In "Synchronized Swimming," Harold worries that Wolfgang will call him a "fruit cup," which can easily be interpreted as a homophobic insult. Ludwig also calls Wolfgang "fruit cup" multiple times in "New Bully on the Block". Then there's the excessive use of the word "[[GoshDangItToHeck wussy]]"...
* Speaking of potential homophobic slurs being thrown, Mr. Simmons is on the receiving end of quite a few (harsher considering that he [[WordOfGay is confirmed to be gay by]] WordOfGod), though it's possible that these insults are aimed at his wimpy personality rather than his sexuality.

* '''Miriam's alcoholism.''' Even WordOfGod says that she's an alcoholic, but the Nickelodeon censors told Craig Bartlett and the writers that they couldn't outright say it. So what did they do instead? Have her as a depressed, narcoleptic ''[[FrothyMugsOfWater smoothie]]'' addict (never mind that some alcoholic drinks exist as smoothies -- piña coladas, hurricanes, daiquiris, etc). Also, if you pay close attention you'll notice that one of her ingredients for a smoothie is Tabasco sauce (which is usually found in cocktails). There are even hints that she was arrested for at least one DUI (one episode has Arnold ask Helga, "when did [Miriam] get her license back?" and another has Bob casually remark that she's supposed to start community service that morning). There are a few episodes where, if you listen closely, you can hear ice cubes rattling inside Miriam's usual cup of coffee.

** In that same episode, both Suzie Kokoshka and Miriam are invited by a typical RomanticFalseLead to a ''stimulating'' dancing class. After hearing the "stimulating" part, they both giggle. And for the final blow, the class is only shown off screen, with the women saying "Ooh, you are so wonderful dancing!"

* Another one from "Fishing Trip." When everything starts falling apart, Grandpa says "Let's fish. For the halibut!" ([[DontExplainTheJoke hell of it]])