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Overshadowed By Controversy Cleanup

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Overshadowed by Controversy has several examples, particularly under the Fan Works, Webcomics, and Web Original folders, that don't fit the trope as described. The controversy is supposed to overshadow the work, so if it doesn't do that it shouldn't count as a valid example.

The media folders, such as Anime or Western Animation, could also use a look, as some entries deal with shows, while others deal with actors, fans, or creators. Additionally, some of the entries are not controversial anymore or are not known enough to overshadow the show completely, and others seem closer to Never Live It Down.

Some examples even point out that the controversy was debunked or died down eventually, which doesn't fit the trope, as well as examples saying things like "time will tell if [x] can recover." I originally tried the Real-Life cleanup section, and then a TRS thread, but I hope this is the right section to help us clean up this trope's examples. ^^

MOD NOTE: For something to be overshadowed by controversy; it has to have a significant, arguably overwhelming impact on that work/creator/thing that’s provable by pointing to actual evidence beyond social media likes or a news report. The controversy has to be bigger than the thing for it to overshadow the thing.

For a work, did it bomb directly due to the controversy? Was it pulled from shelves or streaming services? Nothing like this? Then it most likely doesn’t count.

For a creator, did they lose their job/get banned or lose all of their sponsorships or are unable to get any work directly due to the controversy? Did they at least retire directly because of the controversy? Nothing like this? Then it most likely doesn’t count.

Valid examples would be people like Gina Carano or Louie CK. As they were both fired and black listed for their controversies. Or Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are now more known for those controversies than their actual careers. Clearly being overshadowed by it.

If only chronically online people like us are going to be aware of something, it definitely doesn’t count. The controversy has to be so big that even people who are rarely online or know very little about something, would still have heard of the controversy.

Edited by kory on Oct 4th 2025 at 10:21:54 AM

Mariofan99 Since: Jun, 2021 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#6226: Nov 6th 2025 at 6:38:09 PM

[up] Yes but that part wasn’t known until 2022

DialgaX Since: Jan, 2001
#6227: Nov 7th 2025 at 9:26:40 AM

Bumping the discussion on BMX XXX.

Original post:

  • BMX XXX is half this, half Best Known for the Fanservice. Its marketing leaned hard into Sex Sells, touting features like a campaign full of raunchy humor, the ability to create topless women with its character editor, and unlockable videos of real-life strippers. As a result, if someone doesn't remember it as "that bike game with naked women", they probably remember it for the controversy it caused. Major retailers like Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us refused to sell it due to its sexual content, and professional biker Dave Mirra tried to sue its publisher Acclaim: the game was originally meant to be part of the Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX series, but his sponsors pressured him into cutting ties with the game and he filed a lawsuit due to the damage it could inflict on his reputation (he later dropped the lawsuit).


I argue that it doesn't count as OBC as the game seems to be "controversial for the sake of being controversial" with its emphasis on Vulgar Humor and how its campaign leaned hard into Sex Sells. That and "XXX" is a pretty well-known shorthand for porn.

themayorofsimpleton Short-Term Projects Herald | he/him from the Island of Koridai (Captain) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
Short-Term Projects Herald | he/him
#6228: Nov 7th 2025 at 11:06:00 AM

[up] TIL we don't have a page for BMX XXX.

Anyway yeah, the game is inherently controversial and can thus be cut.

Works That Require Cleanup of Complaining | Troper Wall
DDRMASTERM do you wanna have a bad time? from Someplace, Utah, USA Since: Apr, 2013 Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
do you wanna have a bad time?
#6229: Nov 7th 2025 at 6:30:28 PM

Not much to add, seems like a reasonable cut to me.

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