This 'Hawaii Five-O' Episode Was Banned to Save Lives

The infamous Hawaii Five-O episode, "Bored, She Hung Herself," was pulled from public viewing due to concerns that it inspired dangerous behavior. Though rumors swirl about a copycat death and subsequent lawsuits, there's little confirmed evidence. To this day, the episode remains completely absent from any home video release or streaming collection, making it a true television rarity.

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1. The Controversial Missing Episode: "Bored, She Hung Herself"

Back in the late 1960s and early '70s, Hawaii Five-O was tremendously popular as a classic crime show. But not every episode is remembered for its thrilling investigations. One episode in particular, called "Bored, She Hung Herself," stands out for a very different reason: it's nearly impossible to find.

Unlike most Hawaii Five-O adventures, this episode veered away from the usual action. It focused on the death of a yoga student who was found asphyxiated (which is just a technical word meaning "deprived of oxygen, often leading to death"). Most of the episode revolves around the main character, Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), investigating the case. Surprisingly, the plot doesn't really go anywhere exciting, and it's widely considered a low point for the series. In the words of the article:

"It's considered one of the worst episodes of the series and offers very little for the Five-O to do compared to their most famous adventures."

The episode stayed pretty obscure until years later when people noticed it was missing from all official releases and started to wonder why.

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2. Rumors of a Copycat Death and Lawsuits

Stories began circulating that someone had copied the dangerous yoga technique shown in the episode and died, supposedly leading CBS to ban "Bored, She Hung Herself". But is this true? The truth is murky.

Snopes, known for fact-checking urban legends, tried to track down details. They couldn't find solid proof that anyone actually died because of this episode—or even that a lawsuit ever happened. Here's what the article highlights:

"The website notes that this story is entirely possible and that it could have happened, but the digital record thus far is lacking."

Simply put, while it's possible that something tragic inspired the ban, there's no official public record. Unless CBS or someone close to the events steps forward, it will likely remain a mystery.

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3. Permanent Ban from Home Video and Streaming

After the alleged controversy, "Bored, She Hung Herself" disappeared completely. Not only was it never re-aired, but when Hawaii Five-O was released on DVD or home video, the infamous episode was always missing. Even the packaging for Season Two quietly omits the word "complete," and a note on the back explains that the episode is excluded.

"'Bored, She Hung Herself' has never been officially released on home video either."

If you're trying to rewatch the original Hawaii Five-O (streaming now on Paramount+), you still won't find this episode in the lineup.

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4. The Lasting Mystery and Legacy

So, why did this one episode vanish, and why wasn't it restored even for diehard fans? While the technical details remain murky, the mystery itself has become a part of television lore. People are still curious, and the few bootleg copies that existed online only added to its legend.

In reality, "Bored, She Hung Herself" is remembered more for its absence than for its story or content. As the article sums up, it's:

"Nothing special about it at all save for the novelty of its removal."

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Final Thoughts

The banned episode of Hawaii Five-O is a quirky piece of TV history—one that might have been lost forever to protect viewers, or simply for being a lackluster story. Its true legacy is the curiosity and whispers that surround it. Whether or not someone was genuinely harmed by its content, the decision to keep it hidden makes it one of the most talked-about "lost episodes" in classic television.