Tonight On Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious

In the early days of television, sitcoms were mostly light-hearted affairs, focusing on the funny side of everyday life. But as the medium matured, so too did its content. By the 1970s, sitcoms were beginning to tackle more serious issues, such as drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and AIDS.

Tonight, On A Very Special Episode When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious Volume 2: 1986-1998

by Lee Gambin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14309 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	671 pages

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These so-called "Very Special Episodes" were often controversial, but they also helped to raise awareness of important social issues. And in some cases, they even helped to change the way people thought about these issues.

Here are a few examples of Very Special Episodes that made a difference:

• "The Drug Abuse Episode" (Diff'rent Strokes, 1979): This episode featured Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman) experimenting with drugs. The episode was praised for its realistic portrayal of drug abuse and its consequences.
• "The Teen Pregnancy Episode" (One Day at a Time, 1982): This episode featured Barbara Cooper (Valerie Bertinelli) getting pregnant at 16. The episode was praised for its honest portrayal of teen pregnancy and its consequences.
• "The AIDS Episode" (Family Ties, 1989): This episode featured Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) learning that his friend has AIDS. The episode was praised for its sensitive portrayal of AIDS and its impact on families and friends.

Very Special Episodes were not always well-received by critics or audiences. Some people felt that they were too preachy or that they exploited serious issues for ratings. But there is no doubt that these episodes had a positive impact on many viewers. They helped to raise awareness of important social issues and they helped to change the way people thought about these issues.

Today, Very Special Episodes are still a part of the television landscape. But they are no longer as common as they once were. This is likely due to the fact that there are now many other ways to get information about serious social issues. But even though Very Special Episodes are not as common as they once were, they remain an important part of television history.

They are a reminder that television can be more than just entertainment. It can also be a powerful tool for education and social change.

Tonight, On A Very Special Episode When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious Volume 2: 1986-1998

by Lee Gambin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14309 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	671 pages

FREE