Sitcoms are designed to make us laugh.
However, from the seventies through the nineties, sitcoms ruled the airwaves.
Successful sitcoms featured characters that audiences wanted to return to week after week.
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These became known as “very special” episodes.
These were shows that were watched together by families and/or targeted towards a young audience.
The “very special” episode became an opportunity to teach valuable life lessons through relatable characters.
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Topics ofvery specialSmall Wonderepisodes included leukemia, homelessness and drugs.
Along with Vicki, they befriend Chrissy (Tiffany Ashley), the new girl in school, Chrissy.
Chrissy isn’t at school the next day because her dad took her on the run again.
Eventually, they are caught and Chrissy is returned to her mother.
Waldo has a jacket full of small liquor bottles.
When Urkel shows up, Willie starts to make fun of him.
Willie feels humiliated by Urkel andspikes his punch.
Urkel is soon wasted and slurring his words.
He decides he should walk on the ledge of the building.
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The police arrive and arrest Willie and Waldo, although there’s no more evidence of alcohol.
The next day, Urkel drinks a hangover remedy and is right back to his annoying self.
(Candace Cameron).
She hangs pictures of swimsuit models on the fridge for inspiration and stops eating.
However, she still doesn’t think she’s losing enough weight.
Later at the gym, D.J.
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overdoes it on the exercise bike.
She nearly passes out and the family soon finds out she’s been starving herself.
feels better and decides that she is going to go on a healthy diet.
Ricky and his dad quickly make up for lost time and soon become very close.
Mr. Stratton also dates and later marries his secretary Kate (Erin Gray), completing the happy family.
Ricky is bummed out, but Toby thinks he got off easy.
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Toby opens up and tells Ricky that he isoften beaten by his dad.
As a matter of fact, he didn’t break his arm attempting to save a cat.
The injury was a result of his dad’s reaction to Toby forgetting to take out the trash.
The next day, Toby shows up at Stratton’s house with a scarf covering his face.
Ricky pulls it off and Toby’s face is covered with bruises.
Toby is adamant that it’s his fault.
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Toby doesn’t want his dad to get in trouble.
Unfortunately, this isa reality that’s all too commonand Peluce nails the part.
Mr. Stratton invites Toby’s dad (Allen Williams) over for a chat.
When Mr. Startton tells him a story about a kid who was beaten to death by his dad.
Although I’m pretty sure Toby was hoping he could get to stay at Stratton’s cool mansion.
The series centered on students at Eastland, an all-girls private school in upstate New York.
TheDiff’rent Strokesspinoff, starredCharlotte Raeas Mrs. Garrett, a dormitory housemother.
The show saw the girls go from high school into their young adult years.
Notable episodes featured topics likedrugs, teen prostitution, child porn and the pressure of sex.
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“Breaking Point”, perhaps the most serious episode, put a spotlight on teen suicide.
It opens with Blair awaiting the results of the election for student council president.
Cynthia’s dad is some kind of big deal diplomat, and she moves around a lot.
Her dad wants her to settle in at Eastland and be a teenager.
She surprisingly wins the election, which does not sit well with Blair, who acts standoffish.
Natalie is eager to interview Cynthia for the school paper.
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Tootie tags along and all is well until they find Cynthiaunconscious next to an empty bottle of pills.
Mrs. Garrett and the girls bake in the kitchen while they wait to hear if Cynthia is OK.
They wonder why Cynthia would have a go at kill herself.
But the scene contains good information on teen suicide, including the fact thatit happens every day.
Sadly, a call comes in revealing the news that Cynthia has not survived.
She encourages the girls to talk about their problems.
Despite some poorly timed jokes, this is a powerful episode.
“Breaking Point” probably saved a few lives.
The series also starredBob Ueckeras George Owens andIlene Graffas his wife, Marsha.
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Mr. Belvederewas no stranger to serious subject-matter.
There were episodes that dealt with molestation, drinking and driving and Alzheimer’s.
Belvederebroke some serious groundwith the season 2 episode “Wesley’s Friend.”
He wishes he had a better part, and fortunately he’s got a chance to pay Lincoln.
Cue the opening theme song!
Despite the awkward transition from the cold open, the episode quickly gets back on track.
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They even heard Danny’s body parts would start to fall off.
Making things worse, a lot of this info comes from their parents.
The ice cream thing is weird, but it’s cool that they are compelled to do more research.
In the process, there is informative information about pediatric AIDS.
Mr. Belvedere even contacted the CDC.
Wesley has a change of heart and invites Danny to do the Lincoln part with him in the pageant.
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The kids and parents are nervous when Danny takes the stage.
One parent even shouts for their kid to “get away” from Danny.
Danny for the win!
The parents applaud.It’s a legit teaching moment.
Growing Painshad episodes that dealt with racism, drunk driving and death.
Their drug episode “Thank God It’s Friday” was particularly memorable.
Mike wants nothing to do with the situation because that’s how drug problems can start.
When he turns down the coke, people laugh at him.
To quote Eddie, “Everyone will think we’re weenies if we go.”
MIke leaves and gets home late, breaking his curfew.
His dad is waiting, expecting to hear another one of MIke’s ridiculous excuses.
Seaver praises Mike’s courage and assures him that he did the right thing.
Mike starts to head upstairs but turns around to give his dad a big, dramatic hug.
Mr. Seaver is confused, but Mike is thrilled.
Just when you think the episode is over, there’s another scene at the party.
But this time,Cameron comes out as himself with a PSA.
He assures us that he’s not being paid to say this.
It’s how he really feels.
Websterwas a pretty cheesy show andwhen it comes to very special episodes, they really went for it.
They explored topics like custody battles, bed-wetting, miscarriages and depression to name a few.
Yet none of those episodes can compare to “The Uh-Oh Feeling”.
As the show begins, an unseen teacher named Mr. Toddson, dismisses the class.
Mr. Toddson wants Beth to stay after class again.
Webster is sent away and told he can come by after class tomorrow.
Beth hesitantly goes back into the classroom.
“shut the door, Honey.”
Moments later, Webster realizes he still has Beth’s books and heads back to the classroom.
He overhears Beth object to the way Mr. Toddson is touching and tickling her.
Mr. Toddson tells her that she’s being difficult.
Webster thinks quickly and yells through the door that his parents are there to take them home.
Mr. Toddson makes sureBeth knows not to discuss their “little secret”.
If she does, her parents won’t like her anymore, and she’ll get in big trouble.
That night at dinner, Webster didn’t want to discuss Mr. Toddson.
He fakes being sick to avoid going to school the next day, eventually hiding in the closet instead.
Beth’s mom comes over but isn’t buying the story.
She tells George and Katherine to stay out of it.
Nevertheless, they’ve contacted the authorities, the Center For Child Abuse and a therapist.
The therapist comes to school the next day and teaches the class about good, bad and confusing touches.
Beth arrives with her mom, who is now grateful to Webster and his parents.
The kids learn that their bodies belong to them as well as the power of the word NO!
As the episode ends, the National Child Abuse hotline number is displayed.
Lewis also went on to appear inchild abuse prevention commercials.
While certainly cheesy, the episode was informative.
They live in an apartment building that he manages, along with her dog, Brandon.
Herpopularity even spawned a cartoon.
There were episodes covering the adoption process, bullying, CPR and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
However, “Just Say No” was the episode with the most juice behind it.
The Chicklets are intrigued by Punky’s cool backyard treehouse (the whole school is talking about it).
The first step in the process is chugging a concoction of eggs, ketchup and mustard.
Moon Frye even speaks at a rally, cementing her place as a role model.
Diff’rent Strokesracked up an impressive number of very special episodes.
And if you have seen it, you’ve never forgotten it.
He encourages parents and kids to watch together andhave a discussion afterward.
Things begin innocently enough when the Drummond family visits Mr. Horton’s Bike Shop.
Mr. Horton (Gordon Jump) enters juggling oranges and making jokes.Everybody loves this guy.
He hugs his dad… and Mr. Horton.
Arnold is all in, and eventually his friend Dudley (Shavar Ross) wants to help.
He gives the boy some candy and reminds him that it’s their “little secret.”
Arnold is then invited to the back room for some ice cream.
Of course, ice cream is their “little secret.”
Arnold returns to the shop with Dudley and Horton lures them to his back room with pizza.
Soon they are looking at nudie magazines, drinking wine and doing a Tarzan-themed photo shoot.
Mr. Horton has Dudley remove his shirt for authenticity.
It’s not long before Dudley rides on the back of Mr. Horton.
Part 2 picks up with another PSA from Conrad Bain.
It’s a new day and the grooming continues at the bike shop.
There’s Boston cream pie and X-Rated cartoons.
Arnold gets uncomfortable and leaves.
Back at the Drummond’s, Arnold comes clean about what’s been happening.
They got there just in time, as Dudley is feeling woozy from the pills he’s been given.
The episode wraps up with the police talking to the Drummond family about pedophiles and how they operate.
There’s no doubt"The Bicycle Man" sparked conversations all around the country and still does today.
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