The 80s reinvented the sitcom, and not in what I would consider a good way. They added over the top characters (like these 15 TV Characters Who Never Came Out Of The Closet), alien puppets and an abundance of very special episodes. These episodes were designed to conquer sensitive issues with bad jokes and canned laughter. If Natalie from “Facts of Life” was telling you drugs were a bad thing, then you knew it was true.
Very special episodes littered the prime time slots, making it seem as if we were being constantly preached to between episodes of “Mork and Mindy” and almost completely turning us away from television. I’ve scoured the Internet and found what I believe to be the 13 Most Ridiculous Very Special Episodes. Watch them and see if you learn a little something at the same time. It will make you a better person or just really tired.
13. “Mr Belvedere” – “The Counselor”
I don’t know if this episode was supposed to cover the threat of a child molester or just how crappy summer camp can get. A present day version of this show would have Bob Uecker meeting this guy outside the court house with a baseball bat. Perhaps calling the play-by-play as he whacks him within inches of his life.
12. “Growing Pains” – “Second Chance”
Pre-Chandler is a horny alcoholic and gets into a drunken car accident before he can seal the deal on the whole “boyfriend” thing. Wait, it was the 80s, so I think sealing the deal meant sharing popcorn.
11. “Family Ties” – “Speed Trap”
You’d think Alex would have enough problems with sweater vests and his right-wing views, but the writers decided to make this episode focusing on the badness of speed as a studying aid. They helped me learn it’s better to be drug free and a C average student.
10. “Maude” – “Maude’s Dilemma”
Ground breaking and proving an abortion is just like going to the dentist. It also proved old people still had sex. Gross.
9. “All in the Family” – “Edith’s 50th Birthday”
You’d think Edith’s voice would be more affective than a rape whistle. Didn’t stop this rapist from giving Edith a present she’d never forget. Is there really laughter going on as a women is being raped? I loved the 80s.
8. “Family Ties” – “Say Uncle”
“Family Ties” truly held the record for very special episodes trying to cover every angle of the dysfunctional family. Here we got to see a very young Tom Hanks remind us why we don’t like to show up for Thanksgiving.
7. “The Facts of Life” – “Breaking Point”
Blair becomes class president after the existing one commits suicide. Let’s not focus on how sad that is or how the family is falling apart. Let’s focus on Blair’s guilt and shiny hair. Poor Blair, go eat a cookie.
6. “Silver Spoons” – “Spare The Rod”
Ricky discovers that his friend Toby is being beaten by his father but it all turns out fine when it’s discovered that Toby’s father was beaten as a child too. Laughter for all!
5. Diff’rent Strokes: “The Peacemaker”
Hickory Dickory Dock
Andrew “Dice” Clay Got Himself A Glock
He Wanted To Thrill Us
By Shooting Up Willis
But Mr. Drummond Convinced Him To Walk
4. “Happy Days” – “Richie Almost Dies”
It’s as if they really needed a reason to make Fonzie cry, in return we all got a little queezy. This is around the “jump the shark” period. The same time they jumped the… well, you get it.
3. “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” – “You’ve Got To Be A Football Hero”
Will wants to prove his manliness to the football hero as they are both competing for the same girl. This shows us that drinking and peer pressure are bad, and cemeteries are haunted. We could all stand to learn something from the Fresh Prince beyond getting jiggy wid it.
2. “Home Improvement” – ” Brad Smokes Pot”
Isn’t it required that you are completely screwed up if your parent is on television? What happened to the episode where one of them makes a sex tape?
1. “A Different World” – “No Means No”
So little sex was going around on the show, it was only time before someone was going to ‘force’ a little action. This guy does make a convincing argument for date rape… wait… did I say that?
Still looking for TV awkwardness? Check out 13 Most Disturbing Episodes Of Kid-Friendly TV Shows. and 15 Characters That Never Came Out Of The Closet (But Should Have).
This was written by Bill Doty who is one big after school special.
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