If you're like all of us here at PTU and grew up in the 80's and 90's there's a fairly good chance you spent a lot of time in front of the TV watching sitcom greatness such as Saved By the Bell, Family Matters, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air as well as the endless supply of Saved by the Bell knockoffs that stunk up the airwaves (Teen NBC?).
While everything about these shows was memorable, a staple of family sitcoms that really stood out during this time period was the "very special" episode. Taking a break from the usual hi jinks that the shows revolved around, these preachy little pieces of dung would try to teach an important lesson to the kiddies as well as making us all laugh at Urkel. I imagine these were churned out in accordance with the network's deals with lobby groups such as MADD and other anti-gun and drug groups. The formula was always the same. After things would go horribly, horribly wrong for whichever character that would dare step over to the dark side, everyone would have a good hug and cry and the stars of the show would speak directly to the camera and say something like:
"We have a lot of fun here usually but this is no joke. If you or someone you know has an issue with crystal meth/speed balling/marijuana/bulimia/excessive masturbation, contact a rehabilitation facility as soon as possible...."
I doubt any of these message episodes ever really turned any kids off to whatever they were supposed to (in some cases they probably made kids want to do them more) but the world is a much better place because of them. So, here's my favorite "Very Special" moments:
- Fresh Prince of Bel Air: Carlton gets a gun
One of my personal favorite "dangers of guns" episodes of anything ever. This episode finds Will getting shot at an ATM (the irony! He moved out of West Philly to escape that stuff) and Carlton getting all Charles Bronson towards the end. Will talks Carlton out of using the burner unfortunately and we all learn a valuable lesson; Don't go to the ATM wearing an 8 ball jacket.
- Saved by the Bell: Jessie Does Caffeine Pills
"I'm so excited! I'm so excited!" Where can I get some? I guess this was what led to her role in Showgirls.
- Hang Time: Anthony Anderson smokes cigarettes
My favorite thing about this is Anthony Anderson (who would one day inexplicably be in a Scorsese movie) is smoking right in the locker room after practice (skip to about the 2:20 mark). Side note about Hang Time; They won like 5 state championships in a row with their best player being a white girl and Anthony Anderson's fat ass the only black guy on the team. That Reggie Theus can coach.
Part 2 of a very special PTU coming soon, kids. Including drunk Urkel.
You forgot the Different Strokes episode when Arnold tells Nancy Reagan.
ReplyDeletepart 2 will cover different strokes, especially the episode where that creepy dude took pictures of Arnold and his friend without shirts on.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the episode where Carlton doesn't make the frat because he's too rich and isn't black enough. Uncle Phil had a hell of a speech at the end. And the episode when Will's dad ditches him and they have a closeup of the statue at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe statue one is great, so is Carlton on sped at the school dance
ReplyDelete