I remembered watching an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air where Will and Carl are trying to join a college fraternity, and while Will is accepted in, Carl isn’t because the fraternity leader doesn’t feel like Carl belongs. In the end Carl tells the leader off and Will turns down the invitation to join, and the episode ends with Uncle Phil saying how disappointed he is that even black people discriminate against each other, saying “when are we going to stop doing this to each other?” It’s a very poignant episode about how discrimination affects even those who should be just like each other
This is a good choice that doesn't often come up when Fresh Prince is discussed. I went through a lot of what Carlton did in my freshman year of college, and this episode still hits home years later.
@justanotherchannelonyoutube, I’m also reminded of that episode where Vivian’s sister had a white boyfriend and the whole family was thinking that he was the cab driver, the real cab driver was black and so the family was chatting him up and congratulating him. So when Vivian’s sister kissed her real bf, the family was shocked. So it was a good example of how the show flipped cultural biases and expectations upside down.
I know M*A*S*H Wasn't a kids show per say but I think the Episode where Hawkeye opens up about the Horrors of war, including a traumatic bus ride involving Korean civilians and a "chicken" making too much noise while they are driving through enemy territory is super brutal... If you know, you know...
I remembered another one for the animated series section if you want to hear it! The animates series of the Smurfs covered the topic of death with Smurfette. In one episode, she found a sick little mouse and brought him back to the village. Papa Smurf gave him medicine and the mouse got better with that and Smurfette’s love and care. Unfortunately, the mouse passed away very shortly after. Smurfette didn’t take it well and even ran away from the village, fearing that someone else might die. She didn’t want to go through the emotional pain again but learned at the end that death was part of life. It ended happily as she got a baby mouse as a pet from a surprise that didn’t explode for once!
I distinctly remember the Home Improvement episode. My mom saw a preview and thought it was possible the medical issue was going to be HIV, she let me and my brother stay up late to watch it because she "trusted the show enough" to tackle the subject. Since the "Trusting the show" has become short hand around our house to describe a show that has earned its "Very special episode"
Recess has 'Speedy We Hardly Knew Ye', where Miss Grotke's fourth-graders are confronted with the death of the class pet, only to find out the staff keep replacing the hamsters every time one dies, and naming them all the same, so that every class since the dawn of Third Street Elementary could have their Speedy, and be shielded from the concept of pet death. TJ's consort therefore becomes the first to ever have to deal with such an issue, and in the process, teach their peers how to handle complex emotions like grief.
My family went through it when my brother got diagnosed with cancer (he was the middle son as well). The difference is that he passed away a year later.
that's one thing that was so important about these old shows, it may be uncomfortable and difficult to portray respectfully, but some topics need to be discussed, that's something no one is willing to do anymore
There's an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called The Body that centers around the sudden death of Buffy's mother, the process of dealing with the trauma of losing a parent and the aftermath. For a show filled with vampires and supernatural monsters that constantly kill people throughout the show it's a very grounded and realistic portrayal of death and what typically happens afterwards.
Yessss! “Showtime (1 & 2)” is one of the best classic Degrassi episodes of all time. You'll have plenty of material with the OG Degrassi High. If you include the movie (broken down by episodes), the final episode is harsh to take-especially since the actor who played Wheels passed away in real life years later.
@@LetsRunItBackCam's suicide episode from The Next Generation was interesting, and how it affected Eli, Maya and the other students. Mr. Simpson also told Eli that he went through the same thing when he was around his age.
The finale of Dinosaurs is a gut-punch for sure. Basically, at Daddy’s work, everything starts off with some bugs not doing their job and eating out an invading plant, and it all ends up in an Ice Age that wipes all the dinosaurs out. Basically, everything goes just about as wrong as it could. It especially hurts when Baby asks “What’s gonna happen to us?” and the adults struggle to answer that question. There’s also an episode of Full House where DJ struggles with body image issues, because she wants to be “fit” for Kimmy’s pool party, and stops eating, to the point of feeding her lunch sandwich to Comet, the family dog, and going overboard at the gym, almost fainting. As for cartoons, the first one to come to mind is the episode Alone At Sea of Steven Universe. Basically, Lapis is finally starting to realise just how toxic Malachite, her fusion with Jasper, was. An analogy for toxic/abusive relationships. Also the episode of Gravity Falls where they deal with Soos’ birthday and his trauma relating to it and his dad being a total flake. And just like, all of Bluey. Especially episodes like Onesies, Copycat, Granddad, Sleepytime, Flat Pack, Camping, Baby Race and The Sign. They’re more so emotional moments than Special Episode tropes, but I feel they still deserve a mention!
WKRP in Cincinnati was a sitcom but not necessarily a kid/family one that had Special Episode based on a real life event. Season 2, episode 19 "In Concert" had the radio station dealing with the death of several concert attendees who were trampled/crushed to death at a concert the station promoted. It stuck particularly hard because it was based on a real life event, The Who Concert Disaster, that happened in Cincinnati, the location of the fictional radio station.
One of my favorite reasons for show writers to come up with these episodes is that it shows even the characters in our favorite series go through the same struggles we do. The messages may go over the heads of younger viewers who don't fully understand what's going on, but I believe it's necessary to bring the messages to their attention at a young age so their parents can at least have a conversation with them about being more mindful of the consequences of their actions as well as being more open to embracing others' differences, which is just as valuable now as it was when these episodes released.
First of all, thank you for including my suggestion so soon. I didn't expect to see it for a few more episodes of this series, especially with as many suggestions as you get. Secondly, there's another special episode of the original "Saved by the Bell," that I really like. It was one where a big time celebrity in their universe visits the school, and takes a shine to Kelly. In the meantime, there's evidence that someone is smoking weed at school, and one of the "bad boys" is a suspect at first. Later, however, they start to suspect the celebrity, and eventually, the crew goes to a party. They eventually leave kind of early as they're worried about what's going on at the party, all except for Kelly, who really likes the celebrity. Anyway, after they're all gone, he pulls out a joint, and tries to get Kelly to take a toke. We don't see what happened, but we find out that Kelly said no, and left the party. If I think of any more, I'll share them with you ASAP. I'm really loving this series.
I like you how mentioned the Growing Pains episode, featuring Matthew Perry, as a cautionary tale, especially considering the way he died, in real life. He was such a talented actor and will be missed. By the way, I've seen most of these episodes, except for Degrassi High, since I'm not familiar with the series. It's a shame that we don't see these kinds of episodes, anymore. I think they should do these types of shows, so that kids can learn to understand the harsh realities of the world and learn how to cope. Thanks for the video.
I honestly thought the 'A Different World' episode you were going to reference was Love Taps. Gina's being abused by her boyfriend, Dion. One afternoon in The Pit, she's talking to Mr Gaines, the owner. What he told her has stuck with me since the first time I watched the episode. "Tell you a story about my cousin Ida Mae. We grew up together. Ida Mae was always saying "I don't believe my husband loves me unless he hits me once a week." Well, one day her husband LOVED her to death. And we buried her last year."
@@LetsRunItBack it also has a follow up episode in one of the last episodes of the series. Billy Dee Williams is in that one, highly recommend watching that one too.
Excellent List! There were a couple of episodes of Home Improvements you can use too. There was an episode called ‘What a Drag’ Tim and Jill find out that Brad is smoking weed. Brad tells his parents that he smokes it to relax but then Jill tells him and the other boys about her experience with smoking weed and how it got her into trouble. (The episode was based off of Tim Allen getting a DUI in real life.) Another episode ‘Taps’ Jill lies about being ill when her parents call about wanting to visit so that they don’t come, but later gets news that her father had a heart attack and died. Jill is heart broken and guilt ridden. The episode shows how everyone takes the news and how to deal with grief.
Also from Home Improvement, "Love's Labor Lost" parts 1 and 2. Jill has to have a hysterectomy because of a tumor, but complications means she has all her reproductive organs removed when that wasn't what she had planned on (or wanted.) Then she has to work through her feelings of about the surgery and about feeling like she's "no longer a real woman" all while going through surgery-induced menopause.
Great job covering many special episodes. I remember many of these. It's sad many of them covered topics we still have to talk about now, but at least we have these to open up the conversation. Thank you for sharing this. God Bless You & stay safe.
Good list man! I remember the Growing Pains one and that’s one I still can’t watch to this day. Still gives me the chills in a sad way you know? Loved the Home Improvement and Family Ties ones. Those were good episodes and I remember the Home Improvement one especially getting a lot of attention from Entertainment Tonight and TV Guide. Ty again and keep the good content coming please.
Two episodes of "Facts of Life"-- 1) Tootie becomes a model but then the photographer tries to get her to take nude photos even though she's only 13 years old. 2) Natalie is attacked while walking across campus back to her dorm from a costume party by a potential rapist. Three episodes of "Family Ties"-- 1) A creepy uncle hits on Mallory. 2) Alex takes uppers to try to pass a big exam and then spirals out of control. 3) Alex's best friend is killed in a car accident and Alex is riddled with guild because he was supposed to have been in the car with him (this was a two-parter) "Happy Days"--There was one episode dealing with racism when Richie's band gets a new drummer, who is black, and the whole school boycotts a party where he's going to be playing.
Never expected to see Degrassi in this series, given that almost every episode was a Very Special Episode lol. Showtime really was a big hitter though, especially how it addressed Snake's reaction to finding the body.
Yes, most Degrassi episodes basically are WSEs. Mostly added it due to being so highly requested, but I get it due to there be nothing more serious then the subject matter
Part 7 suggestion: PPG and the Bunny episode. It has a hard truth moral about disabled people who due to bad luck they have short lifespan by fragile health. The ending was SO SAD!!
Glad A Different World Episode I mentioned was included in this Video 😁 Great Video! Always learn about so manu Different and Diverse Shows from years ago that felt organic and not pushing anything for ethnicity points, and that these shows also gave messages in ways that felt normal as well. Can't wait to see more videos like these 😄
@senister14 I've never seen Growing Pains but I think I'll give it a chance now 😁 That episode sounds pretty deep and surprisingly realistic, most would think he survived and that's how it would end, not that he would still go on to pass away due to his injuries, such a realistic and sobering portrayal I don't see shows do too often.
@ThatsSoJudy it's a pretty typical sitcom from that time. But the theme song is so good. Yep, I just love the awareness. Not many people talk about internal bleeding as a problem, how it can be very serious if not treated immediately.
I love that you're making this Very Special Episode series! This is very educational for me. I hope you're ready for 10 more interesting finds I came up upon. 1. Diff'rent Strokes: The Hitchhikers - Arnold and Kimberly hitchhike home for their father's birthday party. They are picked up by a man who plans to rape Kimberly. Arnold manages to escape and alert the police just in time to arrest the man. 2. Captain Planet and the Planeteers: 'Teers in the Hood - When an old friend of Gi, a teacher, is caught in the middle of a gang war and is nearly killed, the Planeteers infiltrate the two feuding gangs to put an end to the violence. The likenesses and speeches of peace activists such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and John F. Kennedy are used within the episode. 3. Today's Special: Hello Friend - Jodie brings her friend Levi to work. Levi has cerebral palsy and can't walk or talk, so he communicates with Blissymbols. During an emergency, he figures out how to get a message out to Sam and save the day, proving that people with disabilities are just as smart as everyone else. 4. Dog with a Blog: My Parents Posted What?! - An episode dedicated to internet safety 5. Danger Rangers: Safe and Sound - An episode that dealt with hearing loss 6. Pepper Ann: Dances with Ignorance - An episode that deals with Native American racism and stereotyping. 7. Doug: Doug's Minor Catastrophe - a very thinly-veiled Very Special Episode against nicotine. 8. Dora the Explorer: Dora's Great Roller Skate Adventure - This surprising Dora episode deals with bullying and sticking up for each other so nobody gets bullied again. 9. Gargoyles: Lighthouse in the Sea of Time - An episode dealing with illiteracy. 10. PB&J Otter: Follow Your Nose - The episode features comics in Braille and characters learning how to navigate using senses other than vision.
I know this isn’t an episode or a show (its a movie), but its a good example of drug abuse and addiction. Yzma manipulates Kronk to trick the elderly people into taking a “youth potion”. The elders become addicted to it and Kronk feels bad because of it. The addiction is protrayed in a pretty good way (wanting more of the substance, abusing the substance daily). I thought it was really good.
I absolutely love your series and videos! Thank you for making this series and using suggestions from all of us. I have another suggestion for the next cartoon video. There is an episode of "Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat" called 'Cha-Siu Bow Wow' Cha-Siu is a puppy that has been adopted into the cat family after something tragic happened to his parents. Sagwa and her siblings meet him for the first time and are shocked he's not a cat. He has a hard time fitting into his new family after other dogs make fun of him for his cat like behavior. It shows the struggles and emotional side of someone who is different from the rest of the family.
In a similar vein to what you discussed in the Very Special Episode animated version (part 5), with the Life with Louie lesson of cherishing your loved ones, Home Improvement had a similar episode where Jill got into an argument with her dad, and shortly after he dies of a heart attack. Jill finds out later, and is of course devastated and has horrible guilt that her last words to him were words of anger and not of support. in the crime show NCIS, Director Leon Vance has to make a gut wrenching decision when his wife's little brother whom Leon has loved and cared for, is accused of murder. And *spoilers*, when young Michael is proved to be the killer, Leon has to make a very hard decision to send his loved one to prison.
Good list! I actually watched 2 episodes on it. Those being the Good Times one and A Different World. I need to watch the other ones! Thank you for bringing them up, especially the Family Matters example.
Diff'rent Strokes- "A Growing Problem": Willis tries to go to his buddy's party while sneaking a bottle of booze out, but when he's caught by Mr. Drummond, it starts an argument about how "grown up" Willis is and he ends up moving out, then moves in with his heavy drinking and partying buddy. The episode ends when Willis and his friend get into a car accident and his friend doesnt make it...🙁 Gimmie a Break- "The Gun": Joey accidently shoots Nell in the foot with the now deceased Chief's gun. Joey becomes guilt ridden and experiences PTSD over the incident. California Dreams- "Guess Who's Coming To Brunch": The Dreams sole black band member Tony begins dating a fan who happens to be white but its met with disapproval from her bigoted father who tries to buy off Tony by purchasing a replacement speaker for the band's recently broken one. Happy Days: "Richie Almost Dies"- In an effort to look "cooler" Richie Cunningham buys a motorcycle, and promptly gets into a serious accident landing him comatose in the hospital. The episode is highlighted by a scene where The Fonz prays aloud to God for Richie's recovery. The Jeffersons: "Sorry, Wrong Meeting"- A meeting in the building attended by George, Tom, and Mr. Bentley assuming its about crime in the building, turns out to actually be a KKK recruitment meeting. Facts of Life: "Starstruck"- Tootie is Jermaine Jackson's biggest fan and gets invited to his concert in the city as shes the local fan club president. After abandoning her chores and begging Mrs. Garrett, shes allowed to go to the show, but things don't turn out the way she hoped.
Fresh Prince episode from season 1 called Mistaken Identity in which Carlton and Will are mistakenly arrested for driving a car to Palm Springs for one of Phil's work partners. Police assumed the car was stolen and incarcerate them.
Matthew Perry's Growing Pains episode was sadly prophetic... since he died from injuries he might not have accrued if not for addiction. Maybe not the same drug mind you but still...
I remember also three episodes of Scrubs who hit hard. The first and second were "My Lunch" followed by "My fallen Idol" In the first one JD feeled guilt over the death of an female acquaintance who apparently committed suicide because of depression an JD failed to notice the hints. His Mentor Dr. Cox tried to pull him out of it. Then Cox used her organs for three other patients to save their lifes just to figure out that JDs acquaintance actually died on rabies. The patients died and Cox was now the one blaming himself for the deaths. The following episode "My fallen idol" showed than how Cox spiraled in depression and his alcoholism got worse. His friends tried to get out of it but didnt know how while JD couldnt really handle it and tried to avoid him. This episodes show what doctors go through when dealing with death and what guilt and depression can due to a person and those around. The thrid is "My Last Words" In this JD and Turk stayed by side a man who was about die but was quite afraid of it and so three talked about their own fear of death and how they handle it.
A couple more cartoon Very Special Episodes: Animaniacs, Slappy Squirrel segment called "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock." Slappy starts showing symptoms of dementia and her nephew Skippy does his best to care for her and make sure she's safe but eventually others catch on. Skippy is taken away by social services and Slappy ends up in a nursing home. They play it completely straight until the last few minutes when she snaps out of it. "Belch of Destiny" from Rocko's Modern Life, is maybe a VSE? Heffer is having fun showing off his belch-talent in the Weasel Scouts but his dad tells him to grow up. Heffer ends up so devastated that he quits the scouts and hides in his room out of depression. Finally his dad admits that he too has a "childish" talent (armpit farts) and apologizes for being harsh.
I was wondering when you were going to mention this episode of Family Matters (it was notable for being one of the few episodes of the show to deal with racism, a topic the show mostly avoided). Also: WOW, Tom Hanks before he was Tom Hanks! And I suspect the Home Improvement drug episode will be mentioned in the future.
I was thrilled to see "Family Ties" on the live action list as the second entry because I've watched the series before-- On DVD and reruns rather than back in the 1980s because I wasn't born yet. I completely forgot about the Tom Hanks alcohol episode since I hadn't watched it in so long. I don't know if it's been mentioned before but I also recommend discussing: Speed Trap (the infamous episode where Alex is on pills that help him stay awake so that he can study, kind of like that "Saved By The Bell" episode mentioned in a previous video but I didn't grow up watching that show), and 'A My Name is Alex pts 1 and 2' (delves into the topic of death after Alex's friend dies in a car accident. Michael J. Fox's acting is amazing in that episode.) I believe there was also another "very special" Full House episode that had a serious topic and it surprised me that it didn't come up yet.. unless it's still coming, the one where DJ feels light headed from not eating because she wants to be thin like the models in magazines. "Full House" was another show I didn't really grow up watching but since it's on DVD and popular enough to have gotten reruns over the years, I've seen not only the normal episodes but the serious episodes including the Papouli episode and the one where Stephanie's friend Charles is being beaten at home. I don't know if there were anymore serious episodes besides those but the Charles one (which I believe was already mentioned if I remember correctly) and the one about DJ fasting are ones that would definitely fit the bill. Actually, now that I think about it "Full House" had an alcohol episode too where Kimmy got drunk at a party and DJ revealed that her mom was killed by a drunk driver if I remember correctly. I had completely forgotten about that.
Good series just watched all the videos. Some episodes I really remember are Mr. Belvedere The Counselor & Homecoming (no one ever seems to mention this one). Good Times The Gang parts 1 & 2 & The Evens Dilemma. Webster The Uh-Oh Feeling & Saying Goodbye. Punky Brewster Divorce Anderson Style & The Anniversary.
There’s some really good episodes in fresh prince, I know in season 1 there’s the one where Will and Carlton are racial profiled by cops in Palm Springs when they go to return their dads friends Mercedes and it shows how sheltered Carlton is because he said they’re just doing their job
I remember Second Chance being used in one of the annual multimedia presentations my high school used to do was part od TADD (Teens Again Drunk/Distracted Driving). That was rough for sure. Another is when Carlton on Fresh Prince took what he thought were vitamins; but were actua;;y speed, and he almost passed from that. Another Dinosaurs example is one where Robbie got addicted to steroids.
The "Say Uncle" episode is interesting, because in other shows, it might be the kid who has trouble accepting their favorite relative having a serious problem, but here the writers had the good idea to show the parents are the ones in denial. You probably have this one planned for a future video, but I'll throw it out anyway, lol. The "Sam's Missing" episode of Diff'rent Strokes was one that really stuck with me.
Oh also, there’s an episode of Saved by the bell where they tackle drug addiction. One of the main characters starts taking caffeine pills to stay awake to study for a test but it get out of control quickly
@@LetsRunItBackoh okay I’ll make sure to check that out thanks. Also if you need an animated special episode, the TMNT 2003 series episode Fallen Angle or The ancient one. The episode Fallen Angle talks about gangs and the episode The Ancient One deals with inner demons
Don't forget the Dinosaurs episode where Robbie uses some stuff from his friend Spike, Spike later tries to get him away from it because he notices the effect and as a friend realized his mistake and tries to get him clean. Or the episode where Robbie is liking a girl and trying to go being a vegetarian but could be masked as many other topics, from lifestyle choice to actually being vegetarian etc
One episode that really gets me every time I watch it is The Body from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Usually having more supernatural problems, the death of Buffy's mother is handled very well. There's also an episode where she stops one of her classmates from doing a school shooting, but I forget the name
An episode of the Powerpuff Girls when the kids at their school gets hooked on Chemical X by Mojo Jojo who was masquerading as a stranger though a small episode it talks about the importance of not taking things from strangers
Apologies if it's been mentioned, but my favorite "VSE" is from OK KO: Let's Be Heroes, the "Let's Not Be Skeletons" episode. (it is a recent one, lol) Starts off pretty silly, maybe a parody of Very Special Episodes, but when you catch on it's a very dark episode about a stupidly divisive topic. Not enough people talk about this episode, or series! I loved it.😢
Facts Of Life featured suicide, assault, life with disabilities, abortion, latchkey kids, having a parent in jail, losing a parent, divorce and a number of other issues.
i have a proposition but i'm not really sure if this belongs into life action or cartoon (i guess the former). it's an episode from fraggle rock, where wembley has to deal with grief after losing a friend. the episode really stuck with me since while most fraggle rock episodes had a moral about stuff like peer pressure and such, this was quite a serious topic for them to tackle. perhaps you'd consider it as an entry for the next live action episode
Some animation recs: "Insane in the Membrane" S4E19, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 - Baxter Stockman's new body starts to decay and his mind fractures, caught between memories of his childhood and seeking revenge on April for instigating every bad thing that happened to him. Features mental trauma, disassociation, narcissism, body horror. This episode was pulled from airing on 4Kids and may have been a facture in the show's lighter tone and color shift in later seasons. "Same As It Never Was" S3E21, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 - Donatello ends up 30 years in the future where Shredder has conquered the known universe and his brothers have broken apart. Features family trauma, character deaths, guilt, hopelessness. Arguably the most infamous episode of TMNT 2003.
There's a George Lopez episode called "The Show Dyslexic" where it's revealed the son, Max has dyslexia and needs to take special ed classes to help him. The wife, Angie believes George is dyslexic too seeing it can be genetic. George is in denial of the diagnosis and refuses to have Max take the classes in fear of him getting bullied.
There was also the episode "Steroids to Heaven" in Dinosaurs where Robbie ate some creatures that gave him muscles and spikes all over his body. An episode that explains the dangers of steroids.
Street sharks and dinosaurs both had episodes tackling the danger of steroid abuse. The leader of the street sharks went undercover to bust an illegal high school steroids ring. In the episode, a shake among us.
Another great video! It's a shame it has to be censored. TH-cam should stop being so overly careful. Instead of censoring content, just do what they did on TV back in the day & have a warning of adult/disturbing content at the beginning of the video. The people watching these videos are most likely adults.
Yea the censorship sucks. I find myself uploading multiple versions of videos due stuff like certain wording used or content claims, even days after uploaded. Due to late claims, some videos I don't even get paid for. It sucks, but soon I plan to start a Patreon where I will add some of my unedited past versions and future versions of videos which would be free.
The Degrassi franchise up until next class imo was the show with all the special episodes. Same with good times. Family matters had a few as well. Only 22yo but I vividly remember that episode of FM where they shot Laura’s friend for her shoes! And the one where the gang beat Eddie up 😢. Those episodes were heavy on my 7yo brain.
Update: The cat’s on her way to the Rainbow Bridge. Surgery was a success but her heart stopped. They managed to resuscitate her but it’s only a matter of time before it stops forever. 😭
Good Times best special episodes were when James dies (DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!!) and also 4 episodes to explain the character of Penny. They touched on the very serious subject of Child Abuse. You should have talked about Penny.
I covered the episode about James death in Part 4. When it comes to the Penny arc I will be covering it. The other episodes was.request more which is why I haven't talked about it yet. Good Times is 1 of my favorite sitcoms so I definitely haven't forgotten about it. It will be in a video soon
oh dang this is brand new 6 hours ago! this is a great series! the cartoons im familar with, but as for the live actions, i dont know much about them bc i hated sitcoms as a kid and still dont like them. but i do remember some of these bc my sisters watched them and its interesting to see them again
While not the conventional series for a "Very Special Episode", Spongebob had a few that had some semi-serious episodes just done in the less serious Spongebob fashion. "Squirrel Jokes" dealt with stereotypes and racism, "Fear of a Krabby Patty" is one of a few that do anxiety, "Just One Bite" covering addiction, and "Sailor Mouth" swearing.
The Family Matters episode, "Dog Day Halloween" (S2E7) is _both_ a Halloween and a VSE, which I feel you'd be interested in knowing. Granted, it kind of sucks at doing both but hey, beggars can't be choosers, and this is pretty unique.
Ah dayum, I saw Brandon Adams in one of those pics and I already knew it was the “Roc” episode. 😭😭😭 That episode broke my heart when it came out. It's even worse knowing what happened to Brandon Adams and Merlin Santana later in their lives!
I have an episode suggestion for this series. Spectacular spider-man episode 6 "The uncertainty principle" it kind of touches on the addiction thing. The episode chronicles Spider-Man on Halloween, as he partakes in his final battle with the villain Green Goblin and finally discovers the villain's true identity. Meanwhile, Air Force Colonel John Jameson attempts to land his badly damaged space craft back on Earth. The episode was written by Kevin Hopps and directed by Dave Bullock. Hopps researched all the available comic books he had that featured Green Goblin in order to prepare his penning of the episode's teleplay. "The Uncertainty Principle" served as a conclusion to the Green Goblin storyline for the first season. In the context of the episode, the title refers not to chemistry, but rather the confusion regarding the Goblin's identity.
Boy meets world a couple that come to mind are " Cult fiction" , "If you can't be with the one you love", and "Everybody loves Stuart". If you do shows like Beverly Hills 90210 " It's only a test" . The facts of life "Breaking point"
Episode recommendations: (I don’t know the names of them, though). -The episode of Family Guy where Brian and Stewie are stuck in a bank vault -The episode of The Neighborhood where they discuss police brutality. -The episode of Futurama where Fry wants to give a last goodbye to his parents.
The one from Dinosaurs reminded me of another episode: Robbie succumbed to peer pressure in a different episode and started taking thornoids (that world's version of steroids) which is another episode of the show that tackles substance abuse. I also remember 2 more serious episodes of Fresh Prince: 1. Similar to Saved by the Bell, Will was given caffeine pills because of school, work, basketball and other things the youth go through in those instances. However, he mistakenly gives Carlton access to them not realizing that he took them so Will called an ambulance and had Carlton taken to the hospital where his stomach was pumped to extract the substance. Later, Philip gave Will a set of tickets as a thank you gift for saving his life but declined and told Philip about the whole thing; Philip calls the rest of the family to hear Will explain himself again. Afterwards, he was guilt-stricken that he decided to pack his belongings and leave, but Vivian stops him from doing so. 2. I didn't catch the whole thing, but Carlton and Will get held at gunpoint over something before the assailant fires, but Will takes the bullet and gets hospitalized which he survives. While visiting Will at the hospital, Carlton was found out by Will that he (Carlton) had a loaded revolver when the two hug. Will demanded that Carlton fork it over before exiting Will's hospital room which he reluctantly did; Will jettisoned the rounds just before the episode came to a close. Also, I just remembered one form Batman Beyond: a narcotic patch called slappers hits the streets prompting Terry to visit Bane who's being hospitalized (possibly on life support) due to being on venom for so long. Terry's mother even suspected that Terry himself was using the stuff and kept a close eye on him; the episode ends with Terry's mother being given proof that he was clean of the narcotic
Braceface had an episode tackling underage drinking where Sharon is talked into drinking soda mixed with alcohol and through braces shenanigans her father overhears her drunken gibberish in horror. After she recovers he tells her off for accepting alcohol and warns her about the dangers of intoxication
I loved that Growing Pains Episode. I never watched Growing Pains but watched that episode because it had Matthew Perry playing Sandy and man is it heartbreaking. Then I watched more and there is a great follow-up episode S05e05 “Teach Me” where Carol starts going out with a phoney boyfriend to keep her parents from trying to set her up with someone but it ends up being about her not being over losing Sandy and not wanting to date someone she could lose again. Another heartbreaking scene in that episode as well.
There was another very special episode of “A Different World” called “If I should die before I wake”. Whitley feels that she is ready to take her relationship with Dwayne further and plans to do it on the night of his birthday. She tells Jaleesa about her plans for Dwayne’s birthday, which causes Jaleesa to educate Whitley on the importance of practicing safe sex. During public speaking class, the professor, played by Whoopi Goldberg assigns the students to write their own eulogies and present them in front of the class. One of the students named Josie, played by Tisha Campbell, reads her eulogy in which she reveals to the class that she has AIDS due to having unprotected sex while she was in high school. Whitley is shocked because she thought that only “perverted” people and drug addicts get AIDS. Two students named Gina and Terrance showcase their ignorance about the disease causing them to avoid being around Josie. Kimberly and Mr. Gaines combat misinformation about AIDS, especially when Gina and Terrence refuse service from Josie. Ron is scared about catching AIDS due to his sexual activity but decides to take a HIV test along with his friend Dwayne. After learning about Josie’s ordeal with AIDS, Whitley decides for herself that she’s not ready.
I remembered watching an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air where Will and Carl are trying to join a college fraternity, and while Will is accepted in, Carl isn’t because the fraternity leader doesn’t feel like Carl belongs. In the end Carl tells the leader off and Will turns down the invitation to join, and the episode ends with Uncle Phil saying how disappointed he is that even black people discriminate against each other, saying “when are we going to stop doing this to each other?”
It’s a very poignant episode about how discrimination affects even those who should be just like each other
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
This is a good choice that doesn't often come up when Fresh Prince is discussed. I went through a lot of what Carlton did in my freshman year of college, and this episode still hits home years later.
@justanotherchannelonyoutube, I’m also reminded of that episode where Vivian’s sister had a white boyfriend and the whole family was thinking that he was the cab driver, the real cab driver was black and so the family was chatting him up and congratulating him. So when Vivian’s sister kissed her real bf, the family was shocked. So it was a good example of how the show flipped cultural biases and expectations upside down.
That was a really good episode. I still remember it to this day.
Great ep, it teaches that no one should feel bad because they're successful in life.
I know M*A*S*H Wasn't a kids show per say but I think the Episode where Hawkeye opens up about the Horrors of war, including a traumatic bus ride involving Korean civilians and a "chicken" making too much noise while they are driving through enemy territory is super brutal... If you know, you know...
Thanks, I just put it in my notes.😎
Chicken I thought it was a baby?
@@simsgirlgemit was, they just called it a chicken to censor the child’s death
@@gabbyd3515 ah
M*A*S*H took place during the Korean War, so are you sure those were Vietnamese civilians?
A different world, one of my favorite shows 🎉
I remembered another one for the animated series section if you want to hear it! The animates series of the Smurfs covered the topic of death with Smurfette. In one episode, she found a sick little mouse and brought him back to the village. Papa Smurf gave him medicine and the mouse got better with that and Smurfette’s love and care. Unfortunately, the mouse passed away very shortly after. Smurfette didn’t take it well and even ran away from the village, fearing that someone else might die. She didn’t want to go through the emotional pain again but learned at the end that death was part of life. It ended happily as she got a baby mouse as a pet from a surprise that didn’t explode for once!
Thanks for the suggestion, I will look it up and put it in my notes for a future video!
Oh that episode was crushing.
I distinctly remember the Home Improvement episode. My mom saw a preview and thought it was possible the medical issue was going to be HIV, she let me and my brother stay up late to watch it because she "trusted the show enough" to tackle the subject. Since the "Trusting the show" has become short hand around our house to describe a show that has earned its "Very special episode"
Recess has 'Speedy We Hardly Knew Ye', where Miss Grotke's fourth-graders are confronted with the death of the class pet, only to find out the staff keep replacing the hamsters every time one dies, and naming them all the same, so that every class since the dawn of Third Street Elementary could have their Speedy, and be shielded from the concept of pet death. TJ's consort therefore becomes the first to ever have to deal with such an issue, and in the process, teach their peers how to handle complex emotions like grief.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Reminds me of a bit by Sarah Millican. "My childhood rabbit never died. It was just sometimes a different color."
Having gone through thyroid cancer, I watch that episode of Home Improvement a lot differently now.
My family went through it when my brother got diagnosed with cancer (he was the middle son as well).
The difference is that he passed away a year later.
@@dhenderson1810I'm so sorry to hear this. 😢
that's one thing that was so important about these old shows, it may be uncomfortable and difficult to portray respectfully, but some topics need to be discussed, that's something no one is willing to do anymore
There's an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called The Body that centers around the sudden death of Buffy's mother, the process of dealing with the trauma of losing a parent and the aftermath.
For a show filled with vampires and supernatural monsters that constantly kill people throughout the show it's a very grounded and realistic portrayal of death and what typically happens afterwards.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Yessss! “Showtime (1 & 2)” is one of the best classic Degrassi episodes of all time. You'll have plenty of material with the OG Degrassi High. If you include the movie (broken down by episodes), the final episode is harsh to take-especially since the actor who played Wheels passed away in real life years later.
Yea, Degrassi has a lot of episodes that qualify. I actually might consider doing a video just for it some day.
@@LetsRunItBackCam's suicide episode from The Next Generation was interesting, and how it affected Eli, Maya and the other students. Mr. Simpson also told Eli that he went through the same thing when he was around his age.
Powerful episodes. Enough said.
The finale of Dinosaurs is a gut-punch for sure. Basically, at Daddy’s work, everything starts off with some bugs not doing their job and eating out an invading plant, and it all ends up in an Ice Age that wipes all the dinosaurs out. Basically, everything goes just about as wrong as it could. It especially hurts when Baby asks “What’s gonna happen to us?” and the adults struggle to answer that question.
There’s also an episode of Full House where DJ struggles with body image issues, because she wants to be “fit” for Kimmy’s pool party, and stops eating, to the point of feeding her lunch sandwich to Comet, the family dog, and going overboard at the gym, almost fainting.
As for cartoons, the first one to come to mind is the episode Alone At Sea of Steven Universe. Basically, Lapis is finally starting to realise just how toxic Malachite, her fusion with Jasper, was. An analogy for toxic/abusive relationships.
Also the episode of Gravity Falls where they deal with Soos’ birthday and his trauma relating to it and his dad being a total flake.
And just like, all of Bluey. Especially episodes like Onesies, Copycat, Granddad, Sleepytime, Flat Pack, Camping, Baby Race and The Sign. They’re more so emotional moments than Special Episode tropes, but I feel they still deserve a mention!
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
@@LetsRunItBack Awesome, can't wait for the next part!
Ooh. Pretty background on the countdown.
HELL YEAH Family Ties mention, thank you!! :D
You're welcome, I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Watch reruns all the time ❤ it covered some really great subjects 👍
@@samanthamarkle6923 They need to do the episode where Uncle Arthur comes to visit and makes unwanted advances towards Mallory
WKRP in Cincinnati was a sitcom but not necessarily a kid/family one that had Special Episode based on a real life event.
Season 2, episode 19 "In Concert" had the radio station dealing with the death of several concert attendees who were trampled/crushed to death at a concert the station promoted.
It stuck particularly hard because it was based on a real life event, The Who Concert Disaster, that happened in Cincinnati, the location of the fictional radio station.
Thanks for the suggestion, I will look it up and put it in my notes for a future video!
One of my favorite reasons for show writers to come up with these episodes is that it shows even the characters in our favorite series go through the same struggles we do. The messages may go over the heads of younger viewers who don't fully understand what's going on, but I believe it's necessary to bring the messages to their attention at a young age so their parents can at least have a conversation with them about being more mindful of the consequences of their actions as well as being more open to embracing others' differences, which is just as valuable now as it was when these episodes released.
First of all, thank you for including my suggestion so soon. I didn't expect to see it for a few more episodes of this series, especially with as many suggestions as you get. Secondly, there's another special episode of the original "Saved by the Bell," that I really like. It was one where a big time celebrity in their universe visits the school, and takes a shine to Kelly. In the meantime, there's evidence that someone is smoking weed at school, and one of the "bad boys" is a suspect at first. Later, however, they start to suspect the celebrity, and eventually, the crew goes to a party. They eventually leave kind of early as they're worried about what's going on at the party, all except for Kelly, who really likes the celebrity. Anyway, after they're all gone, he pulls out a joint, and tries to get Kelly to take a toke. We don't see what happened, but we find out that Kelly said no, and left the party.
If I think of any more, I'll share them with you ASAP. I'm really loving this series.
You're welcome, I'm happy that you have been enjoying the series. I just added your suggestion to my notes.
Second Chance from Growing pains is bittersweet now since Matthew Perry's passing
I like you how mentioned the Growing Pains episode, featuring Matthew Perry, as a cautionary tale, especially considering the way he died, in real life. He was such a talented actor and will be missed.
By the way, I've seen most of these episodes, except for Degrassi High, since I'm not familiar with the series. It's a shame that we don't see these kinds of episodes, anymore. I think they should do these types of shows, so that kids can learn to understand the harsh realities of the world and learn how to cope. Thanks for the video.
You're welcome, I'm happy you enjoyed the video.
I honestly thought the 'A Different World' episode you were going to reference was Love Taps. Gina's being abused by her boyfriend, Dion. One afternoon in The Pit, she's talking to Mr Gaines, the owner. What he told her has stuck with me since the first time I watched the episode. "Tell you a story about my cousin Ida Mae. We grew up together. Ida Mae was always saying "I don't believe my husband loves me unless he hits me once a week." Well, one day her husband LOVED her to death. And we buried her last year."
Thanks for mentioning it. I put it in my notes to put in a future video.
@@LetsRunItBack it also has a follow up episode in one of the last episodes of the series. Billy Dee Williams is in that one, highly recommend watching that one too.
Thanks, I will check it out 😎
Excellent List!
There were a couple of episodes of Home Improvements you can use too. There was an episode called ‘What a Drag’ Tim and Jill find out that Brad is smoking weed. Brad tells his parents that he smokes it to relax but then Jill tells him and the other boys about her experience with smoking weed and how it got her into trouble. (The episode was based off of Tim Allen getting a DUI in real life.)
Another episode ‘Taps’ Jill lies about being ill when her parents call about wanting to visit so that they don’t come, but later gets news that her father had a heart attack and died. Jill is heart broken and guilt ridden. The episode shows how everyone takes the news and how to deal with grief.
Also from Home Improvement, "Love's Labor Lost" parts 1 and 2. Jill has to have a hysterectomy because of a tumor, but complications means she has all her reproductive organs removed when that wasn't what she had planned on (or wanted.) Then she has to work through her feelings of about the surgery and about feeling like she's "no longer a real woman" all while going through surgery-induced menopause.
@@pompe221 Oh yeah I’d forgotten about that one. Been years since I’ve watched Home Improvements
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Great job covering many special episodes. I remember many of these. It's sad many of them covered topics we still have to talk about now, but at least we have these to open up the conversation. Thank you for sharing this. God Bless You & stay safe.
Thank you, Glad you enjoyed it!
The Little House on the Prarie series covered a number of sensitive subjects during its run
A few episodes have mentioned and put in my notes. They will eventually be covered.😎
Good list man! I remember the Growing Pains one and that’s one I still can’t watch to this day. Still gives me the chills in a sad way you know?
Loved the Home Improvement and Family Ties ones. Those were good episodes and I remember the Home Improvement one especially getting a lot of attention from Entertainment Tonight and TV Guide.
Ty again and keep the good content coming please.
Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed the video. There's a lot more still to come 😎
@@LetsRunItBack very welcome can’t wait
One of the episodes of home improvement that really got to me was when Jill had to have a hysterectomy
Thanks for the suggestion, I have it in my notes for a future video!
I miss being a kid shows use to teach you lesson and still be entertaining
Oh and another one is “8 Simple Rules” which killed off it’s main character after the death of John Ritter.
Also one of the few confirmed for Part 8 😎
Oh man, that one still hurts.
Two episodes of "Facts of Life"-- 1) Tootie becomes a model but then the photographer tries to get her to take nude photos even though she's only 13 years old. 2) Natalie is attacked while walking across campus back to her dorm from a costume party by a potential rapist.
Three episodes of "Family Ties"-- 1) A creepy uncle hits on Mallory. 2) Alex takes uppers to try to pass a big exam and then spirals out of control. 3) Alex's best friend is killed in a car accident and Alex is riddled with guild because he was supposed to have been in the car with him (this was a two-parter)
"Happy Days"--There was one episode dealing with racism when Richie's band gets a new drummer, who is black, and the whole school boycotts a party where he's going to be playing.
The "My Name is Alex" saga broke me in the best possible way. Literally some of the best TV out there even today
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
The Facts of Life episode, Breaking Point was a good one, how Tootie, Natalie, Blair and Jo dealt with Cynthia's Suicide.
Nell deals with a Racist Child Host on Gimme A Break.
Thanks, i put it in my notes 😎
@@LetsRunItBack That show also had an episode dealing with the death of their patriarch who had really passed away
And Nell gave him her blood, and then gave the NAACP a donation in his name lmao I loved that
Never expected to see Degrassi in this series, given that almost every episode was a Very Special Episode lol. Showtime really was a big hitter though, especially how it addressed Snake's reaction to finding the body.
Yes, most Degrassi episodes basically are WSEs. Mostly added it due to being so highly requested, but I get it due to there be nothing more serious then the subject matter
I never heard of Degrassi High
Maude Flanders death was a sad episode of The Simpsons.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
"Vincent and The Doctor" is an extremely powerful episode. I highly recommend it to be on one of these lists
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Part 7 suggestion:
PPG and the Bunny episode. It has a hard truth moral about disabled people who due to bad luck they have short lifespan by fragile health. The ending was SO SAD!!
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
I second this one
Roc was such an underrated show. It was one of my favorites as a kid
never got to watch Roc since I was always working at night
You should maybe do videos on after school specials. Or maybe one about stars guest staring in an episode before they were famous
Thanks for the ideas, I put them in my notes
As well as teaching kids not to give in to peer pressure, they should also be taught to not pressure thier peers.
Glad A Different World Episode I mentioned was included in this Video 😁
Great Video! Always learn about so manu Different and Diverse Shows from years ago that felt organic and not pushing anything for ethnicity points, and that these shows also gave messages in ways that felt normal as well. Can't wait to see more videos like these 😄
Same, mine was second chance growing pains.
@senister14 I've never seen Growing Pains but I think I'll give it a chance now 😁
That episode sounds pretty deep and surprisingly realistic, most would think he survived and that's how it would end, not that he would still go on to pass away due to his injuries, such a realistic and sobering portrayal I don't see shows do too often.
@ThatsSoJudy it's a pretty typical sitcom from that time. But the theme song is so good.
Yep, I just love the awareness. Not many people talk about internal bleeding as a problem, how it can be very serious if not treated immediately.
I love that you're making this Very Special Episode series! This is very educational for me. I hope you're ready for 10 more interesting finds I came up upon.
1. Diff'rent Strokes: The Hitchhikers - Arnold and Kimberly hitchhike home for their father's birthday party. They are picked up by a man who plans to rape Kimberly. Arnold manages to escape and alert the police just in time to arrest the man.
2. Captain Planet and the Planeteers: 'Teers in the Hood - When an old friend of Gi, a teacher, is caught in the middle of a gang war and is nearly killed, the Planeteers infiltrate the two feuding gangs to put an end to the violence. The likenesses and speeches of peace activists such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and John F. Kennedy are used within the episode.
3. Today's Special: Hello Friend - Jodie brings her friend Levi to work. Levi has cerebral palsy and can't walk or talk, so he communicates with Blissymbols. During an emergency, he figures out how to get a message out to Sam and save the day, proving that people with disabilities are just as smart as everyone else.
4. Dog with a Blog: My Parents Posted What?! - An episode dedicated to internet safety
5. Danger Rangers: Safe and Sound - An episode that dealt with hearing loss
6. Pepper Ann: Dances with Ignorance - An episode that deals with Native American racism and stereotyping.
7. Doug: Doug's Minor Catastrophe - a very thinly-veiled Very Special Episode against nicotine.
8. Dora the Explorer: Dora's Great Roller Skate Adventure - This surprising Dora episode deals with bullying and sticking up for each other so nobody gets bullied again.
9. Gargoyles: Lighthouse in the Sea of Time - An episode dealing with illiteracy.
10. PB&J Otter: Follow Your Nose - The episode features comics in Braille and characters learning how to navigate using senses other than vision.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them all in my notes for future videos!
Hell to the yeah! Always love this series.
I know this isn’t an episode or a show (its a movie), but its a good example of drug abuse and addiction. Yzma manipulates Kronk to trick the elderly people into taking a “youth potion”. The elders become addicted to it and Kronk feels bad because of it. The addiction is protrayed in a pretty good way (wanting more of the substance, abusing the substance daily).
I thought it was really good.
If I find a good way to add it in the right circumstance I will look into it. Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Amazing video of special episodes in Live action shows,fantastic job.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I absolutely love your series and videos! Thank you for making this series and using suggestions from all of us. I have another suggestion for the next cartoon video. There is an episode of "Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat" called 'Cha-Siu Bow Wow' Cha-Siu is a puppy that has been adopted into the cat family after something tragic happened to his parents. Sagwa and her siblings meet him for the first time and are shocked he's not a cat. He has a hard time fitting into his new family after other dogs make fun of him for his cat like behavior. It shows the struggles and emotional side of someone who is different from the rest of the family.
I'm happy you're enjoying the series. Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
In a similar vein to what you discussed in the Very Special Episode animated version (part 5), with the Life with Louie lesson of cherishing your loved ones, Home Improvement had a similar episode where Jill got into an argument with her dad, and shortly after he dies of a heart attack. Jill finds out later, and is of course devastated and has horrible guilt that her last words to him were words of anger and not of support.
in the crime show NCIS, Director Leon Vance has to make a gut wrenching decision when his wife's little brother whom Leon has loved and cared for, is accused of murder. And *spoilers*, when young Michael is proved to be the killer, Leon has to make a very hard decision to send his loved one to prison.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
Good list! I actually watched 2 episodes on it. Those being the Good Times one and A Different World. I need to watch the other ones! Thank you for bringing them up, especially the Family Matters example.
Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed the video!
Man, every other episode of Degrassi was a "Very Special Episode" that school was hella dramatic
Diff'rent Strokes- "A Growing Problem": Willis tries to go to his buddy's party while sneaking a bottle of booze out, but when he's caught by Mr. Drummond, it starts an argument about how "grown up" Willis is and he ends up moving out, then moves in with his heavy drinking and partying buddy. The episode ends when Willis and his friend get into a car accident and his friend doesnt make it...🙁
Gimmie a Break- "The Gun": Joey accidently shoots Nell in the foot with the now deceased Chief's gun. Joey becomes guilt ridden and experiences PTSD over the incident.
California Dreams- "Guess Who's Coming To Brunch": The Dreams sole black band member Tony begins dating a fan who happens to be white but its met with disapproval from her bigoted father who tries to buy off Tony by purchasing a replacement speaker for the band's recently broken one.
Happy Days: "Richie Almost Dies"- In an effort to look "cooler" Richie Cunningham buys a motorcycle, and promptly gets into a serious accident landing him comatose in the hospital. The episode is highlighted by a scene where The Fonz prays aloud to God for Richie's recovery.
The Jeffersons: "Sorry, Wrong Meeting"- A meeting in the building attended by George, Tom, and Mr. Bentley assuming its about crime in the building, turns out to actually be a KKK recruitment meeting.
Facts of Life: "Starstruck"- Tootie is Jermaine Jackson's biggest fan and gets invited to his concert in the city as shes the local fan club president. After abandoning her chores and begging Mrs. Garrett, shes allowed to go to the show, but things don't turn out the way she hoped.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
Between the lions has an episode about reading sad books.
Not as heavy as some episodes, but really great message about why sad stories are necessary
Thanks, I put it in my notes!
Was that the episode where they read “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” by William Steig?
@@hmcvirgo92 no, The King and His Hawk
@@videohistory722 okay.
this also applies to The Gingerbread Man Episode
Your voice is so comforting to listen to ❤
Fresh Prince episode from season 1 called Mistaken Identity in which Carlton and Will are mistakenly arrested for driving a car to Palm Springs for one of Phil's work partners. Police assumed the car was stolen and incarcerate them.
It's in my notes, thanks for suggesting!
Matthew Perry's Growing Pains episode was sadly prophetic... since he died from injuries he might not have accrued if not for addiction. Maybe not the same drug mind you but still...
I was thinking the same thing.
I remember also three episodes of Scrubs who hit hard.
The first and second were "My Lunch" followed by "My fallen Idol"
In the first one JD feeled guilt over the death of an female acquaintance who apparently committed suicide because of depression an JD failed to notice the hints. His Mentor Dr. Cox tried to pull him out of it. Then Cox used her organs for three other patients to save their lifes just to figure out that JDs acquaintance actually died on rabies. The patients died and Cox was now the one blaming himself for the deaths. The following episode "My fallen idol" showed than how Cox spiraled in depression and his alcoholism got worse. His friends tried to get out of it but didnt know how while JD couldnt really handle it and tried to avoid him. This episodes show what doctors go through when dealing with death and what guilt and depression can due to a person and those around.
The thrid is "My Last Words"
In this JD and Turk stayed by side a man who was about die but was quite afraid of it and so three talked about their own fear of death and how they handle it.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
A couple more cartoon Very Special Episodes: Animaniacs, Slappy Squirrel segment called "One Flew Over the Cuckoo Clock." Slappy starts showing symptoms of dementia and her nephew Skippy does his best to care for her and make sure she's safe but eventually others catch on. Skippy is taken away by social services and Slappy ends up in a nursing home. They play it completely straight until the last few minutes when she snaps out of it.
"Belch of Destiny" from Rocko's Modern Life, is maybe a VSE? Heffer is having fun showing off his belch-talent in the Weasel Scouts but his dad tells him to grow up. Heffer ends up so devastated that he quits the scouts and hides in his room out of depression. Finally his dad admits that he too has a "childish" talent (armpit farts) and apologizes for being harsh.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
@@LetsRunItBack Thanks! Gotta say, it's kind of fun rooting through the old memory banks for VSE suggestions.
A Different World episode was profound and real for its time
The end of "A New Leaf" was a lambast of what the show called "preachy" PSA episodes. Kind of what they did with Tiny Toons "One Beer".
I was wondering when you were going to mention this episode of Family Matters (it was notable for being one of the few episodes of the show to deal with racism, a topic the show mostly avoided). Also: WOW, Tom Hanks before he was Tom Hanks! And I suspect the Home Improvement drug episode will be mentioned in the future.
The Home Improvement episode is in my notes and definitely will include it in the future since was requested a few times 😎
Simpsons with Bleeding Gums Murphy.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
I was thrilled to see "Family Ties" on the live action list as the second entry because I've watched the series before-- On DVD and reruns rather than back in the 1980s because I wasn't born yet. I completely forgot about the Tom Hanks alcohol episode since I hadn't watched it in so long. I don't know if it's been mentioned before but I also recommend discussing: Speed Trap (the infamous episode where Alex is on pills that help him stay awake so that he can study, kind of like that "Saved By The Bell" episode mentioned in a previous video but I didn't grow up watching that show), and 'A My Name is Alex pts 1 and 2' (delves into the topic of death after Alex's friend dies in a car accident. Michael J. Fox's acting is amazing in that episode.)
I believe there was also another "very special" Full House episode that had a serious topic and it surprised me that it didn't come up yet.. unless it's still coming, the one where DJ feels light headed from not eating because she wants to be thin like the models in magazines. "Full House" was another show I didn't really grow up watching but since it's on DVD and popular enough to have gotten reruns over the years, I've seen not only the normal episodes but the serious episodes including the Papouli episode and the one where Stephanie's friend Charles is being beaten at home. I don't know if there were anymore serious episodes besides those but the Charles one (which I believe was already mentioned if I remember correctly) and the one about DJ fasting are ones that would definitely fit the bill. Actually, now that I think about it "Full House" had an alcohol episode too where Kimmy got drunk at a party and DJ revealed that her mom was killed by a drunk driver if I remember correctly. I had completely forgotten about that.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
You used my suggestion (second chance). THANKS!!!
Thanks for the idea!
Good series just watched all the videos.
Some episodes I really remember are
Mr. Belvedere The Counselor & Homecoming (no one ever seems to mention this one).
Good Times The Gang parts 1 & 2 & The Evens Dilemma.
Webster The Uh-Oh Feeling & Saying Goodbye.
Punky Brewster Divorce Anderson Style & The Anniversary.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
You should cover the episode of Degrassi where Drake is crippled in a school shooting
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video
There’s some really good episodes in fresh prince, I know in season 1 there’s the one where Will and Carlton are racial profiled by cops in Palm Springs when they go to return their dads friends Mercedes and it shows how sheltered Carlton is because he said they’re just doing their job
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
@@LetsRunItBackDefinitely! It was a great episode.
I remember Second Chance being used in one of the annual multimedia presentations my high school used to do was part od TADD (Teens Again Drunk/Distracted Driving). That was rough for sure. Another is when Carlton on Fresh Prince took what he thought were vitamins; but were actua;;y speed, and he almost passed from that. Another Dinosaurs example is one where Robbie got addicted to steroids.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
Static Shock had an episode where a girl suffered from neglect after loosing her mother
The "Say Uncle" episode is interesting, because in other shows, it might be the kid who has trouble accepting their favorite relative having a serious problem, but here the writers had the good idea to show the parents are the ones in denial.
You probably have this one planned for a future video, but I'll throw it out anyway, lol. The "Sam's Missing" episode of Diff'rent Strokes was one that really stuck with me.
Thanks for the suggestion, I have it in my notes for a future video!
Oh also, there’s an episode of Saved by the bell where they tackle drug addiction. One of the main characters starts taking caffeine pills to stay awake to study for a test but it get out of control quickly
Thanks for the suggestion, I covered that episode in Part 2 😎
@@LetsRunItBackoh okay I’ll make sure to check that out thanks. Also if you need an animated special episode, the TMNT 2003 series episode Fallen Angle or The ancient one. The episode Fallen Angle talks about gangs and the episode The Ancient One deals with inner demons
Thanks for the suggestion I put it in my notes
Don't forget the Dinosaurs episode where Robbie uses some stuff from his friend Spike, Spike later tries to get him away from it because he notices the effect and as a friend realized his mistake and tries to get him clean. Or the episode where Robbie is liking a girl and trying to go being a vegetarian but could be masked as many other topics, from lifestyle choice to actually being vegetarian etc
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
One episode that really gets me every time I watch it is The Body from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Usually having more supernatural problems, the death of Buffy's mother is handled very well. There's also an episode where she stops one of her classmates from doing a school shooting, but I forget the name
Thanks for the suggestion, I will look it up and put it in my notes for a future video!
"Earshot," and I might mention that Johnathan only intended to kill himself, not start a school shooting.
An episode of the Powerpuff Girls when the kids at their school gets hooked on Chemical X by Mojo Jojo who was masquerading as a stranger though a small episode it talks about the importance of not taking things from strangers
There’s also an episode when Blossom steals a pair a golf clubs the professor wants for Father’s Day. It’s even called “A Very Special Blossom”
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Apologies if it's been mentioned, but my favorite "VSE" is from OK KO: Let's Be Heroes, the "Let's Not Be Skeletons" episode. (it is a recent one, lol)
Starts off pretty silly, maybe a parody of Very Special Episodes, but when you catch on it's a very dark episode about a stupidly divisive topic.
Not enough people talk about this episode, or series! I loved it.😢
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Facts Of Life featured suicide, assault, life with disabilities, abortion, latchkey kids, having a parent in jail, losing a parent, divorce and a number of other issues.
Thanks for the suggestions, I will look them up and put them in my notes for future videos!
i have a proposition but i'm not really sure if this belongs into life action or cartoon (i guess the former). it's an episode from fraggle rock, where wembley has to deal with grief after losing a friend. the episode really stuck with me since while most fraggle rock episodes had a moral about stuff like peer pressure and such, this was quite a serious topic for them to tackle. perhaps you'd consider it as an entry for the next live action episode
It would fit in Live-action. Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
I felt that a little when Roc pulled that girl down 🥺
Some animation recs:
"Insane in the Membrane" S4E19, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 - Baxter Stockman's new body starts to decay and his mind fractures, caught between memories of his childhood and seeking revenge on April for instigating every bad thing that happened to him. Features mental trauma, disassociation, narcissism, body horror. This episode was pulled from airing on 4Kids and may have been a facture in the show's lighter tone and color shift in later seasons.
"Same As It Never Was" S3E21, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2003 - Donatello ends up 30 years in the future where Shredder has conquered the known universe and his brothers have broken apart. Features family trauma, character deaths, guilt, hopelessness. Arguably the most infamous episode of TMNT 2003.
Those are both great episodes of the series. Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
There's a George Lopez episode called "The Show Dyslexic" where it's revealed the son, Max has dyslexia and needs to take special ed classes to help him. The wife, Angie believes George is dyslexic too seeing it can be genetic. George is in denial of the diagnosis and refuses to have Max take the classes in fear of him getting bullied.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
There was also the episode "Steroids to Heaven" in Dinosaurs where Robbie ate some creatures that gave him muscles and spikes all over his body. An episode that explains the dangers of steroids.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
@@LetsRunItBack OK👍
Street sharks and dinosaurs both had episodes tackling the danger of steroid abuse. The leader of the street sharks went undercover to bust an illegal high school steroids ring. In the episode, a shake among us.
Came into the comments to say the same. :)
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
Another great video! It's a shame it has to be censored. TH-cam should stop being so overly careful.
Instead of censoring content, just do what they did on TV back in the day & have a warning of adult/disturbing content at the beginning of the video.
The people watching these videos are most likely adults.
Yea the censorship sucks. I find myself uploading multiple versions of videos due stuff like certain wording used or content claims, even days after uploaded. Due to late claims, some videos I don't even get paid for. It sucks, but soon I plan to start a Patreon where I will add some of my unedited past versions and future versions of videos which would be free.
@@LetsRunItBack keep up the great work
Thank you!
Does this guy look like Marty mcfly to anyone else here at 2:37 😂?
@@Gael-y2d that's the same actor actual
The Degrassi franchise up until next class imo was the show with all the special episodes. Same with good times. Family matters had a few as well.
Only 22yo but I vividly remember that episode of FM where they shot Laura’s friend for her shoes! And the one where the gang beat Eddie up 😢. Those episodes were heavy on my 7yo brain.
I heard about that Home Improvement episode. The sad part is one of my family’s cats has thyroid cancer. She’s going into surgery tomorrow morning. 😥
I'm sorry, that sucks. Cancer really sucks. My mother had surgery for breast cancer last year and I had surgery for colon cancer to start this year.
Update: The cat’s on her way to the Rainbow Bridge. Surgery was a success but her heart stopped. They managed to resuscitate her but it’s only a matter of time before it stops forever. 😭
Good Times best special episodes were when James dies (DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!!) and also 4 episodes to explain the character of Penny. They touched on the very serious subject of Child Abuse. You should have talked about Penny.
I covered the episode about James death in Part 4. When it comes to the Penny arc I will be covering it. The other episodes was.request more which is why I haven't talked about it yet. Good Times is 1 of my favorite sitcoms so I definitely haven't forgotten about it. It will be in a video soon
oh dang this is brand new 6 hours ago! this is a great series! the cartoons im familar with, but as for the live actions, i dont know much about them bc i hated sitcoms as a kid and still dont like them. but i do remember some of these bc my sisters watched them and its interesting to see them again
Thanks, I'm happy you're enjoying the series!
Family Affair did an episode that showed how much Cissy missed her mother and her mother daughter night at her school! That might be a good one!
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
While not the conventional series for a "Very Special Episode", Spongebob had a few that had some semi-serious episodes just done in the less serious Spongebob fashion. "Squirrel Jokes" dealt with stereotypes and racism, "Fear of a Krabby Patty" is one of a few that do anxiety, "Just One Bite" covering addiction, and "Sailor Mouth" swearing.
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
What about the season 2 episode of The Cosby Show when a patient of Dr. Hixtable's Came Over To Talk Cliff About His Family Problems?
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
The Family Matters episode, "Dog Day Halloween" (S2E7) is _both_ a Halloween and a VSE, which I feel you'd be interested in knowing. Granted, it kind of sucks at doing both but hey, beggars can't be choosers, and this is pretty unique.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video
Ah dayum, I saw Brandon Adams in one of those pics and I already knew it was the “Roc” episode. 😭😭😭
That episode broke my heart when it came out. It's even worse knowing what happened to Brandon Adams and Merlin Santana later in their lives!
I have an episode suggestion for this series. Spectacular spider-man episode 6 "The uncertainty principle" it kind of touches on the addiction thing. The episode chronicles Spider-Man on Halloween, as he partakes in his final battle with the villain Green Goblin and finally discovers the villain's true identity. Meanwhile, Air Force Colonel John Jameson attempts to land his badly damaged space craft back on Earth. The episode was written by Kevin Hopps and directed by Dave Bullock. Hopps researched all the available comic books he had that featured Green Goblin in order to prepare his penning of the episode's teleplay. "The Uncertainty Principle" served as a conclusion to the Green Goblin storyline for the first season. In the context of the episode, the title refers not to chemistry, but rather the confusion regarding the Goblin's identity.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Forgot all about Roc..i loved that show..
I thought of a live-action TV series, Quincy ME, although there are many shows, one of them was thought-provoking, and it dealt with alcohol abuse.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
I’m surprised you didn’t included on this list All in the Family.
I cover a episode of it in Part 2. I have a few more noted down for future entries of this series also.
@@LetsRunItBack Good. All in the Family was so important dealing with a lot of topics also it was one of the first shows to do that
Boy meets world a couple that come to mind are " Cult fiction" , "If you can't be with the one you love", and "Everybody loves Stuart". If you do shows like Beverly Hills 90210 " It's only a test" . The facts of life "Breaking point"
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Episode recommendations:
(I don’t know the names of them, though).
-The episode of Family Guy where Brian and Stewie are stuck in a bank vault
-The episode of The Neighborhood where they discuss police brutality.
-The episode of Futurama where Fry wants to give a last goodbye to his parents.
Thanks for the suggestions I just put them in my notes!
The one from Dinosaurs reminded me of another episode: Robbie succumbed to peer pressure in a different episode and started taking thornoids (that world's version of steroids) which is another episode of the show that tackles substance abuse.
I also remember 2 more serious episodes of Fresh Prince:
1. Similar to Saved by the Bell, Will was given caffeine pills because of school, work, basketball and other things the youth go through in those instances. However, he mistakenly gives Carlton access to them not realizing that he took them so Will called an ambulance and had Carlton taken to the hospital where his stomach was pumped to extract the substance. Later, Philip gave Will a set of tickets as a thank you gift for saving his life but declined and told Philip about the whole thing; Philip calls the rest of the family to hear Will explain himself again. Afterwards, he was guilt-stricken that he decided to pack his belongings and leave, but Vivian stops him from doing so.
2. I didn't catch the whole thing, but Carlton and Will get held at gunpoint over something before the assailant fires, but Will takes the bullet and gets hospitalized which he survives. While visiting Will at the hospital, Carlton was found out by Will that he (Carlton) had a loaded revolver when the two hug. Will demanded that Carlton fork it over before exiting Will's hospital room which he reluctantly did; Will jettisoned the rounds just before the episode came to a close.
Also, I just remembered one form Batman Beyond: a narcotic patch called slappers hits the streets prompting Terry to visit Bane who's being hospitalized (possibly on life support) due to being on venom for so long. Terry's mother even suspected that Terry himself was using the stuff and kept a close eye on him; the episode ends with Terry's mother being given proof that he was clean of the narcotic
Thanks for the suggestions, I put them in my notes for future videos!
@@LetsRunItBack Anytime; let me know if you need help on finding the episode titles since descriptions might not be enough to go on
Most times I can find them ok. If I need help I with finding them I will contact you about it. Thanks.
@@LetsRunItBack I'll be waiting
Braceface had an episode tackling underage drinking where Sharon is talked into drinking soda mixed with alcohol and through braces shenanigans her father overhears her drunken gibberish in horror. After she recovers he tells her off for accepting alcohol and warns her about the dangers of intoxication
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
Try the "Alf" Christmas Special. That one dealt with things like loss of loved ones, attempted suicide, and terminally ill children.
Oh. I remember that. Kinda wrecked me when I was younger. 💔
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I loved that Growing Pains Episode. I never watched Growing Pains but watched that episode because it had Matthew Perry playing Sandy and man is it heartbreaking. Then I watched more and there is a great follow-up episode S05e05 “Teach Me” where Carol starts going out with a phoney boyfriend to keep her parents from trying to set her up with someone but it ends up being about her not being over losing Sandy and not wanting to date someone she could lose again. Another heartbreaking scene in that episode as well.
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!
There was another very special episode of “A Different World” called “If I should die before I wake”.
Whitley feels that she is ready to take her relationship with Dwayne further and plans to do it on the night of his birthday. She tells Jaleesa about her plans for Dwayne’s birthday, which causes Jaleesa to educate Whitley on the importance of practicing safe sex.
During public speaking class, the professor, played by Whoopi Goldberg assigns the students to write their own eulogies and present them in front of the class. One of the students named Josie, played by Tisha Campbell, reads her eulogy in which she reveals to the class that she has AIDS due to having unprotected sex while she was in high school. Whitley is shocked because she thought that only “perverted” people and drug addicts get AIDS. Two students named Gina and Terrance showcase their ignorance about the disease causing them to avoid being around Josie. Kimberly and Mr. Gaines combat misinformation about AIDS, especially when Gina and Terrence refuse service from Josie. Ron is scared about catching AIDS due to his sexual activity but decides to take a HIV test along with his friend Dwayne. After learning about Josie’s ordeal with AIDS, Whitley decides for herself that she’s not ready.
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0:40 0:53 "The Golden Girls "and "Maude"tackled alot of serious issues!"Maude"even tackled abortion back in the 70's when it was considered taboo.
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Moesha did that too on an episode called "hello, what's this?" When they found a cigarette
Thanks for the suggestion, I put it in my notes for a future video!