I would come home from school do homework and watch an after school special these are the little things that make me wish i was a kid again that and saturday cartoons and soul train😄👍
@Angie Bega Same here I look forward to those Wednesday when it would come on channel 7 New York station. thing's we're more simple back then, I do miss the 70s and the 80s. 1.27.2023
This movie really hit home for me. I grew up with an alcoholic father who I ended up having to take care of because he was unable to take care of himself due to his being drunk or going through withdraws all the time. I ended becoming an alcoholic myself. I am in recovery now by the grace of God.
@@billiedeffenbaugh7450 I’m so happy to hear that. My mother went through the same thing with her father and I have heard many very painful stories. My heart goes out to you. ❤️
I myself was an alcoholic for many years I was homeless on drugs and I just didn't care about nothing or no one however one day I decided to get my life together now I am alcohol free drug free I've been sober now 11 years I give all the praise and glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
It's programming. I don't miss it at all. You wouldn't either if you got free from the TV. TV is the biggest sin they left out as they are busy controlling your mind with your TV.
I used to be a drunk, and i didn't think it affected anyone but me. How blinding alcoholism is. When i got sober 13 years ago, my oldest (who was 10 then) said "I'm so glad you stopped drinking Mommy, its like a present that you gave us!" That warmed and broke my heart at the same time. Thats when i realized my drinking had affected my kids. Never again!
My husband was an alcoholic. There were countless beer cans and champagne bottles all over the house. He died of liver cirrohsis in 1997. We were only married seven and a half years. Never really dated after that. I had my daughter Victoria to raise. Today she's a fine young lady.
See about the support group….Adult Children of Alcoholics….God be with you and help you along this journey of understanding and healing. You are in the driver’s seat….you can do this with God’s help. You are NOT alone. You are not the reason why your parents drank. Get help, get well, get free and get on with your life..♥️🙏
This was spot-on. I was a teen with alcoholic parents in the early 80s. This movie got everything exactly right. I wish they'd had Alateen at my school.
Our house was cleaned with 4 kids. We knew if it wasnt, my alcoholic father would rage, take it out mostly on my mom, but us too. We did whatever we could to keep the peace. Of course, it really never mattered, there would be a reason to go off no matter what we did.
My dad is and was an alcoholic my whole life, if I had of joined something like alateen in high school, both my parents would’ve killed me by embarrassment! Not that they minded embarrassing me
My mom took me to Alateen at a local church because of my dad's drinking. There were only 3 other teens there. I ended up following in my dad's footsteps instead. (I'm 13 years sober now)😅
My alcholism stopped when my son was very little. I knew that I didn't want him to know that person as his mom. Sobriety is still a daily luxury which costs nothing, and I love it.
I LOVED these movies! I turned 60 today and as a kid I always watched them! They made you feel like you weren’t the only one in a lot of situations. God where did the time go???
The Greatest Generation of All time was so because as their children,We dealt with the problem head on whether Good or Ill and the chips Always fell. The seventy kids were the Last of the Greatest, today they need Stress cards or pills when Effort is required of them.
Her most magnificent performance is that of the cameo appearance as Aunt Myrtle in the movie “THE MEANEST MEN IN THE WEST”, which mostly used stock footage from episodes of the classic western series “THE VIRGINIAN”.
3 drunks in my family and I have stayed as far away as possible from them throughout my life. I was only 12 when one of my brothers' used to beat the hell out of me when he was in a drunken rage. An excellent film. Thanks so much for uploading
Skygazer-there were 3 alcoholics in my family.. 1 sister was the worst.. Dad was not abusive to me,was my best friend.. It was a shame that he smoked and drank.So,I can relate to you--and the girl in this film
I had four alcoholic grandparents and I don't want it to effect me. I have had to cut family members out of my life due to their behaviors and what their families said and did to me. Then they wonder why I have nothing to do with them. DUH!😠
These are wonderful movies...I used to watch them.... they were called “After School Movies” I would learn a lot. I have worked with addictions and have patients who have these problems... I’m soo glad when people reach their limit ...crash as low as they can get and realize....”It’s upwards from here...let me get help!”
The old man used to pass out in the front yard and we'd leave him there. We weren't trying to bring that in. I was in a convenience store once and he came in, stood there at the door, plastered. Didn't even realize I was there. I don't know if the guy behind the counter knew I was his son, but my mother told me he knew about the old guy's drinking problem (and no, I don't call him my father). I made my purchases and casually walked right past him out the door and took off running to join some friends. Ah, now those are memories. And people ask me why I don't drink. Ha! Don't need to.
@@mshollydolly2013ooh, look what I wrote! LOL! Shame there isn't a time on when I posted that, just a year. He passed away before I wrote that. He's been gone seven years now, so that chapter is done. The crosses we must bear. This man made so many things worse with his efforts and ideas, thinking it re-enforced his authority and we excused his drinking. Just the way he was.
@barbarapenfold2370 yes she was Her real life husband was on StElsewhere also. He played the surgeon named Mark, the voice of Kitt on knighrider and Mr. Frenzy on n Boy meets world.
These after school specials were ahead of their time. My dad was a weekend drunk...wouldn't come home from work until maybe Sunday morning, or sometimes Sunday evening. I never had friends over, actually I didnt have many friends, could never have sleep overs as a kid, and I never went on sleep overs either, I didnt want to leave my mom alone. No one knew about my dad. I never shared with anyone. And he was a mean drunk too. If he did come home all he did was yell and verbally abuse us. Very traumatizing. Yet when he was sober he was the nicest guy walking the face of the earth. Would give you the shirt off of his back. The friends I had loved him. I thought "if you only knew". Yet I still loved him. Bur I hated the drunk. I stay far away from any guy that drinks excessively. And I dont drink either
My stepmother was alcoholic & abusive. She never gave up drinking. It was terrible living around her. I pray for those who have to live with people with addictions. Thank you for sharing this. God Bless You & stay safe.
@@tj921able I see. Was it the drinking that killed her? I'm just curious is all. My grandfather was an alcoholic. However, my grandmother had the courage to leave him when my mother and her siblings were still children. This was around 1940ish when women simply did not do that and were expected to stay in the marriage and endure the suffering and abuse. I only met him once when I was 2 years old. My mother wouldn't even let me go to his funeral when he died and I was 14 at the time.
@@retroguy9494 Basically, yes. She eventually got cancer & I suspect it was from all her drinking vodka heavily over the years. It was stomach cancer. Sorry for the loss of your grandfather to this. I was 25 when she passed away and did attend her funeral.
I love watching these after school specials again in my 50s. Been married to a drunk since 1992. Separated since 2009. I don’t call alcoholism a disease. It’s not like cancer which I didn’t have a choice to have!
I'm from the Hopi reservation northeastern Arizona and I too grew up with an alcoholic step father and just about the whole village, each family had an alcoholic but, its even worse now, there's no jobs out here so everyone get caught up in alcohol and drugs bootlegging and dealing drugs just to make ends meet. I could go on and on. I watched my stepdad and my mom fight each other ever since my sister and I were very little. Then my mom took it all out on us and it was extremely horrible and years later I became an extremely heavy drinker. Lost my leg in a horrific motorcycle accident and almost died three times in the hospital. Later on I wrecked three trucks, and my very first brand-new car in Flagstaff Az. I could've killed myself and my passengers or even a pedestrian. I am extremely fortunate to still be alive. Especially that of my passengers. I have two TH-cam channels where I talk about my new life of sobriety and no more drugs. Plus our music 🎶 I'm a musician artist writer 😎 check it out. I pray those who have overcame their alcoholism and drug abuse, I pray for those who are still out there suffering. MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS Sobriety date 1/26/2012
Phew, I can't watch this. Just like my school days. I NEVER told my mother about school functions. My life was a nightmare due to alcoholism and everything else.
My dad drank at night and had not much spine around my step mom who was a day/24 hour drunk . She'd drink vodka that was poured to the top of a water glass, to make it seem like she was drinking "water" . I guess it "tricked" my dad . He was in denial she had a major problem , and in denial of his own issues. She could be quite angry, physically volatile, and paranoid. I don't miss those times . Even going on a trip with them to Disneyland or watching a movie as a family at home, was a major downer, and really stressful. Anything was stressful aside from getting to read in bed at night. We weren't allowed to be awake if we were put to bed, but that is when we read books.. also in the morning before the parents got up was relatively peaceful, but the fear was always there. You couldn't even have the "wrong" expression on your face, let alone say anything "wrong". Basically being alive in their presence was the "wrong" thing to do 99% of the time.
MOM! Actually, in all seriousness, this is the story of my teen years back then '81 and in high school *dreading* anyone in the neighborhood having a chance encounter with my mom. She never became sober before her passing. The best choice I made in my adult years was going no contact. Awful at first, but as time went on - it was the right decision. I spoke to her a few years before her passing and for *my* peace of mind, 'forgave' her. No sense crying over spilled vodka for the rest of my life. Sad but true.
You forgave her???? Sounds like you are of the opinion that your mom had made a conscious decision to drink. Well she didn’t as addiction is an illness that mom had very little to no control over. Treatment is hard to get unless you’re wealthy. So the fact you walked out on her and after many years you decided to forgive her… that is sad and I would hope someone has educated you know. Addiction is an awful lonely existence and I can’t help thinking that walking out on someone would almost destroy most moms , try support and understanding without judgement. Good luck for future problems and please don’t judge people on something they can’t control.
Sometimes forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself. You’re not condoning or accepting the hurtful behavior….you are just not going to allow it to become detrimental or destructive to your life and living…. Move onward and forward and don’t look back! God be with you..😊♥️🙏
I wonder if many of you commenting remember 1981, a different mindframe in life, alcoholism was treated so much different than today, now it's more associated with childhood trauma, then, an self inflected addiction.
I was one year old in '81 when I this came out, and I remember seeing this when I was around 10, in the early 90s. They aird this after school special for years.
For me it was my mother with her lambrusco. She passed out while watching my baby daughter and the dog woke her just in time to prevent my daughter from falling out of the second story window.. no contact after that.
The best thing about this movie is that it didn't end like i thought it would - mom stops drinking, everybody embracing. This was a really realistic show and as one who was helped a LOT by Al Anon, i was so happy to see the healing was through Ala Teen. They should put this on the tv today!
My mum loved alotof things even me and my little sister but the bottle just seemed to call her more growing up was just normal but getting older put life in to spectate for us I was born alcoholic and I drank anything I could with alcohol in it ii have begun to turn my life around too a point where I can safely say I have beaten the bottle if anyone is reading this there is always hope with anything focus on your goals hardwood and determination good luck xxxxx
Crazy watching these old after school specials and recognizing certain young actors. First thing I thought was “hey, it’s the body bag chick from A Nightmare On Elm Street!”
TV used to be so good back n the day. Our generation needs to pass along good teaching to the younger generation. Keep the good teachings alive through time and many generations of kids.
I wasnt an alcoholic , but I was nearly there, only when I had a heart attack last October, I quit . depression started me off. I cant say I am glad I am off the booze as I lost my mam in January this year, I wanted a drink so badly, but I didnt, then my youngest son started drinking heavily (through depression) , and a few weeks ago , jumped in front of a car, thank god he is ok. broke a bone in his neck and has to wear a brace until december. but I know, I will not go back to it now .
Amanda Wyss (Cindy) was in the original 'Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984). She also starred in 'Firefighter' (1986), as Nancy McKeon's best friend, Marilyn.
I remember watching these too after I had finished all of my homework, some of these had hit me hard too. I miss watching them so glad for TH-cam I am able to watch them all over again.
This film helped me recognize codependent signs and nature in people eairly. As a young child I was prepared for Jr High and friends personal challenges by watching this.
My mom was a prescription drug addict my first five years. My older sister missed so much school because she was afraid if she went to school no one would take care of us, and we’d be taken away. Four kids under five. She was our mother those years, and just like this kid The little girls room…we all know what that means
Wow! That "mom" actress plays progressively tipsy at school really well. She seems so ageless, like she hasn't changed that much over the years. Good for her! 👍😊
I'm very lucky and glad that my parents both aren't. However, I have 6 people in my family who are alcoholics... As well as a good friend of mine so ik what it feels like
My aunt and uncle wouldn't stop fighting till bleeding while drunk, but my cousin (male) and my friend Lisa are happy drunks, meaning they never fight or injure none. However they both have health issues and still this doesn't stop them idk what to do... My friend recently stopped working bcz of health issues (didn't get actually fired thankfully) but just stopped. Her stomach ulcer, moderate hepatitis and mild pancreatitis made her stop bcz of fatigue. Since then she's been drinking 24/7 waking up heck knows where. Every day I'm worried about her getting hit by a car or dying chocked on her own vomit. Then another (female) cousin of mine who literally is an alcoholic WITH cocaine issues... Ah I know nothing happy at all
How often do children get to blame for how much they have to work to raise their children and how munch it cost but always remember that children did not ask to be born
Thank you for the memories the ABC Network would have this on 3:00 in the afternoon to 4 then they would have it on Saturdays 11:00 to noon with Ron Glass from Barney Miller he was the host they were a true stories how about everyday occurrence is it in America in the 1970s if I remember right the years ago I looked it up 1972 to 1995 we used to watch this in English class the special education teacher taped it on his VCR for English class Wisconsin remembers great classic television at its best when times were a little bit easier and we had good actors😊
So sorry. # my friend’s husband. They still loved each other but Carrie refused to play 2nd fiddle to booze. They lived four blocks apart. One day the kids were supposed to go to his house after class. Jerry, age 10, found him dead on the floor. His cirrhosis and heart gave out.
Amanda Wyss who was in 1984s A Nightmare on Elm Street. As a kid of the 80s I remember a lot of these after school specials. Wasn't Heather Langenkamp also in some sort of after school special as well? Seems like a lot of late 70s and early 80s actors were in them.
The mother actor really got into the character very realistic, i would have gave her an award for the performance. I use to hang out at bars in my early 20's and saw how drinkers behave and life their lives. Its a horrible lifestyle and even being around it because you're a victim which its called "Co-Alcoholism" which I had no idea that I was one.
Amanda Wyss is an actress playing Cindy, who is an actress in the high school play, playing Sally, who wants to be an actress. So many levels of reality.
Perhaps they should recreate their old “ST. ELSEWHERE” roles, voice wise that is, for the series revival of the animated series “KING OF THE HILL”, especially since maybe the Craigs have since relocated from Boston, Massachusetts, to Arlen, Texas, possibly?!
People didn't eat McDonalds three times a day, everyone ate at home, going out was a real treat and portions were MUCH smaller... no such thing as "super sized" and Big Gulps.
I watched this after school, my grandma must've seen it too. She brought me a little note w local alanon for teens info. Really I just wanted food and some peace and quiet.
Came here because of a small clip of this on instagram that was funny out of context but after watching this it just brought up memories I want nothing to do with.
I pulled a young man out of a situation like this raised him up but the damage was too bad he followed in his mother's footsteps and no matter what I did there was no changing it I had to disconnect myself for many years very sad genetics and environment sometimes these stories do not come out and the best way
Wow, I forgot about this. Just realized that the actress Bonnie Bartlett (Mom) played in Little House on the Prarie ❤These shows touched on some hard subjects that oftentimes were relatable & definitely weren't discussed anywhere, especially in our homes.
My dad couldn't wait to get home to dig in to his Milwaukee's best and Boone's Farm. and sometimes Jack Daniels. Rough Rough Childhood. Boy was he a mean drunk. He was always in a bad mood when he came home from work. I don't know how he functioned at GM drinking everyday.
Dee DeCorte maybe he had so much to drink it was still in his system. I worked there and was hungover a few times. It’s hard. Lol. Sweating, mood swings, dehydrated. Lol.
I would come home from school do homework and watch an after school special these are the little things that make me wish i was a kid again that and saturday cartoons and soul train😄👍
@Angie Bega
Same here I look forward to those Wednesday when it would come on channel 7 New York station. thing's we're more simple back then, I do miss the 70s and the 80s.
1.27.2023
I would come home from school to get punched by my drunk dad.
Yesssssss🙏😭💔
@@johnpabst6101Liar.
The Sooouuull Train!
They need to bring these after school specials back...in a major way!
They need be redone
Yes they do.
True but they won’t. 🇺🇸 wants us to kill ourselves. Ever wonder why there’s a lot of local liquor and Smoke 💨 Shops 🏬 in your hometown???
That is what You Tube is for. I remember when they were released the first time around.
Society has reached a whole new level of dysfunction, so the writers would never run out of material.
This movie really hit home for me. I grew up with an alcoholic father who I ended up having to take care of because he was unable to take care of himself due to his being drunk or going through withdraws all the time. I ended becoming an alcoholic myself. I am in recovery now by the grace of God.
I have the same story as you. But fortunately I didn't drink. I don't know you but I'm proud of you ❤️. Stay strong 💪
Hope you are doing well Billie
@@dannysunwantedopinions Thanks!
@@dannysunwantedopinions Awe! Thank You! I am doing better then I was.
@@billiedeffenbaugh7450 I’m so happy to hear that. My mother went through the same thing with her father and I have heard many very painful stories. My heart goes out to you. ❤️
I myself was an alcoholic for many years I was homeless on drugs and I just didn't care about nothing or no one however one day I decided to get my life together now I am alcohol free drug free I've been sober now 11 years I give all the praise and glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Amen!! Praise the Lord!!
La Drena Jenkins Amen honey
La Drena Jenkins Well done, cos i am sure it was not easy.
La Drena Jenkins G-d bless and keep you strong
Your will saved you first then your spirituality. You did it to yourself and YOU decided to get help not God.
I remember watching these after school. I wish they'd bring these types of movies back. Today's youth could really learn something.
I really don’t think many kids would watch them. Most kids these days don’t watch much tv. Too busy with their gaming boxes and getting into trouble.
Or... parents and teachers could actually talk to kids and not have to rely on TV to teach them how to live their lives.
Yes! I agree.
I grew up the 90s glad I missed out 😅
It's programming. I don't miss it at all. You wouldn't either if you got free from the TV. TV is the biggest sin they left out as they are busy controlling your mind with your TV.
I used to be a drunk, and i didn't think it affected anyone but me. How blinding alcoholism is.
When i got sober 13 years ago, my oldest (who was 10 then) said "I'm so glad you stopped drinking Mommy, its like a present that you gave us!" That warmed and broke my heart at the same time. Thats when i realized my drinking had affected my kids. Never again!
My husband was an alcoholic. There were countless beer cans and champagne bottles all over the house. He died of liver cirrohsis in 1997. We were only married seven and a half years. Never really dated after that. I had my daughter Victoria to raise. Today she's a fine young lady.
How old is Victoria? 😢
@@WizardOfHumor1989 she is thirty
My deepest condolences to you.
How was he when he passed
How old was he when he passed and what was his sigh of cirrohsis
I was raised by alcoholics, I’m in my 50s and I still feel traumatized.
Same here
That is a trauma that leaves its scars, that's for sure. I am so sorry that you went through that.
I love you
See about the support group….Adult Children of Alcoholics….God be with you and help you along this journey of understanding and healing. You are in the driver’s seat….you can do this with God’s help.
You are NOT alone. You are not the reason why your parents drank. Get help, get well, get free and get on with your life..♥️🙏
Boo freakin hoo
I've been sober for three years and have never been better. It's a disease worth overcoming
This was spot-on. I was a teen with alcoholic parents in the early 80s. This movie got everything exactly right. I wish they'd had Alateen at my school.
The house and yard are too clean and tidy for a drunk but I guess other than that it's accurate
@@NiecieSavoTrue.
Our house was cleaned with 4 kids. We knew if it wasnt, my alcoholic father would rage, take it out mostly on my mom, but us too. We did whatever we could to keep the peace. Of course, it really never mattered, there would be a reason to go off no matter what we did.
My dad is and was an alcoholic my whole life, if I had of joined something like alateen in high school, both my parents would’ve killed me by embarrassment! Not that they minded embarrassing me
My mom took me to Alateen at a local church because of my dad's drinking. There were only 3 other teens there. I ended up following in my dad's footsteps instead. (I'm 13 years sober now)😅
This really helped me come to some unresolved feelings about my dad. I'm 46, and he died 3 years ago. I still needed this movie.
Wow we're the same age and my father also die 3yrs ago from alcohol, but I really miss him so much
I hope you found some closure and are doing better now
I'm so sorry for your loss. ❤🙏
how are you scott?
I never covered for my mom like this. I dealt with her the same why I dealt with my own alcoholism and drug addiction- with lies and delusions.
My alcholism stopped when my son was very little. I knew that I didn't want him to know that person as his mom. Sobriety is still a daily luxury which costs nothing, and I love it.
That hair on the high school boys takes me back!
I LOVED these movies! I turned 60 today and as a kid I always watched them! They made you feel like you weren’t the only one in a lot of situations. God where did the time go???
Happy belated birthday Cathy 🎉❤
It's fleeting isn't it?
Happy Belated Birthday 🎉 🥳 🎂 🎊
Love The After School Specials.
@@emeraldpopcorniac7673 aww ty🤗
@@joycebrackbill-henderly8311 it is😢
I loved Bonnie Bartlett on "Little House On The Prairie" as Grace Snider Edwards 🥰🥰
I loved her in Boy Meets World. She's married to William Daniels, one of the most talented actors.
Yes she is and they both also stared in St. Elsewhere they played married couple Mark and Ellen Craig@@DawnKellyMedia
The kid playing Mitch was also on Little House on the Prairie. One episode only. He played the youngest brother in the episode "The Bully Boys"
@@madonnaflynn8686 Bubba
That’s a big house for a drunk single mother
Yes. Who pays the bills?
@@joyceanthony-huff2914 probably the dad through alimony
No kidding. A single UNEMPLOYED drunk.
@pippishortstocking7913 she was divorced. Alimony, child support a d she probably got the house in the divorce which means he paid or pays for it.
@@retha1875Stong independent woman.
These after school specials touched on the topics that are forbidden to be discussed in many schools today.
The Greatest Generation of All time was so because as their children,We dealt with the problem head on whether Good or Ill and the chips Always fell. The seventy kids were the Last of the Greatest, today they need Stress cards or pills when Effort is required of them.
the mother is a great actress.
I think she played Grace Edward's on Little House On the Prairie
@@cathyizzo7886 Who cares?
Good guess.
Her most magnificent performance is that of the cameo appearance as Aunt Myrtle in the movie “THE MEANEST MEN IN THE WEST”, which mostly used stock footage from episodes of the classic western series “THE VIRGINIAN”.
Such is life.
These are some really good acting performances for an Afterschool Special.
They are
100%
I really miss these aft school specials they always had a good message and they were good conversation starters with the parents 😢❤
3 drunks in my family and I have stayed as far away as possible from them throughout my life. I was only 12 when one of my brothers' used to beat the hell out of me when he was in a drunken rage. An excellent film. Thanks so much for uploading
Glad your ok😊😊
Skygazer-there were 3 alcoholics in my family.. 1 sister was the worst.. Dad was not abusive to me,was my best friend.. It was a shame that he smoked and drank.So,I can relate to you--and the girl in this film
I had four alcoholic grandparents and I don't want it to effect me. I have had to cut family members out of my life due to their behaviors and what their families said and did to me. Then they wonder why I have nothing to do with them. DUH!😠
@@triciajohansen9295 lead your life away from them as they will spoil things for you. good luck
@@johnmoran1317 best of luck John as having family members like this can destroy you too.
Being Drunk is like having your own personal version of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.
Hmmm...
Strongly Agree 😔💥
After School Special. Wish they still produced these.
Me too!😉
We need more series like this back
These are wonderful movies...I used to watch them.... they were called “After School Movies” I would learn a lot. I have worked with addictions and have patients who have these problems... I’m soo glad when people reach their limit ...crash as low as they can get and realize....”It’s upwards from here...let me get help!”
The old man used to pass out in the front yard and we'd leave him there. We weren't trying to bring that in.
I was in a convenience store once and he came in, stood there at the door, plastered. Didn't even realize I was there. I don't know if the guy behind the counter knew I was his son, but my mother told me he knew about the old guy's drinking problem (and no, I don't call him my father).
I made my purchases and casually walked right past him out the door and took off running to join some friends.
Ah, now those are memories. And people ask me why I don't drink. Ha! Don't need to.
Good heavens! You’ve painted the picture so well. I feel for you ❤
@@mshollydolly2013ooh, look what I wrote! LOL!
Shame there isn't a time on when I posted that, just a year.
He passed away before I wrote that. He's been gone seven years now, so that chapter is done.
The crosses we must bear.
This man made so many things worse with his efforts and ideas, thinking it re-enforced his authority and we excused his drinking. Just the way he was.
@2up3rm4n1 did he drink until the end... My grandma was like that...the town drunk smh funny she lived to be 93
@@Jerome889no he stopped when the doctor said it will kill him He stopped the last ten years of his life. He was still impossible to be around.
A little triva: this was Amanda Wyss' (Cindy's) first acting role. Bonnie Bartlett (the mother) is 93 years old.
Wasnt Bonnie on St Elsewhere?
@@barbarapenfold2370 Not sure - I never watched it.
@@barbarapenfold2370Yes.
@barbarapenfold2370 yes she was Her real life husband was on StElsewhere also. He played the surgeon named Mark, the voice of Kitt on knighrider and Mr. Frenzy on n Boy meets world.
@@barbarapenfold2370 I meant Mr. Feeny.
These after school specials were ahead of their time. My dad was a weekend drunk...wouldn't come home from work until maybe Sunday morning, or sometimes Sunday evening. I never had friends over, actually I didnt have many friends, could never have sleep overs as a kid, and I never went on sleep overs either, I didnt want to leave my mom alone. No one knew about my dad. I never shared with anyone. And he was a mean drunk too. If he did come home all he did was yell and verbally abuse us. Very traumatizing. Yet when he was sober he was the nicest guy walking the face of the earth. Would give you the shirt off of his back. The friends I had loved him. I thought "if you only knew". Yet I still loved him. Bur I hated the drunk. I stay far away from any guy that drinks excessively. And I dont drink either
My dad too, nobody knew. Military family, so we were away from extended family. It was hell. The secrecy from others makes it more sick.
My stepmother was alcoholic & abusive. She never gave up drinking. It was terrible living around her. I pray for those who have to live with people with addictions. Thank you for sharing this. God Bless You & stay safe.
You said 'was;' is she dead now?
@@retroguy9494 Yes
@@tj921able I see. Was it the drinking that killed her? I'm just curious is all. My grandfather was an alcoholic. However, my grandmother had the courage to leave him when my mother and her siblings were still children. This was around 1940ish when women simply did not do that and were expected to stay in the marriage and endure the suffering and abuse. I only met him once when I was 2 years old. My mother wouldn't even let me go to his funeral when he died and I was 14 at the time.
@@retroguy9494 Basically, yes. She eventually got cancer & I suspect it was from all her drinking vodka heavily over the years. It was stomach cancer. Sorry for the loss of your grandfather to this. I was 25 when she passed away and did attend her funeral.
I love watching these after school specials again in my 50s. Been married to a drunk since 1992. Separated since 2009. I don’t call alcoholism a disease. It’s not like cancer which I didn’t have a choice to have!
I'm from the Hopi reservation northeastern Arizona and I too grew up with an alcoholic step father and just about the whole village, each family had an alcoholic but, its even worse now, there's no jobs out here so everyone get caught up in alcohol and drugs bootlegging and dealing drugs just to make ends meet. I could go on and on. I watched my stepdad and my mom fight each other ever since my sister and I were very little. Then my mom took it all out on us and it was extremely horrible and years later I became an extremely heavy drinker. Lost my leg in a horrific motorcycle accident and almost died three times in the hospital. Later on I wrecked three trucks, and my very first brand-new car in Flagstaff Az. I could've killed myself and my passengers or even a pedestrian. I am extremely fortunate to still be alive. Especially that of my passengers. I have two TH-cam channels where I talk about my new life of sobriety and no more drugs. Plus our music 🎶 I'm a musician artist writer 😎 check it out. I pray those who have overcame their alcoholism and drug abuse, I pray for those who are still out there suffering.
MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS
Sobriety date 1/26/2012
I hope you are doing well still.
I hate alcohol and drugs. Smoking was my "devil"
Phew, I can't watch this. Just like my school days. I NEVER told my mother about school functions. My life was a nightmare due to alcoholism and everything else.
Yeah, kinda sucked, missing out on things and yet having the horror in the back of my mind - gosh, I hope to heck she doesn't show up!
@@SashaRed1 Exactly! We got cheated!
I'm so sorry, my friend. Been there.
@@KristenHammerback-pk5wy I am sorry you 'have been there'. You did not deserve that or cause it. My best to you~
@@SashaRed1 My father was a drunk and beat my mother and me, she is still a drunk at 72, I used to dread going home from School...
My dad drank at night and had not much spine around my step mom who was a day/24 hour drunk . She'd drink vodka that was poured to the top of a water glass, to make it seem like she was drinking "water" . I guess it "tricked" my dad . He was in denial she had a major problem , and in denial of his own issues.
She could be quite angry, physically volatile, and paranoid. I don't miss those times . Even going on a trip with them to Disneyland or watching a movie as a family at home, was a major downer, and really stressful. Anything was stressful aside from getting to read in bed at night. We weren't allowed to be awake if we were put to bed, but that is when we read books.. also in the morning before the parents got up was relatively peaceful, but the fear was always there. You couldn't even have the "wrong" expression on your face, let alone say anything "wrong". Basically being alive in their presence was the "wrong" thing to do 99% of the time.
😢
Same. My mum was shouting at the actors on television and I switched it off.
WRONG!!
What
MOM! Actually, in all seriousness, this is the story of my teen years back then '81 and in high school *dreading* anyone in the neighborhood having a chance encounter with my mom. She never became sober before her passing. The best choice I made in my adult years was going no contact. Awful at first, but as time went on - it was the right decision. I spoke to her a few years before her passing and for *my* peace of mind, 'forgave' her. No sense crying over spilled vodka for the rest of my life. Sad but true.
For me it was my dad. Glad you made the right decision for you♥️
@@lauraskitchen5706 Hugs to you for making it through as well!
You forgave her???? Sounds like you are of the opinion that your mom had made a conscious decision to drink. Well she didn’t as addiction is an illness that mom had very little to no control over. Treatment is hard to get unless you’re wealthy. So the fact you walked out on her and after many years you decided to forgive her… that is sad and I would hope someone has educated you know. Addiction is an awful lonely existence and I can’t help thinking that walking out on someone would almost destroy most moms , try support and understanding without judgement. Good luck for future problems and please don’t judge people on something they can’t control.
Sometimes forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself. You’re not condoning or accepting the hurtful behavior….you are just not going to allow it to become detrimental or destructive to your life and living…. Move onward and forward and don’t look back! God be with you..😊♥️🙏
For both the drinker and the one living with the drinker --Change your mind….Change your life!
I wonder if many of you commenting remember 1981, a different mindframe in life, alcoholism was treated so much different than today, now it's more associated with childhood trauma, then, an self inflected addiction.
Excellent presentation! Very helpful & hopeful!
I've ALWAYS ENJOYING watching these ABC's After School 🏫🎒 Specials when I was a kid! 🥃🍷🥃🍻🍺🖤💙❤️
Thank you so much for posting this episode. I have been looking for it for a while now.
I was one year old in '81 when I this came out, and I remember seeing this when I was around 10, in the early 90s. They aird this after school special for years.
For me it was my mother with her lambrusco. She passed out while watching my baby daughter and the dog woke her just in time to prevent my daughter from falling out of the second story window.. no contact after that.
😢
I’m sorry but if you knew she was drinking why would you leave your daughter with her? I’m glad she didn’t fall
A very touching film which I understand, thank you .........
Really sad when the kids are the parents
The best thing about this movie is that it didn't end like i thought it would - mom stops drinking, everybody embracing. This was a really realistic show and as one who was helped a LOT by Al Anon, i was so happy to see the healing was through Ala Teen. They should put this on the tv today!
I loved watching these after school specials.
I just watched "franscesca baby" which practically same movie from 1976. Was good too 👌
My mum loved alotof things even me and my little sister but the bottle just seemed to call her more growing up was just normal but getting older put life in to spectate for us I was born alcoholic and I drank anything I could with alcohol in it ii have begun to turn my life around too a point where I can safely say I have beaten the bottle if anyone is reading this there is always hope with anything focus on your goals hardwood and determination good luck xxxxx
I was in high school when this first came out. I remember it.
Crazy watching these old after school specials and recognizing certain young actors. First thing I thought was “hey, it’s the body bag chick from A Nightmare On Elm Street!”
@andirandolph8830
Did you see the one called "Am I gay?" and recognize the curly haired friend? Lol!!!
I love the ABC After School Specials! They addressed current problems kids may be having.
My dad’s an alcoholic and drug user. When my mom left him, that was the last time I saw the guy. That was back in 2006.
This movie was hard to watch. Being a recovering alcoholic to watch this mother drink her life away. It's so sad.
TV used to be so good back n the day. Our generation needs to pass along good teaching to the younger generation. Keep the good teachings alive through time and many generations of kids.
I’ve gone through alcoholism myself and grew up with a raging alcoholic father as well
Love this. Todays tv movies are utter shinola compared. Why won't they make good movies anymore?
today's movie are mostly about killing, sex and partying
, bad example for teenagers!
True
Bring these back!
Love these movies😍😚
This was good and still relevant today!
I wasnt an alcoholic , but I was nearly there, only when I had a heart attack last October, I quit . depression started me off. I cant say I am glad I am off the booze as I lost my mam in January this year, I wanted a drink so badly, but I didnt, then my youngest son started drinking heavily (through depression) , and a few weeks ago , jumped in front of a car, thank god he is ok. broke a bone in his neck and has to wear a brace until december. but I know, I will not go back to it now .
After school special. Brings back good memories
Amanda Wyss (Cindy) was in the original 'Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984). She also starred in 'Firefighter' (1986), as Nancy McKeon's best friend, Marilyn.
And Lisa in Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Thank you!! I thought she was in both Nightmare and Fast Times!! LOL
@@rocknroller77
@@rocknroller77 And the Movie Better Off Dead
What’s she done lately, performance wise that is?!
I remember watching these too after I had finished all of my homework, some of these had hit me hard too. I miss watching them so glad for TH-cam I am able to watch them all over again.
the lady that plays the mom used to play on little house on the prairie she worked in the post office then latter on married mr edwards.
OMGosh good eye!!
I knew that she looked familiar!!
And she was Tim mom on Home Improvement
@@robertrodriguez787 didnt know that
This film helped me recognize codependent signs and nature in people eairly. As a young child I was prepared for Jr High and friends personal challenges by watching this.
Aside from the very important point that there is no crosstalk in these meetings, is a very good film. I hope it helps a lot of people.
You had your 5 seconds give somebody else a chance
Yeah that was super weird
My mom was a prescription drug addict my first five years. My older sister missed so much school because she was afraid if she went to school no one would take care of us, and we’d be taken away. Four kids under five. She was our mother those years, and just like this kid
The little girls room…we all know what that means
The private shot/drink room.
Wow! That "mom" actress plays progressively tipsy at school really well. She seems so ageless, like she hasn't changed that much over the years. Good for her! 👍😊
This remind me of my mom....she was an alcoholic and would always deny it and say she would stop but never did🥺
That's sad.
I'm very lucky and glad that my parents both aren't. However, I have 6 people in my family who are alcoholics... As well as a good friend of mine so ik what it feels like
My aunt and uncle wouldn't stop fighting till bleeding while drunk, but my cousin (male) and my friend Lisa are happy drunks, meaning they never fight or injure none. However they both have health issues and still this doesn't stop them idk what to do...
My friend recently stopped working bcz of health issues (didn't get actually fired thankfully) but just stopped. Her stomach ulcer, moderate hepatitis and mild pancreatitis made her stop bcz of fatigue.
Since then she's been drinking 24/7 waking up heck knows where. Every day I'm worried about her getting hit by a car or dying chocked on her own vomit.
Then another (female) cousin of mine who literally is an alcoholic WITH cocaine issues... Ah I know nothing happy at all
I remember this one!
good movie .....thanks for sharing
How often do children get to blame for how much they have to work to raise their children and how munch it cost but always remember that children did not ask to be born
Good point lol
I love the doggie!!!!!
Thank you for the memories the ABC Network would have this on 3:00 in the afternoon to 4 then they would have it on Saturdays 11:00 to noon with Ron Glass from Barney Miller he was the host they were a true stories how about everyday occurrence is it in America in the 1970s if I remember right the years ago I looked it up 1972 to 1995 we used to watch this in English class the special education teacher taped it on his VCR for English class Wisconsin remembers great classic television at its best when times were a little bit easier and we had good actors😊
Excellent movie ❤thanks for the upload 👍 ❤
Love thease After school specials I couldn't wait to Get things Done to watch thease
Sad wish they had stuff like this tv now days .
Omg what a good movie!
My twin brother drank himself to death. We were 47 years old at the time.
That's so sad.
I'm so sorry to hear that, my sister has been doing this for years
So sorry. # my friend’s husband. They still loved each other but Carrie refused to play 2nd fiddle to booze. They lived four blocks apart. One day the kids were supposed to go to his house after class. Jerry, age 10, found him dead on the floor. His cirrhosis and heart gave out.
I’m so sorry 😢
The mom was the snobb country club lady on Golden Girls...Barbara Thorndyke lol
Should have won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar Award for her performance as Mary Ann Benedict in the 1988 movie comedy “TWINS”.
Amanda Wyss who was in 1984s A Nightmare on Elm Street. As a kid of the 80s I remember a lot of these after school specials. Wasn't Heather Langenkamp also in some sort of after school special as well? Seems like a lot of late 70s and early 80s actors were in them.
Amanda Wyss was in that movie Better Off Dead
The first step is to stop pretending things are okay when they obviously are not okay.
Lisa from Fast Times At Ridgemont High! Best High School movie ever made
I remember 1981. I was there
Oh I remember those after school specials.
Friends should tell each other they’re proud of them more often
Hello. I remember that these messages were popular during the 1980s.
The mother actor really got into the character very realistic, i would have gave her an award for the performance. I use to hang out at bars in my early 20's and saw how drinkers behave and life their lives. Its a horrible lifestyle and even being around it because you're a victim which its called "Co-Alcoholism" which I had no idea that I was one.
Love this movie
Amanda Wyss is an actress playing Cindy, who is an actress in the high school play, playing Sally, who wants to be an actress. So many levels of reality.
She’s one of my favorite actress who starred in My Mother’s Secret Life, Nightmare on Elm Street, Silverado and Shakma.
Bonniei Bartlette was about to start St Elsewhere a year after this. A part that would earn her an Emmy. She is an amazing actress.
Yup she was Ellen Craig married to Mark Craig who was portrayed by her real life husband William Daniels ☺️
Perhaps they should recreate their old “ST. ELSEWHERE” roles, voice wise that is, for the series revival of the animated series “KING OF THE HILL”, especially since maybe the Craigs have since relocated from Boston, Massachusetts, to Arlen, Texas, possibly?!
Everyone is so thin all the time in these old things
We were thin back then! Things have changed.
People didn't eat McDonalds three times a day, everyone ate at home, going out was a real treat and portions were MUCH smaller... no such thing as "super sized" and Big Gulps.
@@MAGAISKLAN I remember when I was a kid back in the 80s, going out to McDonalds was a special treat.
The new alcohol is sugar
Not to mention gmo, soybean oil....ect
I watched this after school, my grandma must've seen it too. She brought me a little note w local alanon for teens info. Really I just wanted food and some peace and quiet.
The daughter was the girlfriend in FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
True.
I also recognized her from "Nightmare on Elm Street."
I don’t wanna use sex as a tool Brad
Bradley right
@@mercy2084 She was also in in that movie Better Off Dead
Came here because of a small clip of this on instagram that was funny out of context but after watching this it just brought up memories I want nothing to do with.
Cindy had to take on a lot of responsibility.
good movie👍
I pulled a young man out of a situation like this raised him up but the damage was too bad he followed in his mother's footsteps and no matter what I did there was no changing it I had to disconnect myself for many years very sad genetics and environment sometimes these stories do not come out and the best way
What people in that time period did was to focus on the symptoms, not the cause. What started this woman drinking in the first place.
Wow, I forgot about this. Just realized that the actress Bonnie Bartlett (Mom) played in Little House on the Prarie ❤These shows touched on some hard subjects that oftentimes were relatable & definitely weren't discussed anywhere, especially in our homes.
This is Tina from A Nightmare on Elm Street in the lead role : )
My dad couldn't wait to get home to dig in to his Milwaukee's best and Boone's Farm. and sometimes Jack Daniels. Rough Rough Childhood. Boy was he a mean drunk. He was always in a bad mood when he came home from work. I don't know how he functioned at GM drinking everyday.
Dee DeCorte wow.
Dee DeCorte maybe he had so much to drink it was still in his system. I worked there and was hungover a few times. It’s hard. Lol. Sweating, mood swings, dehydrated. Lol.
Dee DeCorte sorry u went through that!
And all the loud noises. Ugh. Lol. But I made it through.
@@prestoncheapbtheadphoneste3010 Thanks. He was a real BStard. UGH!