link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/23711916/detail.html)

Remember These 'Very Special' TV Episodes?
The Top 5 Episodes Where Sitcoms Got Serious ... Kind Of
Robert Elsenpeter, Contributing writer
Sitcoms give us 30 minutes (22 if you don't figure in the commercials), of brainless, escapist fun.

They give us a chance to forget the world, turn off our brains, and see how Jack overhears Chrissy talk about buying a loaf of bread, but misunderstanding her to mean that she's pregnant. The hilarity ensues, we laugh for a while, and then we can get back to our awful lives.

But some genius decided that sitcoms were too frivolous, and they would be good vehicles to deliver poignant messages. Apparently Afterschool Specials weren't getting the job done, so TV execs gave us: "The Very Special" episode.

These were the episodes of our favorite sitcoms that took on issues that would make everyone in the room feel uncomfortable to learn that Becky just "became a woman."

link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/23758834/detail.html)

Best 'Very Special' TV Episode No. 5
Arnold Vs. A Pedophile - 'Diff'rent Strokes'

There are probably two things that come to mind when one mentions "Diff'rent Strokes." The first, of course, is the line that the late Gary Coleman was known for decades after the show ended: "What 'chu talkin' 'bout [fill in name here]?" The second is the creepy two-part episode in season five where Arnold and his buddy face a child molester.

In it, Gordon Jump (Mr. Carlson from "WKRP in Cincinnati") is a bicycle shop owner who tries to molest Arnold and Dudley. As if it isn't creepy enough to learn that he is a pedophile, we learn what sorts of things he does -- including hot tub sessions and amateur photography.

At one point in the show, he even plies Dudley some wine and a pill that causes him to get loopy. This turns out to be the final red flag Arnold needs to get out of there. Don't worry -- he saved Dudley.

link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/23759065/detail.html
)

Best 'Very Special' TV Episode No. 4
Tom Hanks The Alcoholic Uncle - 'Family Ties'

There was a time when Tom Hanks wasn't the box office stalwart he is today. Really. If you think back to the early 1980s, you could find him in a dress on "Bosom Buddies," or -- if you were particularly lucky -- flip on "Family Ties" to find one of the three episodes where he plays Elyse's brother.

The notable second-season episode "Say Uncle" in 1984 revealed that Uncle Ned had a drinking problem. It was apparently so severe that he was able to settle the monkey on his back by drinking a bottle of vanilla extract. Uncle Ned got the help he needed (only after knocking down Alex -- you animal! What has that vanilla extract made you become?)

And, for Tom Hanks, the rest is acting history. His star went on to rise and he became a highly bankable actor. Now, he doesn't have to buy cheap vanilla extract -- he gets the top shelf stuff.

link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/23759277/detail.html)

Best 'Very Special' TV Episode No. 3
Punky's Friend Vs. A Refrigerator - 'Punky Brewster'

At least "Family Ties" had some sort of undercurrent of relevant issues. But "Punky Brewster" was just something to keep 8-year-old girls quiet.
Tackling hard-hitting issues may not have been the best idea for this show.

Of course, it may have been a hard sell to take on issues like alcoholism or pedophilia, so the writers had to find something serious, but not so serious that your demographic needs to seek counseling. The writers' answer: Getting locked in a refrigerator.

In the 1986 second-season episode "Cherie Lifesaver," Punky's dad buys a new refrigerator and carelessly puts the old one in the back yard. Later, during a heated game of hide and seek, Punky's friend Cherie hides in the refrigerator and suffocates. Luckily, Punky and her friends just learned CPR, so she was able to snatch Cherie from death's vile clutches. Take that, Reaper!

link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/23759577/detail.html)

Best 'Very Special' TV Episode No. 2
Jessie Gets Hooked On Caffeine Pills - 'Saved by the Bell'

Anyone who says they willingly watched "Saved by the Bell" should just hang their head in shame and give up their TV's remote control. The show was absolutely ridiculous. That said, by the time "Saved" was ready to take on their own "very special" episode, all the really important issues had been tackled.

But, since we were already into the 1990s, there were some new issues to warn about. Online predators were still a few years off, but there was something -- drug abuse. Yes, the issue has been addressed over and over, but not quite like "Saved" did it in the second-season episode "Jessie's Song."

Jessie needed a little help to keep on top of her budding music career -- but unlike those who turned to needle drugs or a pipe, she turns to caffeine pills to keep her going. It was up to Zach to help her get the help she needed.

link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/23759732/detail.html)

Best 'Very Special' TV Episode No. 1
Bobby Lies To Joe Namath - 'The Brady Bunch'

Bobby Brady sure was cute as a button, wasn't he? He was a little rapscallion who was always getting into hijinks that were always forgiven by the end of the episode. "Brady Bunch" took on their own version of the "very special" episode when Bobby tells a string of lies -- each compounding on the last.

In fifth-season episode "Mail Order Hero," Bobby lies to his friends, telling them that he knows Joe Namath. When the boys call Bobby on his tall tale, he convinces Broadway Joe that he is sick and his dying wish is to see him.
It all comes to a head; Bobby gets called out on it; and Joe is a good sport -- thus wrapping things up nicely in 22 minutes. And this happened before cousin Oliver ruined the show, so it was at least watchable.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting.

The only one I've seen of those five is the Bobby Brady/Joe Namath episode, which I never thought was "very special."

The Arnold/Pedophile episode is the one I most remember. It's a shame that there are many people out there just like the "bicycle shop owner". Really eye opening stuff.

There was a episode of Mr. Belvedere where Wesley encountered a pedophile. Luckily, he was able to get help before the pedophile did anything to him.

There was an episode of The Cosby Show where Cliff and Clair found a joint in Theo's geography book that someone put there.

There was an episode of the Golden Girls where Rose was addicted to pain pills and had to get help.

There was an episode where Rose had an HIV scare because of a blood transfusion. Luckily she was fine.

There was an episode of the Golden Girls where Dorothy was sick and couldn't figure out what was wrong. Turns out she had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

i cannot believe that they failed to mention "Blossom" which was the MASTER of the "Very special episode" such as:

the episode where Blossom, um, Blossoms

or the episode where Nick finds a joint in the house and thinks it was Tony's

or the episode where Blossom is nearly date raped

or any of the other many episodes that blossom was famous for.

I agree, I never thought of that Brady Bunch episode as being of the 'very special' type, espeically not #1.

A few others that come to mind:

All in the Family - Edith is assaulted/almost assaulted. I forget the details, but remember it was very uncomfortable.

Laverne & Shirley - Laverne's firefighter boyfriend dies on the job about halfway through the episode, leading to lots of sappy moments and somewhat awkward drama.

Rhoda When Rhoda and Joe separated.

I agree about "The Brady Bunch" - that was hardly the type of episode that was considered a "very special" episode. Other real examples were the Happy Days episode where Richie "almost died" from the motorcycle accident and the Family Ties episode where Alex's friend died

Yeah the BB episode really has no business on this list.

What about the WKRP episode dealing with the deaths at the Cincinnati "Who" concert?

What about the episodes of AITF where Gloria, then later Edith, almost got raped?

While we're at it how about a lot of AITF eps? The one guest starring Gregory Sierra, the Beverly LaSalle episode, the one where Archie talked a guy out of jumping off a building, the Vietnam draft dodger episode, and on and on...?

^ You're totally right about Gregory Sierra's (:eyes:) guest spot on AITF, which was one of the most memorable episodes in the series' run. I don't think anyone saw what happened coming. The Punky Brewster episode still creeps me out to this day. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I can't believe they left out James Evans' death on Good Times. :mad:

I thought Tom Hanks was in 2 FT episodes, not three. Then I looked it up and his first appearance was a two-parter. I still love that immortal line - "the falcon has landed and the fat man walks alone". :rofl: (That was when he was being hunted by the FBI for embezzling, not when he became a drunk.)

^ You're totally right about Gregory Sierra's (:eyes:) guest spot on AITF, which was one of the most memorable episodes in the series' run. I don't think anyone saw what happened coming. The Punky Brewster episode still creeps me out to this day. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I can't believe they left out James Evans' death on Good Times. :mad:


Honestly, aside from the (pointless) inclusion of the BB ep, it seems like this is yet another viewer who's never viewed any television made before 1980. :rolleyes:

Honestly, aside from the (pointless) inclusion of the BB ep, it seems like this is yet another viewer who's never viewed any television made before 1980. :rolleyes:
Not to mention nearly every episode of Facts of Life was a very special...I also agree that WKRP's episode about the Who concert tragedy should be on that list.

I know this thread is old but I decided to pull it out of the attic and dust of the cobwebs to mention the episode on Frasier called Rooms With a View. Niles had to have heart surgery. It was a very serious episode with a bit of comedy thrown in. The characters did a lot of reminiscing by remembering past events. In the end, Niles survived but it was a very special and touching episode. It had everything. The actors were superb. :)

I definitely remembered the FT Drunkeness eppy really well.

It was also one of the rare times that I've ever saw Steve get really pissed!

Same goes for DS. The creepiest part about that ep. was the pedophile was played none other than WKRP's Gordon Jump.

In fact a few dozen later season DS eps. had these kinds of moments.

I remember the Camp Counselor Mr. B. ep as well.



Also, The Hogan Family ep. where Rich (Tom Hodges) dies from AIDS in a S6 episode IMO was one of the better and more serious eps. to deal w/ the AIDS epidemic.

Home Improvement had a lot of episodes like this, but off the top of my head I can recall only two of these instances:

In one episode, the family thinks Randy has cancer. I also recall, vaguely an episode from early seasons where Jill and Tim think one of the kids is doing drugs, and assume it was Brad or Randy, and it turns out it was Mark or something.


Yes, Facts of Life had MANY serious episodes, such as:
Dope- when the older girls bring a bong into the dorm and Mrs. Garrett finds it when Natalie and Tootie think it is something else.

Emily Dickinson- when Blair cheats on a poetry assignment and wins a poetry contest. One thing that always bugged me about this episode, wouldn't a group of educators; including those running a poetry contest have KNOWN it was an Emily Dickinson poem?

and of course, the one where Natalie finally learns "The facts of life".

And then there was another Facts of Life episode, Breaking Point, where that girl committed suicide.

I also recall, vaguely an episode from early seasons where Jill and Tim think one of the kids is doing drugs, and assume it was Brad or Randy, and it turns out it was Mark or something.

I believe it was from season 7, and the marijuana ended up being Brad's.

I know this thread is old but I decided to pull it out of the attic and dust of the cobwebs to mention the episode on Frasier called Rooms With a View. Niles had to have heart surgery. It was a very serious episode with a bit of comedy thrown in. The characters did a lot of reminiscing by remembering past events. In the end, Niles survived but it was a very special and touching episode. It had everything. The actors were superb. :)

I was going to mention this episode as well. It's probably the most serious one. I have to rant a bit about the episode that preceded it when Niles is at the doctor's office and the doctor tells him to check into the hospital immediately. This is me being COMPLETELY irrational, but when the credits start rolling and Niles is being consulted by the doctor, I found it a bit tacky that they played the theme song. I mean, I KNOW that's what they do at the end of every episode, but that doctor visit was very serious and to have that upbeat song just made it seem like they were making a joke out of it. I mean, I get pretty emotional whenever I see those three episodes to begin with. But like I said, that's just my POV.

That being said... another emotional episode was the end of "Goodnight Seattle" (big surprise, huh?) where Frasier comes out of the kitchen and looks up to find Roz, Martin, Niles and Daphne looking at him. That really got to me;especially the hugs and tears (which I'm sure those tears were real). I'm glad they didn't have the audience laugh, even though what Frasier said about not letting the eclairs go to waste or his 'waist" was cute.

I can't believe they didn't have John Ritter's death in this list. I forget his name on "8 Simple Rules", but I loved that they did the entire episode about his death without an audience. Very classy and although there were some really funny moments, it was best left without the laughing of the audience.

Have to add some more here...

Growing Pains had a couple of serious episodes... or parts of them were anyway. The one where Sandy dies and the one where Mike goes to the party where everyone was doing drugs and he left Boner and Eddie there, thinking they were going to partake in the drug use. Love the ending of that episode so much.

How can they have Punky Brewster on the list and not included in one which talked about the then recent Challenger incident (which was the last episode from the NBC run)?

Besides 8 Simple Rules handling the fall out from John Ritter's real life death, the most recent or modern "very special episode"/serious sitcom episode that I can think of or am aware of is the episode of How I Met Your Mother, where Marshall's dad dies.

There were also the Facts of Life episodes "Teacher's Pet," where Jo's teacher is dying, "On the Edge," where Jo talks a co-worker out of suicide, the episode where Natalie's father dies, and the episode about Tootie's brother drinking and driving. FOL had quite a few of those 'very special' episodes.

The Golden Girls had a few serious episodes in their run, one of the most memorable being the episode where Rose gets tested for HIV. The whole episode focused on Rose waiting for the test results and the various responses she and the girls have.

Another would be the episode when Rose has a heart attack and her daughter believes the girl's are bad influences on her.

Designing Women had a few episodes similar to this as well; in "Killing All the Right People", the subject is AIDS when the girls of Sugarbaker Design house are asked to plan the funeral of a gay friend who is dying of AIDS. In the same episode, Mary Jo is asked to speak to the PTA about the subject of condoms in schools. The episode features two of the best speeches Linda Bloodworth-Thomason ever wrote, one, by Julia to an ignorant friend who says that gay people deserve AIDS is what I call the "Free Clinic" speech in which Julia goes on a rant and basically says that if aids were given as a punishment for sinning than everybody would be at the free clinic. The other by Mary Jo is whens he decides that children if they decide to have sex, should not have to die for that act.

Another DW episode was when Reese dies (The Big Circle) or the episode when Charlene might have breast cancer.

A Different World also had several very serious episodes, one involved AIDS when Tisha Martin Campbell's character has AIDS. Another when Gina is in a abusive relationship.

I think they also had one where they talked about the underground railroad...

oh and Punky Brewster had MANY more of these serious episodes too:

In one episode, the subject was Drunk Driving when a dad of one of Punky's friends drives drunk.

In another, a new girl in the apartment has been kidnapped.

In one episode, Brandon, almost dies after being hit by a car.

The episode when Allen's parents get a divorce.

When Margo's family loses their fortune.

When Henry has a heart attack and Punky is sent to fenster hall and subsequently placed in foster care by a wealthy family.

The episode when Punky runs away and gets involved with a street kid whose brother abuses him and makes him steal, and he is sent to Fenster hall, which his brother wants him to rob.

The episode when Punky learns that the reason Cherie gets upset is that it's the day her parent's died.

The shoplifting episode...

The one where Punky finds Mike's birth mother.

I think I got them all... if not most of them.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned about the abortion episode of 'Maude'. It was highly controversial at the time (and probably still is to some); I'm quite surprised that Norman Lear got away with it. Maude also dealt with menopause and alcoholism.

There was a 'Facts of Life' episode where Jo writes an article on teen pregnancy and finds out that one of her classmates had an abortion; 'The Source' from season 4.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned about the abortion episode of 'Maude'. It was highly controversial at the time (and probably still is to some); I'm quite surprised that Norman Lear got away with it. Maude also dealt with menopause and alcoholism.



I remember that!! It WAS very controversial. I too, am surprised Norman Lear got away with it.

Maybe it's just me, but The "Very Special" episodes of the 80's somehow seemed more cheesy than the "Very Special" episodes of the 90's or 00's. I guess the writing got more sophisticated, maybe.

The Golden Girls had a few serious episodes in their run, one of the most memorable being the episode where Rose gets tested for HIV. The whole episode focused on Rose waiting for the test results and the various responses she and the girls have.

Another would be the episode when Rose has a heart attack and her daughter believes the girl's are bad influences on her.

Designing Women had a few episodes similar to this as well; in "Killing All the Right People", the subject is AIDS when the girls of Sugarbaker Design house are asked to plan the funeral of a gay friend who is dying of AIDS. In the same episode, Mary Jo is asked to speak to the PTA about the subject of condoms in schools. The episode features two of the best speeches Linda Bloodworth-Thomason ever wrote, one, by Julia to an ignorant friend who says that gay people deserve AIDS is what I call the "Free Clinic" speech in which Julia goes on a rant and basically says that if aids were given as a punishment for sinning than everybody would be at the free clinic. The other by Mary Jo is whens he decides that children if they decide to have sex, should not have to die for that act.

Another DW episode was when Reese dies (The Big Circle) or the episode when Charlene might have breast cancer.

A Different World also had several very serious episodes, one involved AIDS when Tisha Martin Campbell's character has AIDS. Another when Gina is in a abusive relationship.

I think they also had one where they talked about the underground railroad...

How could I forget ADW?

I also remembered the episode where Ron and a white guy got locked up for an altercation that took place at a parking lot when one of the white guys (in the episode that featured a pre-Lois and Clark: The New Superman Dean Cain or a Dean Cain look-a-like) sprayed and vandalized a racist word on Ron's car and Ron took offense to it and threatened to fight the guys.

And there was also another episode I think towards the end of ADW's run in S5 or S6 where Gina (Ajai Sanders) was in an abusive relationship w/ an abusive rapper boyfriend who was jealous-hearted and beat her up towards the middle of the middle of the episode.

Webster - The Fire episode was also one of the more darker-toned episodes.

How could I forget ADW?

I also remembered the episode where Ron and a white guy got locked up for an altercation that took place at a parking lot when one of the white guys (in the episode that featured a pre-Lois and Clark: The New Superman Dean Cain or a Dean Cain look-a-like) sprayed and vandalized a racist word on Ron's car and Ron took offense to it and threatened to fight the guys.

And there was also another episode I think towards the end of ADW's run in S5 or S6 where Gina (Ajai Sanders) was in an abusive relationship w/ an abusive rapper boyfriend who was jealous-hearted and beat her up towards the middle of the middle of the episode.

Webster - The Fire episode was also one of the more darker-toned episodes.

and there was also an episode early in the run where Dwayne finds out that Freddie is dating somebody that is a rapists and saves Freddie from getting raped.

and YES, it was Dean Cain in the episode you talked about!

LOT EPSIDOES
FAAMILY TIES;
WERE ALEX TAKE SPED TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT STUDY FOR HIS TEST

WEERER ALEX S FRIEND DIES HE GOES TO THEROPY

THE HOONEY MOONERS;
WERE RALPH AND ALICE GET HOLD UP BY TWO CROOKS WITH GUNS


THE WONDER YEARS
WERER WINN BROTHER DIES IN VEIT NOME WAR

WERE WINN GOES OUT WITH HIGH SHCOOL KIDS THEY BEAT HER UP

WEWRE KEVIEN HELPS HIS GRANDPAPAP GET DRIVER LINCE HE LEARNS HE CAN'T DRIVE ANY MORE SO HE SELL HIS CAR

All In The Family-Edith's 50th Birthday Parts 1 & 2-Part 1 The attack and her escape then part 2 dealt with the after effects of what she went through. She slapped Gloria!

All In The Family-The Draft Dodger Sparks fly when Mike invites a former draft resister to the Bunkers' Christmas dinner, where the guest of honor is the father of a vet who was killed in Vietnam.

Happy Days-The episode where Arnolds burns down and Chachi is responsible for the fire.

Maude-The Episode where Walter hits Maude.

Frasier-The episode where Niles has bypass surgery.

WERE WINN GOES OUT WITH HIGH SHCOOL KIDS THEY BEAT HER UP

Actually, said high school kids got into an auto accident.

and there was also an episode early in the run where Dwayne finds out that Freddie is dating somebody that is a rapists and saves Freddie from getting raped.

and YES, it was Dean Cain in the episode you talked about!

Thank you for clarifying that for me!

I nearly forgot about that episode as well!

I'd have to say the worst one I ever saw was the Saved By The Bell where Jesse was on those caffeine pills. Really? Caffeine pills? Like...coffee? Give me a break. I remember rolling my eyes at that episode even when I was under the age of 10. Glad to see that crapfest made this list.

I enjoy the occasional serious episode of a sitcom (like when Rebecca accidentally burns down Cheers) but the "very special" ones dealing with drugs, rape, and other sensationalistic crap are a waste more often than not.

and there was also an episode early in the run where Dwayne finds out that Freddie is dating somebody that is a rapists and saves Freddie from getting raped.

The episode you're talking about was a late S2 episode called "No Means NO"

I saw it on TV One this past Monday.

Home Improvement had an episode about a lump found on Randy's neck. Actually that one is the first time that I heard of a "very special episode".

Another serious Punky Brewster episode was where a serial killer was on the loose and Punky became frightened, thinking Henry would be the next victim. He had to work late at the photo shop and she really freaked out. For a kids' show, it was really scary stuff.

Mr. Belvedere also dealt with date rape, where Heather almost gets raped by her homecoming date.

Webster also did a child molestation episode where he overhears his friend being molested by her teacher.

What's Happening!!! didn't have too many VSE's, but I think the one that stands out in viewers' minds, was when Rerun illegally recorded the Doobie Brothers' concert.

Then there's Degrassi Junior High---EVERY episode was a very special episode. Child abuse, teen pregnancy, teen drinking, pedophiles, drugs, eating disorders---that show took every issue of the 80's you could think of and ran away with it.

In Roseanne where Fischer is physically abusive towards Jackie, Roseanne hit D.J, and the death of Roseanne and Jackie's father

In Roseanne where Fischer is physically abusive towards Jackie, Roseanne hit D.J, and the death of Roseanne and Jackie's father

Or the episode when Beverly comes out of the closet; the episode where Roseanne is kissed my Mariel Hemingway; the episodes surrounding Mark and Becky running away together; the episode where Roseanne finds out David is being abused and neglected at home.

The A Different World episode when Hillman College does not want to do business with a company called Orange Globe because dthey have not divested from South Africa

Another one would be when Blair Underwood guest starred and his character Zellnar was going to fight in Gulf War in 1991. Dwayne and Freddie were against him going to fight for a lost cause.

Another ep would be when Dwayne, Freddie and Ron led a protest in the Dean's building fighting for their for freedom of speech over the radio.

The season six premiere where Dwayne and Whitley discuss their honeymoon and how they got caught up in the LA riots.

Good Times: The creepy four part "Evans get involved" season premiere where Penny's mother burns her with an iron and abuses her.

The creepy episode where the old man dies in the Evan's chair in the apt when everyone turns their heads away at the New Year's Eve party.

The Cosby Show Two Part episode when Cousin Pam was Cliff to prescribe birth control pills because she is thinking about having sex with her boyfriend.

One Day at a Time: The episode when Julie leaves Max.

California Dreams Tony Wicks is offered 1,000 dollars by his girlfriend's father to stay away from her because he is black.

Good Mornning Miss Bliss (Saved by the bell) Screech is bullied by a guy who can't read. Miss Bliss tried to help him.

Sesame Street: Mr. Hooper dies on Sesame Street and Big Bird just didn't understand that Mr. Hooper wasn't coming back.

What's Happening Now: Dee informs Raj and Nadine that Dwayne's girlfriend died getting caught in the middle of a riot in her country after thanksgiving.

It's a Living: The workers and patrons at the restaurant are held hostage by revolutionaries/terrorists that threaten to kill people one at a time every hour until all demands are met.

Saved by the Bell: Zack's ancestory mentor dies untimely and Zack is shaken up over it.

Those are the one's that come to mind.

When I was little, I was so frightened by death on tv shows that I thought every show had to have a death theme or very special theme. LOL.

The A Different World episode when Hillman College does not want to do business with a company called Orange Globe because they have not divested from South Africa

Another one would be when Blair Underwood guest starred and his character Zellnar was going to fight in Gulf War in 1991. Dwayne and Freddie were against him going to fight for a lost cause.

Another ep would be when Dwayne, Freddie and Ron led a protest in the Dean's building fighting for their for freedom of speech over the radio.

The season six premiere where Dwayne and Whitley discuss their honeymoon and how they got caught up in the LA riots.

Good Times: The creepy four part "Evans get involved" season premiere where Penny's mother burns her with an iron and abuses her.

The creepy episode where the old man dies in the Evans' chair in the apt when everyone turns their heads away at the New Year's Eve party.

The Cosby Show Two Part episode when Cousin Pam was Cliff to prescribe birth control pills because she is thinking about having sex with her boyfriend.

One Day at a Time: The episode when Julie leaves Max.

California Dreams: Tony Wicks is offered 1,000 dollars by his girlfriend's father to stay away from her because he is black.

Good Morning Miss Bliss (Saved by the bell) Screech is bullied by a guy who can't read. Miss Bliss tried to help him.

Sesame Street: Mr. Hooper dies on Sesame Street and Big Bird just didn't understand that Mr. Hooper wasn't coming back.

What's Happening Now: Dee informs Raj and Nadine that Dwayne's girlfriend died getting caught in the middle of a riot in her country after Thanksgiving.

It's a Living: The workers and patrons at the restaurant are held hostage by revolutionaries/terrorists that threaten to kill people one at a time every hour until all demands are met.

Saved by the Bell: Zack's ancestry mentor dies untimely and Zack is shaken up over it.

Those are the one's that come to mind.

When I was little, I was so frightened by death on TV shows that I thought every show had to have a death theme or very special theme. LOL.

What's really insane is that the actor who played Zack's ancestry mentor on Saved by the Bell really did pass away shortly after this episode aired.

It also find it insane that Janet Jackson had to play an abused child on Good Times considering the all of the allegations of abuse that has been thrown at her father in real life.

Facts of Life

1. Blair find out that her grandfather was in the KKK.
2. Tootie almost gets lured into child porn.
3. Tootie almost gets lured into child prostitution.

I was going to mention the Webster episode about child molestation but I see someone else already has.

I happened to see this the other night. There's a Golden Girls episode where Blanche ends up dating an abusive man. I hadn't seen that one before.

Growing Pains did an episode where Carol and her boyfriend get drunk and he drops her off safely at home and then he crashes his car on the way driving back to his house and dies.

Ed.

Oh and there was also the Growing Pains episode where a couple of Mike's friends try to talk him into doing drugs (Might've been marijuana but I forget) but he says no. Kirk Cameron even gave a speech about not doing drugs from the set of the Seavers' living room after the episode was done. It was "part" of the episode but he obviously wasn't "acting" as Mike giving the speech. And that was before he became a Christian I think.

Ed.

Oh and there was also the Growing Pains episode where a couple of Mike's friends try to talk him into doing drugs (Might've been marijuana but I forget) but he says no.

It was cocaine.

I know this thread is old but I decided to pull it out of the attic and dust of the cobwebs to mention the episode on Frasier called Rooms With a View. Niles had to have heart surgery. It was a very serious episode with a bit of comedy thrown in. The characters did a lot of reminiscing by remembering past events. In the end, Niles survived but it was a very special and touching episode. It had everything. The actors were superb. :)
I was beginning to wonder if this episode would be mentioned and you're right, it was one of the best.

Oh and there was also the Growing Pains episode where a couple of Mike's friends try to talk him into doing drugs (Might've been marijuana but I forget) but he says no. Kirk Cameron even gave a speech about not doing drugs from the set of the Seavers' living room after the episode was done. It was "part" of the episode but he obviously wasn't "acting" as Mike giving the speech. And that was before he became a Christian I think.

Ed.
That is one of my all-time favorite episodes. I absolutely LOVED the ending of that show when he's trying to tell his dad about what happened at the party.

Two episodes I would include would be the Punky Brewster episode that dealt with the space shuttle trajedy and the WKRP episode in which Venus Flytrap revealed that his real name was Gordon Sims and that he AWOL from the U.S. Army.

I have to add another one to this list. Friends rarely ever got serious since it was a show more known for it's comedy. They didn't tackle a lot of serious issues since it was a show not meant to be taken seriously but there was the episode where Ross and Rachel broke up. It was the most serious and heartbreaking episode that Friends ever did. There were very few laughs but there were lots of tears. Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer themselves even cried while they were shooting the scenes because they were so emotional. After that Friends decided never to do an episode that dark again.
There was the episode in a later season where Rachel is pregnant and she tells Ross and he doesn't take it well. We find out that they used protection but still got pregnant, proving that condoms aren't 100% effective against pregnancy. It was a very funny episode but still taught us something.

Full House where Stephanie learns her friend is being abused by his dad.

House of Payne had quite a few including:
Janine's drug addiction and her drug dealer
CJ & Janine's house burns down due to her doing drugs
Malik and his friend meet a pedophile online
Calvin dates an HIV positive woman
CJ is trapped in a burning building (3 part episode)
A fireman dies under CJ's authority
Claretha gets leukemia
Calvin & Miranda's fire at their apartment
Calvin gets shot
Ella's mother dies