What TV shows were directly impacted by the Challenger disaster - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-26-2018, 03:43 AM

We all know that Punky Brewster did a "very special episode" at the end of its second season dealing with Punky coping with the disaster. But did any other shows respond to it? And what network shows did ABC, CBS and NBC break in when they announced the news?

The only show that I know that was adversely effected by the news was the sitcom Melba, which unfortunately debuted on CBS the same night as the disaster. Its premiere was ranked as the lowest program of the week and CBS immediately pulled it from its schedule.

Edward216 · 08-28-2018, 12:50 AM

Not quite. They actually broadcast the premiere episode of Melba again at a later date. And it did even WORSE in the ratings then! I'm not making that up that's what I read somewhere. But other than Punky Brewster I'm not aware there were any other TV shows that did episodes about the shuttle disaster. Or if there are I've definitely never seen them.

Ed.

TMC · 08-28-2018, 02:48 AM

CBS was planning on airing an animated series for their Saturday morning line-up called Young Astronauts, which got scrapped in light of the Challenger disaster. Allegedly, the pilot actually aired the Saturday before the disaster.

TMC · 06-03-2022, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward216

Not quite. They actually broadcast the premiere episode of Melba again at a later date. And it did even WORSE in the ratings then! I'm not making that up that's what I read somewhere. But other than Punky Brewster I'm not aware there were any other TV shows that did episodes about the shuttle disaster. Or if there are I've definitely never seen them.

Ed.

Not exactly a TV show, but there was a made-for-TV movie that aired on ABC back in 1990 about the Challenger disaster.

TMC · 07-19-2022, 04:46 AM

In the first season of Small Wonder, Jamie Lawson has a mural of the Challenger shuttle on his wall. This was understandably removed following the tragedy in January 1986.

08-26-2018, 03:43 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,411	What TV shows were directly impacted by the Challenger disaster We all know that Punky Brewster did a "very special episode" at the end of its second season dealing with Punky coping with the disaster. But did any other shows respond to it? And what network shows did ABC, CBS and NBC break in when they announced the news? The only show that I know that was adversely effected by the news was the sitcom Melba, which unfortunately debuted on CBS the same night as the disaster. Its premiere was ranked as the lowest program of the week and CBS immediately pulled it from its schedule.

08-28-2018, 12:50 AM	#2
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,630	Not quite. They actually broadcast the premiere episode of Melba again at a later date. And it did even WORSE in the ratings then! I'm not making that up that's what I read somewhere. But other than Punky Brewster I'm not aware there were any other TV shows that did episodes about the shuttle disaster. Or if there are I've definitely never seen them. Ed.

08-28-2018, 02:48 AM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,411	CBS was planning on airing an animated series for their Saturday morning line-up called Young Astronauts, which got scrapped in light of the Challenger disaster. Allegedly, the pilot actually aired the Saturday before the disaster.

07-19-2022, 04:46 AM	#5
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,411	In the first season of Small Wonder, Jamie Lawson has a mural of the Challenger shuttle on his wall. This was understandably removed following the tragedy in January 1986.