A Very Special Episode...(MSN)

[Brian Damage]

Sex in the Studio

Few topics light up the Neilsen ratings like sex, which might help explain the abundance of Very Special Episodes aimed directly at our private parts. Struggling with puberty was a hot topic for the teen set, but as we watched our beloved characters deal with sex at more advanced ages, things quickly got uncomfortable. And if it's uncomfortable, it's definitely special.

Edith Fights the Rapist ("All in the Family," Episode 163: "Edith's 50th Birthday")

Edith Bunker was more than Jean Stapleton screeching like a maniac -- she was an adoring, sweet-hearted surrogate to a generation. We could take Archie's grumpy abuse because we knew it was founded in love, but when the show's producers upped the ante by involving dear Edith in an attempted rape, audiences were floored. Though it didn't provide the same scathing social commentary as other "All in the Family" episodes, it was equally powerful.

Maude Has an Abortion ("Maude," Episode 10: "Maude's Dilemma")

Fittingly, an "All in the Family" spin-off resulted in another incredibly special episode as our protagonist dealt with the brutal ironies of an unwanted pregnancy. "Maude" never shied away from the tough stuff and, by confronting the controversial issue of abortion, the series broke new ground.

Arnold and Dudley Meet a Pedophile ("Diff'rent Strokes," Episode 114-115: "The Bicycle Man")

In a series best known for its diminutive star and his unstoppable catchphrase, they certainly dove deep from time to time. This one, however, took the cake. Will viewers ever forget the image of Arnold's friend Dudley hopped up on wine and pills in a bathroom with the slimy Gordon Jump (who also played station manager Arthur 'Big Guy' Carlson on "WKRP in Cincinnati")? Whachoo talkin' bout, NBC?

[Brian Damage]

Disorderly Conduct

It isn't easy being a sitcom kid, especially if your show is trying to score higher ratings by preying on your addictions. But turning happy-go-lucky characters into starving, crazed drug fiends was just another day in the life of the Very Special Episode.

Alex Gets Addicted to Diet Pills ("Family Ties," Episode 28: "Speed Trap")

We all knew that Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) was a go-getter, but the writers of "Family Ties" slammed the pedal to the metal in this riveting ride through the high-speed world of chemical dependency. Forced to stay up late to cram for a couple of tests, Alex convinces his sister to "lend" him some diet pills, develops a nice addiction, wastes some time painting the house, eventually threatens Mallory if she doesn't find him more, then "crashes" and misses the tests entirely. It's the quickest dependency we've ever witnessed, but when you only have a half-hour, you gotta make it special.

Sue Ann Is Anorexic ("The Facts of Life," Episode 7: "Dieting")

For a show based on the trials and tribulations of a gaggle of teenage girls, "The Facts of Life" had its work cut out for it. It didn't take long to hit hard, though, because this first-season doozie went toe-to-toe with the uncomfortable issue of teen anorexia. Sue Ann would only last one season, but her fascinating battle with a common eating disorder helped set the pace for the rest of the show's serious undertones.

Jessie Is So Excited ("Saved by the Bell," Episode 25: "Jessie's Song")

It's not a classic. It's not even close. Heck, it even blatantly rips off "Family Ties" by copying the diet-pill-dependency plot device. But if you want to watch a teen actress (Elizabeth Berkley) make an absolute mockery of a legitimate addiction, you've got to track this one down. It's arguably better (i.e., worse) than "Showgirls."

[Brian Damage]

Buckle Up

Though social stances toward different taboos change through the years, sitcoms simply do not budge when it comes to drinking and driving. In fact, we had a hard time finding a sitcom that didn't have at least one Very Special Episode about the subject. Here are two standouts.

Chandler Drinks and Drives ("Growing Pains," Episode 90: "Second Chance")

Before his life-changing role on "Friends," Matthew Perry was perhaps best known as Carol Seaver's one-time boyfriend Sandy on the seminal '80s sitcom "Growing Pains." It was a short-lived role, however, because his character meets an abrupt end after having a few too many. Where this episode really earns its stripes is in its real-world crossover irony: Actress Tracey Gold (who played -- you guessed it -- Carol Seaver) was famously arrested for a DUI in 2004. Apparently she didn't watch her own show.

Will Meets an Unfriendly Ghost ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Episode 85: "You've Got to Be a Football Hero")

No one's ever accused "The Fresh Prince" of being subtle, but this bizarre antidrunk-driving episode threw common sense right out the window. After getting loaded on tequila at a frat party, Will (Will Smith) is dropped off at a cemetery as a cruel prank. But the joke's on us, because Will soon meets a ghostly child who reveals that -- tada! -- he was killed by a drunk driver. Spectral lesson learned.

[Brian Damage]

Finding My Religion

In an effort to appeal to as wide a range of viewers as possible, sitcoms rarely evangelize. But even the separation between church and screen is easily breached if it results in a particularly memorable episode.

Fonzie Prays to God ("Happy Days," Episode 106: "Richie Almost Dies")

The Fonz (Henry Winkler) wasn't too cool for religion in general -- he even spent an episode speaking to a priest before getting baptized and leading the cast in a hymn -- but this episode took the rebel's spirituality to a new plane as he tearfully prayed to God to help Richie (Ron Howard) come out of a postcrash coma. If that didn't make you cry, you're as heartless as Potsie.

Archie Tries the Lord ("All in the Family," Episode 96: "Archie and the Miracle")

He might have been a closed-minded, bigoted loudmouth, but even Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) understood the frailty of his own mortality. After nearly meeting his maker during a loading-dock accident, he rededicates himself to doing the Lord's work. His newfound religious passion only lasts an episode -- Sunday is his treasured game day, after all -- but it struck a chord with viewers by so closely mirroring their own contradictions. .

[Brian Damage]

A Matter of Life and Death

There's nothing funny about death, but savvy sitcom writers didn't let that stop them from incorporating it into their work. At times lighthearted, at times deeply moving, these episodes did more than make us stop and think -- they helped us heal.

A Future Without Phil ("NewsRadio," Episode 76: "Bill Moves On")

The death of the multitalented Phil Hartman rocked the entertainment world to its core, and few felt it as profoundly as the cast of "NewsRadio." They bravely met this challenge head-on in the first episode of their fifth season, in which it is explained that Phil's character, Bill McNeal, died of a heart attack. Through wry posthumous letters and heartfelt performances by the rest of the cast, we watched them cope with their loss. Moving, tearful, funny and classy, it endures as a wonderful send-off to a clearly loved actor.

John Ritter's Curtain Call ("8 Simple Rules," Episode 32: "Goodbye")

Fate has a cruel way of giving only to take; such was the case with John Ritter's comeback role as patriarch Paul Hennessey on "8 Simple Rules." His untimely death stunned cast members and audiences alike, but rather than avoid it with a shoddily scribbled excuse, the writers faced the music in a touching two-part tearjerker in which the family coped with their loss by openly grieving their dearly departed dad.

Laverne Loses a Boyfriend ("Laverne & Shirley," Episode 104: "Why Did the Fireman ...")

It doesn't have to be real to be potent. Guest-star Ted Danson played Laverne's firefighting boyfriend in an episode that touched upon several layers of the mourning process, taking viewers through Laverne's shock, denial and subsequent acceptance of her lover's passing.

[Brian Damage]

Our Top Story Tonight ...

Blurring the line between fantasy and reality isn't just for Ricardo Montalban. What do you do when you've rewritten every stale joke and tackled every hot-button issue? How about read the newspaper? Indeed, some sitcoms did the unthinkable by breaking the fourth wall and responding to the very shows with which they routinely competed -- the nightly news.

WKRP Deals With the Who Concert Catastrophe ("WKRP in Cincinnati," Episode 41: "In Concert")

This two-parter was exceedingly poignant in reproducing the tragic events of Cincinnati's 1979 Who concert. The first part was a mostly pleasant affair in which station manager Arthur Carlson took his son to see the Who, followed by the sad, brutal reveal that 11 kids had been trampled to death that very night. Dedicated to the families of the kids, it remains one of the show's crowning achievements. Along with the Turkey Drop, of course.

Punky Faces a Challenge ("Punky Brewster," Episode 44: "Accidents Happen")

OK, so "Punky Brewster" wasn't an enduring show. But it had its moments, particularly in this somewhat forced episode featuring none other than legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who helps Punky come to grips with the recent Challenger space shuttle explosion. Rumor has it this episode was based on 10-year-old Soleil Moon Frye's actual reaction to the event. .

[catlover79]

I remember most of those episodes. I have never seen the Diff'rent Strokes one with Gordon Jump, however, and have no desire to.

They missed a couple in "The Matter of Life and Death" category. That was another All In The Family episode, guest starring my honey Gregory Sierra (Barney Miller, Sanford & Son) as a Jewish radical. The name of the episode is called "Archie Is Branded" and the end of the episode is one of the most chilling I've ever seen. I was amazed at that one. Why didn't the "Jack Soo Retrospective" from Barney Miller get a shout-out? That was a classic!

As for "Sex in the Studio", what about FOL's Natalie's, um, first time? I'm sorry, but that was not a good episode. It was so cheesy! Then in the "Disorderly Conduct" category, there was DJ and her crash diet (Full House).

[comedyfreak]

Another All In The Family moment is when the Bunkers have a guest for Christmas diner who is a war deserter.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by catlover79

! Then in the "Disorderly Conduct" category, there was DJ and her crash diet (Full House).

Good add. Just because no pills were involved...I mean, the girl was eating ice pops!

I've seen that show waaay too much.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Jessie Is So Excited ("Saved by the Bell," Episode 25: "Jessie's Song")

It's not a classic. It's not even close. Heck, it even blatantly rips off "Family Ties" by copying the diet-pill-dependency plot device. But if you want to watch a teen actress (Elizabeth Berkley) make an absolute mockery of a legitimate addiction, you've got to track this one down. It's arguably better (i.e., worse) than "Showgirls."

They also did a cheesy drunk-driving episode too. Zack wrecked someone's Mercedes...Lisa's? Whatever.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

They also did a cheesy drunk-driving episode too. Zack wrecked someone's Mercedes...Lisa's? Whatever.

Yes, you're right. It was Lisa's parents' BMW, or maybe they gave it to her for a gift, or something. But they did indeed get drunk and smashed the car into a tree. I think it was a later show, when Tori was there but Jessie and Kelly were not. It's been years since I've seen it, so I'm a little fuzzy on the details.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Yes, you're right. It was Lisa's parents' BMW, or maybe they gave it to her for a gift, or something. But they did indeed get drunk and smashed the car into a tree. I think it was a later show, when Tori was there but Jessie and Kelly were not. It's been years since I've seen it, so I'm a little fuzzy on the details.

Yeah, you're right. Those Tori episodes were so odd. I think they were coming from a toga party or something.

[TMC]

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2...in-tv-history/

The message episode—it's a hallmark of any children-having sitcom. Ninety-nine percent of the time, kids are used by sitcoms because they tell the sauciest jokes and get into the most innocent of predicaments. They get to beam at the camera and act adorable, like tap-dancing chipmunks. The other one percent of the time, kids appear on sitcoms so that young viewers can have lessons inflicted upon their malleable souls. These lessons take the form of "very special episodes," with scary situations brought on by "very special" one-off characters. For instance, there's the cult leader, the kid with the pack of cigarettes, the guy selling guns, and, a big favorite, the traveling pedophile.

All of these colorful characters show up so that the young characters can be tested by the fires of hell real life. (That wasn't implying that sitcoms subscribe to some kind of conservative Christian ideology—nope, not even a little bit.) These tests are supposed to be serious, but are usually anything but. Celebrate with us now, as we look at the most ridiculous message episodes in TV history.

[tvfan25]

There was also the "Fresh Prince" episode where Carlton took pills out of Will's locker.

A Different World had a few
"If I Should Die Before I Wake" dealt with the AIDS epidemic

"Cat's In The Cradle" dealt with racism

"No Means No" dealt with date rape

"Love Taps" dealt with domestic violence