a sitcom character is never supposed to have a seizure LOL

[TVFactFan]

The girl karen that arnold and sam was hanging around started having a seizure and was that really necessary for a family sitcom? Damm, who thought of this stupid a$$ epsiode.

Glad I didn't see this sh*t as a kid lol

[Mace Dolex]

Where have you been? there have already been special episodes dealing with child molestation, kidnappings, hitchhiking, and race descrimination.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Where have you been? there have already been special episodes dealing with child molestation, kidnappings, hitchhiking, and race descrimination.

Those are fine but the seizure was a bit much

[tlc38tlc38]

^Oh yes, a child molestor is fine for a sitcom but not something actually normal like a seizure.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

^Oh yes, a child molestor is fine for a sitcom but not something actually normal like a seizure.

Not the child molester but the other ones were ok

[Schmoopie]

I think sometimes they try to make sitcoms more like dramas and vice versa. I guess they need something to fill up a script!

[WalterTheDrinker]

The absolute worst part of that stupid episode is Pearl's bombshell that she has epilepsy. You can't just throw that **** into an established primary character to serve the purposes of a single episode. And then she goes from being furious at Arnold and Sam for making fun of epilepsy to a minute later snuggling and giggling with them. (Was she bipolar, too?)

Terribly written, terribly acted episode. I think interns were writing the episodes by that time.

[Mace Dolex]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I think sometimes they try to make sitcoms more like dramas and vice versa. I guess they need something to fill up a script!

Since DS was being viewed by many children along with Punky Brewster, Silver Spoons the writers probably thought that delivering PSA's via sitcoms the message would get to many kids.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Since DS was being viewed by many children along with Punky Brewster, Silver Spoons the writers probably thought that delivering PSA's via sitcoms the message would get to many kids.

The infamous DS episode w/ Nancy Reagan (delivering her arguably simplistic "Just So No" message) is probably the most typifying example of turning a sitcom into a blatant PSA. As a matter of fact, why were so many '80s sitcoms like this anyway? Was it simply an offshoot of what Norman Lear did back in the '70s by wanting to tackle "real world" issues? Was it simply an reflection of the rather conservative Regan-Bush era? It seems like much of these sitcoms couldn't totally trust the parents themselves in teaching children what's "right and wrong" in the world.

[gidgetgrape]

Originally Posted by TMC

As a matter of fact, why were so many '80s sitcoms like this anyway? Was it simply an offshoot of what Norman Lear did back in the '70s by wanting to tackle "real world" issues? Was it simply an reflection of the rather conservative Regan-Bush era? It seems like much of these sitcoms couldn't totally trust the parents themselves in teaching children what's "right and wrong" in the world.

My theory is that we got a lot of these special episodes because in the 70s and 80s, there was an increase in the number of children at home alone after school. This increase in the number of latchkey kids was due to more women (mothers) entering the workplace and a lack of low-cost childcare.

Both parents working isn't a big deal now, but back then it was a scary, new thing that people had mixed feelings about. I think the writers said, "We've got these poor, motherless kids alone every week, let's try to entertain and educate them at the same time." I don't think that's a bad thing as long as the message is true and moral. Even if the parents are saying and doing the right things, a little cheesy reinforcement doesn't hurt.

For more information on latchkey kids, see Tootie in the very special episode of The Facts of Life, "Next Door."