13 After-School Specials That Got Way Too Real
These after-school specials didn’t just teach lessons; they hit like a ton of bricks.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Long ago, after-school specials weren’t afraid to tackle serious issues about life. These episodes did not sugarcoat life. Whether it was addiction or death, these 13 specials got way too real, leaving a lasting impression that still lingers.
1. The Boy Who Drank Too Much (1980)
Sharon Terry on Flickr
Scott Baio stars as a high school hockey star hiding a serious drinking problem. This special was brutally honest about alcoholism and its ripple effects on family and friends.
2. Please Don’t Hit Me, Mom (1981)
Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia Commons
A young Nancy McKeon portrays a girl suffering physical abuse at the hands of her mother. The raw, emotional scenes offered a painful glimpse into domestic violence.
3. The Day My Kid Went Punk (1987)
bunky’s pickle on Flickr
Imagine your straight-A kid coming home with a mohawk and piercings — cue the drama. This one hit hard on the judgment that kids face for their appearance. It wasn’t about rebellion, but identity and acceptance.
4. Stoned (1980)
Walt Disney Television on Flickr
A cautionary tale about a teen slipping into drug addiction, portrayed by Scott Baio again. The scenes of his descent were gritty and unflinching, showing how fast things can spiral.
5. My Dad Lives in a Downtown Hotel (1983)
Jacob Deatherage on Flickr
Divorce is never easy, especially when you’re a kid caught in the middle. This episode explored the emotional weight of parental separation without pulling punches. It showed the loneliness, confusion, and even resentment that come with it.
6. Ace Hits the Big Time (1981)
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This one’s about a nerdy new kid trying to fit in with the wrong crowd. Peer pressure, gang initiation, and finding your voice were the key themes.
7. A Matter of Time (1981)
John Mathew Smith on Wikimedia Commons
A young teen discovers his mom is dying of cancer. The story focused on grief, denial, and the slow acceptance of mortality. No miracles or Hollywood endings; just raw, emotional truth.
8. Just Tipsy, Honey (1980)
Wikimedia Commons
A mother’s hidden alcoholism starts tearing her family apart. What made this one sting was its subtlety — the way her drinking crept into every corner of home life.
9. She Drinks a Little (1981)
Ron Lach on Pexels
Different from “Just Tipsy, Honey,” this tackled a well-off woman spiraling into alcoholism behind closed doors. It flipped the idea that addiction only hits the poor or troubled.
10. What If I’m Gay? (1987)
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
This groundbreaking special tackled teen sexuality long before mainstream media dared to. It followed a high schooler navigating his identity while dealing with isolation and rejection.
11. Me and My Dad’s New Wife (1985)
Wesley Davi on Pexels
Dealing with stepparents and blended families isn’t easy, and this special didn’t sugarcoat it. There was jealousy, anger, and the painful process of letting go of the past.
12. Too Soon for Jeff (1996)
Andres Ayrton on Pexels
A later entry in the after-school lineup, this one tackled teen murder. Freddie Prinze Jr. plays Jeff, a teen whose choices lead to tragedy. It was haunting, especially in how it showed how fast life could change.
13. Summer of the Swans (1974)
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A more poetic entry, this one dealt with a teen girl’s struggles with self-image and her love for her developmentally disabled brother. When he goes missing, she’s forced to grow up quickly.