Very special episode

"Very special episode" is an advertising term originally used in American television promos to refer to an episode of a sitcom or drama series which deals with a difficult or controversial social issue. The usage of the term peaked in the 1980s.

The term was generally used in reference to sitcoms as a way of highlighting that the normally lighthearted show would be dealing with a more serious topic. During these episodes, the laugh track was absent, or, in the alternative, the live studio audience present during the taping of the show rarely responded with laughter. Often a "very special episode" concerns a moral issue.

Diff'rent Strokes featured some very special episodes that involved child molestation, child pornography, pedophilia, hitchhiking, kidnapping, sexual assault, epileptic seizure, bullies, racism, bulimia, drunk driving and drug abuse.

The award-winning PBS animated children's program Arthur has had many very special episodes, which covered such subjects as divorce, the loss of a pet, cancer, dyslexia, asthma, head lice, and a two-part episode that was made in response to the September 11 attacks. After Hurricane Sandy, an episode titled "Shelter from the Storm" was aired, showing the characters dealing with a similar storm (Idina Menzel made a guest appearance as Brain's therapist).

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