| abstract | - The Afterschool Special was a type of anthology program that dealt with socially relevant issues of interest to teen-agers and young adults. The specials were often aired during the afternoon (usually after school, hence the name), a time when most adolescents were arriving home from school or otherwise able to watch television. Many of the specials fall under the Very Special Episode trope: A problem that unexpectedly and adversely affects the main protagonist, and he/she and others dealing with the consequences before the moral or other resolution (not always good) is presented. Oftentimes, A- and B-list celebrities -- including teen-aged and adult actors who starred in popular TV shows of the day, and others well-known to teen-aged audiences -- were cast in the roles of the main characters affected by that particular special's dilemma. While most episodes were highly dramatic, some were played largely for laughs (although still having an important message), and even the darkest dramas had moments of light comedy. ABC coined the phrase when it aired its first special -- "Last of the Curlews," a program about animal extinction -- in the fall of 1972. Roughly four to six specials aired per season during the school year (roughly, September to May), with repeats of previous seasons' specials providing additional airings. The last original Afterschool Special aired in 1997. The specials would pre-empt local programming (or, in the 1970s through mid-1980s, the regular network schedule when game shows still aired in mid-to-late afternoon). However, when fans of shows such as Oprah begin to complain about pre-emptions and stations complained about lost revenue, the networks began to rethink the concept. The success of the Afterschool Special led CBS and NBC to air their own "afterschool specials." CBS began its own Schoolbreak Special in 1980 and continued until 1996, while NBC presented its own Special Treat from 1975-1986. In addition to its own Afterschool Special, ABC aired a Weekend Special from 1977-1997, although these were far less heavy-handed and moreso adaptations of children's stories. The "afterschool special" genre in general was well received by critics and audiences alike. Many times, high school teachers would tape a given show and show it in class, after which a discussion might ensue about how the characters dealt with their adverse situation. (Sometimes, the tape might be paused at each commercial break to spark a discussion on what the students think should happen, before the actual resolution is shown.)
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