All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 The Last of the Curlews

    • October 4, 1972
    • ABC (US)

    Animated special about a father and son who go hunting, and debate whether or not to kill an Eskimo curlew, which may become [and may now be] extinct.

  • S01E02 Follow the Northern Star

    • November 1, 1972
    • ABC (US)

    A young boy helps his friend escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.

  • S01E03 Santiago's Ark

    • December 6, 1972
    • ABC (US)

    An imaginative, determined 14-year-old Puerto Rican boy builds a boat in which to sail around Central Park. Co-starring Bill Duke and René Enríquez. Followed in 1975 by the sequel Santiago's America.

  • S01E04 William: The Life, Works, and Times of William Shakespeare

    • January 3, 1973
    • ABC (US)

    Special introducing William Shakespeare to young people through sketches, readings and music.

  • S01E05 The Incredible, Indelible, Magical, Physical Mystery Trip

    • February 3, 1973
    • ABC (US)

    Animated special about two youngsters who are miniaturized and travel through their uncle's body to understand more about his health. Features the first appearance of Timer, a character later featured in ABC's Time for Timer shorts.

  • S01E06 Alexander

    • April 4, 1973
    • ABC (US)

    Retired clown and taleteller extraordinaire Alexander has an undying love for children. It's a two-way street: the kids are out to help the old man by saving his home from condemnation.

Season 2

  • S02E01 Rookie of the Year

    • October 3, 1973
    • ABC (US)

    11-year-old Sharon Lee (Jodie Foster) encounters opposition when she joins her brother's Little League baseball team, which happens to be all male. (1972 was when girls were first allowed on Little League teams.) Co-starring Steve Gustafson; based on Isabella Taves's book Not Bad For a Girl.

  • S02E02 My Dad Lives in a Downtown Hotel

    • November 28, 1973
    • ABC (US)

    Divorce, as seen through the eyes of a young boy. The youngster - whose father has been ordered out of the house and is forced to take up permanent residence in a downtown hotel - is traumatized by the imminent divorce, and it is up to his loved ones to help him cope.

  • S02E03 Pssst! Hammerman's After You

    • January 16, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    A small-for-his-age sixth-grade student and his wild attempts to flee a bully after word gets around he thinks of him as a Neanderthal.

  • S02E04 Cyrano

    • March 6, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    Long-nosed Cyrano de Bergerac helps an army officer woo Roxanne (voice of Joan Van Ark), the woman Cyrano himself loves, in this animated version of Edmond Rostand's play.

  • S02E05 The Runaways

    • March 27, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    Live-action;A small-town teenage girl teams up with a younger but wiser boy for survival. Co-starring Moosie Drier; written by Clyde Ware.

  • S02E06 The Magical Mystery Trip Through Little Red's Head

    • May 15, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    Timer shrinks down two youngsters and shows them around their teenage sister's head, to discover how the mind works.

  • S02E07 The Crazy Comedy Concert

    • June 5, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    Live action/animation special geared to educate young people about classical music. Starring Tim Conway and Ruth Buzzi.

Season 3

  • S03E01 Sara's Summer of the Swans

    • October 2, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    Gangly Sara Godfrey's 14th summer is proving to be a miserable one. Virtually friendless, and very self-conscious, she is passing the days in a blue funk—until a crisis involving her younger brother forces her to think of someone besides herself. Based on the Newberry Award-winning book by Betsy Byars.

  • S03E02 The Bridge of Adam Rush

    • October 23, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    12-year-old Adam (Lance Kerwin) adjusts to a new way of life when his mother remarries and moves their whole family to the country.

  • S03E03 Winning and Losing: Diary of a Campaign

    • November 6, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    The 1974 Senate race is seen through the eyes of two teen-aged girls, each a campaign volunteer for George McGovern (Democrat) and Leo K. Thorsness (Republican).

  • S03E04 The Toothpaste Millionaire

    • November 27, 1974
    • ABC (US)

    A young entepreneur invents toothpaste with a twist. Instead of peppermint, his dentrifice has flavors like chocolate. Fun and funny, it teaches empowerment to child viewers.

  • S03E05 The Skating Rink

    • February 5, 1975
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager with a stuttering problem overcomes his shyness to become a figure skater.

  • S03E06 Santiago's America

    • February 19, 1975
    • ABC (US)

    A Puerto Rican boy is invited to a prestigious conference in Los Angeles. With no money, he re-builds a broken taxi to get there. Bill Duke and René Enríquez reprise their roles.

  • S03E07 The Secret Life of T. K. Dearing

    • April 27, 1975
    • ABC (US)

    12-year-old T.K. (Jodie Foster) invites her grandfather to join a "secret" club. Co-starring Tierre Turner; based on Jean Robinson's book.

Season 4

  • S04E01 It Must Be Love ('Cause I Feel So Dumb)

    • October 8, 1975
    • ABC (US)

    A 13-year-old boy has a crush on a cheerleader at his school and dreams up creative ways to try to impress her. Starring Alfred Lutter.

  • S04E02 Fawn Story

    • October 22, 1975
    • ABC (US)

    The McPhail siblings—Jenna, Toby and Louisa (Kristy McNichol, Poindexter Yothers and Karen Obediear)—discover a wounded deer, which they nurse back to health. Co-starring Gordon Jump.

  • S04E03 The Shaman's Last Raid

    • November 19, 1975
    • ABC (US)

    Despite his failing health, a Native American medicine man is determined to teach his great-grandchildren the traditions of the Apache nation. Based on Betty Baker's novel; starring Dehl Berti.

  • S04E04 The Amazing Cosmic Awareness of Duffy Moon

    • February 4, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    This cute story centers around an insecure 6th grader, Duffy Moon (played by Ike Eisenmann), whose discovery of ""Cosmic Awareness"" leads him on a journey to self-discovery and confidence that he can do anything.

  • S04E05 Me and Dad's New Wife

    • February 18, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    12-year-old Nina Beckwith (Kristy McNichol) does not know how to react to her new stepmother. Co-starring Lance Kerwin, Melendy Britt, Leif Garrett and Jimmy McNichol. Based on Stella Pevsner's novel, "A Smart Kid Like You".

  • S04E06 Blind Sunday

    • April 21, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    In order to better understand his blind girlfriend, teenage Jeff (Leigh McCloskey) spends an entire day blindfolded. Co-starring Robert Ridgely (as Jeff's dad), Cindy Eilbacher, and Corbin Bernsen.

  • S04E07 Dear Lovey Hart: I Am Desperate

    • May 19, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    Teenaged girl decides to start an advice column for her school newspaper.

Season 5

  • S05E01 Francesca, Baby

    • October 6, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    Semi-standard ABC Afterschool Special about Francesca James, a teenage daughter dealing with her alcoholic mother through the support group Ala-Teen.

  • S05E02 P.J. and the President's Son

    • November 10, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    Update of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. Delivery boy and President's son discover they are exact doubles of one another, and decide to swap identities.

  • S05E03 Mighty Moose and the Quarterback Kid

    • December 1, 1976
    • ABC (US)

    A football coach (Dave Madden) tries to mediate a conflict between his star quarterback (Brandon Cruz) and the boy's father (Joseph Mascolo). Co-starring Alex Karras.

  • S05E04 My Mom's Having a Baby

    • February 16, 1977
    • ABC (US)

    Story explaining the facts of human reproduction using drama, animation, and a videotaped birth sequence showing Candace Farrell giving birth to her child.

  • S05E05 The Horrible Honchos

    • March 9, 1977
    • ABC (US)

    The neighborhood youth gang makes a pact to bully and torment the new kid on their 17th Street turf. Based on Emily Cheney Neville's novel The 17th Street Gang. Starring Kim Richards.

  • S05E06 Very Good Friends

    • April 6, 1977
    • ABC (US)

    A teen-aged girl bitterly grieves the death of her beloved 11-year-old sister in an accident.

Season 6

Season 7

  • S07E01 One of a Kind

    • September 7, 1978
    • ABC (US)

    A free-spirited woman realizes her daughter is no longer a child, and experiments with giving her more independence. However, the girl is puzzled by this sudden lack of attention; it seems like her mom is pushing her away.

  • S07E02 A Home Run for Love

    • October 11, 1978
    • ABC (US)

    In 1947, a young white boy and an elderly black man enjoy a warm and wonderful friendship, based on their mutual love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and of Jackie Robinson in particular. Co-starring Anne Ramsey and Edie McClurg; based on Barbara Cohen's novel.

  • S07E03 Gaucho

    • October 25, 1978
    • ABC (US)

    A young Puerto Rican New York boy knows his mother misses her homeland. Accordingly, he becomes an errand boy for a small-time hood, in order to earn enough money that she can move back to the Caribbean. Based on Gloria Gonzalez's novel; co-starring Danny De La Paz.

  • S07E04 Dinky Hocker

    • December 13, 1978
    • ABC (US)

    Overweight teenager Susan "Dinky" Hocker (Wendie Jo Sperber) is obsessed with food and cannot stop eating. Finally she turns to a friend, who helps make changes in her eating habits. Co-starring June Lockhart and Alan Oppenheimer as Dinky's parents; based on the novel by M. E. Kerr.

  • S07E05 Make Believe Marriage

    • January 10, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    High school students take a marriage course, where they are coupled up and must complete assorted everyday tasks that go with married life. Co-starring Janina Mathews.

  • S07E06 The Terrible Secret

    • March 7, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    After teenage Bobbie Marston experiences a hit and run, guilt takes its toll on her everyday life. Co-starring Michael Biehn.

  • S07E07 The Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid

    • May 9, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    Wealthy-but-lonely Calvin Brundage (Robbie Rist) is granted seven wishes by a genie. Calvin uses them in an effort to impress Melanie Gamble (Cynthia Nixon), the most popular girl in his school. But things do not work out the way he anticipated. Co-starring Christopher Hewett and Butterfly McQueen.

Season 8

  • S08E01 My Other Mother (Which Mother is Mine?)

    • September 26, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    Arthur Allan Seidelman directed this adaptation of Joan Oppenheimer's novel My Other Mother. 16-year-old Alexandria (Melissa Sue Anderson) is stunned when her biological mother arrives to take Alex away from her adoptive parents. Co-starring Marion Ross and Woody Eney.

  • S08E02 A Movie Star's Daughter

    • October 10, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    Shy teenager Dena (Trini Alvarado) enrolls in a new school and does not make friends easily, until it is discovered that her father is famous actor Hal McKain (Frank Converse). Overnight, she becomes the most popular student in school—but this brings its own problems.

  • S08E03 A Special Gift

    • October 24, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    14-year-old basketball player wants to be a ballet dancer, and is worried about what his friends and family will think.

  • S08E04 The Late Great Me! Story of a Teenage Alcoholic

    • November 14, 1979
    • ABC (US)

    A 15-year-old girl takes up drinking to impress a boy; instead, she soon develops a serious problem.

  • S08E05 The Heartbreak Winner: One Girl's Struggle For Olympic Gold

    • February 13, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Bruce Malmuth directed this adaptation of Michael Bonadies's novel The Gold Test. Ambitious teenage figure skater Maggie MacDonald (Melissa Sherman) learns what champions are truly made of when she meets a paraplegic youngster.

  • S08E06 Where Do Teenagers Come From?

    • March 5, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    12-year-old girl wonders about all of the changes that's happening to her body. Sequel to My Mom's Having a Baby.

  • S08E07 What Are Friends For?

    • March 19, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Two 12-year-old girls going through a divorce make a pact never to divorce their friendship.

Season 9

  • S09E01 A Family of Strangers

    • September 24, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    A widower's two teen-aged daughters resent their father's remarriage to a single mother, especially since the woman's 12-year-old daughter (who is several years younger) will now compete for the parents attention. This special focuses on the parents' attempts to unite the new stepsisters into a loving family.

  • S09E02 Schoolboy Father

    • October 15, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    High school senior discovers his summer girlfriend has given birth to his child, and decides to fight for custody.

  • S09E03 The Gymnast

    • October 29, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Holly Gagnier stars as 16-year-old Ginny Coker, who's determined to become a world-class athlete.

  • S09E04 Stoned

    • November 12, 1980
    • ABC (US)

    Jack (Scott Baio) is a motivated high schooler, until he experiments with marijuana and falls in with a fast crowd; soon he's dabbling in harder drugs, such as LSD, quaaludes, and cocaine. Will he wise up before it's too late? Co-starring Largo Woodruff and Anthony C Sena.

  • S09E05 A Matter of Time

    • February 11, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Teen Lisl Gilbert finds inner strength when she learns her mother is dying of cancer.

  • S09E06 Run, Don't Walk

    • March 4, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    A teenage girl does not know how to deal with being in a wheelchair, after an accident leaves her paralyzed. Then she befriends a boy in the same situation, and the future suddenly looks brighter for both of them. Starring Toni Kalem, Scott Baio, Dee Wallace and Hal Williams.

  • S09E07 My Mother Was Never a Kid

    • March 19, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    A 13 year-old girl with a fetish for trouble takes a trip back to the 1940s, when her mother was her age. She then realizes that her mother was just like her.

Season 10

  • S10E01 She Drinks a Little

    • September 23, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    ""She Drinks a Little"" ... or does she a lot, lot more? That's what Cindy's friends try to convince her as she denies that her mother may be a flat-out alcoholic. Eventually, Cindy sees that her mother indeed has a serious drinking problem and needs help. This ABC Afterschool Special showcases Alateen, the national support group for teenagers with alcoholic family members.

  • S10E02 Starstruck

    • October 14, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Aspiring teen folk singer is torn whether to continue her singing or to accept an educational scholarship.

  • S10E03 Tough Girl

    • October 28, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    After juvenile delinquent Renie Lake is caught dealing drugs in a stolen van, she is court ordered to live with her father and rigid step-family. Despite living with a family that seems to dislike her, she re-enrolls in High School and befriends a hearing-impaired girl.

  • S10E04 The Color of Friendship

    • November 11, 1981
    • ABC (US)

    Two teenagers, one black and one white, hit it off. Starring James Bond III, Chris Barnes, Cleavon Little and Kadeem Hardison.

  • S10E05 The Unforgivable Secret

    • February 10, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Amanda Plummer portrays a 15-year-old who's stunned to discover that her "deceased" father is very much alive, and that's just the beginning of the story. Co-starring Barbara Feldon and Danny Aiello; based on Hila Colman's novel Tell Me No Lies.

  • S10E06 Daddy, I'm Their Mama Now (The Night Swimmers)

    • March 3, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    A 12-year-old girl assumes responsibility for her two younger brothers (one of them portrayed by Jason Hervey), after their mom passes away. Based on Betsy Byars's novel The Night Swimmers.

  • S10E07 Sometimes I Don't Love My Mother

    • April 7, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    After the death of her father, teenager Dallas Davis (Melinda Culea) struggles with her mother Ellen's (Patricia Elliott) total dependency on her.

Season 11

  • S11E01 Amy and the Angel

    • September 22, 1982
    • ABC (US)

  • S11E02 Two Loves for Jenny

    • October 27, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Teen violinist is torn between her musical career and her boyfriend.

  • S11E03 A Very Delicate Matter

    • November 10, 1982
    • ABC (US)

    Teenage girl is shocked when a former boyfriend tells her he has gonorrhea. Not only does she get tested, she must tell her current boyfriend to get tested as well. Co-starring Zach Galligan.

  • S11E04 Please Don't Hit Me, Mom

    • January 19, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager Nancy Parks (Nancy McKeon) stumbles upon a case of child abuse. It turns out her new boyfriend's (Lance Guest) younger brother is regularly beaten by their mom (Patty Duke, whose real-life son Sean Astin portrays the victim in question).

  • S11E05 The Woman Who Willed a Miracle

    • February 9, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    A blind, mentally retarded infant with cerebral palsy is left in the care of an elderly English woman who refuses to let him die. Starring Cloris Leachman, M. Emmet Walsh, James Noble and Kirk Cameron.

  • S11E06 Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents?

    • March 16, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Kari Michaelsen and Jennifer Jason Leigh star as two teenagers—one rich, the other middle-class—who become best friends over the summer. Co-starring Marion Ross and Julie Piekarski.

  • S11E07 But It's Not My Fault

    • March 23, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Billy Warlock portrays 16-year-old Craig Foster, whose efforts to prove himself to his peers land him in juvenile hall. Co-starring Al White.

  • S11E08 The Wave

    • March 30, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    A high school history teacher's lesson on Nazi Germany soon turns out to be a real-life lesson in mind-control and fascism at the school. It us up to school administrators to stop the game of psychological control before things go too far.

Season 12

  • S12E01 It's No Crush, I'm in Love

    • September 28, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    A high school girl (Cynthia Nixon) has a crush on a soap opera star but she thinks she is in love with him. At school, she meets her new English teacher, who closely resembles the soap star.

  • S12E02 The Hand-Me-Down Kid

    • October 19, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Tired of receiving hand me downs from her sister, an 11-year-old girl "secretly borrows" her bicycle, which then gets stolen by somebody else. Tracey Gold and Cheryl Arutt portray the sisters; Terry O'Quinn plays their dad. Also starring Corey Parker and Martha Plimpton; based on a novel by Francine Pascal.

  • S12E03 The Celebrity and the Arcade Kid

    • November 9, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    Video arcade whiz and teen movie star discover they are exact doubles and decide to switch identities. A modern version of Mark Twain's The Prince and The Pauper.

  • S12E04 Andrea's Story: A Hitchhiking Tragedy

    • December 7, 1983
    • ABC (US)

    A pretty teen-aged girl named Andrea Cranston and her boyfriend are stranded, and decide to hitchhike home. A nice man driving a green Dodge Coronet gives them a ride. After dropping the boyfriend off at home, the nice man reveals his true colors and declares ""We're going for a ride."" The man takes Andrea to a remote location, knocks her out and rapes her. This story explores the dangers of hitchhiking and the boyfriend's efforts to track down Andrea's assailant. In the end, the man is caught, and it's revealed he has raped more than one girl in his time.

  • S12E05 The Great Love Experiment

    • February 8, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Teenagers bait a timid girl to get her involved with various displays of affection. Starring Tracy Pollan, Pete Kowanko and Jennifer Grey.

  • S12E06 Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia

    • March 17, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    13-year-old boy has problems reading, which his teachers attribute to laziness. It is later discovered that he has Dyslexia.

  • S12E07 The Hero Who Couldn't Read

    • April 18, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    A teacher discovers that one of his students, the school's star basketball player, is illiterate. He makes it his mission to teach the boy how to read. Starring Clarence Williams III; with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Dorn.

Season 13

  • S13E01 Summer Switch

    • September 19, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Ken Kwapis directed this adaptation of Mary Rodgers's novel about a man who magically switches personalities with his son, and about the comical chaos that ensues.

  • S13E02 Out of Step

    • October 10, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    An aspiring teenager Lisa dancer gets the chance to try out for a dance troupe. But will fear of failure keep her from auditioning? Terry Donahoe stars as Lisa Williams.

  • S13E03 The Almost Royal Family

    • October 24, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    Family inherits a house on a tiny island between Canada and the United States, outside the jurisdiction of either country. Sarah Jessica Parker stars.

  • S13E04 Mom's on Strike

    • November 14, 1984
    • ABC (US)

    When her husband and children begin to take her for granted, a suburban housewife finally takes the drastic step of ... going on strike! This comic tale relates her family's efforts to fend for themselves and learn responsibility while the woman walks the picket line.

  • S13E05 I Want to Go Home

    • February 13, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Tommy and Mary Sanders (Seth Green, Maddie Corman) go on the run with their divorced mom Louise (Lindsay Crouse). Only belatedly do they realize that Louise has kidnapped them from their dad Tom (John Getz).

  • S13E06 First the Egg

    • March 6, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    A group of high school students take part in a parenting class where their first assignment is to 'parent' an egg. Starring Justine Bateman, Jimmy McNichol, Chris Hebert and Helene Udy.

  • S13E07 One Too Many

    • May 1, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Actor Peter Horton directed this tale of four high school friends (Lance Guest, Val Kilmer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Mare Winningham) who find their lives changed forever, when one of them drives drunk with devastating results. This special was originally shown in prime-time.[3]

Season 14

  • S14E01 No Greater Gift

    • September 11, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    Two terminally ill boys strike up a friendship in a hospital ward. One of the boys decides to make the ultimate sacrifice to the other so he can have a chance at life.

  • S14E02 Cindy Eller: A Modern Fairy Tale

    • October 9, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    A 1980s adaptation of the children's tale, where a homely-but-pretty young girl struggles with her shyness and her snobbish stepsisters for the affections of a handsome boy at school.

  • S14E03 Don't Touch

    • November 6, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    A teen-aged girl named Karen Anderson suspects that Molly Stewart, the 6-year-old girl she is baby-sitting, is behaving quite strangely around an adult friend of the Stewarts. Turns out that the man is likely molesting Molly. Karen tries to bring the matter to the Stewarts' attention, but they only take action when it is almost too late. This special takes a look at child molestation and explores the warning signs people should notice.

  • S14E04 High School Narc

    • December 4, 1985
    • ABC (US)

    A 22-year-old police officer (Michael E. Knight) poses as a student to sniff out the drug supplier for an inner-city high school.

  • S14E05 Can a Guy Say No?

    • February 12, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    A 17-year-old student learns just how deceiving looks can be, when he befriends the prettiest girl in school. It turns out her beauty compensates for unhappiness and low self-esteem, or does it? Starring Steve Antin, Heather Langenkamp, Christa Denton, Khrystyne Haje and Beau Bridges.

  • S14E06 Are You My Mother?

    • March 5, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    A teenage girl is stunned to discover that her supposedly-deceased mother is actually mentally ill, and institutionalized. Co-starring Marian Mercer and Michael York.

  • S14E07 Getting Even: A Wimp's Revenge

    • March 19, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Tired of being bullied at school, a boy starts drawing a master scientist. He begins to imagine what it would be like, as the scientist, standing up to the bullies at school. Directed by James Scott and starring Adolph Caesar.

Season 15

  • S15E01 A Desperate Exit

    • September 17, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager is stunned when his best friend commits suicide, and is left with one unanswered question - Why?

  • S15E02 Wanted: The Perfect Guy

    • October 1, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    A teen-aged boy and his girlfriend secretly place personal ads for his divorced mother, Ellie, in an effort to find Mr. Right. The two screen potential dates, but none of them seem right for Ellie. In the end, it is Ellie who finds the man who she deems ""the perfect guy.""

  • S15E03 Teen Father

    • October 22, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    Actor Kevin Hooks directed this tale of a college-bound 18-year-old (Corey Parker) whose life is turned upside down when his 16-year-old girlfriend announces that she is pregnant.

  • S15E04 The Gift of Amazing Grace

    • November 19, 1986
    • ABC (US)

    A teenager (Tempestt Bledsoe) is frustrated about being the only member of her gospel-singing family who cannot carry a tune in a barrel. So she writes a song about her problems, and soon discovers she's got musical talent after all, just not where she or anybody else suspected. Co-starring Della Reese.

  • S15E05 Supermom's Daughter

    • February 18, 1987
    • ABC (US)

  • S15E06 Divorced Kids' Blues

    • March 4, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    15-year-old struggles through the politics of divorce as his parents split up. Written by Donald Margulies.

  • S15E07 Class Act: A Teacher's Story

    • March 18, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    A wealthy businessman returns to teaching after conquering the stock market. He inherits a class of underachievers and sets out to make them winners. Starring Ralph Garman.

  • S15E08 Read Between the Lines

    • June 3, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    When an illiterate toy maker has the right to his invention stolen, his grandson and the Harlem Globetrotters team up to get them back.

Season 16

  • S16E01 Just a Regular Kid: An A.I.D.S. Story

    • September 9, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager Kevin Casio (Christian Hoff) discovers he has been infected with AIDS by a blood transfusion. Co-starring Florence Henderson and Ronny Cox (as Kevin's parents); featuring Lewis Arquette (as one of his doctors).

  • S16E02 The Kid Who Wouldn't Quit: The Brad Silverman Story

    • September 23, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    True story about a teen with Down syndrome who begins attending college classes.

  • S16E03 The Day My Kid Went Punk

    • October 23, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    Drama about high school student Terry Warner, who makes a startling transition from inconspicuous to exceptionally noticeable.

  • S16E04 Seasonal Differences

    • December 2, 1987
    • ABC (US)

    A Christmas Nativity scene is displayed at a high school, where it sparks debate and protest from the student body; this leads to the separation of church and state being examined, formally, and in depth. Co-starring Megan Follows.

  • S16E05 The Terrible Things My Mother Told Me

    • January 20, 1988
    • ABC (US)

    A 16-year-old girl named Julia, who longs for her mother's affections, receives nothing but verbal abuse in return.

  • S16E06 Daddy Can't Read

    • March 16, 1988
    • ABC (US)

    More than 23 million adults in the United States can't read. A young girl learns that her father is among the illiterate. This ABC Afterschool Special, while spotlighting the struggles and humiliation the illiterate face, focuses more on the daughter's efforts to help her father learn to read, and the power one has when overcoming this crippling problem.

Season 17

  • S17E01 Date Rape

    • September 15, 1988
    • ABC (US)

    A pretty girl named Samantha is raped by a high school heartthrob named Gary on their first date. This special relates the shame Samantha faces as she ponders reporting the crime and the consequences. Only when Gary is about to strike again does she consider notifying the police.

  • S17E02 A Family Again

    • October 15, 1988
    • ABC (US)

    A family must come to grips with the sudden death of their eldest daughter (Sherilyn Fenn). With Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker; also featuring Judith Barsi, Rob Stone, Ricki Lake, Rhea Perlman and Tonya Crowe. This special was originally shown in primetime under the name "ABC Family Theater". This episode was dedicated to Judith Barsi. [6]

  • S17E03 Tattle: When to Tell on a Friend

    • October 26, 1988
    • ABC (US)

    The longtime friendship of four friends is tested when two of them begin using cocaine.

  • S17E04 Taking a Stand

    • January 19, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    An entire neighborhood examines their feelings of racism, and take sides after the home of a black family is vandalized by a neighbor. Co-starring Dan Lauria, Betty Buckley and Michael Beach.

  • S17E05 Just Tipsy, Honey

    • March 16, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    Teenage girl is in total denial about her mother's drinking problem.

  • S17E06 The Cheats

    • March 30, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    Three girls steal the answers to their final exam. When the headmistress finds out, she gives those responsible one day to confess, before she expels and/or prosecutes everybody with any connection—no matter how remote—to the theft/cover-up.

  • S17E07 Torn Between Two Fathers

    • April 20, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    A teen-aged girl's mother dies, setting off a bitter custody dispute between the two most important men in her lives - her natural father and her stepfather.

Season 18

  • S18E01 My Dad Can't Be Crazy, Can He?

    • September 14, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    A 16-year-old high school student tries to cope with his schizophrenic father's behavior, which takes its toll on his schoolwork, activities and reputation.

  • S18E02 Private Affairs

    • October 26, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager Madeline (Kerri Green) discovers her father's affair with her mother's best friend. Will it tear her family apart? Co-starring Christopher Daniel Barnes, Michael Warren, Nancy Kulp, Lynne Thigpen, Wendy Brainard and Christopher Collet.

  • S18E03 A Town's Revenge

    • November 30, 1989
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager Eric Nelson (Keith Coogan) urges his town to farm without the use of pesticides, but many of those farmers are resistant to change.

  • S18E04 All That Glitters

    • January 25, 1990
    • ABC (US)

    Several high school students (including Marc Price) learn about ethics versus seductive power, when they start a cookie company as their class project. Co-starring William H. Macy.

  • S18E05 Over the Limit

    • March 22, 1990
    • ABC (US)

    High school student Matt Thompson (Keith Coogan) must decide whether or not to come forward with the truth about a tragic drunk-driving accident.

  • S18E06 The Perfect Date

    • April 19, 1990
    • ABC (US)

    Steven Sanders is ecstatic: his lucky shot propelled Central High into the basketball playoffs; he's lined up a date with the homecoming queen, and an ""intimate"" party afterward; and Dad is lending Steven his new car. Steven expects ""a night to remember,"" but it turns into a night he won't forget.

Season 19

  • S19E01 A Question About Sex

    • September 13, 1990
    • ABC (US)

    A high school senior, concerned about the epidemic of teen-aged pregnancy in her class, begins a campaign for sex education classes.

  • S19E02 Testing Dirty

    • October 18, 1990
    • ABC (US)

    Having never used illegal drugs in his life, model teenager Will Hatch (Christopher Daniel Barnes)—a competitive swimmer who also works as delivery boy for a medical clinic—is shocked when he tests positive for amphetamines (actually, it was medication for swimmer's ear). He's even more shocked when "speed" is found in his locker, which school security forcibly searches—in his absence—over the test results. Also shocked are: his mom (Alley Mills) and his girlfriend Carla (Lisa Dean Ryan), who believe in his innocence; swim-team coach Stanley Daniels (Chris Rich) and Will's high-school principal (Art LaFleur), who do not. It does not help that Stan is also Carla's father and Mrs. Hatch's fiancé; he even turns against his own daughter, when she's expelled for refusing to take the same drug test as Will. Adam Sandler has a cameo as a pusher.

  • S19E03 Stood Up!

    • December 6, 1990
    • ABC (US)

    A teen-aged girl attempts to get even with her boyfriend who stood her up on prom night by suing him for the cost of the dress. When the small claims court docket is full, she takes her case to a high school student court.

  • S19E04 The Less Than Perfect Daughter

    • January 24, 1991
    • ABC (US)

    The title character runs away from home and drops out of school to get away from her mother, who constantly belittles her.

  • S19E05 It's Only Rock & Roll

    • March 21, 1991
    • ABC (US)

    A teenage musician (Alison Bartlett) finds her song lyrics being scrutinized as too suggestive. Co-starring Davy Jones and Carole King.

Season 20

  • S20E01 In the Shadow of Love: A Teen AIDS Story

    • September 18, 1991
    • ABC (US)

    Two high school journalists write a story about a teen HIV support group, and are stunned by some of the stories they hear.

  • S20E02 Summer Stories: The Mall (1)

    • March 19, 1992
    • ABC (US)

    Three-part series about high school graduates contemplating their futures, while working at the mall. In "First Impressions", a girl has mixed sentiment about meeting her birth mother for the first time.

  • S20E03 Summer Stories: The Mall (2)

    • April 2, 1992
    • ABC (US)

    In "Second Chances", a girl struggles with mixed feelings about her widowed mother's upcoming remarriage.

  • S20E04 Summer Stories: The Mall (3)

    • April 16, 1992
    • ABC (US)

    In "Temptations" the gang prepares to go their separate ways as summer winds down. Meanwhile, a recovering teenage alcoholic struggles to stay sober when an old drinking buddy shows up. Co-starring Todd Graff.

Season 21

  • S21E01 Surviving a Break-up

    • October 1, 1992
    • ABC (US)

    Oprah Winfrey moderates a panel of teens, celebrities and experts to discuss surviving the end of a relationship.

  • S21E02 Shades of a Single Protein

    • January 28, 1993
    • ABC (US)

    Oprah Winfrey moderates a panel of teens discussing race relations in America.

  • S21E03 Learning Not to Hurt

    • March 18, 1993
    • ABC (US)

    Roz Abrams hosts a special report on youth violence and later moderates a panel discussion.

  • S21E04 Girlfriend

    • April 15, 1993
    • ABC (US)

    Two teenage girls, one black and one white, become friends while working on a mural to honor a black classmate killed by random gunfire.

Season 22

  • S22E01 Love Hurts

    • September 16, 1993
    • ABC (US)

    16-year-old Christie (Holly Shaw) turns to a support group when her boyfriend begins to physically abuse her.

  • S22E02 Montana Crossroads

    • December 9, 1993
    • ABC (US)

    Julia Morrow-Wheeler (Jacklyn Zeman) struggles with her daughter Samantha (Kellie Martin) wanting to leave the nest, and, at the same time, with her father Frank's (Don Murray) reluctance to enter a retirement home. Co-starring Michael Cutt.

  • S22E03 I Hate the Way I Look

    • March 21, 1994
    • ABC (US)

    Oprah Winfrey moderates a panel of teens, celebrities and experts to discuss the obsession teens have with their appearance.

  • S22E04 Jacqui's Dilemma

    • June 2, 1994
    • ABC (US)

    A pregnant 16-year-old girl examines her choices over what to do with her unborn baby amidst interviews with teens, parents, educators, counselors, social workers and doctors that amplify the issues.

Season 23

  • S23E01 Boys Will Be Boys: the Ali Cooper Story

    • September 15, 1994
    • ABC (US)

    Not to be confused with the same-named TV series, this chronicles the ordeal of a high-school marching band-member (Ami Dolenz) who becomes the victim of sexual harassment by several male classmates, including some close friends of her elder brother Steve (David "Viper" Lipper of Full House fame). Fortunately, he takes her side. Ali and her family decide upon suing the school, after Principal Pritchard (Steven Gilborn) cites the title excuse instead of doing anything to protect her. Directed by Joan Van Ark, who also portrays Ali and Steve's mom; Larry Wilcox plays their dad. Also starring Jeremy Jordan and Danny Cooksey.

  • S23E02 Magical Make-Over

    • December 8, 1994
    • ABC (US)

    Teenage girl desperately wants to be popular. One day an angel grants her that wish, by giving her a new image every day. But soon, she wishes she could just be herself.

  • S23E03 Bonnie Raitt Has Something to Talk About

    • March 16, 1995
    • ABC (US)

    Whoopi Goldberg interviews musician/singer Bonnie Raitt about her life, career and future plans.

  • S23E04 Notes for My Daughter

    • April 6, 1995
    • ABC (US)

    Teenage girl struggles with her mother's illness from breast cancer.

  • S23E05 Long Road Home

    • May 25, 1995
    • ABC (US)

    Teenager Hank Atkins (Micah Dyer) does not know what to think of his dad John's (Jameson Parker) new wife; for one thing, Amanda (Kristen Cloke) is young enough to be John's daughter. Thankfully, however, as Hank takes a long road trip alone with Amanda, the proverbial ice gets broken with a vengeance.

Season 24

  • S24E01 Fast Forward

    • September 21, 1995
    • ABC (US)

    A teenager is shown how being involved with booze will shape his life, ultimately, he will become a bombed-out derelict (Gerald McRaney).

  • S24E02 Positive: A Journey Into AIDS

    • December 7, 1995
    • ABC (US)

    Documentary following two actors from ABC's General Hospital (Kimberly McCullough, Michael Sutton) as they research and talk to people living with HIV and AIDS.

  • S24E03 Just Chill

    • January 24, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    After the senseless death of his twin brother, a teen drug pusher decides to seek revenge against all who have wronged him in the neighborhood.

  • S24E04 Educating Mom

    • March 14, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    Soccer mom Nancy Gallagher (Jane Kaczmarek) feels like a hypocrite when lecturing her kids Jason and Carly (Will Friedle, Lacey Chabert) about the importance of finishing one's education, since Jane herself is a high school dropout. She decides to practice what she's been preaching, by sharing classes with Jason. Co-starring Kevin Connolly.

  • S24E05 Daddy's Girl

    • April 18, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    Teenage girl, Alica (Elise Neal) meets up with her father for the first time in ten years, and yearns to reunite her family despite their opposition. Featuring Lauryn Hill as Alicia's friend, Malika.

  • S24E06 Through Thick & Thin

    • June 11, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    Twin sisters, one slim and one overweight, magically switch personalities, giving them a new appreciation of each other.

Season 25

  • S25E01 Too Soon for Jeff

    • September 12, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    In this adaptation of Marilyn Reynolds' novel, a high school senior's (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) future plans change abruptly when he learns his girlfriend is pregnant. Co-starring Ed Begley, Jr., Breck Wilson and Jessica Alba.

  • S25E02 Me and My Hormones

    • October 24, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    Three women, each from a different generation, deal with the various changes taking place in their lives. Starring Courtney Peldon, Marion Ross, Bruce Boxleitner, Sara Gilbert (whose real-life sister Melissa directed) and Chad Lowe.

  • S25E03 Teenage Confidential

    • December 5, 1996
    • ABC (US)

    Andrea Mattson's (Lauren Woodland) overprotective parents (Morgan Fairchild and Sam McMurray), out of excessive concern for their daughter's well-being, hire a private eye to shadow her every move. Predictably, this does much more harm than good. Co-starring Danny Cooksey.

  • S25E04 Miracle at Trapper Creek

    • January 23, 1997
    • ABC (US)

    Underprivileged and troubled teens join the Trapper Creek Jobs Corp in Montana to learn a trade, work in the wilderness and achieve a solid work ethic.

Additional Specials