Afterschool Specials & Very Special Episodes
A trivia game look at the wave of educational, informative, and emotional TV specials that tackled important social issues.
15 questions · Published June 6, 2022
Trivia questions (5 of 15)
- Multiple Choice
1. Between 1972 and 1997, what network aired 156 episodes in the "Afterschool Special" anthology series?
ABC typically aired "Afterschool Specials" in the late afternoon. The sometimes controversial series dealt with dramatic themes of interest to children, teenagers, and their parents.
- Multiple Choice
2. What popular 1980s sitcom featured the award-winning special episode "A, My Name is Alex"?
Co-written by series creator Gary David Goldberg, "A, My Name is Alex" was a 1987 episode of "Family Ties" (1982-1989) that dealt with survivor's guilt. When his childhood friend dies in a car accident, Alex finds himself unable to cope with feelings of remorse and the belief that, had he been a better friend, he would have been in the car too.
- Multiple Choice
3. What famous writer was profiled using sketches, readings, and music in one of the first "Afterschool Specials" in January 1973?
FUN FACT
The 1973 episode, titled "William: The Life, Works, and Times of William Shakespeare," was co-written by future Oscar winners James Ivory and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.
- Multiple Choice
4. Who is this animated character, star of numerous public service announcements following his debut in a 1973 "Afterschool Special?"
Representing human's innate sense of time, Timer first appeared in the 1973 Afterschool Special "The Incredible, Indelible, Magical, Physical Mystery Trip," before being spun off into "Time for Timer," a series of public service announcements.
- Multiple Choice
5. The co-creator of popular 1990s sitcom ____________ opposed "very special" episodes, citing his show's motto: "No hugging, no learning."
Larry David, who co-created "Seinfeld" with comedian Jerry Seinfeld, felt that a "show about nothing" shouldn't have a message.
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