after-school special
Didactic youth programming
An after-school special was a type of television movie aired in the afternoon, aimed at young viewers and addressing serious issues like drug use, bullying, or teen pregnancy—often with heavy-handed moralizing and tidy resolutions.
The term now serves as shorthand for anything preachy or simplistically earnest: That speech was a total after-school special.
Sensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- cautionary taleStory illustrating consequences
- moral dilemmaChoice testing one's values
- very special episodeSitcom addressing serious topic
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
tearjerker · emotional · overwrought · heavy-handed · preachy · sentimental · earnest · climax
Influence from one's equals
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- drug abuseHarmful use of drugs
- underage drinkingAlcohol use by minors
- teen pregnancyYouth becoming a parent
eating disorder · stranger danger · self-esteem · consequences · values · ethics · guidance · responsibility
Person aged thirteen-nineteen
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- pubertySexual development stage
- identityWho someone is
rebellion · first love · friendship · fitting in · cliques · homework · popularity · growing pains
Broadcast viewing device
- networkInterconnected system
- daytimeSunlit portion of day
- syndicationMulti-outlet content distribution
- episodeSerialized content unit
series · family-friendly · educational programming · public service · ratings · timeslot · rerun · made-for-TV
melodrama
Sensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- cautionary taleStory illustrating consequences
- moral dilemmaChoice testing one's values
- very special episodeSitcom addressing serious topic
heartfelt · tearjerker · emotional · overwrought · heavy-handed · preachy · sentimental · earnest · climax · resolution
peer pressure
Influence from one's equals
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- drug abuseHarmful use of drugs
- underage drinkingAlcohol use by minors
teen pregnancy · eating disorder · stranger danger · self-esteem · consequences · values · ethics · guidance · responsibility · honesty
teenager
Person aged thirteen-nineteen
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- pubertySexual development stage
identity · rebellion · first love · friendship · fitting in · cliques · homework · popularity · growing pains · young adult
television
Broadcast viewing device
- networkInterconnected system
- daytimeSunlit portion of day
- syndicationMulti-outlet content distribution
episode · series · family-friendly · educational programming · public service · ratings · timeslot · rerun · made-for-TV · low-budget
- TV moviesTV movie, TV movies, telefilms, made-for-TV, telefilm
after-school specialunderstated
Deliberately minimized in expression
literary fiction · ambiguous ending · character study · art film · sophisticated
after-school specialdark comedy
Comedy treating grim topics lightly
black humor · ironic detachment · deadpan · sardonic · absurdist
after, school, schools, schooled, schooling, schoolhouse, preschool, afterschool, aftermath