after school special
Preachy youth drama
A made-for-TV movie or episode, typically from the 1970s–90s, addressing social issues facing young people—drugs, peer pressure, teen pregnancy—with earnest moralism and tidy resolutions.
The term now describes anything with heavy-handed messaging or overwrought drama: That intervention felt like an after school special.
Often used dismissively for preachy or simplistic treatments of serious topics.
Therapeutic chemical compounds
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- teen pregnancyYouth becoming a parent
eating disorders · divorce · abuse · stranger danger · gangs · runaways · suicide prevention · self-esteem
Broadcast viewing device
- ABCFirst three letters
- CBSMajor television and radio network
- NBCAmerican television network
- 1970sFourth decade, twentieth century
1980s · PSA · syndicated · daytime · broadcast · episode · network · programming
Excessively moralizing in tone
- didacticIntended to instruct
- lessonUnit of teaching
- messageTransmitted communication
- cautionaryServing as warning
wholesome · edifying · sermonizing · heavy-handed · teachable moment · moral · warning · consequence
Sensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
- tearjerkerEmotionally manipulative entertainment
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
resolution · conflict · protagonist · crisis · intervention · confrontation · revelation · confession
drugs
Therapeutic chemical compounds
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
teen pregnancy · eating disorders · divorce · abuse · stranger danger · gangs · runaways · suicide prevention · self-esteem · discrimination
television
Broadcast viewing device
1970s · 1980s · PSA · syndicated · daytime · broadcast · episode · network · programming · made-for-TV
preachy
Excessively moralizing in tone
cautionary · wholesome · edifying · sermonizing · heavy-handed · teachable moment · moral · warning · consequence · redemption
melodrama
Sensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- overwroughtExcessively emotional or elaborate
- tearjerkerEmotionally manipulative entertainment
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
climax · resolution · conflict · protagonist · crisis · intervention · confrontation · revelation · confession · breakthrough
- educational dramadocudrama, training film, safety video, instructional video, literacy program
after school specialprestige drama
Ambitious, critically acclaimed series
literary fiction · The Wire · Breaking Bad · The Sopranos · show don't tell
after school specialR-rated
Film classification limiting viewership
premium cable · NC-17 · explicit content · adults-only · late-night television
after school specialart for art's sake
Intrinsic value of creation
ironic detachment · David Lynch · Quentin Tarantino · punk rock · counterculture
after, school, schools, schooled, schooling, special, specials, specially, specialty