A 1983 two-part episode of the sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" is about child molestation. It's clear from both a message delivered by Conrad Bain, who played the father in the series, and the content of the show itself, that it was intended as a "public service" to educate people on child molestation.
While the show is educational in a sense, it can't be forgotten that Hollywood protects star pedophiles and many child stars have been abused and exploited. So, the motive for this show being done have to be suspect.
In the episode, the character played by Gary Coleman, Arnold Drummond, and a friend of his, are groomed by a child molester, played by actor Gordon Jump, who gives them ice cream and pizza to lure them in, and then wine. The grooming experiences are presented in a lot of detail, and seem to accurately portray how a molester would use twisted logic and deception to gradually draw children in. It's disturbing to watch.
I was trying to think of some of the social context for why this show would be made, and perhaps it was due to high-profile cases of child abductions and murders like those of Adam Walsh, Johnny Gosch, and the Atlanta child murders in the prior year or two. By doing such a show, Hollywood be putting itself in the "crusader" role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYpVGaL81VQ
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mrohm ago
This was pretty common in the 80s. We called them "Very Special Episodes," and most sitcoms had some, relating to child abuse, drugs, safe sex, homelessness, etc. It was common in some cartoons, too, like He Man and GI Joe. Those days are long gone.
Afterschool Specials covered similar ground.
They're now considered laughable and dated. They kind of WERE but they're much better than the degeneracy now.
l23r ago
I think they stopped using them because they realized they didn't work. Kinda like how DARE often gets kids curious about drugs they otherwise wouldn't have known, or when they smoke weed and nothing bad happens they think everything they were told about them - like Crack is Wack - is a lie.
VIrginiaPerson ago
I would not say they didn't work. I was taken out of school around the time social services started visiting my house regularly (and doing nothing). I was isolated from normal sources of healthy influence. Very Special Episodes and Public Service Announcements helped me to understand that the behavior of the adults around me was wrong. I am a law abiding citizen today; a non-drinker who has never used drugs. I contribute to society and take care of my family. I attribute this in large part to heavy TV watching and book reading as a child.