ABC Afterschool Special
ABC Afterschool Special is an American anthology television series that aired on ABC from October 4, 1972, to January 23, 1997, usually in the late afternoon on weekdays. Most episodes were dramatically presented situations, often controversial, of interest to children and teenagers. Several episodes were either in animated form or presented as documentaries. Topics included illiteracy, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. The series won 51 Daytime Emmy Awards and four Peabody Awards during its 25-year run.
Maggie (Allison Smith), Sandy (Amy Benedict), Linda (Marisol Rodriguez), and Colleen (Tammy Lauren) have been an inseparable foursome since grammar school. Now in the 11th grade, all four are on their school's medley/relay swim team, with a shot at the state finals. But cocaine use is seriously jeopardizing their performance. Casually introduced to cocaine by Colleen, Sandy is pressured into trying the drug, although Maggie and Linda decline. The negative effect on their swimming is quickly noticeable; worse, personality changes are leading to increasingly bizarre behavior. Maggie feels especially pressured. Colleen steals money from her father's ice cream store, which costs Maggie her job there. She knows Colleen stole the money, but hesitates to "break the code" against blowing the proverbial whistle. After unsuccessfully confronting Sandy and Colleen about their drug problem, Maggie and Linda debate whether or not to tell the coach of their swim team; neither is sure about the ethics of "squealing" in a situation like this one. Then, at the afterschool play-group which Colleen and Sandy run, a toddler almost drowns in the backyard swimming pool. The tykes have been left unattended, while Sandy and Colleen are on the phone making a drug deal.
Season 6 (1977–78)
Three orphans (portrayed by Kristy McNichol, Johnny Doran and Sparky Marcus) from different backgrounds find themselves living with the same foster parents.[a]
In 1993, TV Guide named the series the best kids' show of the 1980s.
