ABC Afterschool Special 1972

Overview

ABC Afterschool Special is an American anthology television series that aired on the ABC network. Created by Guy Fraumeni, the program premiered on October 4, 1972, and concluded its run on January 23, 1997. The series was typically scheduled for broadcast during the late afternoon on weekdays. As a teen drama anthology, the show featured dramatically presented situations designed to be of interest to children and teenagers. Many of these episodes focused on controversial social issues of the day, including substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and illiteracy. The anthology format allowed for diverse storytelling approaches, with several episodes presented as documentaries or in animated form. Throughout its multi-decade run, the series utilized a variety of performers, such as Lance Kerwin, Samaria Graham, Mara Hobel, and Alexa Kenin, to explore these complex subjects. The program remains a notable example of television content directed toward younger audiences during the late twentieth century.