7 Child Stars Who Ruled The Afterschool Specials Of Our Youth
After-school specials were a staple of American television in the late 1970s and 1980s. These were TV shows that were specifically targeted towards children and teenagers, and typically aired during the hours immediately following the end of the school day. They tackled a wide range of issues that were relevant to young people, from drug abuse to peer pressure to sexual harassment. One of the defining features of after-school specials was the use of child stars in lead roles. In this article, we will take a look at 7 child stars who ruled the after-school specials of our youth.
Scott Baio
Scott Baio rose to fame in the late 1970s with his role as Chachi on the hit TV show Happy Days. He also appeared in several after-school specials, including “Stoned” and “All the Kids Do It,” both of which dealt with the dangers of drug use.
Melissa Sue Anderson
Melissa Sue Anderson is best known for her role as Mary Ingalls on the popular TV show Little House on the Prairie. She appeared in several after-school specials, including “First Step,” which dealt with the issue of alcoholism.
Tracey Gold
Tracey Gold is perhaps best known for her role as Carol Seaver on the hit TV show Growing Pains. She appeared in several after-school specials, including “The Almost Royal Family,” which dealt with the issue of peer pressure.
Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe first gained fame in the 1980s with his roles in the films The Outsiders and St. Elmo’s Fire. He also appeared in several after-school specials, including “Schoolboy Father,” which dealt with the issue of teenage pregnancy.
Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt is a prolific actress who has appeared in numerous TV shows and films. In the 1980s, she appeared in several after-school specials, including “The Best Little Girl in the World,” which dealt with the issue of eating disorders.
Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster is a two-time Academy Award winner who began her career as a child actor. In the 1970s, she appeared in several after-school specials, including “Satan’s School for Girls,” which dealt with the issue of cults.
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro is best known for his role as Carlton Banks on the hit TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He appeared in several after-school specials, including “The Kid Who Loved Christmas,” which dealt with the issue of homelessness.
These child stars not only entertained us with their performances, but they also helped us learn important lessons about life. After-school specials were a unique and valuable form of television that played an important role in shaping the attitudes and beliefs of young people in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, these shows may seem dated, but their messages still resonate with viewers of all ages.