It ’s a tear - yanker , and it still holds up today .
Since post-World War II, TV shows have been a signature in family homes and an ideal form of escapism. But even the funniest shows have tackled serious topics; some do it so well that it leaves viewers cheering on how well their favorite show handled a heavy subject.
Here are 19 TV shows that handled heavy topics really, really well:
apparently , major spoilers ahead , friend ! Also , this mail service includes topics of accelerator violence , addiction , domestic ill-treatment , force used by police , and racism .
1.Scrubsintroduces a patient who refuses treatment, and the doctor must accept his patient’s decision and wishes.
2.Black-ishdoesn’t flinch at the topic of police brutality and spotlights how Black parents have to raise their children in a rigged society.
3.Sesame Streetacknowledges the death of Mr. Hooper.
4.Growing Painsdeals with both the suddenness of death and the dangers of drunk driving.
5.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airspotlights the denial of racism through Carlton’s eyes.
6.Full Houseshows Stephanie learning that her friend is abused by his father.
7.InGlee,Kurt’s father reacts to him coming out in a flawed but realistic way.
8.Punky, inPunky Brewster,witnesses the Challenger disaster, and the fallout is heartbreaking.
9.ADegrassi: The Next Generationepisode tackles a woman’s right to choose an abortion.
10.Mary Tyler Moore Showdeals with anti-semitism.
11.The Jeffersonsteaches about racism the only way the show knows how…through laughs.
12.8 Simple Ruleshandles the sudden death of leading star, John Ritter, by showing the cast grieve in different ways.
13.The Facts of Lifeintroduces Cousin Geri, a character with a visible disability, and although she tells jokes, she isn’t one.
14.The Golden Girlstackles anti-gayness in a shocking way.
15.Maudetalks about abortion in a pre-Roe v. Wade world.
16.Diff’rent Strokesairs an uncomfortable episode with the show’s young boys interacting with a local pedophile.
17.That’s So Ravendeals with body image issues.
18.Boy Meets Worldhighlights Shawn’s family, who has a history of alcoholism.
19.And finally,One Tree Hilldeals with a school shooting, and it’s a devastating watch.
Did I miss any? Do you believe any of the moments that I covered didn’t handle it well? How about a different moment from one of these shows? Please comment below and let me know.
TheNational Alliance on Mental Illnesshelpline is 1 - 888 - 950 - 6264 ( NAMI ) and provides information and referral services;GoodTherapy.orgis an tie-up of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to foreshorten harm in therapy .
If you are concerned that a child is go through or may be in peril of revilement , you may call or text theNational Child Abuse Hotlineat 1 - 800 - 422 - 2253 ( 4.A.CHILD ) ; serving can be cater in over 140 speech .
If you or someone you know has experienced anti - LGBTQ force or harassment , you’re able to contact theNational Coalition of Anti - Violence Programshotline at 1 - 212 - 714 - 1141 .
