ABC Afterschool Special

Right now you can watch ABC Afterschool Special on streaming — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. 25 seasons is a serious commitment, but one that pays off episode after episode. With 15 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. The ensemble never overplays its hand. There is no real reason to keep putting it off.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, ABC Afterschool Special earns its spot. The writing in ABC Afterschool Special treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. 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. Across 25 seasons (1972–1997), it never lost the thread that made it worth starting. ABC Afterschool Special resists tidy resolutions in a way that respects how messy real consequences actually are. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone looking for storytelling that takes its characters seriously, ABC Afterschool Special delivers. Viewers who responded to Tales of the Unexpected will find a lot to like here too. The 25-season run rewards the patience it asks of you. The performances stay controlled even in the biggest moments. The kind of drama that stays with you well after the finale.

ABC Afterschool Special wrapped up in 1997, created by Guy Fraumeni — and 25 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.