"Very special episode" is an advertising term originally used in American television promos to refer to an episode of a sitcom or drama series which deals with a difficult or controversial social issue. The usage of the term peaked in the 1980s.
Usage
The term was generally used in reference to sitcoms as a way of highlighting that the normally lighthearted show would be dealing with a more serious topic. During these episodes, the laugh track was absent, or, in the alternative, the live studio audience present during the taping of the show rarely responded with laughter. Often a "very special episode" concerns a moral issue.
Diff'rent Strokes featured some very special episodes that involved child molestation, child pornography, pedophilia, hitchhiking, kidnapping, sexual assault, epileptic seizure, bullies, racism, bulimia, drunk driving and drug abuse.
The award-winning PBS animated children's program Arthur has had many very special episodes, which covered such subjects as divorce, the loss of a pet, cancer, dyslexia, asthma, head lice, and a two-part episode that was made in response to the September 11 attacks. After Hurricane Sandy, an episode titled "Shelter from the Storm" was aired, showing the characters dealing with a similar storm (Idina Menzel made a guest appearance as Brain's therapist).
Sometimes, as with the 1990s NBC sitcom Blossom, the network wanted to find a way to warn viewers that the upcoming episode would be about a serious issue without directly putting a "parental advisory" message.
Sesame Street has also covered serious subjects. The most famous of those discussed the death of Mr. Hooper in an episode that aired on Thanksgiving Day of 1983. In addition, Sesame Street covered such issues as: 9/11 when Elmo visited a fire station; a hospital stay, with Big Bird as the patient; and a hurricane visiting Sesame Street, with massive damage to Big Bird's nest.
The sitcom Seinfeld, famously "about nothing," was also diametrically opposed to very special episodes. The on-set motto among writers and cast was reportedly "No hugging, no learning." One writer commented, "There will never be an advertisement for 'a very special episode' of Seinfeld, for its humor is of a more practical and parodic nature." In fact, in one scene during the episode "The Secret Code", Kramer tells Jerry, "Well, at least you learned something." Jerry replies, "No, I didn't."
The Fox series Family Guy sparked some controversy when the episode "Screams of Silence: The Story of Brenda Q" aired, as it treats spousal abuse and domestic violence in a serious nature, which is unusual for the series.