very special episode

[ver-ee spesh-uhl ep-uh-sohd]

noun

1. an episode of a television series that deals with a serious issue, usually something controversial or socially difficult to talk about.

   When I’m unwinding with a favorite sitcom from the 80s, the last thing I want to see is a very special episode about teenage alcoholism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of very special episode¹

First recorded in 1940–45 as a term used in art history; its current sense first appeared in 1980–85 and was used in television program advertising

Example Sentences

I want feathered hats, scraping the “Call Her Daddy” studio ceilings, and Terry Gross counting the number of sequins on a bodysuit during a very special episode of “Fresh Air.”

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But I can also imagine a Very Special Episode where Rory and Lorelai change grandma’s ideas about gender over a roast lamb one Friday night.

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At no point is Desiree’s identity presented in a way that clunks with “very special episode” messaging or talking points.

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Crossovers are ratings stunts – there’s no getting around that – and sometimes they can ruin a season's flow with their “Very Special Episode” standalone feel.

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Asking whether the man who ripped Jimmy’s life apart merits forgiveness, though, isn’t an exercise engaged in on TV beyond the occasional very special episode.

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