"A Matter of Time (1981)
A young Rob Lowe plays a supporting role in this Emmy Award-winning ABC After School Special. The main focus, however, is on high-school senior Lisl Gilbert (Karlene Crockett), who must reconcile herself to her mother's terminal cancer. In the agonizing months that follow the initial prognosis of her mom's illness, Lisl is forced to draw upon the inner strength and resourcefulness that she never knew she had.

"First Step (1981)
This is one of a handful of ABC After School Special presentations produced to heighten awareness of Ala-Teen, an organization for the teenaged children of alcoholics. Although 16-year-old Cindy (Amanda Wyss) is all too aware that her mom is a problem drinker, the girl refuses to admit the fact and is violently opposed to joining Ala-Teen. But after her inebriated mom's shameful public behavior on prom night, Cindy realizes that something must be done — and fast. Produced by Martin Tahse, himself the son of an alcoholic father, the Emmy Award-winning First Step was originally titled She Drinks a Little.

"Tough Girl (1981)
Streetwise teenager Renie Lake (Karin Argoud) lands in juvenile hall charged with theft and drug dealing. Remanded to the custody of her father Russell (Lin McCarthy), Renie is ordered to move into the suburban home of Russell, his second wife Marlene (Bibi Besch), and her stepdaughter Gretchen (Kristina Sorenson). The embittered and resentful Renie refuses to warm up to her new family and surroundings until she is drawn out of her selfish (and self-pitying) shell via her friendship with a hearing-impaired fellow high-school student. This ABC After School Special is based on a novel by Barbara Morgenroth.