The Specials
Common Sense says
- OWN
- Reality TV
- 2014
Parents say
Kids say
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The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Specials is a Webby Award-winning reality series set in the home of five young adults with varying degrees of intellectual disabilities. Narrated entirely by the housemates -- four of whom have Down syndrome and one who has Williams syndrome -- the show has garnered praise for its honest and inspiring portrayal of everyday life with special needs. Cameras follow the cast members everywhere, from work to nights on the town (which sometimes involve drinking or smoking), capturing moments of joy and sadness. Each person's unique struggles are put on display, but the result never feels intrusive or sensationalist; instead it's a heartwarming discourse on the power of friendship and the importance of respecting diversity. Expect to see some physical affection (kissing, hand-holding, and hugging) between partners and to hear terms such as "sexy" and euphemisms such as "willy" in casual conversation.
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What's the story?
THE SPECIALS follows five young adults with intellectual disabilities who share a home in Brighton, England. There's Hilly, whose desire to live with her friends prompted her parents, Dafydd and Carol, to open a home and make her dream a reality. Lucy, the oldest housemate and the only one who's not a college student, holds down a full-time job at a local business. Her former boyfriend, Sam, has high hopes for finding a lasting relationship but in the meantime has fun just seeking it out. Lewis and Megan round out the group, starting the series as boyfriend and girlfriend but eventually settling on just being friends. The housemates' special needs are the result of Down syndrome, with the exception of Lewis, who has Williams syndrome.
Is it any good?
These 10-minute episodes are intimate glimpses of the ups and downs of the cast members' lives. By speaking entirely in the voice of the Specials, who rotate narrative responsibilities from one episode to the next in addition to appearing on-camera, the show forces viewers to adjust to the cast members' reality rather than relying on their own preconceptions about living with special needs. It's a remarkable and welcome change of pace from how intellectual disabilities often are portrayed on-screen, as the exception rather than the rule.
Even more remarkable is how easy it is to become engrossed in these inspiring characters' lives, rooting for their success and sympathizing with their trials. It makes for fantastic entertainment even as it strives to celebrate both diversity and the characters' uniqueness. The Specials is an excellent example of the value of purposeful reality TV that broadens horizons and educates viewers while escaping the sensationalist content that too often marks this genre. Such social value makes it well worth families' time.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can compare the characters' lives with their own. Are their goals reflective of yours? Do their relationships on The Specials influence them in a similar way? What unique challenges do they face, and how do they cope with them?
Does this series feel exploitative in any way? How does it compare to other reality series similar to it? Kids: Why are viewers drawn to shows that sensationalize people's lives? Can anything be learned from that kind of entertainment?
Is diversity always a strength? How has our society evolved to better embrace the qualities that make each of us unique? What sets your kids apart from their peers? Do they feel pressure to fit in or conform to someone else's standards?
How does The Specials promote compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
TV details
- Premiere date: September 7, 2014
- Network: OWN
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character strengths: Compassion, Empathy
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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