Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: ABC Afternoon Special‘s “The Day My Kid Went Punk”

Tread Perilously‘s month of reactionary PSA television continues with an ABC Afterschool Special called “The Day My Kid Went Punk.”

When dweeby band nerd Terry Warren gets a summer job as a day camp counselor at a mountain resort, he takes the opportunity to rethink his image. Trading in his terrible glasses for contacts, Hagger slacks for black jeans, and collared shirts for a ripped-up tee, he goes full Sid Vicious — much to the displeasure of his employers and his parents. Will the Warrens assume he’s doing this for no good reason, or will they have a thoughtful discussion about going punk?

Erik and Justin immediately get lost discussing some of their favorite punk and post-punk acts. Gene Simmons and Ace Frehly make special appearances. Justin notes the Big Lib energy in the special. Erik reveals when he was done with The Cure. Jay Underwood gets surprise praise even as memories of The Boy Who Could Fly leads to a tangent. A Stranger Things discussion also breaks out. Justin recounts the meeting of Nick Cave and Nicolas Cage. A brief Geography Corner ponders where the well-to-do part of the Valley was in The Karate Kid, and Terry’s fashion choices get critiqued.

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