ABC AFTERSCHOOL SPECIALS: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ASHAMED OF YOUR PARENTS? (TV)

Summary

One in this series of dramas intended for young audiences. In this installment, teenager Fran Davies finishes her last day of school before vacation and chats with her friend Sarah about her plans to attend her cousin Brenda's big annual summer party in Oceanview. Upon arriving home, she learns that her recently laid-off father has landed a summer position in Peeksville and is taking her brother Steve along, and that her mother has taken a job as a cook for the Fairchilds, her aunt and uncle's wealthy neighbors. Fran is embarrassed and vents her feelings to Sarah, though her father tells her that her mother's choice is "gutsy" and deserves her support. They soon depart for Oceanview, and Brenda tells Fran that Andrea Fairchild, the daughter, is an unlikable snob, and urges Fran to spend her summer with her and her friends instead. They arrive at the Fairchild home and as Andrea shyly gives Fran a tour, Fran notices that they share a love of mystery novels, though is irked to see that she can afford all the latest hardbacks as well as an elegant carousel horse, a present from her stepfather. Mrs. Davies encourages Fran to adjust to the situation and befriend Andrea, and Fran is further annoyed when one of Brenda's friends refers to her mother's "slaving" for the Fairchilds. The girls gossip about the spoiled Andrea and then run into her at a shop, and Fran appears conflicted when they leave her behind without an invitation to accompany them to the beach.

Matters grow worse when Fran blunders into one of the Fairchilds' parties and causes a spill, though Mrs. Davies assures her that she is still the same person and has not "lowered herself" by taking the job. At the beach, Fran takes offense when another girl suggests that Andrea could loan Fran, her "servant," a fancy outfit to wear to Brenda's party, and she storms off. Mrs. Davies urges her to make things right with her cousin, and Andrea soon invites her to her country club, where they spend a slightly uncomfortable afternoon swimming together. Fran is thrilled when her father and brother come to visit, though Andrea seems hurt by her eagerness to escape the house. Later, Andrea takes Fran's forgotten lunch to her at the beach, and they bond as they discuss their fathers' current absences from their lives. Fran is insulted when Andrea asks if she intends to work Mrs. Fairchild's upcoming party, but Andrea clarifies that she herself intends to serve hors d'oeuvres and hopes that they can do so together for fun. Brenda comes to the house to apologize, but then reveals that her party is now the same day as the Fairchilds' event. When Fran protests that she gave her word about working with Andrea, Brenda challenges her to choose between her cousin and her new "stuck-up snob" of a friend.

Mrs. Davies tells Fran to trust her instincts in making her choice, and when Fran asks to borrow a dress from Andrea for her party, Andrea admits that her nice things are just "bribes" from her stepfather. As they serve food together, Andrea accidentally spills on her mother and her stepfather angrily orders her upstairs. Fran finds her hiding in the attic and Andrea tells her that she doubts her stepfather's love for her, sad that her real father has remarried and moved away. Fran comforts her and apologizes for listening to the unkind gossip, having realized that she is a genuinely nice person. Later, Brenda and Fran make up and Fran urges her to invite Andrea to her party next time, explaining that she only seemed standoffish because of her shyness and her strict parents. Andrea offers Fran the carousel horse as a parting gift, but Fran asks her to come and visit instead, wanting to introduce her to Sarah, and the two part affectionately. Mrs. Davies then tells Fran that one of the party guests intends to aid her in starting her own catering company, but Fran assures her that she will support her mother's career choices either way. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: March 22, 1983 4:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:45:33
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:04093
• GENRE: Drama
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Teenagers; Friendship
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1972-1997
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
  • TV - Promos - "The Magic Planet"

CREDITS

• Diane Asselin … Producer
• Paul Asselin … Producer
• Harry Harris … Director
• Chris Manheim … Writer
• Ken Lauber … Music by
• Marion Ross … Cast, Mrs. Davies
• Jennifer Jason Leigh … Cast, Andrea Fairchild
• Carol Lawrence … Cast, Mrs. Fairchild
• James Karen … Cast, Mr. Fairchild
• Don Billett … Cast, Mr. Davies
• Julie Piekarski … Cast, Sarah
• Kari Michaelsen … Cast, Fran Davies
• Shawn Schepps … Cast, Eva Marie
• Hallie Todd … Cast, Brenda
• TaRonce Allen … Cast, Marcia
• Gail Landry … Cast, Aunt Jessie
• Tim Maier … Cast, Steve
• Charles Macaulay … Cast, Man at Party
• Megan Wyss … Cast, Lisa