Ep 14. Stop the Presses

Smart Guy is a popular American sitcom that aired for three seasons from 1997 to 1999. It revolves around the life of T.J. Henderson, who is a child prodigy, and his family. In season 2 episode 14, titled "Stop the Presses," T.J. finds himself in a predicament when his school newspaper publishes an article that could potentially harm his popularity.

As the episode opens, we see T.J. in his room, working on an article for the school newspaper. He is excited to be given the opportunity to write an article, and he wants it to be perfect. The topic he chooses is based on a recent school assembly that he had attended, which was about the dangers of drugs. T.J. decides to write an article about drug addiction, hoping to create awareness about the issue in his school.

The article is well-written, and T.J. is proud of it. However, his excitement turns to concern when he realizes that the article could potentially harm his popularity at school. He worries that his peers might think that he is a "nerd" or that he is "preachy" because of the article. T.J. decides to change the topic of the article and writes a fluff piece about the school's upcoming talent show instead.

The school newspaper is printed, and T.J. picks up a copy at the school library. He is disappointed to see that his article about drug addiction has been replaced with the fluff piece. T.J. confronts the editor of the school newspaper, who tells him that the article was changed because it was "too heavy" for a school newspaper. T.J. is crushed that his voice has been silenced, and he decides to take matters into his own hands.

T.J. decides to print his article himself and distribute it around the school. He spends a lot of time photocopying the article and even sets up a table in the school hallway to distribute them. However, the plan backfires when the school principal catches him and confiscates the copies. T.J. is reprimanded for his actions, and he is warned that he could be suspended if he does anything like that again.

The episode concludes with T.J. feeling defeated. He is disappointed that he wasn't able to get his message out to the school, but he realizes that he will keep trying. The episode ends on a hopeful note as T.J. receives support from his family and friends. His sister Yvette even suggests that he start his own newspaper to have more control over what is published.

Overall, "Stop the Presses" is an episode that deals with themes of censorship, freedom of speech, and the power of the media. It is a thought-provoking episode that raises important questions about the role of newspapers in schools and the responsibility of student journalists. The episode showcases T.J.'s determination and willingness to stand up for what he believes in, even when the odds are against him. It is a great installment in the Smart Guy series, and it is sure to leave a lasting impact on viewers.