what annoying photo effect is this?

I also remember bits and pieces of the several dozen very special episodes of Blossom where the ambulance driving brother is having a really bad day and no one is allowed to laugh. It's kinda weird how some sitcoms would occasionally morph into wannabe 30 Something episodes several times a season.

Wasn't Tony a recovering drug addict? Maybe they thought that it would push him over the edge and drive him to use.

The episode I remember most is where Blossom got her period and her Dad was bad at talking about it and she was all sad she didn't have a mom. She imagined that Mrs. Huxtable crossed over in TV land and was her mom. She made her a cake on which the icing was a picture of internal lady parts and explains it all to Blossom.

The internet tells me that this was the pilot episode and starred Giovanni Ribisi.

Also: Blossom: Why is this happening to me?
Six: Because you're blossoming Blossom!

Tony was indeed a recovering alcoholic/druggie.
They used that as a launching pad for many a joke; Tony off hand mentioning some crazy thing he did in his wild days for a fast lol. always seemed sort of tasteless. WOAH.

one of the pictures in the girl's photo series says something about "whoa" in the title which is obviously a new clue as to her blossomness

ha a hha haa