Punky Brewster

To be honest like many others, I actually watched the cartoon as a kid first before I even KNEW that it was a live action TV show when they put it on the Family Channel. (Back before Fox bought it and then sold it to ABC)

When I finally got to see the live action show I figured it was based on the cartoon. Not that it mattered, I liked this much better. I don't think I really liked Glomer actually. Though when I saw the live version the first time I was curious as to where he was and relieved he wasn't there.

I would watch this religiously when it was on the Family Channel after school. This was a couple years after they stopped syndicating Small Wonder and it filled the void left by that loss.

I'm amazed at how Soleil Moon Frye turned out. She was a cute child who grew into a beautiful woman. She hardly looks the same!

She was on VH1's "I Love the 80's" (hich reminds me, I really do love the 80's.) last year and I finally caught it last month. When I saw her as an interviewee and read the little caption at the bottom and it said who she was, I was like, "Get out of here. That's her?" She was on an episode of Saved by the Bell a while ago (Ok, so it was over 10 years ago.) as Screech's gold digger girlfriend. (Oddly enough, it's not credited on IMDb.) and she still looked like she did as a kid. Amazing.

The father figure, George Gaynes, was perfect in his role.

If they put it on DVD, I would probably think about buying it, but I'd much rather take it one at a time on Nick at Nite. Now. If only they'd pick it up.

I really enjoyed the show! I was upset when they canceled the show and didn't give us a warning but that's o.k. I just wish they would show reruns on cable! I mean I wanted to be and dress just like her. Her style, clothes and attitude was great I mean I was young but I knew what was going on. My favorite episode was when her friend was introduced to punky and they became the best of friends I thought that episode was so cool! I wondered where she purchased her purple vest I wanted one so badly but I couldn't get one my moms kept telling no I couldn't get one so I tried to make one out of old clothes and It turned out o.k. but It wasn't better than Punky.I wish that she would make a come back in the future and show some one some of her best television shows.

"Punky Brewster", while primarily geared to children, was an entertaining staple to the traditional 80's sitcom offerings. Centered around a young orphan and her older foster father, the show featured laughs, tears, lessons in life, and 30 minutes for watchers to kick back their feet.

While Soliel Moon Frye was the ultimate carrier of this show, the supporting cast, in my opinion were underrated....a lot of strong talent and great chemistry evident. The funny jabs between Betty and Henry was a throwback to the "Jefferson's" George and Florence. (Interesting to note, Marla Gibbs and Susie Garrett are sisters). Alan was a funny child actor, playing the roll of the goofy pre-teen boy possibly just beginning to discover girls (ahead of his fellow boy classmates) and playing along with them as friends and trying to entertain them with his humor. Margaux was amusing as well, with her sassy yet funny views on the wealthy lifestyle (Her facial expressions were hilarious, as were some of her over the top party dresses and comments on various situations...her arrival via helicopter to summer camp took the cake). And Cherie...ever the sidekick...charming and reliable. During an episode where she finally came to terms with the death of her parents,her dramatic performance demonstrated how strong a child actress she really was, conveying emotions and playing the part with every everything she had. I am amazed she was not seen in larger rolls after this show.

In general, this was a fun show, and despite being a kids production, it featured some talented players who managed to catch the attention of at least this viewer.

"Punky Brewster" was a show that first focused on important values for growing up like honor and obedience and being kind and respectful towards yourself and others (even if they are different from you). I remember watching the episode where Brandon was hit by a car because Henry scolded him for eating his stamps and Punky and Henry had to go to the vet. I cried because it was sad. I mean would you want to see YOUR dog hit by a car? OK moving on. There was also an episode where Allen made fun of the school janitor because she would sometimes get caught up working and pretend to be playing the violin with the feather duster. That episode was about how to accept others for who and what they are, even if they are mentally challenged. There were a lot of good episodes in this series, and I am really taken aback that some people think otherwise. I was born in 1982 myself, and grew up watching "Punky Brewster" and learned about morals and values. We had good TV shows back then. True, some TV shows/cartoons nowadays are good and they try to teach kids that it's OK to be different and that it's OK to have friends who ARE different. Also someone commented on the show was somehow fading when Punky became a preteen? Of course the producers and writers are going to focus around Soleil becoming a preteen and teen. Of course, in movies we see now, actors who are 25 portray characters who are 18 and 19, but back in the 80's, TV shows and movies were true to the decade and true to the actors who played them (at least the shows *I* watched). TV shows often have to grow and develop new plots and storylines as the actors get older because who would want to see a pre-teen Punky still pretending to play cops and robbers when she was 6 or 7? Nobody would tune in then. I could comment more about this and other shows and to the people who refuse to open their eyes and narrow minds, but I'd be here all night.

I posted the first comment for Punky Brewster when I was at least 10. Back then I missed the show more than I do now, though it would be cool to see it again. I exaggerated when I called this Soleil Moon Frye's best, because the only thing I've seen her in besides this is an episode of the Wonder Years (though if ever see her in Sabrina reruns, maybe that'll change). Anyway, Punky was a great show, especially for young kids who wanted a positive role model. My favorite episode has to be the "Miss Adorable" one. I watched that tape of it so much it isn't even in good condition anymore. If it comes back, maybe I'll tape it. For now, I have the memories (and the theme song, for that matter) in my head.