Punky Brewster

Hi everyone!

I recently found and watched the entire four seasons of my favorite childhood TV show, Punky Brewster. Man, did that bring back some memories! I wanted to be Punky when I was younger. I loved her clothes, I loved how funny and pretty she was. She always seemed to do the right thing too. Well, at least by the end of the episode.

Punky and Brandon.
Image from eonline.com, copyright NBC.

If you've never watched Punky Brewster, you may be wondering what it's all about. It is about a little girl named Penelope "Punky" Brewster (bet you didn't see that one coming) who ends up on her own because her father left years before and her mom left her at a grocery store. Punky (played by Soleil Moon Frye), along with her puppy, Brandon, happen upon an abandoned apartment where they are eventually found by the grumpy building manager, Henry Warnimont (played by George Gaynes). Punky charms her way into Henry's heart and he takes her and Brandon into his home to be a family.

Every episode had some message behind it, told through humor and love. Some issues that are tackled throughout the series include alcoholism, death, and drug use which incorporated the nationwide "Just Say No" campaign into a few different episodes..

My favorite episode of Punky Brewster is actually a series of five episodes called "Changes." In these episodes, Henry becomes very ill and Punky is taken from him as a result. The episodes show Henry's struggle to get his family back, no matter the cost. These are my favorites mostly because they really show the love between Henry and Punky through a lot of ups, downs, and in betweens.

The cast of Punky Brewster.
Image from fanpix.net, copyright NBC.

I wish there were more shows still on like this one, that teach good values with family-friendly humor while still being really entertaining. At least this one is still available for viewing through DVD and other online sources. I highly recommend this show for a nice walk through some of the issues faced by kids and young adults in the mid 80's and how one little girl takes on these problems with her foster father, her dog, her friends, and a little bit of "Punky Power!"

Stay unique!