On May 6th, Shout!Factory will release all four seasons of the 1980s television show Punky Brewster on DVD. Before My So-Called Life (also released on DVD by Shout!Factory), Punky Brewster was my favorite series of all time. If you're unfamiliar with this staple of 1980s childhood, Soleil Moon Frye starred as the title character Punky, a colorful (from her bold mismatched clothing to her circus of a bedroom) tomboy orphan in Chicago who - along with her beloved dog Brandon - finds her way into the life and home of curmudgeon photographer Henry Warnimont (George Gaines). Supporting characters included best friend Cherry and her grandmother Betty, rich and snobby sometimes chum Margeaux, and ditsy guy pal Allen. Each DVD set includes cast interviews and bonus episodes of Punky Brewster The Cartoon.
As a child of the '80s, Punky was my hero. So much so that I insisted on wearing my glow-in-the-dark Punky Brewster sneakers (which matched my Punky lunchbox) at all times, even as I slept at night. Watching the series as an adult is obviously more of a nostalgic pleasure than anything else, but I can still see the merits of the series. I recommend it both as a heartwarming souvenir for old fans like me and also to parents who would like to have a decent program for their children to view.
While the content of Punky Brewster is undoubtedly filled with cheesy humor and overt sentimentality, its melodramatic episodes were often more socially relevant than even the adult shows presently on television. In addition to addressing the plight of abandoned children, the series also focused on what were current events of the time (many of which still plague society today). Seasons 1 and 2 mostly centered on the perils of orphans - from the emotional toil that abandonment takes on children to the mess of the foster care system and fright of group homes as well as the many obstacles perspective parents must overcome during the adoption process.
Occasionally, the show - particularly in Season 2 - would branch out into other serious topics such as school bullies, peer pressure (complete with Valley Girls in Madonna-inspired '80s fashions!), drug use (remember "Just Say No"?), missing and kidnapped children, divorce and custody battles, physical abuse, crime and the media's sensationalism of violence, economic struggles, childhood anxiety, gender roles and discrimination, cheating, shoplifting, the harmful effects of gossip and tabloids, childhood obesity and body image, lack of care for the elderly, the importance of community, and the endearingly maudlin Season 2 finale about The Challenger explosion.
The show's creators always seemed to take great care in presenting such disturbing subjects with taste and discretion, tempered with wit so as to be educational without frightening young viewers. And the general theme of kindness, honesty, and acceptance was threaded throughout the series. With such illustrious guests as Andy Gibb, Candace Cameron, Chad Allen, Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from A Christmas Story
), Buzz Aldrin, and DeBarge. Yes, DeBarge.
Not to be overlooked are the myriad of lighthearted moments, the comedic talents of Soleil Moon Frye, and the coolest tree house ever.
Buy DVDs @ Amazon
Buy @ Shout!Factory
As a child of the '80s, Punky was my hero. So much so that I insisted on wearing my glow-in-the-dark Punky Brewster sneakers (which matched my Punky lunchbox) at all times, even as I slept at night. Watching the series as an adult is obviously more of a nostalgic pleasure than anything else, but I can still see the merits of the series. I recommend it both as a heartwarming souvenir for old fans like me and also to parents who would like to have a decent program for their children to view.
While the content of Punky Brewster is undoubtedly filled with cheesy humor and overt sentimentality, its melodramatic episodes were often more socially relevant than even the adult shows presently on television. In addition to addressing the plight of abandoned children, the series also focused on what were current events of the time (many of which still plague society today). Seasons 1 and 2 mostly centered on the perils of orphans - from the emotional toil that abandonment takes on children to the mess of the foster care system and fright of group homes as well as the many obstacles perspective parents must overcome during the adoption process.
Occasionally, the show - particularly in Season 2 - would branch out into other serious topics such as school bullies, peer pressure (complete with Valley Girls in Madonna-inspired '80s fashions!), drug use (remember "Just Say No"?), missing and kidnapped children, divorce and custody battles, physical abuse, crime and the media's sensationalism of violence, economic struggles, childhood anxiety, gender roles and discrimination, cheating, shoplifting, the harmful effects of gossip and tabloids, childhood obesity and body image, lack of care for the elderly, the importance of community, and the endearingly maudlin Season 2 finale about The Challenger explosion.
The show's creators always seemed to take great care in presenting such disturbing subjects with taste and discretion, tempered with wit so as to be educational without frightening young viewers. And the general theme of kindness, honesty, and acceptance was threaded throughout the series. With such illustrious guests as Andy Gibb, Candace Cameron, Chad Allen, Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from A Christmas Story
), Buzz Aldrin, and DeBarge. Yes, DeBarge. Not to be overlooked are the myriad of lighthearted moments, the comedic talents of Soleil Moon Frye, and the coolest tree house ever.
Buy DVDs @ Amazon
Buy @ Shout!Factory
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