Perhaps I'm grossaroo-ly mistaken, but I declare, there's no way a true child of the '80s can fail to appreciate Punky Brewster (1984-88), especially the infectious theme song “Every Time I Turn Around.” You gotta love Penelope “Punky” Brewster (Soleil Moon Frye), a sassy, resourceful, husky-voiced seven-year-old--abruptly abandoned by her mother at a shopping center--who ends up with curmudgeonly Chicago senior Henry Warnimont (George Gaynes, Police Academy) and overcomes social worker doubts to find familial bliss, mixed with a bit of chaos, of course. Also featuring supporting cast members Susie Garrett (as next door neighbor Betty) and Cherie Johnson (as her granddaughter and Punky's best friend), this 22-episode sophomore season set finds Punky and Henry better acclimated to each other's foibles, and beefs up the role of T.K. Carter (a nominal player in season one) as Punky's compassionate teacher Mike Fulton. Moving beyond the first season's poignant heart-tugging stories, season two explores Punky's mischievousness side in episodes including the two-part Indian-themed camping trip “The Perils of Punky,” Reagan-era appropriate “Just Say No,” “Milk Does a Body Good” (Full House's Candace Cameron-Bure guests as a kidnapped child), holiday episodes “Love Thy Neighbor” (the kids play a Halloween trick on a witchlike lady who later needs Punky's help) and “Christmas Shoplifting” (Punky's desperation and a switcheroo with a shopping bag land Mike in jail). In addition, the epic five-part story arc “Changes” deals with a devastating fire, Henry's health problems, and the possibility of Punky being placed with foster folks, while the season finale “Accidents Happen” addresses the then-timely Challenger explosion. Overall, this series offers realistic life lessons tinged with more than a few laughs. DVD extras include cast interviews--though, sadly, Frye has yet to show her face--and episodes of the animated spin-off It's Punky Brewster. Recommended. (J. Williams-Wood)
Punky Brewster: Season Two
Sony, 4 discs, 690 min., DVD: $34.98 May 30, 2005
Punky Brewster: Season Two
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