Punky Brewster

Punky Brewster is a sitcom which ran from 1984 to 1988, focusing on the title character, an abandoned child who is fostered and later adopted by an older man. It spawned a Saturday morning cartoon (1985-1986), with the regular actors supplying their own voices (and the addition of a magical rodent who can grant wishes). The series has become a frequent pop culture reference for eighties kitsch and nostalgia.

During the original run, star Soleil Moon Frye made the cover of Muppet Magazine issue 12. Trying to decide on Halloween costumes, Soleil dresses as Miss Piggy and Miss Piggy dresses as Punky Brewster.

Muppet Mentions

 * In the second season episode "Urbane Fear," Punky, Henry, and Cherie are playing the game "Kiddie IQ." Henry is asked to name Big Bird's best friend and says Kermit the Frog. Punky tells him it's Mr. Snuffleupagus, which Henry insists no adult would know. Cherie's mother Betty enters, and Henry asks her, to be told "Mr. Snuffleupagus." ("Lucky guess.")

Connections

 * Buzz Aldrin played himself in "Accidents Happen" (1986)
 * Candace Cameron played June Whitney in "Milk Does a Body Good" (1985)
 * Eddie Deezen played Eddie Malvin (1984)
 * Soleil Moon Frye played Punky Brewster
 * George Gaynes played Henry Warnimont
 * Frank Welker voiced Glomer on the animated series
 * Mary Wickes played Sister Bernadette in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1984) and Mrs. Dempsey in "So Long, Studio" (1987)