Punky Brewster: Season 03 (1986) Reviews

Canceled by NBC at the end of its second season in 1986, the family sitcom Punky Brewster was revived in off-network syndication one year later -- partly due to public demand, and partly to add more episodes to the series' surprisingly successful network-rerun package. Back on duty are Soleil Moon Frye as feisty 11-year-old Penelope "Punky" Brewster and George Gaynes as her irascible-but-lovable foster father, Henry Warnimont. Also on hand are Punky's loyal school chums Cheri (Cherie Johnson), Margaux (Ami Foster), and Allen (Casey Ellison), as well as Cherie's legal guardian, registered nurse Mrs. Betty Johnson (Susie Garrett). The first of the syndicated episodes is "Reading, Writing, and Rock & Roll," featuring the then-hot singing group DeBarge. In a later two-part installment, Punky's beloved dog, Brandon, runs away from home, only to end up being "adopted" by a boy who is exactly Punky's age -- and who is about to leave for California. Also worth noting is "It's a Dog Life," in which series regular George Gaynes plays the dual role of Henry Warnimont and his man-about-town brother Lars. And of course, season three has its share of "very special episodes," notably "The Anniversary," in which Punky's friend Cherie is overcome with grief on the anniversary of her parents' deaths. In the season finale, Henry abandons his career as a photographer to open up his own restaurant -- and since it was Punky's idea to make this career move, the new establishment is christened "Punky's Place." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi