Punky Brewster: Season 04 (1986)

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After two years on NBC and an additional two in off-network syndication, the warmhearted family sitcom Punky Brewster closes shop at the end of its fourth season. Still starring on the series are several of the actors who had been around since season one: Soleil Moon Frye as spunky 12-year-old Penelope "Punky" Brewster; George Gaynes as her lovably grumpy foster father, Henry Warnimont, who has abandoned his career as a photographer to set up his own restaurant; Cherie Johnson as Punky's best friend, Cherie; Susie Garrett as Nurse Betty Johnson, Cherie's legal guardian; and Ami Foster and Casey Ellison as Punky's classmates Margaux (the snooty one) and Allen (the funny one). Highlights during the series' valedictory season include "Crushed," in which Punky carries a torch for an older man (four whole years older!); "Going to Camp," which is just what Punky and her pals do; "Brandon's Commercial," wherein Punky's pet dog is given a shot at TV stardom; "Passed Away at Punky's Place," in which Punky and Cherie mistake a narcoleptic man for a corpse; and "See You in Court," focusing on Betty Johnson's legal misadventures before a judge played by former Jeffersons regular Roxie Roker. In addition, there were a handful of obligatory "very special episodes," in which Punky helps a youngster who is being battered by her mother, Cheri provides emergency assistance to a woman going into labor in a stalled elevator, and a deaf girl resents Punky's efforts to make friends. Like many another sitcom, Punky Brewster winds up its four-year run with a wedding episode. Unlike many another sitcom, the "groom" in this instance turns out to be Brandon the Dog! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi