Product Details

• Format: Color, Live, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Superior Promotions,
• VHS Release Date: August 15, 1995
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303627765
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,783 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine example of children's television, May 1, 2006

By 

Audio Obscurica "Audio Obscurica" (Spectrum of Sound) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Today's Special Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The 1980's was the "golden era" of children's television. "Sesame Street" had more or less hit it's peak, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" had resumed production, and while PBS and the Saturday Morning cartoons had pretty much the monopoly on children's programming, one network would pop up in the 1970's that would totally focus on children, with the best in mind for them. NICKELODEON. Nickelodeon's early programming consisted of some original programming (by way of Pinwheel), but their reputation was built on the imported content, namely what came in from Canada. No finer an example is "Today's Special", produced by TV Ontario. In 1985, Nickelodeon brought American kids this show (which soon died in Canada, but was going strong here!), about a mannequin named Jeff, a store display designer named Jodie, a rhyming mouse named Muffy, and a gruff night watchman named Sam. All of these characters would get together after hours and play around (does Jodie ever go home??), sing songs and try to teach Jeff (and the audience) a lesson. The whole premise of the show was strange, and in retrospect those who watched it then might think of it as demented now, but that's what so great about shows like "Today's Special" and "Pinwheel". They were so much different from what was available at the time. Nickelodeon deprived us from this show starting in 1990, when they decided on commercial viability rather than persuing their mission to children, but thankfully, its been preserved on video. If you watch stuff like this, you'll realize just how horrible and unoriginal (not to mention clich?) the material pandered to our children these days has become.
This tape includes two episodes of "Today's Special" - "Smiles" from 1983, and "Fun" from 1985. In "Smiles", Sam's friend, "Sourpuss Sal" comes to visit, and the gang tries to get her to smile, and in the end... I won't spoil it. Watch out for Sharon, Lois and Bram!
In "Fun", the whole gang (plus Mrs. Pennypacker) try to get the last laugh on each other. (No spoilers here... sorry!)
Try to find these "Today's Special" tapes elsewhere, I got them from a Candadian retailer known as videoflicks. Look them up. I purchased them for a mere $7.95 or so. Beware these "Amazon sellers" who never seem to sell anything at $79.95... If you look for something, it's out there, and reasonably may I add.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful show! Might come to DVD!, February 17, 2005

By 

Derek C. Bontreger "derekb27" (Goshen, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Today's Special Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This was my favorite childhood show growing up. I loved the music in every episode and I also loved all of the magic (Jeff turning to life, etc.). I have been in the process of getting people to sign a petition to get "Today's Special" onto DVD. TVOntario has heard us (as has Nina Keogh -- the voice/puppeteer of Muffy) and they are all interested. We have already "created quite the buzz at TVOntario."

Go to http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/derekb27 to make this a reality!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Children's Shows Ever!, March 16, 2003

By 

Kori (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Today's Special Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am 24 years old and am the mother of three young children.Seeing Today's Special again was like seeing an old friend! I am so pleased that I am able to introduce this show to my children and I know that they will love Today's Special just as much as I did and still do! Thank you for bringing me this program week after week and now bringing it to a whole new generation of children! It truely was and still is an amazing show and I hope that it will always be available to young viewers.