Customer Reviews

Today's Special Vol. 1 [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Today's Special is the kind of show that should be on today. You just don't get that kind of quality anymore. PS: Sam Crenshaw is the man.

I am nearly 19 years old now and just realized how much I miss this show! This show is great for children, especially regarding the shows that play for kids these days. Today's Special should be back on the air so that I can watch it <smiles> and all the youngin's can watch as-well=) This show is fantastic and I truly miss it=) Great role-models for children, very friendly and how TV for kids should be=) If you know someone that has a say in what is on tv and what is not..please encourage them to put this show back on!! =) =) =)

This is the best show ever, I am so happy to have a chance to walk down memory lane with Jeff, Muffy, Sam, and Jody. I only wish that show's like this still exsisted today. I really enjoyed the prompt delivery and mint condition that the movies arrived in. This is where I will do all my ordering from now on.

I will always remember this show! I used to love watching it at my daycare! I really would love to find it on dvd just for memories.

My sisters and I watched this show as kids so it was a great pleasure to watch this show again as adults with kids of our own and share it with them!

I'm 28 and I remember watching this show when Nickelodeon first came on the air. That was when A&E programs were shown at night when Nick's programming was do9ne for the day in the days before Nick at Nite. I am suprised though on the prices for these rare VHS tapes. They are really expensive on Ebay in the price range of 60 bucks or less....I always loved this show. I used to feel sorry for Jeff, whoalways wanted to be a real person, but gave up his wish to become one to help his friends in an episode called "Wishes". Jeff Hyslop is such a talented performer. I found a fan site that had pics of him as the phantom in Canada's production of The Phantom Of The Opera for the long run. I remember all the characters, Jeff the manequin who came to life when someone said the magic words "Hocus Pocus Alimagocus", Jodie who worked in the childrens's dept., Sam the night watchman who always sang "Yo He Ho", penelope, Sam's cat, Muffy the mouse who always talked in rhyme and her country cousin Mort, the Mime Lady, Sam's computer TXL Series 4, Waldo the Magnificent who put the spell on Jeff's magic hat, and Mrs Pennypacker who always called Jeff, Jeffery. Oh yeah I just remembered, Wanda Willoby and Sharon, Lois, and Bram were guestes on the show as well. Ahhhhh memories...

This show was great, a fine example of Canadian children's television. I remember watching all the adventures of Muffy, Sam, Jodie and Jeff. The best were the episodes where Jeff went up to the roof to wax poetic about his quasi-humanity.