Punky Brewster - Season 3 DVD Review

[TJ]

Once again, it's time to get more "PUNKY POWER" on DVD! The third season of the show that wasn't exactly television's biggest smash hit--well as a matter of fact, it is often looked at by some people that think they know everything as a bad show--is coming soon from Shout! Factory.

The third season is a bit different from the first two. After the second season, the series had finished its run on NBC. But, with it being the 1980s, and there being several independent television stations (I sure miss these!!!) that had nothing else to air, the show continued to live on for two more years in first run syndication, just like Mama's Family, Silver Spoons, Too Close for Comfort, and other great shows that the know-it-all television elitists call "inferior" television.

The change of network is not the only change that came with the third season though. The show itself underwent some changes, starting with Punky's hairstyle. The pigtails of season 1 and 2 are gone, and she looks much older! Henry's old photography studio (which burned down in the second season 5-parter "Changes") has been replaced by a new photography in the studio, and developing (such an appropriate word for a photography studio) from that is the fact that Henry even sells the photography studio later in THIS season and starts his own restaurant. But no matter what, you'll always see the girl who turns your world around: Punky!

Read our review here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/punkybr...dvdreview.html

Post any questions or comments about this set.

[robby76]

Great review and as a true Punky fan I agree with the boring same old packaging. I love dvd packaging when it's done right... it can almost be better than the discs itself... well almost... but the same for each season is so tiresome.

I also tend to agree with the lousy bonus features. I'm glad we have the cartoons on there cos I'd want them in my collection, however I do have to force myself to sit through them. Most other 80s cartoons I can handle... I think Glomer has a large part to play in the annoyance factor.

[Bricolo]

I love Punky and the cartoon was awesome, filled with lots of Punky Power. I always wanted that really neato Glomer to show up in the live action version but alas it was not to be. I do hope that the rest of it is in the fourth volume but would there be enough room? I have a Punky Brewster doll, does anyone know if there was any tv spots for this? I know there was a Cherrie doll but I could never find it. Something related to these and coloring books, board games and the like would be good special feature material for a future set.

[robby76]

If you mean the big dolls then there was only ever a Punky doll.

However if you mean the smaller PVC figures, then there was Punky in a few variations, Cherie, Brandon, Glomer... and... wait for it... a treehouse playset!!! That's very rare though. I have a Punky and Cherie figure, and friend I know has Brandon and Glomer.

[robby76]

I agree some rare archive footage as bonus material is SOOOOO needed! Even a gag reel would be awesome.

Anyway here's some pics of the rare toyline...

[Bricolo]

Originally Posted by robby76

If you mean the big dolls then there was only ever a Punky doll.

Really? I could swear that I remember seeing one, either in a picture on the box, in store when I was bought the Punky doll or in some tv ad but I guess I could be mistaken, possibly by a similarly proportioned black doll. Were any other doll's made in this size? The only other doll I have seen that matched these proportions was a Burger King doll, which was always with my Punky. I think they had a thing going on but they never talked about it.

I want some of those PVC figures, the only PVCs I have are of some Native American Bears based off of some cartoon I forget. Still galleries of these Punky toys would be a nice feature.

[KonfusionFTC]

I cant wait to get season 3

[robby76]

Originally Posted by Bricolo

I want some of those PVC figures, the only PVCs I have are of some Native American Bears based off of some cartoon I forget. Still galleries of these Punky toys would be a nice feature.

You mean Paw Paws??? I collect PawPaws too! I just finished completing my set. I know someone who's after the evil bad guy with the buffalo helmet... if you have him to sell let me know.

As for Punky figures, you can get them on ebay.

[88survivor]

Thanks, TJ, for the review. I'll review if I get a chance to buy it.

[caligirl]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here. I love Punky Brewster, grew up watching that show!
I am looking for Season 4, does anyone here have season 4, that can sell it? Email me please. Thanks!

[glickmam]

For the most part, I'd say that the episodes look and sound fine. I didn't notice any particular problems that jumped out at me, but it is obvious that the video and audio could have stood a little bit of improvement. I have no clue where these prints came from, but they mysteriously have an NBC/Universal logo tacked on to the end of each episode. That made sense for the first two seasons, but I didn't think NBC had anything at all to do with seasons 3 and 4. Oh well.

You're right, in fact, NBC had no involvement whatsoever with the syndicated version of Punky Brewster. Back in the 1980's, it was against FCC rules for networks to syndicate their own programming, so Lightkeeper Productions made a syndication deal with Columbia Pictures Television to co-produce two more seasons plus domestic syndication rights to the NBC episodes.