Today's Special

[Hawkee]

In the 80's a children's show aimed at children aged 3-7 named Today's Special made it's debut. Originally a Canadian children's show Today's Special aired in America from 1982-1987 on PBS and consisted of the characters Jodie and Jeff who was a magic mannequin who only came to life when no people were in the store. Today's Special was also filmed in an actual department store which was known as Simpson's and based in Toronto. Today's Special also taught lessons about growing up and doing your best and showing your talents at things. It's really a shame you don't see children's shows like Today's Special now because it was truly a unique show that younger children could watch with their parents
Who remembers watching Today's Special as a child?
Bestie

[RetroGuy2000]

I remember Today's Special, but it wasn't on PBS; it was on Nickelodeon. Wiki also says it started in 1981.

Muffy the Mouse was an interesting character. She only spoke in rhymes. As a kid, I recall that the show was a little spooky, since it was set at night.

[mets82]

Bestie, I thought I was the only one!!! I watched that as a kid. I had a crush on Jodie. Mr. Crenshaw, was he on there?

[Heidi Dawn]

I remember Today's Special, it aired on ASN in the Atlantic provinces, usually paired with The Polka-Dot Door. Actually, Jeff Hyslop (Jeff the mannequin) played Gilbert Blythe back in the 1960's in the Charlottetown Festival's long-running production of Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, opposite P.E.I. native, Gracie Finley, as Anne Shirley. Jeff was involved with the musical back in the mid-1980's behind the scenes when I saw the show. Nerene Virgin filled in as anchor of CBC P.E.I. - Compass. When I watched it and she said her name, I said, that's Jodi from Today's Special. Nerene ran as a candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party a few years back.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cxLfIs051c

[Will19851]

Don't forget Sam the Security Guard.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Will19851

Don't forget Sam the Security Guard.

His hair resembled french fries.

[TMC]

There was a show where the main character couldn't leave. Not because he was grounded. Not because the plot required it. Because the moment he stepped outside, he turned back into a mannequin. And somehow, this was the children's show that quietly taught a generation what longing feels like.

Today's Special aired on TVOntario from 1981 to 1987. 120 episodes. A rhyming mouse. A sentient computer. A classically trained ballet dancer playing a mannequin who discovered the world from inside a department store. If you grew up watching this — in Canada, on Nickelodeon, or anywhere in between — you already know it left a mark. This video is about why.

In this video we go deep on the origin story (including the one detail about Jeff Hyslop's background that changes how you see every scene), the mechanics that made this show work on a level most kids never consciously noticed, and the emotional truth hiding underneath the magic hat and the Victorian mouse. We also make the argument that Jeff wasn't the fantasy of the show. Jeff was the mirror. And that reframe might change how you remember your entire childhood.

Today's Special. Plato's Cave. And a rhyming mouse in Victorian clothing. It all makes sense by the end.

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell — new episodes every week on shows you swore you dreamed.

💬 What's your strongest Today's Special memory? Drop it in the comments. I'll be reading every single one.

It's after hours at the department store, and you know what that means? It's time for Jodie the display manager, Sam the security guard and Muffy the Mouse to bring Jeff, the store mannequin, to life! We explore the origins of Today's Special, how it was born from a once-in-a-lifetime deal between TVOntario and Roger's Cable, and just what made it tick.

You can find interviews of series creator Clive VanderBurgh, puppet builder Noreen Young, and puppeteers Bob Dermer (Sam) and Nina Keogh (Muffy), as well as interviews with a number of TVOntario talents on Travis Doucette's YouTube Channel!

Hocus Pocus Alamagocus!

It's time for another Teacup Toronto Adventure, and today is all about the 1980s Canadian Classic TV Show "Today's Special"!

"Mr. Dressup to Degrassi: 42 Years of Legendary Toronto Kids TV" is the latest exhibit at the Myseum of Toronto, the city's local history museum. The exhibit features artifacts and displays celebrating the incredible programming to come out of Toronto including Mr. Dressup, Degrassi, Polka Dot Door, Book Mice, The Elephant Show, and of course...Today's Special!

And after visiting the exhibit, we're off to the former Robert Simpson's Department Store (now known as Hudson's Bay Queen Street), the location used as the main setting for "Today's Special"!

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 Intro
• 2:04 What is "Today's Special"?
• 4:14 Jeff Hyslop & Nerene Virgin as Jeff and Jodie
• 6:10 The Myseum of Toronto
• 7:44 Elmer the Elephant
• 8:17 The Polka Dot Door Guessing Game
• 8:40 Canadian Puppetry Icons: Rod Coneybeare, Judith Lawrence & Noreen Young
• 10:22 The "Today's Special" Puppets: Muffy the Mouse, Sam Crenshaw and Mrs. Pennypacker
• 11:09 Bob Dermer and Nina Keogh
• 12:20 Bookmice!
• 13:01 Merchandise & Behind the Scenes Artifacts
• 14:08 Visiting the Simpson's Department Store
• 17:19 The Robert Simpson's Department Store Historic Plaque
• 19:01 Inside the Store
• 20:30 Conclusion