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Punky Brewster
GenreSitcom
Created byDavid W. Duclon
Developed bySteve Armogida & Jim Armogida
Starring
ComposerLinda Perry
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producersSteve Armogida
Jim Armogida
David W. Duclon
Jimmy Fox
Soleil Moon Frye
ProducersJordan Black
Mary Kay Kelly
Kira Kalush
CinematographyJoe Pennella
EditorTimothy Ryder
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time23–28 minutes
Production companiesArmogida Brothers Productions
Main Event Media
Universal Television
Universal Content Productions
Original release
NetworkPeacock
ReleaseFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)

Punky Brewster is an American television sitcom that premiered on Peacock on February 25, 2021.[1] It is a revival to the show of the same title, and stars Soleil Moon Frye and Cherie Johnson, with Quinn Copeland, Noah Cottrell, Oliver De Los Santos, Lauren Lindsey Donzis and Freddie Prinze Jr.[2] In August 2021, the series was canceled after one season.[3]

Premise

Punky Brewster is now a divorced mother raising three children: her teenage biological daughter Hannah, and her two adopted sons, Diego and Daniel. She lives in the same Chicago apartment where she grew up with her foster father, Henry Warnimont, and even works as a photographer, just like he did. She encounters a girl at Fenster Hall named Izzy, who, like Punky, was abandoned by her mother. Punky is still best friends with Cherie, who works at Fenster and arranges to have Izzy live with a foster family, but after seeing the similarities in Izzy compared to when she was her age, Punky decides to take her in and raise her with her three children. Punky also has an on-off relationship with her ex-husband Travis and discovers that the mother who abandoned her in the grocery store as a child is still alive and has been looking for her for years.

Cast

Main

Guest stars

Production

A Punky Brewster revival series was reported to be in development in June 2019.[4] In September of that year, it was reported the series, along with the Saved by the Bell revival, would appear on the Peacock streaming service.[5] A 10-episode first season was greenlit by Peacock in January 2020.[6] On August 19, 2021, Peacock canceled the series after one season.[3]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Pilot"Jonathan JudgeTeleplay by : Steve & Jim Armogida, David W. Duclon & Jimmy FoxFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Punky is now a divorced mother of three, still living in her childhood apartment. She meets Izzy, a 7-year-old abandoned by her mother, just as Punky had been abandoned. She decides to become Izzy's foster mother.
2"Making Room for Izzy"Jonathan JudgeSarah Jane Cunningham & Suzie V. FreemanFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Punky needs to figure out where Izzy will sleep in the crowded apartment. She receives a phone call from her long-absent mother, and is unsure if she wants to meet with her.
3"Two First Dates"Jonathan JudgeRobin ShorrFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Punky goes on her first post-divorce date on the same day Hannah has a first date. Travis is suffering from writer's block, and Izzy helps him write a song.
4"Under the Influence"Jody Margolin HahnJay KogenFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
When Punky finds a joint in Hannah's room she and former husband Travis discuss whether Hannah's boyfriend is a bad influence. Izzy tries to behave perfectly to make sure she won't be returned to Fenster Hall.
5"Looking for Love and a Hat"Jody Margolin HahnJordan BlackFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Punky dates a rock musician, upsetting Travis. Izzy loses her favorite cap, and the family helps her find it. Cherie has a yard sale for Fenster Hall and Punky helps out, trying to convince customers to pay more for what they want to buy.
6"The Look of Daniel"Jude WengJim Armogida & Steve ArmogidaFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
When Daniel wears a sarong to school Punky and Travis wonder about their son's gender identity. Izzy becomes obsessed with WWE and Punky takes her to a wrestling match.
7"The Treehouse That Punky Built"Phill LewisKira KalushFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Punky and Cherie fix up their old treehouse since it is too dangerous for Izzy to play in. Hannah and her friends make an honesty pact, but discover complete honesty isn't always kind.
8"Put a Ring on It"Kelly ParkSarah Jane Cunningham & Suzie V. FreemanFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Cherie is considering proposing to Lauren, and that causes Punky and Travis to remember the strong romantic feelings they used to share. Diego develops a crush on one of Hannah's friend.
9"'80s Block Party"Kelly ParkClay LapariFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Punky enjoys planning a 1980s-themed block party for the neighborhood, but she is ill-prepared when her long-absent mother shows up.
10"Mother's Day"Katy GarretsonSteve Armogida & Jim ArmogidaFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
A foster hearing to decide Izzy's future causes Punky to confront her own past. She chooses to reconnect with her mother, and encourages Travis to follow his dream and go on a tour with his band.

Reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 57% based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 5.90/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "It's delightful to see Soleil Moon Frye again, but with dated plotting and a lack of focus, Punky Brewster can't quite fill her multicolored Cons."[7]

References

  1. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (Jan 6, 2021). "'Punky Brewster' Revival Sets Premiere Date, Peacock Reveals First Look". Retrieved Mar 5, 2021.
  2. ^ Petski, Denise (Oct 28, 2019). "'Punky Brewster': NBCU's Peacock Pilot Rounds Out Cast With Four Series Regulars". Retrieved Mar 5, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 19, 2021). "'Punky Brewster' Sequel Canceled By Peacock After One Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (Jun 4, 2019). "'Punky Brewster' Reboot Starring Soleil Moon Frye In Works At UCP". Retrieved Mar 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Hipes, Patrick (Sep 17, 2019). "'Saved By The Bell', 'Punky Brewster' Reboots Set For NBCU's Peacock Streaming Service". Retrieved Mar 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (Jan 16, 2020). "'Punky Brewster' Sequel Gets Series Order At Peacock". Retrieved Mar 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "Punky Brewster: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

External links

Peacock original programming
Punky Brewster
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