Today's Special

Today's Special is an under-rated, top quality children's show, the likes of which are not exposed to today's children which is a shame. I remember watching this in the 1980s and although I made fun of it as a kid (only to look cool while watching it) I liked it then and in retrospect, I see how excellent this show is.

The show consisted of Jeff (mannequin), Jodie (department store display builder), Sam (night watchman) and Muffy Mouse (rhyming mouse resident). Jeff Hyslop was a triple threat star, with a marvelous singing voice and dancing ability. The fact he starred in this makes this show above what is offered on TV today. Directed at children, the dialogue and stories never talked DOWN to them and dealt with issues like moving, disability, honesty and even alcoholism with sensitivity and respect to kids. As a Canadian, I especially liked the references to our country's culture too. I can still sing the songs and the only regret I would have is that this show is not available for my future kids. I hope someone at TVO will wake up and resurrect Today's Special.

My favorite memories include Jeff taking a bite out of a lemon and when Muffy's butterfly, Hazel died. By the way, the dialogue was incredibly witty... some truly funny moments occurred throughout the 7 year run!

I remembered watching this show as a little kid back when it was on Nickelodeon. It took place in a department store, and it had this manequin who had a magic hat that could make it come to life. I also remember that if he lost it, he would turn back into a manequin. There was also a lady in a hot-pink jumpsuit (I think her name was Jody), a security guard that had a face like Walter Matthau and a Hobo's face combined, and Muffy the mouse who always said a rhyme, and had a cool two-story mouse hole. Pure genious!!!

I really liked this show. It's a shame Nickelodeon dosen't air it anymore. If they didn't air so many stupid Nicktoons (like Spongebob Squarepants), or any other dumb show for that matter, this show probably would still be on. Nickelodeon has really lost it. All these stupid shows they air now have ruined this network after this show (and shows like "You can't do that on television" "Danger Mouse", and "Pinwheel) and many other good ones made it something for kids to watch, and learn from.

This show ruled 10/10.

For the longest time I could not figure out why no one else remembered this show. Finally I asked my mom and turns out I was only like 2 1/2 years old when I watched it (I'm 19 now). I do not remember any certain episode really well, but I remember Jeff coming to life with the plaid hat and what the store looked like. And after reading "Hocus Pocus Alamgocus" that has come back to me too! It's too bad so few remember it. Most only know shows like Fraggle Rock and Zoobileezoo. Kids shows really just aren't what they used to be.

By the way, anyone know how many years Today's Special went for? I watched it on PBS since I never had cable.

This was a show that was very cute and funny. I was about 7 or 8 when it was on. I can remember the characters Jodie and Jeff, Sam the security guard and Muffy the mouse. It was pretty funny, the stuff that they would do when the store closed down. The show was all about a mannequin who came to life when a magic hat was placed on his head. I think the store was supposed to be in Canada. One episode I remember well, was when they decided to have a Cafe' on the roof, and it started to rain. All the bread sticks got wet! As with the last person's comments, no one that I have asked remembers the show either. I think this was one of the first shows I watched on Nickelodeon. Hopefully, someday, they can recover the series, and bring it out on DVD for children today.

I used to watched this show when I was so young that I could barely talk. But I remembered it. I always thought the mannequin and the woman store clerk should end up together, cause well, I was just a a weird kid. But anyway, for the past two decades every time I mention this show people look at me like I've been smoking something and I couldn't remember the name of it for the life of me so I couldn't prove anything. But here it is!!! I really loved this show. I liked how they always had so much imagination and all of the games they played became reality. Children's TV today doesn't have as much thought put into it. They focus more on the learning part of it as opposed to the story or way kids should be able to pretend things about a show like I did with this one. I miss television like this for children.