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Today's Special

  • TV Series
  • 1981–1987
  • TV-Y
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
932
YOUR RATING
Jeff Hyslop, Clive VanderBurgh, and Nerene Virgin in Today's Special (1981)
FamilyFantasyMusical

The night staff of a major department store explore topics for young viewers.The night staff of a major department store explore topics for young viewers.The night staff of a major department store explore topics for young viewers.

  • Creator
    • Clive VanderBurgh
  • Stars
    • Jeff Hyslop
    • Nerene Virgin
    • Bob Dermer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    932
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Clive VanderBurgh
    • Stars
      • Jeff Hyslop
      • Nerene Virgin
      • Bob Dermer
    • 42User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Episodes94

    Browse episodes

    Photos4

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    Top cast70

    Edit
    Jeff Hyslop
    • Jeff
    • 1981–1987
    Nerene Virgin
    • Jodie
    • 1981–1987
    Bob Dermer
    • Sam…
    • 1981–1987
    Nina Keogh
    Nina Keogh
    • Muffy…
    • 1981–1987
    Robyn Hayle
    • TXL…
    • 1981–1987
    Nikki Tilroe
    • Mime Lady…
    • 1981–1986
    Bob Stutt
    Bob Stutt
    • Mort…
    • 1983–1987
    Cheryl Wagner
    • Mrs. Pennypacker…
    • 1984–1987
    Barry Baldaro
    • Waldo the Magnifficent…
    • 1985–1987
    Deborah Fallick
    • Storyteller
    • 1981
    Madeline Paul
    • Elf…
    • 1982–1984
    Bram Morrison
    • Bram
    • 1983–1985
    Sharon Hampson
    • Sharon
    • 1983–1985
    Lois Lilienstein
    • Lois
    • 1983–1985
    Monica Gaylord
    • Today's Special Guest…
    Canadian Brass
    • Today's Special Guest
    • 1982
    Oscar Peterson
    Oscar Peterson
    • Self
    • 1982–1985
    Mark Carpenter
    • Storyteller
    • Creator
      • Clive VanderBurgh
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews42

    8.0932
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    Featured reviews

    alden1010

    Gertrude

    Anyone else remember this song?

    Gertrude ol' girl My hearts in a whirl 'Cause these goodbyes Are hard to combine. I'll try not to cry As we say goodbye.

    Sam and Jody sang that at the car dealership when Sam was trading in his old car for a newer model. The dealer rolled his eyes, but for Sam and the kids at home, this was serious trauma! I guess that's why I still remember it. Oh, but it ended happily. Sam got the new car and Jody bought back the old one.
    angeljem

    No one remembers

    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.
    maxvaughn

    I'm not crazy!!!!!!!!!

    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.
    chastity779

    A great show!!

    I rank this show in the top ten shows of my childhood. I was very young when I watched this on Nickalodean. I have asked countless people if they remember it and no one has, except my father. I remember there was a word of the day every episode. I loved Muffy the mouse, I thought she was beautiful. I would do anything to be able to see an episode of this show.
    dootuss

    This show rocked!!!!

    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.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The store in the series is based on the Toronto outlet of the now defunct Simpson's department store chain, a major Canadian retail business that was ultimately purchased and subsumed by the Hudson's Bay Company. In addition, many scenes were filmed on location in that store.
    • Quotes

      Muffy the Mouse: And now it's time to introduce a nursery rhyme by Mother Goose.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Leftovers: Certified (2017)

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    FAQ

    • How many seasons does Today's Special have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Canada
    • Production companies
      • Simpsons Limited
      • TVOntario
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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