cPOP Universe - Punky Brewster Reboot

Punky Brewster Reboot to Air February 25

While wrestling fans anxiously await the WWE’s recently announced move to Peacock, I am over here dancing for joy as my soul sister Soleil Moon Frye prepares to make her Punky Power comeback in a reboot of my childhood favorite sitcom Punky Brewster.

Punky is where all little girls of the 80’s, including myself, found power in being unique and learned how to accept their quirkiness. (And believe me, I had more quirkiness than I knew what to do with.) Punky embraced the idea that it was okay to be different and emboldened us to take that ride with her, both on the small screen and in our own crazy little lives.

The original Punky Brewster ran from September of 1984 to 1988 and told the story of a young girl (Soleil Moon) who was abandoned by her mother at a Chicago shopping center with her dog Brandon. Punky eventually finds shelter in a vacant apartment. After being discovered by the elderly and slightly grouchy apartment manager (George Gaynes), the unlikely pair hit it off and Henry soon becomes the spunky girl’s foster parent. If you are getting Little Orphan Annie vibes, you aren’t far off. But, seeing the story unfold in the setting of the 80’s gave new life to an old story and brought new and endearing characters to its audience.

The reboot reunites Soliel with her friend Cherie Johnson who will reprise the roll of the character from the original that bore her name. It revisits Punky as a newly single mom of three who meets a little girl who reminds her of her younger self. The antics follow as Punky tried to navigate this new world of divorce, motherhood, and fostering while trying to find her Punky Power.

NBC has confirmed that the revival will consist of ten episodes during the first season that will premiere on its streaming Peacock network on February 25, 2021. My inner little girl already has her mismatched tennis shoes and a bowl of popcorn ready to go for the season one debut!