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Today's Special

  • TV Series
  • 1981–1987
  • TV-Y
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
933
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
    933
    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

    8.0933
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    Featured reviews

    AWERTH

    The garbage on Nick these days-makes me cringe!!!!

    This is the only show that had and still has meaning for me. Jeff has released 2 CD's of his with brilliant singing- I own them both-- Nickelodean used to be fantastic in the 80's-

    Today's Special, You Can't Do That On TV etc...

    Muffy was how I get interested in writing poetry, -I always thought that there was an undertone of love between Jeff and Jodie-- like Michael and Bonnie on "Knight Rider"--

    A few episodes stick out---

    Going treasure hunting for Pirate Pete's gold---as Jeff goes on his own hunt throughout the store- we learn about map reading and how to read a compass---

    Phil the Alcohalic--strong episode---dealt with Alcohal

    Jeff not knowing he needs sleep to remain alert

    The crooked commercial director who visits- he promises a spot in a commercial for Muffy to advertise Jeans, but the tables are turned when he meets Mort= Junior where he wants to take Muffy as part of his collection of toys cause he gets to greedy- Junior- the ultimate Man-Child!!!!

    Waldo visits in a sour mood- and needs a special remedy gathered

    from our 4 cast members!!!

    Jody and Jeff trapped in the stalled elevator- the aid of a wheelchair boy comes to their rescue--

    Valdy personally meets Jodi and the cast sing one of his songs with him---

    Mort starts a fire in Muffy's apartment to keep warm--Sam sprays it out--

    Sam and Jeff eat a whole bag of cookies-getting big stomach aches--

    Memories where Jeff sings in my opinion his best solo in the series

    When Jeff needs to help a young lady realize it's OK to move

    I COULD GO ON FOREVER!!!!

    A while back, a comment was posted at how Jeff- since he was a mannequin-did not know about how the world worked----, and that he was considered naive due to the fact he was indeed a mannequin (Did not know what a family was, or did not know what sleep is)

    His perceptions of the topics throughout the series from his point of view make him far more smart than his 3 fellow cast members (Jody Sam Muffy and Mrs Pennypacker, Waldo and Mort occasionally)--than what he is seen as---

    Jeff in fact seems to know more than he realizes in each episode
    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.
    godeltsihw

    Hocus Pocus Alama Gocus!!

    Today's Special was a childhood favourite of mine. The show took place late at night in a Simpsons Sears store. Run by a puppet night watch man named Sam Crenshaw and his computer 'TXL', the show revolved around a mannequin named Jeff. Late at night Jeff would come to life and learn new things along with Muffy the Mouse and Toy Department Clerk Jodie. However if Jeff ever left the store, or his hat fell off, he would become a mannequin again. By placing his hat on his heat and reciting the magic words "Hocus Pocus Alama Gocus" Jeff would come back to life.

    Like most children's shows, you learn along with the show. Each episode of Today's Special had Today's Special.. a word that would be featured in the episode that you would learn about. If I remember correctly, the woman that played Jodie went on to become a news anchor for CBS and CBC news.
    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.
    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.

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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?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1, 1981 (Canada)
    • 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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    Jeff Hyslop, Clive VanderBurgh, and Nerene Virgin in Today's Special (1981)
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