Plot

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

Each night in a major city, Sam the Security Guard locks the closed department store and joins Jodie in the Children's department as she brings a special mannequin with her even as she prepares to work on a display for the next day. With some magic words, the magic hat it wears brings it to life and becomes Jeff. Together with Muffy the Mouse, this gang learn about various things to teach younger viewer, both by the themselves and with visitors to the store.—Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@home.com>

Set and produced in the 1980s, each episode of this 80s gem teaches children about everything from hair to sleep to disabilities, to even intoxication, presenting the educational topics of the episode in a fun, magical and musical way.

Characters include the caring Black leader Jodie, whose bright smile, pink jumpsuit, black bunned hair, and energetic attitude hosts the show, working at night to stock displays and be with her friends while working at the store during the day. Joining her is wise and old puppet security guard Sam. Being the security guard at the store for many years hasn't slowed him down, having a love for sailing, being said he was in the navy when he was younger, sweet treats and a cool do anything computer called TXL-4. Along with Sam, comes Muffy the mouse. A grey puppet with orange hair, her appearance might frighten some kids of today. Sneaky and mischievous, her bad work always pays off by the end of the day with her creative mind and big heart, who also enjoys riding around the store on a scooter and making music. Lastly, Jeff, the magical, friendly mannequin who's always wanting to know more. With his plaid vest, tan khakis, and welcoming smile he and his friends solve problems and have fun together just before the store opens up in the morning. Besides the main 4, a mime, who also voices TXL, appears in skits and segments relating to the episode's topic.

Plus, robots, aliens, a radio and TV station visit, vacuum cleaner salesmen (whose appearance is a lot more fun than you think), witches, musicians, circus acts, and more also make special appearances across the show's run. With a pinch of magic, a burst of catchy 80s music and pop culture references, plus a whole lot of fun, a trip to the Today's Special department store, unlike other older public television shows, (I'm looking at you Square 1) is something that has held up well over the years, although slightly dated in 2021 standards, for everyone! You might as well wish the store stayed closed all day long. Truly a quality, well-made show. I wish Nickelodeon would make a show like this nowadays, instead of the 30-minute toy commercials called Pet Patrol.

• Alex