Parents' Guide to

Chill with Bob Ross

By Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Mellow artist paints soothing landscapes in relaxing series.

TV Netflix Educational 1983
Chill with Bob Ross Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Chill with Bob Ross Series: Scene #1
  • Chill with Bob Ross Series: Scene #2
  • Chill with Bob Ross Series: Scene #3

Community Reviews

See all
age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

baybchik23
baybchik23 Adult
September 24, 2020
age 5+
Bob Ross is probably the absolute best role model your child can have.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Dio fry
Dio fry Parent of 13, 13, 14 and 15-year-old
January 31, 2019
age 8+
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

CHILL WITH BOB ROSS takes us through the creation of a new landscape painting in each episode, whipped up before our eyes by the eponymous host. Bob is a soft-spoken and happy dude with a giant afro and an even bigger paint palette, who explains to viewers exactly which paint colors and supplies they'll need on hand if they want to follow along as he's instructing them. Also an avid nature lover, Bob occasionally treats us to guest appearances by baby squirrels and birds he is caring for, even bottle-feeding some on camera. Chill with Bob Ross is a "Greatest Hits"-style selection culled from vintage episodes of The Joy of Painting, which aired on PBS from 1983-1994 and enjoys a certain cult status among those who love the show's ultra-mellow vibe.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (7 ):

The idea that anyone watches this how-to show while standing at an easel, following along as Ross does his thing, is dubious -- but using it as a visual and auditory tranquilizer is a no-brainer. There's just something inherently relaxing about watching someone create something out of nothing, and his optimistic demeanor and encouraging bon mots (Ross doesn't believe in mistakes, he believes in "happy accidents") make the groovy painter feel like a familiar, favorite uncle. The grainy film quality and outdated art styles may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who appreciate camp and are looking for a fun way to decompress, Chill with Bob Ross makes an ultra-soothing balm for anxious times.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the skill it takes to complete an entire painting from start to finish in only about 20 minutes. Is this something you think you could replicate if you painted along with Bob? What were some of his best art tips?

  • What do you think of Bob's, ultra-relaxed narration style in Chill with Bob Ross? Why is watching other people create things such a great way to unwind?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate