The Big Comfy Couch

Parents say
Based on 9 reviews
Kids say
Based on 14 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
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.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this old-fashioned live-action kids' series ruminates gently on real-world challenges such as being kind to people or having patience.
Community Reviews
Report this review
Don't be fooled by the goofy Clowns, this show has disturbing sexual references
Report this review
What's the Story?
Relying heavily on viewers to put their imaginations to active use, THE BIG COMFY COUCH is a live-action show centering around the adventures of Loonette, a teenaged clown who sings, dances, tells stories, hangs out with her family, and plays with her dolls on the oversized sofa that gives the show its name.
Is It Any Good?
Those just tuning in to The Big Comfy Couch will probably be tempted to switch channels and look for fare more dazzling to the eye. The cheesy costumes, amateurish makeup, and extremely rudimentary sets are unappealing when compared with stunning new-style kids' shows like The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron.
But there's something endearingly chintzy about the show, too, with its reliance on imagination and pretending that hearkens back to old-school '70s kids' shows like Captain Kangaroo and The New Zoo Review. Parents should give The Big Comfy Couch a chance: Whereas the new shows are bing-bang-boom attention-grabbing eye-candy, there's a sweetness and gentleness to The Big Comfy Couch that parents will appreciate -- and a slowness that's calming to kids raised on short-attention-span televised junk food.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about issues that are brought up in each episode and relate them to their own family.
How can we treat other people with kindness? Why is it a good idea to cooperate with family members?
What does respect look like, and why do we show it to others?
What mistakes does Loonette make, and what does she learn from them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 1, 1995
- Cast: Alyson Court, Bob Stutt, Grindl Kuchirka
- Network: PBS
- Genre: Kids Musical TV
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Music and Sing-Along
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love learning
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
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