Why did they change actresses??
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ohiomom — 19 years ago(August 01, 2006 09:20 AM)
Look here ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loonette ) for a timeline from the old/new Loonettes. I read somewhere that they lost funding and was off the air for 3 years (2003-06). I noticed not too long ago the new Loonette (son likes to watch), but didn't know it was recent (we see TBCC on PBS).
The old Loonette was played by Alyson Court, the new one is played by Ramona Gilmour-Darling.
We prefer the original! -
cks24 — 19 years ago(August 07, 2006 11:52 AM)
I agree with you Ohiomom. I believe that Alyson Court to me is the better Loonette than Ramona Gilmour-Darling. (Here's a Trivia: Other than Anne of Green Gables, Ramona also appears in another play The Beggar's Opera.)
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erikateacher24 — 19 years ago(August 14, 2006 08:52 AM)
I know! I thought I was going crazy! It is hard to tell under the nose and hat but her voice and intonation is so different. I am glad someone has the answer to this mystery. I wonder why the actor change is not listed on myspace.
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gvadmnsbsted — 19 years ago(August 16, 2006 10:54 AM)
I agree my 5 year old and I really liked the old Loonette better. I dont think my 4 year old can tell the difference, but I think this new clown "overacts". With the original Loonette it seemed like the part just came easier to her and she didnt seem so fake.
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lkboryca — 19 years ago(August 17, 2006 10:46 AM)
I was hoping that I was watching old episodes, because me and my daughter love the old Loonette.(even though she's only 2 and probably can't tell, but she claims to know the difference!) The show is just so much different now with clown town visits every episode..I dont know. When it comes down to it, I just miss the old Loonette because I thought she was much prettier! lol
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mjoym — 19 years ago(August 19, 2006 08:33 PM)
I too noticed the new Loonette and didn't care for her character acting as well as the previous actress. I imagine that it will take time for the new Loonette to get comfortable in the part. My children don't know the difference but I did the first time I saw her. I also don't think she does the clock stretch as well as the former Loonette, is it just me or has anyone else noticed it??? I guess with time she will improve. I have also noticed that they are using the same actors to play different parts in different scenes. Like I noticed the Grandma played the part of the school teacher when Loonette went to Clowndergarten and the messenger Bedhead played the part of the yawning unicyclist clown in another scene of the show. Maybe they don't have the funding. My daughter loves the show so I certainly hope they are able to keep in on the air and maybe "Clowntown" will boost the ratings We shall see.
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instant_puddin — 19 years ago(August 22, 2006 08:58 AM)
I agree with you guys, the old Loonette is better by far, but she probably got sick of playing the same role, or maybe she had other obligations, she is an accomplished voice actor. I can only hope the new Loonette will get better with time. As for the use of actors for multiple characters they have been doing that all along, even for the Foley Family.
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cmclark72 — 19 years ago(August 26, 2006 08:55 AM)
The live tour was just at the mall where I work and I asked what happened to Alyson ( the old Loonette ) The reason is that she has just become a mom recently , and is devoted to her family now. She's also 33 years old , granted that's only 2 years older than Ramonabut you get the point. She did the show up until 2003 when they cancelled the original run, that's 10 years. It was just time for her to move in another direction I guess.
Ramona has some big clown-shoes to fill but give her time to grow into the role. Who knows what the future holds though , maybe in a while we might see Alyson back as Loonette if Ramona doesn't get 'over' with the kids. -
kerrykoolj — 19 years ago(August 26, 2006 08:49 PM)
Does anyone know where I can find TBCC on tv? I haven't seen it in years. I live in NC, USA. I'm dying to see this new Loonette. I'm guessing I'll be disapponted because we are fans of the old show, it was my 11 yr. olds favorite as a toddler and I hoped my new little one would get to enjoy it as well
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cscliegh — 19 years ago(February 03, 2007 01:07 PM)
I agree! I had been hoping that they were just old episodes or just some of the very first ones where they're trying to figure out their character's etc
I have to change the channel everytime the new Loonette comes on. She's annoying! She makes me feel like Loonette is talking down to my children (3 and 1.5yrs) I don't want them to watch anything that gives off that feeling!
I too miss the old Loonette. -
jenniecalvin — 18 years ago(November 17, 2007 11:31 AM)
Alyson probably left because her husband passed away in 2OO5. I don't know any details, other than that they had a small child. She probably needed a break after he died.
That's just speculationbut I agree that she was much more comfortable with the role, which is normal since she was on it for 1O years! My son loves both Loonettes - he just loves this show to death. -
agoss-2 — 19 years ago(September 28, 2006 05:11 PM)
I think we all need to remember that the first loonette had 10 years to make the role her own. The new loonette needs time to get comfortable in the role. Let's cut her some slack. She's not bad - she's just different. And really, the only way a two year old will dislike the new one is if the parent makes a big deal of it.
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bionicrat — 18 years ago(December 30, 2007 10:00 AM)
the bottom line is when an old show ends they need to leave it alone. they should not have called her loonette. They should have made her character a niece or something like that or cousin. Let's face it nobody ever likes when they replace an original character. All this is is about money they just grabbed whoever they thought would fit. We don't have time for her to get used to her role, what do we have to wait for our kids to be in highschool before she gets used to her role she is suppose to a professional. The first loonette Alyson Court did not have to get use to her role because she was professional and at the same time real. The new Loonette is fake. As you can see when Steve left Blues Clues and they put Joe in Nobody cared about it anymore because Steve was the original and THE BEST BECAUSE HE WAS REAL. SAME WITH LOONETTE THE SHOW IS NOT GOING TO LAST BECAUSE EITHER WE GET THE REAL DEAL OR YOU CAN FORGET IT.
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chukmaster — 19 years ago(September 15, 2006 09:48 PM)
wow where have I been - my older boys (now grown up almost - one 15 and one 17) LOVED BCC - now my toddler daughter also loves "couch" - we watch it on Treehouse here in Edmonton - and I just noticed the other DAY the new Loonette - Treehouse seems to still mix it up with old Loonette - poor new Loonette - such big shoes to fill because (big sigh) I much prefer old Loonette too. I didn't know it was canceled in 2003 since my boys were way to old by that time to watch. I have been looking for a DVD to buy, and can't find - Amazon is releasing something Nov but now I suspect it is going to be old Loonette - if anyone knows where I can get old Loonette dvds, that would be great!
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the_good_fight82 — 19 years ago(September 17, 2006 07:25 AM)
I dont know for sure why they switched, but I found it weird that my husband asked me if Lunette was pregnant.. and then they switched girls. I tried to find info online, but I didn't find any information confirming this:) I just thought it was a pretty big coincidence.
I used to watch this show when I was like 4 years old and Alyson was probably 16-25 then.