Why did they change actresses??
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circuitrider1010 — 19 years ago(January 11, 2007 02:38 PM)
I guess my family feels different. We like the new Loonette a lot better. We didn't fall in love with the show until the new Loonette won us over. I think the old one is too whinney and too big, the new Loonette is much smaller and more believable as a child-clown.
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still_in_debt — 19 years ago(October 07, 2006 09:06 PM)
For a couple of years, Alyson was the morning kids show host (along with a nice guy named Michael) on CBC Kids. I think it was during the time that BCC was (supposedly) cancelled - first I'd heard of this.
Also, there was a time where she was pregnant, but IMDb doesn't list any personal info on her, so it's hard to say when. I think it was during BCC, though, as I definitely recall seeing her with a tummy.
Perhaps, if it was cancelled then returned, she had already committed to other stuff, didn't want to go backwards in her career, or just wants to play "mommy" for awhile.
Moi -
OmegaWolf747 — 18 years ago(September 23, 2007 03:34 PM)
I'll just say that since TBCC was not in production for three seasons, these newer episodes are really a separate series. I think they should have just left it dead instead of bringing it back in this zombified form with a different actress.
Give me liberty, or give me death! -
durhamskier — 19 years ago(February 10, 2007 01:32 PM)
I'm new to the show, and my 16 month old son loves it.
This is going to make me pretty popular but: the new Loonette is WAAAAAY better. She acts younger, she sings better, and she rocks the clockrug stretch better than the old one. Alyson (sp?) was not flexible, and when it came to where she rolls around it was just painful to watch. I could practically hear her struggling with it.
Keep at it Ramona, not everyone prefers the old Loonette! -
cruelshoes1 — 19 years ago(February 18, 2007 06:11 PM)
People have already answered why I just wanted to throw in my two cents that my 20-month-old son and I love Ramona Darling. It is certainly okay that they switched actors after being off the air for three years. Most of the children who were watching back then are now too old for the show. My local PBS is mixing between the new and old shows. I noticed the change in actress on VOL 1 of the DVD set (the thrid show has the old actress), I was like, "who the heck is this Loonette?" I prefer the new woman. Just my two cents. I like her child=like quality, and my son responds better to her.
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actiontrooper — 18 years ago(October 30, 2007 06:58 AM)
Alyson Court is alive and well and a full time single parent. She also lost her husband Erik Suzuki a year before the new production, which may have been a factor in the new actress, introduced by a different production company. I just ordered 10 dvds featuring new episodes for my child's birthday. I was very disappointed to notice the change in actresses, after opening and playing the first dvd. I also liked the fact that older episodes occasionally featured the printed words to songs, during the sing-a-longs, to help kids with letter and word recognition. The new actress, Ramona Gilmour-Darling, is only 2 years younger than the original actress. Alyson Court was only 18 when she started her lengthy career as Loonette. I prefer her natural acting style, with her softer voice, less exaggerated facial tones and expressions. Hopefully, my child won't be too bothered by the change, I find the different voice distracting.
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dragon_millenaire — 18 years ago(December 14, 2007 11:02 AM)
After reading through every post, your question seems pretty much answered. But here are my thoughts on Alyson Court and the show she was in. I was between 9 and 11 years old when I noticed that it existed on YTV when I lived in Manitoba, Winnipeg. The cable had that channel included for free (I think) and sometimes I actually did watch The Big Comfy Couch out of boredom and simply curiosity. I found the actress cute and the games quite amusing none the less, which is asking quite a big for a boy of that age I think.
I do remember momentarily seeing the replacement clown some time ago, but only from a friend's place who had YTV, saddly this channel being a paying channel not included in standard cable. I really do miss this channel a lot as it had all sorts of cartoons, for children and older people.
It's sad to hear that Alyson lost her spouse, the same thing happened to a Loreena Mckennith some time ago. It isn't easy to doing what you used to do after such an unexpected event. Though this singer I named chose to continue on her journey, maybe Alison might pop back up one day just to conclude everything or go to greater heights. -
davemooreblues — 18 years ago(January 13, 2008 02:56 AM)
Heh.. this reminds me of when I was young and used to be obsessed with the old Universal Horror movies.. to me the best Frankenstein was Boris Karloff, the best Dracula was Bela Lugosi ect and when Id see a fim with Lon Chaney Jr playing Dracula, or Lugosi playing Frankenstiens monster.. I just couldnt imagine what had happened.
As I grew older.I began to understand that in Show Biz.. nothings ever certain.. so you just gotta roll with the flow and enjoy things for what they are and not nit pick over everthing.
Was Alyson better than Ramona? Yes but she was the original and thats always been the yardstick performers are measured by. Remember, Alyson made the role her own, and Ramona has to try and imitate what Alyson did before. But I think she does as good a job as is possible to expect out of someone. I couldn't imitate Alyson better.. could you?
I also suspect that when Alyson's husband died right around the time that the new series of programs were being filmed.. maybe Alyson just didn't feel like "Playing clown" at the time.
I'm just glad to see the program is back. My 2 year old daughter loves both and we tape it everyday so she can watch it whenever shes bored.
Take care,
Dave Moore -
RedSkin_Gyal — 17 years ago(April 10, 2008 07:59 AM)
Always the original is better Alyson will always be remember as the best Loonete over Ramona.Alyson suited the character and made it more fun for children to watch I wacth TBCC with my daughter and I find it to be boring especially now they sing the song clown town clown town which I find kinda irratating but its a childrens show and they enjoy it.