The Torkelsons (1991–1992) User Reviews (10)

Very naive. Dedicated for the family.

[insomniac_rod · 7/10 · 17 May 2009]

Eh, what can I say? This was a sitcom dedicated exclusively for the family. As a teenager I watched it but I thought it was too kitsch and naive but for a younger audience and parents, I think it's a great show.

The situations and jokes were very, very naive but that doesn't means not funny.

I remember with tenderness this show because I grew with it until my pre-pubert phase.

Olivia Burnette was sexy and now more! Please Disney give it a new chance.

By the way, the chapter I remember the most was Drew Carey's guest appearance as the uncle of a loser fat boy.

Cute sitcoms canceled get added to Disney Channel lineup

[jennifermize455 · 9 August 2005]

The Torklesons, and later Almost Home, were sitcoms originally aired on NBC, and later, canceled mid-season. We faithfully watched each week, until the bitter end.

I was so excited when The Disney Channel -years later- acquired the reruns (Disney went through a phase -before they started producing their own sitcoms- where they aired episodes of several good family shows other networks had dropped or canceled mid-season).

These little-known shows were much-enjoyed by my family. We were able to tape each episode as it aired later on the Disney channel and still play them, marathon-style, on rainy days. Most people are unaware that a very young Brittany Murphy got her start here (as well as a few other sitcoms from that era).

DVD Please

[TaShannaJD · 10/10 · 25 July 2011]

Wish the would bring it out on DVD!!!! I loved this Show growing up and had it taped but lost them! Now I can't find it on anywhere! So I really Wish the would release it on to DVD for those of us that want to remember our Childhood!!! They have so many other shows on DVD why not this one!!! I would do anything to go back to the time when this show was on Disney!!! Nick has a 90's are all that thing going on now that shows all of there 90's classic shows. I think Disney should do it too! Shows like the Torkelsons, Avonlea, and Eerie Indiana were my favorite on Disney!!! Our Childhoods are very Special and we need to hold on to them as mush as we can and these shows help us hold on to that magic!!!

Alittle Ahead of Its Time, Debuted at the Wrong Time

[rgcart · 5/10 · 27 January 2022]

If this sitcom were a book or a movie, I think it would be more enjoyable for the reader or viewer. This show was always alittle odd to me. There so many sitcoms in the 90s and on cable, it was hard to compete during that time which is why I don't think the show did as well. It was always placed at really odd times for me.

I'm honestly shocked though that Olivia Burnett and Connie are not bigger actresses in Hollywood. There performances in this heartwarming show were fantastic! The plot is a very well written plot. The show kept having me ask- why did the family make this or that decision? The downfall was that the viewer had to keep guessing. The retooled version of this show, Almost Home, to me lost a lot of character from the first season.

. It was like half of the family disappeared and Britney Murphy was added to get some star power into this show.

This show was really forward thinking in having the main character talk outside of her window to the man on the moon. Which everybody thought was completely crazy and weird at the time- but now with YouTube and cellphones. It would make a lot more sense and would work excellently! It wouldn't seem cheesy or out of place in todays world. I actually think it would stay on Disney and or Fox TV a lot longer if it debuted today. This show, to me, also suffered at the height having like a thousand sitcoms and shows to pick from. It unfortunate did not stand out from the lack Fresh Prince of Bel Air or Blossom.

This show is an early predecessor to 7th Heaven and This is us. If that makes sense?

Shafted by the networks

[Aurorajaye · 22 July 2003]

Although The Torkelsons was an ensemble comedy, Connie Ray and Olivia Burnette were the obvious stars. They took characters who could have been caricatures (the frazzled, whacky southern mama and her precocious wannabe-poet daughter) and gave rich, realistic and complex performances. Dorothy Jane's crush on Riley was realistically poignant, exciting and angsty as only unrequited teen love can be. The jokes were cute, the lessons learned didn't clobber watchers over the head, and the Torkelsons had a moral-center much more admirable and realistic than most "family values" programming. Networks didn't know what to do with this show. It was so unique that it was difficult to fit smoothly into programming blocks. It was bounced around in the schedule so much that devoted fans set up calling networks to alert each other when they happened to find an episode on the air.

Almost Home tried to put The Torkelsons' heart and wit into a more marketable package, but the sarcastic city kids' reaction to the earnest Oklahomans mirrored the condescension shown by network executives.

One Of The Best

[dbell8400 · 25 August 2003]

I just loved "Almost Home" and "The Torkelsons." Both seasons were just great to watch. I remember always wanting to go to my aunts just so I could watch this one show. The acting was wonderful and fun to watch. It's a shame both were cancelled.

Charming Show- While it lasted.

[iamabravesfan-1 · 28 June 2002]

The Torkelsons and its spin-off Almost Home, were, in my opinion, 2 of the funniest sitcoms I have ever seen. The writing is original and creative. Unlike many other shows on the Disney Channel, I can actually stand to watch this one and laugh at the same time. They should start showing the reruns of both of these shows again. Then there would actually be something worth watching on that channel.

Excellent show!!!Why did it leave?

[buffy-75 · 1 January 2000]

I now watch this show on the Disney channel where they show The Torkelson's and Almost Home It's spin-off. The Torkelson's was an excellent show that was very original. Each episode has a original plot and is mixed with comedy and drama which makes up a show. Unfortunately the show only survived two seasons and was picked up for a third with almost home. Unfortunately that show got the axe. Why are good shows deep sixed?

One of Disney's few GOOD sitcoms

[JennLynn · 22 August 1999]

This sitcom was great. And the spin-off, Almost Home, was as well. This one had something. But, after a few episodes, we saw re-runs. Oh, why are the good things so short? Maybe it would have helped if ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX had partnered up with Disney to produce the sitcom.

I love this!

[KarenW-2 · 28 December 1998]

This show should have been on longer! It's terrific!