I recently watched the complete series of this show for probably the 20th time and it never gets old to me.

I wonder why they felt they had to change the show from "The Torkelsons" to "Almost Home". "Almost Home" wasn't near as good as the first version.

I wonder if they left the show alone and didn't retool it, would it have lasted longer?

I still think if they would've stuck with the original format and went on for another season that the ratings would've picked up some and it possibly could've lasted at least 4 seasons.

I agree, the original version was a really well done show. Remember watching this during its original run.

I'm rarely if ever a fan of revamping a show. This is usually done because TV executives want to "fix" something that they feel is broken. But The Torkelsons was getting on average 9.5 million viewers (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/11/12/the-tv-column/1f348b14-459a-4bef-92ea-714fe51d44fb/?utm_term=.cd8ebb4af9cb) in its opening season.

I'm rarely if ever a fan of revamping a show. This is usually done because TV executives want to "fix" something that they feel is broken. But The Torkelsons was getting on average 9.5 million viewers (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/11/12/the-tv-column/1f348b14-459a-4bef-92ea-714fe51d44fb/?utm_term=.cd8ebb4af9cb) in its opening season.

WOW! I had NO idea the show was getting such high ratings! I cant believe the network sabotaged the show like they did, saying it was too Southern and forcing them to switch to a concept that wasn't nearly as good. I remember watching it on Disney, I was shocked to find out years later that it only ran for a season and a half.

WOW! I had NO idea the show was getting such high ratings! I cant believe the network sabotaged the show like they did, saying it was too Southern and forcing them to switch to a concept that wasn't nearly as good. I remember watching it on Disney, I was shocked to find out years later that it only ran for a season and a half.

The retooling was a disaster. Critics called NBC foolish (https://www.deseretnews.com/article/273815/HALF-THE-TORKELSONS-IS-BETTER-THAN-NONE.html) for scheduling the show against 60 Minutes.

To this day this is the one show I genuinely love and wish had lasted longer in its original format. “Almost Home” is absolutely nothing like the original and pales in comparison.

I agree, getting rid of two kids is just stupid.

WOW! I had NO idea the show was getting such high ratings!


Back then though I don't think 9.5 million viewers was a lot for ratings. Look at Jesse, another NBC sitcom from 1998 to 2000. According to Wiki it was getting 16 million viewers its' last season and in the top 20 shows of the Nielsen Ratings, number 12 to be exact, and still that wasn't good enough for NBC. Nowadays 9.5 million viewers is considered a hit on the primetime channels.

I didn't mind the retooling of The Torkelsons to Almost Home. Mainly because I am a fan of Brittany Murphy and Perry King. I was hoping the last episode would have had Millicent and Mr. Morgan becoming a couple.