Year: 1988
Runtime: 97 mins
Language: English
Director: Michael Ritchie
A wildly absurd comedy in which escaped mental patient and troublemaker John W. Burns Jr. hijacks a radio program, posing as psychiatrist Lawrence Baird and taking Dr. Maitlin’s place on the air, leading to chaotic, loony situations.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Couch Trip (1988) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the glossy, sun‑drenched world of Beverly Hills, a popular call‑in radio program becomes the unlikely stage for a high‑octane comedy of errors. The show, originally helmed by the respected psychiatrist Dr. George Maitlin, offers listeners straight‑talk advice while the city’s elite whisper about fame, ambition, and the thin line between sanity and spectacle. When Maitlin steps away to tend to his own unraveling, the vacant microphone invites anyone bold enough to fill it—especially those who thrive on chaos.
Enter John W. Burns Jr., a sharp‑tongued, trouble‑making patient freshly escaped from a Midwestern mental facility. With a talent for out‑witting authority figures, he commandeers the airwaves by masquerading as the very doctor the show once featured. His brand of unfiltered, often profane counsel instantly captivates an audience hungry for honesty, turning the program into a whirlwind of hilariously off‑beat therapy sessions. The absurdity escalates as the studio’s regular staff scramble to keep pace with his manic energy, never quite sure whether they’re witnessing a brilliant savant or a spectacular impostor.
Around the microphone, a colorful troupe adds layers to the mayhem. Lawrence Baird, the chief doctor whose own reputation teeters on the edge, watches the hijack with a mixture of professional curiosity and personal dread. Laura Rollins, a compassionate physician who instantly senses the magnetic pull of John’s unconventional empathy, finds herself drawn into a tangled web of attraction and ethical ambiguity. Meanwhile, Donald Becker, a former priest with a habit of pilfering more than just hearts, contributes his own brand of off‑beat commentary from the sidelines. Together, they navigate a world where radio waves echo louder than reason, and the line between therapeutic guidance and outright pandemonium blurs in the most delightfully unpredictable ways.
Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:52
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Fast-paced comedies where an unqualified faker causes hilarious chaos.If you enjoyed the wild premise of The Couch Trip, you'll love these movies about unqualified fakers causing chaos. Discover similar comedies where imposters blunder their way into high-stakes roles, blending fast-paced humor with irreverent satire and energetic plots. Find films that capture the same spirit of absurd deception.
A central character, often an outsider or escapee, seizes an opportunity to impersonate an authority figure. Their unexpected success leads to a series of increasingly farcical and public situations, forcing them to improvise wildly while the risk of exposure builds, culminating in a chaotic but often redemptive climax.
These films are grouped by their shared premise of a fraudulent protagonist succeeding against all odds, creating a consistently energetic and irreverent mood. They blend farce with social satire, maintaining a light tone and fast pacing that keeps the focus on comedic chaos rather than serious consequences.
Irreverent comedies that poke fun at serious systems through absurdity.Fans of The Couch Trip's satirical edge will enjoy these films that use farce to critique serious institutions. Explore movies where mental health, media, or other systems are turned upside down by chaotic characters, blending playful humor with a sharp, irreverent perspective. Discover similar fast-paced comedies with a satirical bite.
A rigid or self-important institution is infiltrated or disrupted by a chaotic force, revealing its hypocrisies and absurdities through a series of comedic set-pieces. The plot is less about a deep character arc and more about the escalating collision between order and madness, leading to a public spectacle.
These movies share a core vibe of using humor as a tool for lighthearted social critique. They prioritize playful, absurd situations over deep drama, creating a consistently energetic and unpredictable experience focused on the folly of taking certain systems too seriously.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Couch Trip in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Couch Trip is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Couch Trip, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
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