VISTA - A big purple couch sat in the middle of downtown Vista on Thursday as a local couple finished shooting a pilot episode for a reality TV show that they're hoping takes off.

The idea of the show - dubbed simply "The Purple Couch" - is to travel the country with the plush sofa, talking to people about what is important to them and recording their unique stories.

The cozy couch is supposed to represent hominess and togetherness as creators Michael and Cheryl Johnson work to present what they call "stories from America's living room."

"Everyone has a story," Michael Johnson said. "People are dying to be heard."

The Johnsons, who live in San Marcos, said they chose downtown Vista to be part of the pilot because of its quaint, folksy appeal.

"It's got a nice vibe to it," Johnson said. "We wanted something that had a little bit of a Middle America feel to it."

They said they chose to shoot in front of the Curbside Cafe, a popular downtown eatery, because they like the food there. The restaurant's owner, John Randall, said the filming near the cafe was a great compliment.

"It's exciting for the people, the customers and the city of Vista," he said.

Some of the people eating at the Curbside Cafe on Thursday got on the couch to share stories, while others just watched. To smooth the filming, the Johnsons' colleague Joel Roney walked up and down Main Street acting as a "wrangler," tracking down between 15 and 20 people to sit on the couch and share their stories.

One of the people Roney convinced to talk was Chris Vazquez, who stumbled onto the production while walking downtown.

Vazquez went before the cameras to share some of his beliefs, wishes and regrets.

"It was a neat experience," the 21-year-old Vista resident said after the shoot. "I just wanted to try something new."

Vazquez said he was impressed with the show's premise, saying he thinks people sharing their personal stories could inspire or help others.

The Johnsons first tried the idea out with friends in their living room, asking them about the defining moments in their lives. They said the responses they got inspired them to create the show.

Michael Johnson said that after they began planning "The Purple Couch," he and Cheryl noticed a Kleenex commercial airing on TV with a similar concept. Though they were initially disappointed by the similarities, Michael Johnson said they have no fear the commercial will steal their thunder.

Before filming in Vista, the Johnsons took the couch to downtown San Diego and to a nearby beach, where they shot additional interviews.

Now, the couple plans to put the footage together into a pilot episode and shop it around to TV stations and investors.

The Johnsons said they hope the show will bring people together through their stories.

"Stories are powerful," Cheryl Johnson said. "Stories have the power to help us understand and to heal. … Stories help us to realize that we are not alone."

More information on the proposed program and clips from some of the interviews are available online at www.thepurplecouch.com.

- Contact staff writer Stacy Brandt at (760) 901-4009 or sbrandt@nctimes.com.