Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[Egg McMuffin]

Yes, the pilot and those early episodes mentioned above are very strong. Harriet is kind of sinister in those early episodes like “Country Girls,” vs the comic relief she eventually turned into. Katherine MacGregor was excellent at both portrayals.

I’m also partial to “Remember Me,” where Edwards and Grace adopt the orphaned Sanderson children. Yeah, it’s melodramatic and explores one of Landon’s favorite topics - finding homes for orphans. But it hadn’t been overused at that point, and we also got a great guest appearance from Patricia Neal. It would have even been more effective if we had seen the Sandersons occasionally prior to that, but that’s a quibble. Besides, I’ve always had a soft spot for Bonnie Bartlett (Grace) and her beautiful smile.

Edited April 1, 2021 by Kyle

[Zella]

1 minute ago, Kyle said:

Yes, the pilot and those early episodes mentioned above are very strong. Harriet is kind of sinister in those early episodes like “Country Girls,” vs the comic relief she eventually turned into. Katherine MacGregor excellent at both portrayals.

I’m also partial to “Remember Me,” where Edwards and Grace adopt the orphaned Sanderson children. Yeah, it’s melodramatic and explores one of Landon’s favorite topics - finding homes for orphans. But it hadn’t been overused at that point, and we also got a great guest appearance from Patricia Neal. It would have even been more effective if we had seen the Sandersons occasionally prior to that, but that’s a quibble. Besides, I’ve always had a soft spot for Bonnie Bartlett (Grace) and her beautiful smile.

I think it's the first of the show's adoption storylines--at least that I can remember--and I agree that it is actually well done and really benefits from it not being a tired trope by that point. The focus isn't also on Pa being the most wonderful man in the world, which helps. LOL

[Mr. Sparkle]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

Yes, it's the closest they would ever come to the books. 

Except perhaps Country Girls and Town Party, Country Party.

It's very loose, but in "The Long Winter" they get out of school in a blizzard and have a rough walk home. Nothing like the "Blizzard" episode, of course. Which is on right now! 

I just started reading "These Happy Golden Years" and Laura teaching and staying at the mean people's house reminds me a little of "Whisper Country," except with Laura instead of Mary. 

"On The Banks of Plum Creek" is the most like the show. "Little Town on the Prairie" really has nothing to do with the show except Almanzo interested in Laura. 

[debraran]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

Maybe they didn't want to share with the kids?

Like they couldn't smell it in the loft and certainly Carrie's bed.

Carrie saw and heard WAY too much. Lol. No wonder she had fantasy friends. I note when anyone copied the little house whether a doll house or life size model, they never had that bed as part of the decor. It was so cramped. Another reason Graces cradle wasn’t shown either. Where would it go? 

Edited April 1, 2021 by debraran

[Pirpana]

I just watched episode with Perley Day Wilder. It's funny how in previous pair of episodes Albert practically killed Andy's mom and now they bicker over affection of some random girl like nothing's happened. And moreover, it's Albert really who is anrgy a Andy, you'd think he would be still sorry for what he did.

And at the beginning of that episode Jonathan tells Charles he won't be able to participate town picnic because Alice's mother got birthday and he's gonna visit her. However, Andy is there. Why Jonathan left without him? A bit strange considering the boy just lost his mother. And not a single line of dialog to Charles asking if Andy could stay at the Ingalls. Was he home alone or what?

EDIT: The episode had a nice piece of continuity from deaf-Dylan episode at the beginning, though. Carrie runs out of the house on her way to the outhouse (What else?) and now Bandit is in doghouse Albert built for him. Although now it is Carrie's playhouse. And this time it's not a mistake made by writer but actually funny turn of event.

Edited April 1, 2021 by Pirpana
Mention of continuity

[Snow Apple]

I liked when the books mention popcorn (the food). It seemed like such a rare treat. Oranges too. I don't think they ever had oranges on the show though.

[jason88cubs]

I wonder if they stayed up till midnight on New Years eve back then?

[Blergh]

22 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

I've always felt the movie pilot is just amazing. Thats always a must watch for me

I agree! It captured not just the struggles of this family for shelter, food and clothing while making their way to a new home and having to work together to make said home from literally the ground up but also both Miss Gilbert and Mr. Landon gave flawless performances as a child and parent wanting to do right by their family!  Yes, the series became broader (and more soapy and corny) quite quickly  and soon ditched 'the books' but nothing can take away from that pilot! 

[Zella]

13 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

I wonder if they stayed up till midnight on New Years eve back then?

City folks might have, but I doubt farmers did since they were getting up before dawn for chores. 

[Katy M]

13 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

I wonder if they stayed up till midnight on New Years eve back then?

Probably not farmers.  Because the cows have to be milked every 12 or 24 hours (depending on their current milking schedule) and they got up at 4 or 5 that morning and have to get up at 4 or 5 the next morning.  Cityfolk?  Probably.

Edit: @Zella jinx.

 

Edited April 2, 2021 by Katy M

[debraran]

One thing about the house/loft I never thought about, concentrating on lack of privacy in the downstairs area, was the lack of walls upstairs. Except for fireplace/chinmey area which had their table for brushes etc. up against it, when they had to dress, both sides of their room was open. Besides voices being heard, I think as I got older, I'd like a little more privacy. Even Ma and Pa really had none.

Edited April 2, 2021 by debraran

[Katy M]

5 minutes ago, debraran said:

One thing about the house/loft I never thought about, concentrating on lack of privacy in the downstairs area, was the lack of walls upstairs. Except for fireplace/chinmey area which had their table for brushes etc. up against it, when they had to dress, both sides of their room was open. Besides voices being heard, I think as I got older, I'd like a little more privacy. Even Ma and Pa really had none.

If they're going to heat the whole place with that one fireplace, walls would be a hindrance.

[debraran]

2 hours ago, Katy M said:

If they're going to heat the whole place with that one fireplace, walls would be a hindrance.

Sheet? I can see that  but maybe something like they did with the boys later they can push aside. Anyone walking in could see them too but I guess privacy wasn't their biggest concern. With the boys, I realized even their sheet was across their beds not toward the kitchen. It wasn't always cold but I can see not constricting heat especially at night.

Edited April 2, 2021 by debraran

[Zella]

I don't think 19th century people, rural or urban, had the same conceptions of privacy that we have. 

[jason88cubs]

3 hours ago, Zella said:

City folks might have, but I doubt farmers did since they were getting up before dawn for chores. 

I'd just like to picture Charles playing his fiddle all night, the one time a yera he played it while Mr Edwards got drunk while singing ol Man Tucker

[Wonkabar5]

OT but curious- how many of you watched in real time *The Waltons* as well?   I lived in Pacific Time zone then and show was aired much later at night. I never was able to see it then, lolol. I was also a bit young to fully appreciate it. I was aware of its existence, but that was about it. As an adult who viewed the dvds about 10 years ago, I noticed some plot overlap with LH,lolol. 

That show never really maintained the amount of traction on this board (and the old TWOP?) iirc.  I wonder why.   I know there are some threads/forums in the Archives here, but not a show by show watch-along.  

@Zella: Have you seen Waltons?   I own Seasons 1-7.    I once had Season 9, but donated it to charity, since I was only interested in the Jennifer Jaison Lee episode,lolol.

[Zella]

9 minutes ago, Wonkabar5 said:

OT but curious- how many of you watched in real time *The Waltons* as well?   I lived in Pacific Time zone then and show was aired much later at night. I never was able to see it then, lolol. I was also a bit young to fully appreciate it. I was aware of its existence, but that was about it. As an adult who viewed the dvds about 10 years ago, I noticed some plot overlap with LH,lolol. 

That show never really maintained the amount of traction on this board (and the old TWOP?) iirc.  I wonder why.   I know there are some threads/forums in the Archives here, but not a show by show watch-along.  

@Zella: Have you seen Waltons?   I own Seasons 1-7.    I once had Season 9, but donated it to charity, since I was only interested in the Jennifer Jaison Lee episode,lolol.

I have watched all of 1 episode! I have thought about watching it, but I think Imma need a little break from 70s historical fiction TV before jumping in. LOL My impression is the show is less bonkers than LHOTP and perhaps more boring as a result, but I also had no clue how crazy this one was until I actually watched it. Do you think the less bonkers aspect is maybe why it is less popular to discuss? 

[Pirpana]

5 hours ago, Blergh said:

I agree! It captured not just the struggles of this family for shelter, food and clothing while making their way to a new home and having to work together to make said home from literally the ground up but also both Miss Gilbert and Mr. Landon gave flawless performances as a child and parent wanting to do right by their family!  Yes, the series became broader (and more soapy and corny) quite quickly  and soon ditched 'the books' but nothing can take away from that pilot! 

I wonder how much Landon himself appreciated the pilot movie. It may be his best work as a director, keeping in mind his other directorial efforts were on tv shows which were made in conveyer belt style, more or less. I think he only made one feature film besides his tv work and that one wasn't a very good one, I have heard.

[Egg McMuffin]

I’m a big Waltons fan, and it’s a much more serious show than LHOTP. The Waltons won 13 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama and multiple acting and writing awards. LHOTP won a few technical Emmys and Melissa Anderson was nominated the year Mary went mline, but that’s it.

If LHOTP had followed the tone set by the pilot movie, it might have competed with The Waltons for critical acclaim. But instead, LHOTP was more of a melodrama and I’d argue was aimed at a younger audience. LHOTP is more fun to post about, because as Zella implied, it’s a kind of bonkers and awfully unrealistic at times. The Waltons went off the rails a bit during its last few seasons, but never as much as Little House did.

[BigBingerBro]

I grew up in the 80s, so I was watching LHOTP and Waltons in reruns, but i always found the theme on the Waltons a bit more mature and usually centered around the parents or older boys so I just didn't relate to it as much as Little House.  I should definitely try watching that series now as an adult.

[Egg McMuffin]

If you check out The Waltons, my advice is to seek out the first five seasons, when the entire original cast is present. The later seasons are more hit or miss. The last couple of seasons, where John Boy and the grandparents are gone and the parents are only there part time, are forgettable.

[Zella]

31 minutes ago, Kyle said:

If you check out The Waltons, my advice is to seek out the first five seasons, when the entire original cast is present. The later seasons are more hit or miss. The last couple of seasons, where John Boy and the grandparents are gone and the parents are only there part time, are forgettable.

Oh Lord it sounds like LHOTP season 9. But maybe with fewer orangutans, bank robbers, wild boys, leukemia cases, forgotten adoptions, and explosions. Bahahahaha 

Edited April 2, 2021 by Zella

[Egg McMuffin]

Ha - yes. The only really odd thing that happened was that one of the characters returned from the dead.

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, Kyle said:

Ha - yes. The only really odd thing that happened was that one of the characters returned from the dead.

You have my attention. 

[CountryGirl]

2 hours ago, Kyle said:

Ha - yes. The only really odd thing that happened was that one of the characters returned from the dead.

I know the character and nope, I’m having none of that. 

[Blergh]

I agree@ Country Girl!

However, for any Waltons fans or curious folks who'd like an  insight. I've just written some of the worst of that show's latter day transgressions in their own Subforum which everyone is invited to have a gander at ( but no goosing, please).

 

As for Little House? It's interesting to note that once the show became a series, there was little if any of the workday life of the family depicted (besides the girls aimlessly feeding the chickens and maybe sweeping hay out of the barn (which looked like a much bigger dwelling than the Little House). The clothes and people seemed virtually immaculate despite washing days never being depicted and I'm not sure they had any clothes lines (or any bathing for the Ingallses).  Of course, in the books the one time bathing was depicted was before the family was to take a train ride- and in those dwellings that only had a hand pump with cold water only, that was no mean feat. One of my relatives has a scar on her leg to this day from spilling hot water from a large bucket that she carried from a stovetop to an upstairs bath tub  as a young girl because the house had no hot water and they'd had to boil it on the kitchen stove (and this was many decades AFTER the Little House times). 

Edited April 3, 2021 by Blergh

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, Blergh said:

One of my relatives has a scar on her leg to this day from spilling hot water from a large bucket that she carried from a stovetop to an upstairs bath tube as a young girl because the house had no hot water and they'd had to boil it on the kitchen stove (and this was many decades AFTER the Little House times). 

Yes, it's not as limited to the 19th century as we commonly think. My grandparents had no electricity, no running water, and no indoor plumbing until the 50s (and into the early 60s on the running water/indoor plumbing) in rural North Carolina. Both of them grew up doing the weekly baths with water heated on the stove. 

Hell, I have a neighbor who still uses an outhouse, though he is the only one I know who does. He's a real weirdo in general. 

[debraran]

Karen Grassle wanted a grittier LHOP. From an interview with Charlotte Stewart:

Karen — and she’s talked about this publicly as well — thought the show was a bit too lightweight in its exploration of themes such as family, marriage relationships, the harshness of prairie life, and so on,” Stewart explained. “She wanted the show to be grittier.”

While Grassle would later come to accept Landon’s vision for the show, she grew frustrated at times for storylines that struck her as make-believe playtime.

“As she said once in an interview, adding that at one point she felt like the show was ‘Let’s Pretend on the Prairie,'” Stewart remarked. “She says she’s come to see it differently with time, but it’s a legitimate point and gets to a tension that exists any time you produce a show intended for a very broad audience.”

Decisions regarding the content on Little House were ultimately up to Landon, and he was confident in the messages he was creating on the show.

“Ultimately Karen — and everyone else — knew that it was Mike’s show, and he would produce it the way he wanted to,” Stewart commented. “I think everyone in the cast agrees today that he worked some magic in terms of touching a lot of hearts. Something we did not always see at the time, and really wouldn’t know until years, and in some cases, decades later.”

I accepted it as make believe but no way did they get up everyday, have a breakfast and all look the way they did. Clothes rarely got washed even when muddy, miraculously were clean again. Michael was filthy almost everyday, pioneers usually just hung their dirty, smelly clothes and washed once a week. That little house couldn't have smelled very well unless mom was cooking fritters. ; )

The bathroom was rarely used (besides poor Carrie) no one had to go when it snowed a lot or was pouring out or ever mentioned a chamber pot. The amount of time for mom to do most things was never really explored and some think of this living as "fun" which Karen must have heard a lot, because she made it look so easy. He said too gritty, even on occasion would turn fans off, but once in a while to mention things instead of showing them, would be okay. "It took all morning to do "fill in the blank".

 

[Egg McMuffin]

I knew Grassle was unhappy with the show and there was discussion of recasting Caroline at some point early in the series. Hersha Parady, who played Alice, was reportedly considered. And I would have hated that because man, I hated that sourpuss Alice Garvey. Landon, thankfully, convinced Grassle to stay. She was underrated and one of the best things about the show. She was like Robert Reed - could take lightweight material and give it some gravitas.

[jason88cubs]

At least with the Waltons, John wasn't going around sticking his nose in everyone's business and getting his ribs broken constantly

 

 

[debraran]

37 minutes ago, Kyle said:

I knew Grassle was unhappy with the show and there was discussion of recasting Caroline at some point early in the series. Hersha Parady, who played Alice, was reportedly considered. And I would have hated that because man, I hated that sourpuss Alice Garvey. Landon, thankfully, convinced Grassle to stay. She was underrated and one of the best things about the show. She was like Robert Reed - could take lightweight material and give it some gravitas.

I had heard that was before the show started until he met Karen but maybe it was later. She came from a different background in acting and it took some getting used too. Katherine also had her say at time about her character and occasionally just changed things. ; )  Hersha asked once when she really thought her character would be better doing it another way and he said okay even when it meant re shooting and different light (she was shocked) but never asked again.

[Egg McMuffin]

I’d also read that he considered letting Katherine MacGregor go at one point because of their differences. Don’t know how true that is, but thank god he didn’t. She was the best actor on the show. I still laugh at that scene in Country Girls where Caroline brings her eggs to the store. There’s some sort of cloth over the eggs in the basket, and Harriet removes the cloth by the very tips of her fingers, as if she can’t stand to touch anything dirty that that farm woman brought her. It’s little touches like this that make her so much fun to watch.

[debraran]

3 minutes ago, Kyle said:

I’d also read that he considered letting Katherine MacGregor go at one point because of their differences. Don’t know how true that is, but thank god he didn’t. She was the best actor on the show. I still laugh at that scene in Country Girls where Caroline brings her eggs to the store. There’s some sort of cloth over the eggs in the basket, and Harriet removes the cloth by the very tips of her fingers, as if she can’t stand to touch anything dirty that that farm woman brought her. It’s little touches like this that make her so much fun to watch.

She was a gem. In some ways she was just as much part of LHOP as the Ingall's. Dean Butler said he welcomed her advice and I think Karen took an acting class she was in. She was pushy but hey, who knows now if some of her ideas would make some of our less complimentary comments less. 😉 Michael's ego and personality was not one to listen though but I'm glad she stayed and added much needed charm and wit to the cast. I wonder if she wanted at times to be less one sided (as you saw on occasion) and he didn't want to do that.

[Blergh]

5 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

At least with the Waltons, John wasn't going around sticking his nose in everyone's business and getting his ribs broken constantly

 

 

That's because Grandpa, Grandma, Olivia and John-Boy did plenty of that (though it wound up that John-Boy got a lame leg for a time after an offscreen motorcycle accident [!]) but no one busted any ribs.

[Wonkabar5]

All such good and informative responses. 🙂  It’s funny because on that PBS and UK produced reality show, “Frontier House,” (2002)  one of the main characters, Adrienne Clune,  actually said she thought she would have more time on her hands and not be as tired as she was as to re-create “Little House on the Prairie,” moments, romantic and all, LOLOL.  Yes, she actually named the show. Ha! 

That show did depict not being able to wash (even clothes) everyday, putting on dirty clothes and even when you did the laundry, it was hung up inside to dry (bad weather), and was not dry to use when desperately needed.   See milking cows in the snow without proper attire. Uggh. 

[Blergh]

7 minutes ago, Wonkabar5 said:

All such good and informative responses. 🙂  It’s funny because on that PBS and UK produced reality show, “Frontier House,” (2002)  one of the main characters, Adrienne Clune,  actually said she thought she would have more time on her hands and not be as tired as she was as to re-create “Little House on the Prairie,” moments, romantic and all, LOLOL.  Yes, she actually named the show. Ha! 

That show did depict not being able to wash (even clothes) everyday, putting on dirty clothes and even when you did the laundry, it was hung up inside to dry (bad weather), and was not dry to use when desperately needed.   See milking cows in the snow without proper attire. Uggh. 

And even when the clothes DID dry, unless one had one of those special enclosed screened drying porches/gazebos, there wasn't much if anything to prevent them being targeted by members of the avian community so one often had to deal with unsightly and sometimes permanent spots! 

Yet, Miss MacGregor was  boon to the show- despite the fact that Miss Arngrim freely admitted that the older performer often tried to direct every other performer on the series (which her onscreen husband Mr. Bull flat out told her that she could do whatever she wanted but  not that with HIM), flubbed her lines, and openly argued with &dissed ML- yet despite ALL these hashmarks, she created this unforgettably wacky  but necessary part of the picture and Miss Arngrim and virtually all the other performers adored her in spite of said hashmarks. 

[Zella]

I read something that said when she first met Michael Landon, she took a bit of an instant dislike to him because she thought he strutted around like a bantam rooster, and that made me laugh so hard. That's an insult my older relatives throw around (except they call it a banty rooster). From what I've read about Landon, it seems like an apt comparison. 

[BigBingerBro]

29 minutes ago, Wonkabar5 said:

It’s funny because on that PBS and UK produced reality show, “Frontier House,” (2002)  one of the main characters, Adrienne Clune,  actually said she thought she would have more time on her hands and not be as tired as she was as to re-create “Little House on the Prairie,” moments, romantic and all, LOLOL.  Yes, she actually named the show. Ha! 

OMG that series was like a train wreck.  The Clunes were the worst family they could have chosen.  Remember when Adrienne cried because they wouldn't allow her to wear makeup?   I think doing that show was the best thing for the kids, especially the spoiled older girls.  They really did turn into wild nature children by the end of it.   Talk about gritty, that series was how LHOTP should have been.   There was also a similar show produced out of Canada where 3 familes spend a year in Manitoba (I think) living like pioneers.  Very gritty as well.

[Wonkabar5]

Thanks for the info on the Canadian show. I think I may have seen it on amazon dvd.  If it is the one I am remembering, yes, that sounded *very* gritty.  

“Pioneer Quest?” Something like that.

Edited April 4, 2021 by Wonkabar5

[Zella]

I need to watch Frontier House. I remember seeing some episodes when it aired, but I was about 12/13 and don't remember much about it. I do vaguely remember some people being very annoying. 

The only show I've seen like that was Manor House, which is the same premise but Edwardian country house style. We watched it in a class I took on British Literature in college. I think the professor was only going to show us an episode to make a point about servants and class, but we got so sucked into the meltdowns and drama that we begged him to let us watch the whole series, and he did because he was retiring at the end of the semester and didn't give a fuck anymore. 😄 

[jason88cubs]

I'm surprised the Oelson's were as well off as they were. WIth how the town of Walnut Grove was financially I'm surprised they didnt move somehwere where they could have people paying for stuff and not always using credit

 

But come to think of it , tehre was a few episodes where you would see money being exchanged, it just seemed like Ingalls was using credit alot. I never recall Garvey or Mr Edwards doing credit unless I missed it?

 

BUt I felt bad for the Oelson's. They were friends with people and I'm sure declining credit to people wasn't easy

Edited April 5, 2021 by jason88cubs

[Blergh]

3 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

 

 

BUt I felt bad for the Oelson's. They were friends with people and I'm sure declining credit to people wasn't easy

You mean, it wasn't easy for Mr. Oleson! No doubt Harriet was happy to decline and/or refuse credit-yet of course expected everyone to still treat HER like she was their friend. Is it any wonder that Mrs. Foster gleefully took advantage of the bogus '100 Percent Off' Sale in 'Harriet's Happenings'? She likely was the closest person in Walnut Grove that Mrs Oleson would have considered to have been her friend (yes, even more so than Caroline or Hester-Sue) but, despite Mrs. Foster having had the steady payroll of being the town's postmistress (and also fellow gossip- with more direct sources than anyone else in town via her position until they stupidly put in the switchboard in Harriet's conniving hands), no doubt Harriet had  eagerly dogged HER about not wanting to give her credit! 

[debraran]

5 hours ago, Blergh said:

You mean, it wasn't easy for Mr. Oleson! No doubt Harriet was happy to decline and/or refuse credit-yet of course expected everyone to still treat HER like she was their friend. Is it any wonder that Mrs. Foster gleefully took advantage of the bogus '100 Percent Off' Sale in 'Harriet's Happenings'? She likely was the closest person in Walnut Grove that Mrs Oleson would have considered to have been her friend (yes, even more so than Caroline or Hester-Sue) but, despite Mrs. Foster having had the steady payroll of being the town's postmistress (and also fellow gossip- with more direct sources than anyone else in town via her position until they stupidly put in the switchboard in Harriet's conniving hands), no doubt Harriet had  eagerly dogged HER about not wanting to give her credit! 

I thought in the first few shows, the Oleson's were very honest about not extending credit and why. Charles was indignant and shocked but no matter how we would have felt too, he had to know it was a reality. (he did do what they worried about in the books too!) Was Mr and Mrs Oleson supposed to know Charles was a saint by his hat or smile? Did he do service for people and not expect to get paid or barter? Even bartering is only good when you both get something but doesn't pay for the products the Oleson's had to buy before he bought them. We all know this but it makes me angry when a new neighbor just wants them to trust him. (rant over)

I also thought the 100% off was funny but not he way they did it. Having people not ask about it wasn't real, no one gives their stuff away. They also hurt Nel's and I couldn't have done that and of course they'd never show Caroline etc. doing it. Not really stealing but a prank and the kids shouldn't have hurt Nel's too. He had enough pain. That was money he'd never get back and they took expensive things!

They must have had more people in town we never saw with money to buy things to keep them in nice dresses and home. They always got money to give Charles for trips and medical expenses and Rev Alden thought somehow they could pay for a 300.00 organ from donations. lol   Yes, I agree, egg sales and credit from them didn't keep them in the green. They had to have the town fail to leave and then miraculously were able to get things when they returned.

Edited April 5, 2021 by debraran

[Egg McMuffin]

I thought Pa Ingalls always believed in cash on the barrel head. Except when he didn’t.

I liked Harriet was selective about giving Jonathan Garvey credit for his anniversary present to the sourpuss. She wouldn’t give him credit for something fancy, but would do it for something practical, like a nice ham.

Edited April 5, 2021 by Kyle

[RedbirdNelly]

we watched the Walton and LH growing up. I associated them together--both involved a house catching on fire (although I don't think anyone died on the Waltons. I remember Elizabeth recovering her doll). As a result, I grew up thinking house fire was the most likely awful thing that could happen to you and spent time thinking about how I would escape my bedroom (main issue being the prickly holly bushes right outside my window; I planned to put a blanket over them and rescue all of my dolls/stuffed animals before exiting myself). 

I learned what Pearl Harbor was from the Waltons (although years later, I watched a few later episodes and Kurt somehow comes back--which I assume is when the show had jumped the shark). 

The theme song to the Waltons is great and relaxing. I used to catch the beginning of reruns just to hear it and calm myself while studying for finals

[jason88cubs]

5 minutes ago, RedbirdNelly said:

we watched the Walton and LH growing up. I associated them together--both involved a house catching on fire (although I don't think anyone died on the Waltons. I remember Elizabeth recovering her doll). As a result, I grew up thinking house fire was the most likely awful thing that could happen to you and spent time thinking about how I would escape my bedroom (main issue being the prickly holly bushes right outside my window; I planned to put a blanket over them and rescue all of my dolls/stuffed animals before exiting myself). 

I learned what Pearl Harbor was from the Waltons (although years later, I watched a few later episodes and Kurt somehow comes back--which I assume is when the show had jumped the shark). 

The theme song to the Waltons is great and relaxing. I used to catch the beginning of reruns just to hear it and calm myself while studying for finals

The fire on The Waltons was really intense. They got really close to the flames

[Egg McMuffin]

I saw that episode when I was seven or eight. Really intense. For the next few years, I’d wake up in the middle of the night and listen for the sounds of fire. Even though we had smoke detectors!

[RedbirdNelly]

2 hours ago, Kyle said:

I saw that episode when I was seven or eight. Really intense. For the next few years, I’d wake up in the middle of the night and listen for the sounds of fire. Even though we had smoke detectors!

the LH and W fire episodes really made an impression on me. I don't think I've ever gotten to rewatch the Walton's one

[CountryGirl]

5 hours ago, RedbirdNelly said:

we watched the Walton and LH growing up. I associated them together--both involved a house catching on fire (although I don't think anyone died on the Waltons. I remember Elizabeth recovering her doll). As a result, I grew up thinking house fire was the most likely awful thing that could happen to you and spent time thinking about how I would escape my bedroom (main issue being the prickly holly bushes right outside my window; I planned to put a blanket over them and rescue all of my dolls/stuffed animals before exiting myself). 

I learned what Pearl Harbor was from the Waltons (although years later, I watched a few later episodes and Kurt somehow comes back--which I assume is when the show had jumped the shark). 

The theme song to the Waltons is great and relaxing. I used to catch the beginning of reruns just to hear it and calm myself while studying for finals

The Burnout was an episode that has stayed with me. Especially when they realize Erin is still in the house and John and John-Boy go back into the house.

Kurt coming back...

He died at Pearl Harbor on 12/7/1941 and I will brook no more nonsense. Nor will I ever accept what's-his-face as John Boy. 

And yet I'll accept the same actor on LHOTP as Uncle Jed, Zachariah, and the guy who owned the Ingalls' farm years ago. 

[RedbirdNelly]

I was in school, realized I could see some of the Waltons and decided it would be fun to watch some of it--and stumbled into the Kurt nonsense. Such a big no. I'm glad I'm not alone.

Back to LH--although it could have been tedious to show us realistic stuff, there is a downside to only showing the good parts and ignoring reality. It encourages us to think those truly were the good old days when life was simple. . . .but truth is I hate being cold so I want my indoor plumbing, my central heat and the ability to quickly warm up food.