Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[Prairie Rose]

1 minute ago, Zella said:

I know I will regret asking but I have to know. LOL

KG alleged in the book that after she and Gil Gerard had had a fling, he called to say he had contracted the STD and that she should get tested. She eventually tested negative.

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Prairie Rose said:

KG alleged in the book that after she and Gil Gerard had had a fling, he called to say he had contracted the STD and that she should get tested. She eventually tested negative.

Oh my.

I've still never quite recovered from learning that Miss Beedle and Mr. Edwards got it on in real life. LOLOL

[Prairie Rose]

7 minutes ago, Zella said:

Oh my.

I've still never quite recovered from learning that Miss Beedle and Mr. Edwards got it on in real life. LOLOL

 

8 minutes ago, Zella said:

Oh my.

I've still never quite recovered from learning that Miss Beedle and Mr. Edwards got it on in real life. LOLOL

How would we have reacted if we had known all of this back then? Our heads would have exploded!! 😉😂

[Egg McMuffin]

On 2/22/2022 at 5:08 PM, Prairie Rose said:

I hate to sound mean, but every episode that involved the blind kids was a downer. I just saw Mary and Adam's wedding, which took place after the dust storm. Why did Michael Landon insist on having missing kids on this show screech "I'm here! I'm here! I'm here!" over and over again? (Nancy did the same thing in "The Return of Nellie".) Then he had the blind kids at the circus (?!) in "Annabelle". Then we had the annoying recitation of " Go Tell it on the Mountain" that broke up Hester Sue's wedding (?!). Glad to get all that off my chest!!!

Landon’s obsession with blind children was a little weird, tbh. Aside from the blind school plots, they had an episode where Laura’s blind friend falls in love with Edwards (ew), another one where Albert pretends to be blind, and of course the infamous episode where the blind children go to the circus and pretend to have fun.

[Prairie Rose]

5 minutes ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Landon’s obsession with blind children was a little weird, tbh.  

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that!! Didn't he also do at least one story about blind kids on Highway to Heaven?

[Blergh]

IIRC, during a later part of the show, Linwood Boomer got interviewed and said that ML was planning to relocate the Blind School to . . .Johnstown, Pennsylvania where a horrific flood would drown over 2,220 people in 1889. Now whether he was joking with Mr. Boomer at the time or was serious but somehow the idea got vetoed, I'm not sure. However, it seemed ML was reveling to put  those kids through an unbelievable amount of tragedies and mishaps -even on top of their blindness. 

[debraran]

8 hours ago, Zella said:

Oh my.

I've still never quite recovered from learning that Miss Beedle and Mr. Edwards got it on in real life. LOLOL

Yes, a lot of friskiness going on that prairie set. lol. Charlotte said Michael opened the door for an affair but she never went through it (from her book I think) I never understood besides the availability why men want to hit on women they work with and are there boss. It can get so messy and ML did see that later. https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/this-little-house-on-the-prairie-star-recalled-when-michael-landon-offered-her-a-roll-in-the-hay.html/

When I read about divorce and how devastated someone is I wonder what led up to it. I know he was a big drinker/smoker went out a lot, but it's sad when things cant be repaired.His second marriage was only 2 years.

Victor seemed like a good guy with some bad habits. I can see why even not knowing him the Greenbush twins loved him and others on the set.

[debraran]

8 hours ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Landon’s obsession with blind children was a little weird, tbh. Aside from the blind school plots, they had an episode where Laura’s blind friend falls in love with Edwards (ew), another one where Albert pretends to be blind, and of course the infamous episode where the blind children go to the circus and pretend to have fun.

That circus one was cringe worthy. So much fun. 🙄

He was also obsessed with fire and somewhat suicide. I didn't like that at all. He had the old guy (who played 5 characters on the show) kill himself with fire when they disturbed his wifes grave getting gold. The crazy father of the pregnant girl thought he'd just die with her when cabin lit on fire....but the one that bothered me the most was he made his dad do the same thing! Geez.....he had a lot to live for and fire is painful! Dramatic though for TV. The blind school of course and 2 people died there but not suicide. I might be missing some but yes, he would fixate on things.

[Mr. Sparkle]

10 hours ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Landon’s obsession with blind children was a little weird, tbh. Aside from the blind school plots, they had an episode where Laura’s blind friend falls in love with Edwards (ew), another one where Albert pretends to be blind, and of course the infamous episode where the blind children go to the circus and pretend to have fun.

The one with the blind girl who paints. 

The one with the kid who pretends he's blind to get his parents back together. 

[crazy8s]

On 2/21/2022 at 1:02 PM, Zella said:

I saw that episode a few weeks ago and refused to believe it was Mr. Edwards because he looked so different! LOLOL I had no clue it was a month before the LHOTP pilot. 

it took me many times watching the first Waltons episode The Foundling, before I realized the woman who dropped of the deaf child at the walton house was Miss Beadle - Charlotte Stewart

[Prairie Rose]

5 hours ago, debraran said:

That circus one was cringe worthy. So much fun. 🙄

He was also obsessed with fire and somewhat suicide. I didn't like that at all. He had the old guy (who played 5 characters on the show) kill himself with fire when they disturbed his wifes grave getting gold. The crazy father of the pregnant girl thought he'd just die with her when cabin lit on fire....but the one that bothered me the most was he made his dad do the same thing! Geez.....he had a lot to live for and fire is painful! Dramatic though for TV. The blind school of course and 2 people died there but not suicide. I might be missing some but yes, he would fixate on things.

Yeah, it really bothered me when multiple times someone died and the first reaction of a loved one is to attempt suicide. Remember Jenny Wilder trying to drown herself after her father's death? At least Laura reamed her out for it.

One gets the sense watching these episodes now that Michael Landon probably should have been in intense therapy rather than the show runner for a so-called family friendly TV show!! He definitely had issues.

[Snow Apple]

Jenny almost drowned twice! At least one was just an accident.

[Prairie Rose]

54 minutes ago, Snow Apple said:

Jenny almost drowned twice! At least one was just an accident.

Yeah, the second time was an accident - "Marvin's Garden".

 

[CountryGirl]

It actually tickles me to think Isaiah and Miss Beadle got it on.

[CountryGirl]

Good for Ma for getting Buck Roger'ed by "Uncle Chris."

Although not the STD part. Yuck.

Here they are hugging it out on Battle of the Network Stars.

[debraran]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

Good for Ma for getting Buck Roger'ed by "Uncle Chris."

Although not the STD part. Yuck.

Here they are hugging it out on Battle of the Network Stars.

I think she was spared. Watching out for those type of things never seems to happen but you do sleep with everyone the person you are with did.  Cutey Gil was a nice guy but told all he wasn’t a marrying type. ;)

 

I forgot about the child suicide attempt   That pretty much had me stop watching  

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by debraran

[Prairie Rose]

11 hours ago, debraran said:

When I read about divorce and how devastated someone is I wonder what led up to it. I know he was a big drinker/smoker went out a lot, but it's sad when things cant be repaired.His second marriage was only 2 years.

Yes, to Julie Cobb (who went on to play the original mother on Charles in Charge). Ironically, she went on to marry another actor with a connection to LHOP - James "Harv" Cromwell, and that marriage ended in divorce in 2005.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Prairie Rose

[debraran]

Funny pic Melissa G copying her Ma's "slip" with Chris.

 

[Blergh]

5 hours ago, CountryGirl said:

Good for Ma for getting Buck Roger'ed by "Uncle Chris."

Although not the STD part. Yuck.

Here they are hugging it out on Battle of the Network Stars.

Would Ma have  just had that small amount of clothing on in daylight even in front of just Pa?! Seriously, her gym shorts and tank  top covered less than a 19th century corset!  And, in his case, a lot less than a 19th century union suit! 

At least Ma hugged Chris No Surname in front of Mary wearing a lot more than that but if she'd cavorted with him to the extent Miss Grassle did, imagine all the names Mary would have called Ma! 

[Prairie Rose]

1 hour ago, Blergh said:

Would Ma have  just had that small amount of clothing on in daylight even in front of just Pa?! Seriously, her gym shorts and tank  top covered less than a 19th century corset!  And, in his case, a lot less than a 19th century union suit! 

At least Ma hugged Chris No Surname in front of Mary wearing a lot more than that but if she'd cavorted with him to the extent Miss Grassle did, imagine all the names Mary would have called Ma! 

Imagine if he had gotten Ma into the dunk tank!!! 😉😯😂

[Egg McMuffin]

I just watched the “Quarantine” episode. All I can say is: what a bunch of idiots.

[Prairie Rose]

7 hours ago, debraran said:

I forgot about the child suicide attempt.

I feel sorry for then-11-year-old Shannen Doherty, having to play that scene. I wonder how they explained it all to her.

[Blergh]

3 hours ago, Prairie Rose said:

I feel sorry for then-11-year-old Shannen Doherty, having to play that scene. I wonder how they explained it all to her.

That's a very good question! One can't pretend that telling a child that the newly minted character she was   supposed to play wanted to end her own life would have had ZERO impact on her (and maybe that and other not-so-edifying things depicted here and later on BH 90120 might have been contributing factors to some of her the demons in her life that she's had to spend decades trying to overcome). Of course, it should be noted that Miss Gilbert herself at roughly the same age  had had to play Laura openly wanting God to end HER life in exchange for her deceased baby brother's via hiking up that gigantic mountain roughly a day's walk from Walnut Grove but not found on any southern Minnesota maps! At least, Laura didn't actually physically attempt to end her life herself but somehow an angel/drifter named Jonathan (the show never pinpointed Jonathan's status or MO ) camping up there was supposed to have persuaded her to want to live again. .. Wait a minute! THAT was a bit messed up,too (and Miss Gilbert hasn't avoided issues herself)! 

Edited February 25, 2022 by Blergh

[Prairie Rose]

Happy 80th (!!!) Birthday to Ma herself, Karen Grassle (2/25/1942)!! Many happy returns. 

I know it's been said here before, but it never fails to crack me up how many guest stars were used over and over again, in different roles - some who later became regulars. (Hersha Parady and Matthew Labyroteaux are the two I could name off the top of my head.) It just goes to show that Michael Landon was doing the "same actor, different character" thing for NBC long before Law & Order!

[greekmom]

re-watching the episode where Laura and Almonzo lost everything and crap tv Charles really missed his calling as a Healer via faith and hard work.  I mean who didn't he heal?

1. Mr. Edwards - alcoholism

2. Farmer who beat his kid - alcoholism

3. Almonzo - Paralysis 

4. James Cooper - coma/gun shot

5. Albert - drugs

I probably missed a ton of people. I mean at this point, he would have made a crap load of money opening a rehab/wellness centre on the prairie instead of farm work.

[Mr. Sparkle]

1 hour ago, greekmom said:

re-watching the episode where Laura and Almonzo lost everything and crap tv Charles really missed his calling as a Healer via faith and hard work.  I mean who didn't he heal?

1. Mr. Edwards - alcoholism

2. Farmer who beat his kid - alcoholism

3. Almonzo - Paralysis 

4. James Cooper - coma/gun shot

5. Albert - drugs

I probably missed a ton of people. I mean at this point, he would have made a crap load of money opening a rehab/wellness centre on the prairie instead of farm work.

6. Mr. Sprague - being a jerk. 

[Prairie Rose]

You know, I'm surprised when people call Cousin Oliver of The Brady Bunch a jinx. No kid on TV was a bigger jinx (or jinxed?) than Albert. Burning down the blind school, Sylvia, morphine and the blood disease??? At least Matthew Labyroteaux has a sense of humor about it, given the recent Zoom reunions.

Edited February 28, 2022 by Prairie Rose

[Prairie Rose]

Look at this contemporary photo of Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler from back in the day. She looks even younger than she really was. No wonder their age difference at that time squicked people out - including her!

[debraran]

Nice pic...too bad they really weren't that close but it did seem odd that no one would talk about Jon but Richard Bull and Katherine in interview. He seemed like a nice kid who was well mannered, smart and not doted on by his mom like his sister (Richard Bull interview)Actually Richard said he thought he was the smartest kid on the set.

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by debraran

[Prairie Rose]

41 minutes ago, debraran said:

Nice pic...too bad they really weren't that close but it did seem odd that no one would talk about Jon but Richard Bull and Katherine in interview. He seemed like a nice kid who was well mannered, smart and not doted on by his mom like his sister (Richard Bull interview)

Alison always has spoken fondly of Jonathan, especially in her book. He was quite a talented child and teen actor. He probably could have continued in that vein. It just sounds like he was terribly overshadowed by Melissa and chose to get out of that life as soon as he turned 18.

[Egg McMuffin]

On 2/27/2022 at 7:52 PM, Prairie Rose said:

You know, I'm surprised when people call Cousin Oliver of The Brady Bunch a jinx. No kid on TV was a bigger jinx (or jinxed?) than Albert. Burning down the blind school, Sylvia, morphine and the blood disease??? At least Matthew Labyroteaux has a sense of humor about it, given the recent Zoom reunions.

Oliver unraveled Carol’s knitting, ruined Mike’s model building, and spilled ketchup on Greg. So it’s really comparable.

[Prairie Rose]

2 hours ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Oliver unraveled Carol’s knitting, ruined Mike’s model building, and spilled ketchup on Greg. So it’s really comparable.

Don't forget breaking the vase Marcia was painting for ceramics class!! 😉😂

[debraran]

10 hours ago, Prairie Rose said:

Alison always has spoken fondly of Jonathan, especially in her book. He was quite a talented child and teen actor. He probably could have continued in that vein. It just sounds like he was terribly overshadowed by Melissa and chose to get out of that life as soon as he turned 18.

Yes if he was popular beyond LHOP I think someone would have found him somewhere but he either cant be or is not in US. Years ago, soon after he left, Melissa asked police thinking he was missing but they must have found he just didn't want to talk to her. I read he kept in touch with some for  while and the twins or Melissa Sue knew someone who knew him, but after so many years that faded. I always wondered if Katherine knew or wrote him.

I think most fans of show just want to know he;s okay, the lies always seemed odd to many and the fake pics on line. I always wondered how the "real" person in the pic felt or maybe they thought it was funny. Getting those things taken down is just about impossible.

[jason88cubs]

On 2/27/2022 at 4:46 PM, greekmom said:

re-watching the episode where Laura and Almonzo lost everything and crap tv Charles really missed his calling as a Healer via faith and hard work.  I mean who didn't he heal?

1. Mr. Edwards - alcoholism

2. Farmer who beat his kid - alcoholism

3. Almonzo - Paralysis 

4. James Cooper - coma/gun shot

5. Albert - drugs

I probably missed a ton of people. I mean at this point, he would have made a crap load of money opening a rehab/wellness centre on the prairie instead of farm work.

He made Rev Alden  realize there's not good in everyone-Bully Boys

Had the US Marshall(I think) decide not to turn in the Indian he was hunting (Survival)

The kid who stole and beat up his Grandpa (The ANgry Heart) "I don't wanna hit you son"

The spoiled kid that Nels had Charles watch and Charles ridiculed the Grandpa for not knowing anything about the kid

Someone Please Love Me, Charles repairs the marriage after the wife falls in love with him

Made Jon cry tears of happiness when Olga was playing with kids

Broke the teacher's whipping stick, "You're lucky my wife told me to be nice to you"

Saves the pride of the aging lumberjack in Founder's day

Made a racist become unracist in The Long Road Home

 

 

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

44 minutes ago, jason88cubs said:

Made a racist become unracist in The Long Road Home

Made the other racist become unracist in the unfortunately titled "Injun Kid." 

[Prairie Rose]

@debraran, I don't understand it either. Why can't the cast just say that Jonathan lives a very private life and just leave it at that?

[Blergh]

45 minutes ago, Prairie Rose said:

@debraran, I don't understand it either. Why can't the cast just say that Jonathan lives a very private life and just leave it at that?

It could be that none of them (including Miss Gilbert herself) has any idea what's become of him but don't want to admit it publicly. 

[mustbeme]

According to IMDB after Little House he went on to college and got his MBA and as of 2003 was a stockbroker, no idea if this is true.  It could be that he saw what Hollywood did to his family and just noped out and wanted a regular life.

 

[Prairie Rose]

2 hours ago, Blergh said:

It could be that none of them (including Miss Gilbert herself) has any idea what's become of him but don't want to admit it publicly. 

Even if they said that, at least it would be an honest answer. I think most people would accept that rather than tall tales.

[debraran]

2 hours ago, mustbeme said:

According to IMDB after Little House he went on to college and got his MBA and as of 2003 was a stockbroker, no idea if this is true.  It could be that he saw what Hollywood did to his family and just noped out and wanted a regular life.

 

None of that is true. That Jon Gilbert is someone else. I remember thinking was he abused, homeless, hurt? Private is fine but others kept in touch for a while and Melissa said she saw him twice since he left but left it at that. The lies always had me perplexed and that in 30 years no one ever recognized him. ( he might have changed) 

I assume other family was also cut out. Quite a rift.  

Edited March 1, 2022 by debraran

[Prairie Rose]

1 minute ago, debraran said:

None of that is true. That Jon Gilbert is someone else. I remember thinking was he abused, homeless, hurt? Private is fine but others kept in touch for a while and Melissa said she saw him twice since he left but left it at that. The lies always had me perplexed and that in 30 years no one ever recognized him. ( he might have changed) 

 I know. What is everyone hiding?

[Prairie Rose]

"Wilder and Wilder" was just on Hallmark Drama, and wondered what became of Charles Bloom (Perley Day). It seems he transitioned into composing and writing lyrics. The article and photos are a few years old now, but I thought they were interesting.

http://richardskipper.blogspot.com/2013/02/composer-and-lyricist-charles-bloom.html

[CheshireCat]

On 2/22/2022 at 5:08 PM, Prairie Rose said:

I hate to sound mean, but every episode that involved the blind kids was a downer. I just saw Mary and Adam's wedding, which took place after the dust storm. Why did Michael Landon insist on having missing kids on this show screech "I'm here! I'm here! I'm here!" over and over again?

I think it makes sense that a blind child living in an environment where most everyone else is blind as well, would be taught that if they go missing or get lost.

As for anyone else...

[ctlady]

On 3/1/2022 at 12:59 AM, Prairie Rose said:

On 2/28/2022 at 10:39 PM, Egg McMuffin said:

Oliver unraveled Carol’s knitting, ruined Mike’s model building, and spilled ketchup on Greg. So it’s really comparable.

Don't forget breaking the vase Marcia was painting for ceramics class!! 😉😂

Was he "playing ball in the house" ala when Peter broke Carol's vase?

[Prairie Rose]

7 minutes ago, ctlady said:

Was he "playing ball in the house" ala when Peter broke Carol's vase?

Something like that. 😂

[jird]

36 minutes ago, Prairie Rose said:

Something like that. 😂

Ma always said, don't play ball in the Little House!

[Egg McMuffin]

Remember the episode where Albert and Laura competed over who would get the attic room?

[Prairie Rose]

1 hour ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Remember the episode where Albert and Laura competed over who would get the attic room?

Maybe they would have a buggy-driving competition for it. 😉😂

[Prairie Rose]

Along those lines, why did Pa never add on to the Little House? It's kind of skeevy that non-blood-related Laura and Albert are both sleeping up there.

On another note, when the Ingalls family minus Laura left Walnut Grove at the beginning of Season 9, I was always surprised that the Wilders didn't end up in the beloved Little House. They stayed in their own place until they got the boarding house (which of course got blown up in the last movie).

[Egg McMuffin]

They addressed the add-on issue after James and Froggy joined the fam. Laura narrated they didn’t need more room, because the Little House was full…of love! Vomit.

Yeah - I think it would have made sense to put Laura and Zaldamo in the Little House for season 9, but they did have their own farm. They should have focused more on the town instead of bringing in the dull Carters and parking them out in the sticks.Maybe move the timeline up 10 years or so and Walnut Grove has grown and has a sheriff and some other businesses. The post-series TV movies moved the timeline way up anyway.  Times Are Changing, the 9th season premiere, took place in 1887 and The Last Farewell from a year later took place in 1901. Somehow Rose and the other kids were only a year older than they were in the last season.

Edited March 2, 2022 by Egg McMuffin