Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[Blergh]

Actually, I think that the townsfolks would CRAVE Mrs. Oleson's rag as something to look forward to after their struggles to survive. Sensationalist rags  thriveda great deal  in the latter 19th century among the literate farm and industrial workers (and even 'respectable' papers often pulled no punches in hyping and making the news as lurid as possible- e.g. Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother's double axe-murder and Miss Borden's trial,etc.) .

Cousin Sterling wasn't smart to have let that edition get distributed without having proofread it himself with a magnifying glass even if his eyesight wasn't what it once was which was why he'd hired the Ingalls and Garvey kids to set the type!

Oh, yeah, I can easily imagine that both Miss Grassle and the late Miss MacGregor had their fun with Caroline [for once] actually giving it back to Harriet (and amazingly, Harriet not ONCE looking up at the loft to see Laura and Albert snickering at her).

I also can't help but think that Nels (and Mr. Bull) had his fun when he conspiratorially winked at Willie after his young son read the altered version which had 'from a reliable source' that claimed that Harriet's hair and teeth weren't all grown from her own noggin. Could Nels have let those claims out to Laura when he got exasperated?   Of course, it wasn't fair to Nels himself that the Mercantile had lost irreplaceable prized merchandise and monies to the '100 Percent Off 'sale.  Willie seemed to be the only Oleson to have been  unscathed from the Ingallses' Edit.

Of course, it wasn't fun for that one-shot German pioneer family to have gotten so meanly dissed by Harriet for the transgression of having their teenaged son beat Nellie in the spelling bee!

 Yeah, more for their sakes, rather than the Ingallses themselves nor even the Garveys that I was glad to see Charles trash the paper from the pulpit (even though some if not all of his righteous indignation stemmed from ML's extramarital trysts being broadcast via contemporary rags).

 

 

[Egg McMuffin]

I thought Charles was a tad hypocritical in his sermon, given that his kids printed some lies in the Pen and Plow, too. But as a rule on this show, Pa’s righteous indignation generally doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

[debraran]

Mike was mad at the papers and they never let up even when he was sick. That was sad, helicopters flying over his home etc.

I understand if you stray, you are an open book but sickness should be off limits, but it's rarely.

This explored it a bit, I remember the Carson show. I don't remember his wife suing but that was common then.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/little-house-on-the-prairie-star-michael-landon-once-said-reading-tabloid-reports-about-himself-was-worse-than-getting-cancer.html/

13 hours ago, debraran said:

 

Mike wasn't that naive to think even if he was far from Charles Ingall's, he represented himself as such. He lost endorsements and James Garner (another fav of mine) took over and did well with Kodak. I sometimes wonder if he would have ridden it out and done a lot more, sadly wont know. Many of his kids and coworkers were torn about it though, didn't speak or felt betrayed. You never, ever live in a bubble.

Edited February 25 by debraran

[Blergh]

In retrospect while I agree that it's infuriating that they refused to allow his loved ones privacy when ML was dying, I'm a bit amazed that the rags didn't seem to pick up on his booze habits  on the set (along with his extramarital escapades) and, in fact, it was only his colleagues' bios that seemed to have made it public knowledge.

[debraran]

6 hours ago, Blergh said:

In retrospect while I agree that it's infuriating that they refused to allow his loved ones privacy when ML was dying, I'm a bit amazed that the rags didn't seem to pick up on his booze habits  on the set (along with his extramarital escapades) and, in fact, it was only his colleagues' bios that seemed to have made it public knowledge.

I think like with the harassment many women suffered through, whether on set or other TV shows, it was just what went on. I feel it wasn't news worthy because Hollywood was never "religious" if a man wanted a bourbon at 10am, that's fine. He never said he was religious and that was against his rules, it just was.  Many years later comedians and singers were failing, sick, but no one said anything until they did fall.  Slowly it changed. People put up with a lot to keep jobs and if they had the same failing, they didn't want to see it in others. 

I do remember seeing rags that said things that weren't "holy" about ML but they were the Enquirer or The Star...was it true, was it half true, made up?

It's easier to see addictions with singers etc but actors can take extra takes and have other "help" and many have a pact of silence again, unless they hate each other, it's touchy what will keep them from jobs.

I agree, though, without social media and instant posts on various sites, would some of this be instant fodder now? Maybe. Too tempting. Then you'd need an interview. Mike admitted his drug abuse, drinking and smoking but again, that wasn't a big deal. Infidelity, rampant. Kids were young and didn't realize things until it was too obvious, you smell the liquor, you see the flirting, you hear conversations. I learned more than I needed to know about family shows in the 60's and 70's and how dysfunctional some were, but glad at the time, FB, Twitter and Instagram weren't around. ; ) Leave me my bubble.

Can you imagine Kennedy or other presidents with Twitter and Facebook etc. I'm glad a little bit, that we had less at that point.

[jason88cubs]

yes I feel like celebrities back then had such a mystery around them because you didn't know every single thing about them.

 

It made them seem cool or even big time

 

Imagien Frank Sinatra tweeting his lunch lol. Imagine James Dean posting on Instagram about laying in bed until going to work

[debraran]

16 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

yes I feel like celebrities back then had such a mystery around them because you didn't know every single thing about them.

 

It made them seem cool or even big time

 

Imagien Frank Sinatra tweeting his lunch lol. Imagine James Dean posting on Instagram about laying in bed until going to work

Yes, It would be funny and the adoration, when the only info you ever got was from their agent, who wanted you think they were kind or generous or loyal. Then decades later, you are, "what??"although thinking most people are saintly is silly. Okay Tom Hanks is human but he hides any faults well ;)

I remember watching I love Lucy rerun with my Mom and she grew up with it. She was telling me about Desi and the divorce and how "Ethel and Fred" hated each other and I was like  "did that effect the show? " and she was like, No, you didn't know, they were professionals and it was entertainment.

Wise words but I wish the sexual harassment was less

[Blergh]

On 3/1/2024 at 3:42 AM, debraran said:

Yes, It would be funny and the adoration, when the only info you ever got was from their agent, who wanted you think they were kind or generous or loyal. Then decades later, you are, "what??"although thinking most people are saintly is silly. Okay Tom Hanks is human but he hides any faults well ;)

I remember watching I love Lucy rerun with my Mom and she grew up with it. She was telling me about Desi and the divorce and how "Ethel and Fred" hated each other and I was like  "did that effect the show? " and she was like, No, you didn't know, they were professionals and it was entertainment.

Wise words but I wish the sexual harassment was less

Same here! I also wish performer safety had been better taken care of. Even LHOTP was somewhat lax as per Miss Arngrim's bio including such things as having her being filmed zooming down a hill in a wooden wheelchair that was literally falling apart as well as her and Miss Gilbert expected to cross over fast moving rapids and grab onto a hidden float- or get swept away!

 

 

[Blergh]

I just saw a ZOOM interview with Charlotte Stewart- and she said something I never realized before: the WG Schoolroom Blackboards were full of different lessons for the different grades- as would befit a one-room schoolroom teaching different ages of students. Moreover,  Miss Stewart said that she had made it her personal mission to write out these lessons  herself since she didn't think it would reflect well to keep solely the '1+1=2' lessons that seemed to have been the only offering before Miss Stewart added her input!

BTW, there seems to be something in the near future called Simi Valley 50th Anniversary Days that AA and Dean Butler especially seem to be pitching! Also, Mr. Butler has written his behind-the-scenes prairie bio and it's scheduled for June of this year!

[debraran]

Thanks for that info, I saw the big youtube video with all the cast, but that was during Covid ( I liked ER's the most )

Dean's book is on preorder. I don't know how I'll feel about it, he wasn't my favorite character and the "men" have been mostly quiet, it will be interesting. Probably more about Melissa G and him and will he talk about Jon or other "off the table" subjects. We will see. I might bring it to the 50th Aniv get-to-gather in CT. I'm sure the money will be nice when things like fan events are more time and trouble at times.

I would have loved Katherine's or Richard Bull's since they said so much just in a magazine.

https://www.amazon.com/Prairie-Man-Little-House-Beyond/dp/0806543299

Edited March 9 by debraran

[Blergh]

One thing they (AA, Mr. Butler and Miss Stewart) touched upon in the ZOOM interview was about how universally liked Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden) was among the cast. They said he had an interesting approach to acting in which he made sure to learn ONLY the last four words the other performer/ character was saying to Rev. Alden as his cue to start his reply. However, in doing so, he'd be listening carefully to the other performer's words, actions and expressions  beforehand so Rev. Alden could be as spontaneous and believable as possible in his Mr. Greer's interpretation of the scripted lines!

Also, while Miss Stewart and Mr. Butler have become chummy in the years since the show's end via participating  together in fan events,etc., their characters (natch) never met on the show. However, Miss Stewart revealed that she'd always known that Miss Beadle and Manley would never meet due to it being spelled out to her from the start that she had a four-year contract after which Miss Beadle would amscray to set the stage for a new teacher who happened to be the sister of Laura's husband to be brought on the scene (of course, it would be quite some time before they'd cast the performers to play Eliza Jane and Manley).

Interesting that Mr. Butler has since become aware (and self-conscious) over the fact that the show's Spanish pronunciation of Al- MOHN-zoh was not how the any of the Wilders themselves pronounced it [Al-MAN-zoh- which made Laura's 'Manley' nickname seem more natural).

[Zella]

3 hours ago, Blergh said:

Interesting that Mr. Butler has since become aware (and self-conscious) over the fact that the show's Spanish pronunciation of Al- MOHN-zoh was not how the any of the Wilders themselves pronounced it [Al-MAN-zoh- which made Laura's 'Manley' nickname seem more natural).

That makes way more sense, but I totally read his name as a Spanish-style Almanzo all the way through the books. LOL

[Egg McMuffin]

I like “Zaldamo” better.

[debraran]

On 3/2/2024 at 7:09 AM, Blergh said:

Same here! I also wish performer safety had been better taken care of. Even LHOTP was somewhat lax as per Miss Arngrim's bio including such things as having her being filmed zooming down a hill in a wooden wheelchair that was literally falling apart as well as her and Miss Gilbert expected to cross over fast moving rapids and grab onto a hidden float- or get swept away!

 

 

I found on another LHOP board some stunts that went bad and who did what. A bad one was Harriet in the very funny "Here Comes the Brides" Here Come the Brides: Trivia note: Harriet Oleson on a horse is a rare occasion indeed, and it turned out badly! When she fell off the horse at the end of this episode, it was no classic Hollywood stunt. "Katherine MacGregor fell very badly!", remembers Charlotte Stewart, "and she had to be taken to the hospital."

Although she injured her back and kidneys, "during it all, her sense of humor never faltered." On screen, Charlotte says, "the beginning of the fall was Katherine, but by the time Mrs. Oleson hit the ground it was the stunt double."

As usual, in such circumstances, it was Ruth Foster who was called to the rescue. "It was later in the afternoon", remembers Ruth, "and the last day to shoot the complete show. So they got me dressed as Mrs. Oleson as fast as they could and they shot all from the back of me and Nels. And saved the episode because the actor in the scene was leaving in a few hours to go back to New York and they would have lost the actor and couldn't have had finish of the episode."
 

 

  

[Zella]

I know we've discussed the disappearance of Jonathan Gilbert before, but apparently he will be appearing at the cast reunion later this month. Per some discussion I saw on Reddit, Alison Arngrim confirmed this on her Facebook group.

https://littlehousefestival.com/

 

[Blergh]

5 hours ago, Zella said:

I know we've discussed the disappearance of Jonathan Gilbert before, but apparently he will be appearing at the cast reunion later this month. Per some discussion I saw on Reddit, Alison Arngrim confirmed this on her Facebook group.

https://littlehousefestival.com/

 

Well, if he actually shows, it should be interesting to see how he lives up/down to everyone's expectations (to say nothing of who/how he got persuaded to show)!

[debraran]

It would be nice but why would he come out of retirement so to speak for a reunion in Simi Valley? Just seems odd but I hope it's true. He will steal the show from the regulars. The only thing I see odd in the add is they used an old photo, did he change that much?

I always felt bad that he wasn't talking to anyone in his family but respected there might have been very good reasons from tidbits Richard Bull said and probably other things unsaid. I hope he had a good life and whether he shows up or not, whether it's for the money or making amends, I hope it goes well if he comes.

I didn't see it on her facebook page, did you have a link? I used search on top of page. Some fans are doubting it although it's on the ad for the event which says a lot, but not on official FB page of Alison. Some people do commit and then don't come for various reasons though.   I think they lied so much about him in the past, making up things about him, it just leaves a lot of doubt.

I see they are selling photos with him for 75.00, others are more, some 10.00 less. Can add up if a fan in the excitement just says "charge it" You are home and wondering why there's 500.00 or more on your card. lol

Edited March 10 by debraran

[Zella]

4 hours ago, debraran said:

It would be nice but why would he come out of retirement so to speak for a reunion in Simi Valley? Just seems odd but I hope it's true. He will steal the show from the regulars. The only thing I see odd in the add is they used an old photo, did he change that much?

I always felt bad that he wasn't talking to anyone in his family but respected there might have been very good reasons from tidbits Richard Bull said and probably other things unsaid. I hope he had a good life and whether he shows up or not, whether it's for the money or making amends, I hope it goes well if he comes.

I didn't see it on her facebook page, did you have a link? I used search on top of page. Some fans are doubting it although it's on the ad for the event which says a lot, but not on official FB page of Alison. Some people do commit and then don't come for various reasons though.   I think they lied so much about him in the past, making up things about him, it just leaves a lot of doubt.

I see they are selling photos with him for 75.00, others are more, some 10.00 less. Can add up if a fan in the excitement just says "charge it" You are home and wondering why there's 500.00 or more on your card. lol

It's the 50th, but I agree it is interesting he finally decided to attend. 

I didn't personally see it on Facebook, but apparently she administers the Little House Cast Reunion page. I think I misspoke and called it a group. That being said, I probably should have done some more investigating since I just saw it posted on Reddit. 

Edited March 10 by Zella

[Blergh]

At this point, I think it would be better to just wait and see (and enjoy the other surviving cast members' reunion and interactions with each other and their audience) rather than just pin everything on Mr. Gilbert's return.

BTW,  it seems Bonnie Bartlett (Grace Snyder Edwards) has made her intentions of attending this fete known despite the fact that she's now 94 years old and has become her husband William Daniels's caregiver (who is due to turn 97 at the end of March). I hope she and the others listed can make it and will have fun.

P.S. I think since it's the 50th Anniversary, it has occurred to some if not all the surviving cast members that this could be the last chance of being together and being openly celebrated for their particupation in LHOTP- especially those who had been adults during the show's production.  Though, oddly enough Melissa Sue Anderson doesn't seem to be ready to join the others.

[Zella]

27 minutes ago, Blergh said:

Though, oddly enough Melissa Sue Anderson doesn't seem to be ready to join the others.

Honestly, with the comments that were made about her by M. Gilbert and Arngrim, I don't blame her. Some of the anecdotes about her as a kid do make her sound mean, but some of it doesn't reflect well on them either. In any event, I don't blame her for avoiding the inevitable revisiting of all that. 

[Blergh]

1 hour ago, Zella said:

Honestly, with the comments that were made about her by M. Gilbert and Arngrim, I don't blame her. Some of the anecdotes about her as a kid do make her sound mean, but some of it doesn't reflect well on them either. In any event, I don't blame her for avoiding the inevitable revisiting of all that. 

Not invalid points. However, between Charlotte Stewart and Karen Grassle both going to bat for MSA in their bios AND with many of the viewers concluding that there had to be another side besides 'MSA's rotten for no reason[ while MG's mean pranks get laughed off],' it might be worth her time to at least connect to the more balanced cast members if not audience members.

[Zella]

17 minutes ago, Blergh said:

Not invalid points. However, between Charlotte Stewart and Karen Grassle both going to bat for MSA in their bios AND with many of the viewers concluding that there had to be another side besides 'MSA's rotten for no reason[ while MG's mean pranks get laughed off],' it might be worth her time to at least connect to the more balanced cast members if not audience members.

That's true, but I suspect the show may not mean the same to her as some of the other cast members for whatever reason. She could just as easily and perhaps more comfortably reconnect with them one-on-one rather than at a reunion. 

This came up with the Band of Brothers vets and their reunions. For a lot of them, it was such an essential part of their life that those connections were super important to them. But for at least one of them who went on to be career military, it was just one of many units he served with. He was proud of his service and he was polite to people who reached out to him to reminisce, but a reunion didn't interest him. He also didn't seek out those connections or seem too troubled by missing out on them.

Edited March 11 by Zella

[debraran]

I don't think MSA was ever "mean". I really think, my own opinion of course, the girls hyped up things to put in their books to make it more interesting to people wanting that type of thing. I'm sure the editors pushed it too to some degree. MSA having more class, knowing what they say, still gave Alison kudos in her book and didn't say anything bad about them. She was quieter and her Mom was on set a lot The adults always loved her and you see photos of her playing games with them and some of the kids. Some kids when "3", turn on one but I don't think MSA was not nice. There was the only Emmy nod she got and not others and Mike was proud of her. She also was upset with his affair but made up earlier than MG and attended his wedding and he attended hers.

She married well and didn't have any of the drama some actors had and really seems to love her family and life in Canada. Her husband Mike Sloan made a good salary I'm sure being a writer. She wasn't as pulled by that angle and did make some appearances early on but traveling for a day somewhere, probably not desirable. Maybe she'll do one but I can see her being content without it too.I've seen more updated pics on FB from kids etc and I'm glad she seems to be doing well.

I don't know who'll end up at the event in CT, I don't think it will draw the same as CA for sure, but it will be nice to see Alison and Karen and the gang.

This pic is older, kids are adults now and doing well. I think on paper, her life was pretty desirable over some of the others.

Edited March 11 by debraran

[jason88cubs]

Saw some of Family Quarrel. Good episode.

[Blergh]

On 3/11/2024 at 8:17 PM, jason88cubs said:

Saw some of Family Quarrel. Good episode.

While the bulk of the episode showed the Oleson union nearly permanently unraveling due to Harriet piling on Nels's last straw (or egg basket) and neither one backing down for the longest time [and this is where a great deal of the episode's and future episode's humor would be derived], the irony is that when push came to shove by the two, they DID love each other for who they were! Yeah, with others dogging Harriet to Nels, Nels let his inner Fred Mertz loose (since Fred had no problems griping about Ethel but couldn't stand it when anyone ELSE did so]. Yep, this episode actually depicted for the first time that Nels was NOT a totally overwhelmed and henpecked spouse who had nothing to look forward to but misery from Harriet!

I think it wasn't too much longer after this episode that they phased out the unfunny 'You don't HOW lucky you are, Charles!' early  shtick  while Harriet is ordering him about.

[debraran]

6 hours ago, Blergh said:

While the bulk of the episode showed the Oleson union nearly permanently unraveling due to Harriet piling on Nels's last straw (or egg basket) and neither one backing down for the longest time [and this is where a great deal of the episode's and future episode's humor would be derived], the irony is that when push came to shove by the two, they DID love each other for who they were! Yeah, with others dogging Harriet to Nels, Nels let his inner Fred Mertz loose (since Fred had no problems griping about Ethel but couldn't stand it when anyone ELSE did so]. Yep, this episode actually depicted for the first time that Nels was NOT a totally overwhelmed and henpecked spouse who had nothing to look forward to but misery from Harriet!

I think it wasn't too much longer after this episode that they phased out the unfunny 'You don't HOW lucky you are, Charles!' early  shtick  while Harriet is ordering him about.

 

Yes, I agree. He loved Harriet and even when he took off and had a flirtation with the Irish gal, he realized he loved her and their walk later was sweet and showed what they had before they became more caricatures on the show. I liked even when Harriet didn't want Willie marrying, silly but those things happen, they bonded again at the end. They were my favorite spots with them, second when they showed mercy to others but more to each other.

 

 

Edited March 13 by debraran

[Mr. Sparkle]

42 minutes ago, debraran said:

flirtation with the Irish gal,

This is one of my favorites! That ridiculous Irish accent! 🤣🤣🤣

[CountryGirl]

I loved Harriet and Nels' more tender moments. 

One of my favorites was during Mortal Mission (aka one of the plague episodes) when Harriet panics and thinks Nels has stopped breathing and is so visibly relieved when he stirs.

Harriet: "I just love you so much, Nels Oleson!"

Nels: "I know that."

Harriet: "Do you? I don't... Well, I just don't know how you put up with me sometimes."

Nels: "I don't 'put up' with you, Harriet. I love you..." 😍

[crazy8s]

I have been watching reruns of old tv shows for a distraction in the moment and noticed a lot of the channels do "Theme Week" for old shows. Not just the usual holiday stuff, but by character or topic.

Which made me think what theme weeks would we all come up with?

I would think these could all easily get a week.

Little Rehab on the Prairie. (Graham's dad, albert, edwards...)

Mean Girls (wheelchair down hill, mud wrestling, the talking machine....)

Ingalls the Prairie Airbnb - The Loft or the Soddy (angry teen guy, Peter, Chris, Edwards, Grandpa)

Carry on folks with some clever titles for topics of broken ribs, failed crops, teachers or whatever.

[Mr. Sparkle]

You again? Actors who played more than one character - Uncle Jed, Harold, the old Geezer

and the converse:

Now you see them, now you don't - characters who were on once and were never seen again - Olga, the Russian family, "Little Woman" girl

My Savior - Charles turns lives around with just a few words - Angry Heart, the weird horse family, Mr. Sprague 

and of course, 

Nip this in the bud - we see that famous set of Charles'. 

Edited March 15 by Mr. Sparkle

[Egg McMuffin]

Big Girls Gone Bad Week (as opposed to Mean Girls, which focused on the kids):

• Amy Hearn fakes her own death
• Caroline does a baby swap
• Nancy tries to kill Melinda
• Laura attacks Brenda Sue
• Harriet’s Happenings

[jason88cubs]

When you fall asleep to LHOP on Pluto and wake up to the pilot movie and hear Charles saying " I'm doing the best I can" and you think "I feel ya Charles, I feel ya" and fall right back asleep

[Blergh]

On 3/16/2024 at 11:18 AM, jason88cubs said:

When you fall asleep to LHOP on Pluto and wake up to the pilot movie and hear Charles saying " I'm doing the best I can" and you think "I feel ya Charles, I feel ya" and fall right back asleep

Amazing you were able to watch anything but TV snow 3 billion miles from the Earth but I guess you were too worried about cold temps, virtually no sunlight. and possibly being unable to return to our planet while you were watching the Pilot to have more than a blase 'tude towards Charles's pioneer struggles. 🤣

[Mr. Sparkle]

I wonder if they're mad about Pluto's planetary status out there, or do they even care? 

[debraran]

Willie must have gotten paid enough money to put up with rabid fans ; )

No smiles yet. Alison has some photos and he started an Instagram account.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162325467340676&set=g.1444808536370334

Edited March 22 by debraran

[Zella]

1 hour ago, debraran said:

Willie must have gotten paid enough money to put up with rabid fans ; )

No smiles yet. Alison has some photos and he started an Instagram account.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162325467340676&set=g.1444808536370334

Willie! Willie! I've seen a lot of people commenting that as an adult, he really resembles Richard Bull. That was good family casting!

[debraran]

16 minutes ago, Zella said:

Willie! Willie! I've seen a lot of people commenting that as an adult, he really resembles Richard Bull. That was good family casting!

Yes, and I so wish they were still here to be with him. Richard especially spoke highly of him and said how smart he was (smartest he felt of kids on set) and a good young man. Must have been hard for him, I hope although exhausted, he doesn't regret it. I also hope he comes to CT; )

[Blergh]

So, Jonathan Gilbert DID make it to the Golden Anniversary Celebrations in Simi Valley! Great! I wonder if he did that to confront any old demons and, if so, will he decide that maybe it might be worth doing future fan events?

On  shallow notes.Yes, the 56-year-old performer DOES amazingly resemble his childhood character's parents a great deal- although far more hirsute than the late Mr. Bull -even sporting a rather  impressive samurai bun (so that  means it's likely  at least shoulder length)!  Yeah, one wouldn't have thought he was 56 if one didn't know his age!

I wonder if he mentioned what he's been doing  all these decades or if he ever found a spouse/significant other or even had offspring.

 All the above said, thought, it's truly no one else's business unless he chooses to share with us.

On other notes, does anyone know if all the scheduled former cast members appeared including Miss Lester [Hester-Sue Terhune] and Miss Bartlett [Grace Snyder Edwards]? The latter two performers have even more years than Miss Grassle and Miss Stewart and Miss Bartlett is  caregiving her even older spouse William Daniels.

Any surprises?

 

Well, it sure seemed that they went a LOT of trouble not just corralling as many former cast members but temporarily recreating the interiors of the Little House, Oleson's Mercantile and the Walnut Grove Church/Schoolhouse! I wonder if ML would have been proud of their efforts.

 If anyone went, please feel free to share with the rest of us. Thanks!

P.S. Happy 50th Anniversary Little House . .. (and what are MG and AA going to do after this climatic event is over)?

[Mr. Sparkle]

8 hours ago, Blergh said:

On other notes, does anyone know if all the scheduled former cast members appeared including Miss Lester [Hester-Sue Terhune] and Miss Bartlett [Grace Snyder Edwards]?

I saw footage of Ketty Lester. I don't know about Bonnie Bartlett. 

Edited March 24 by Mr. Sparkle

[debraran]

Linwood B came late, I heard there were some snafus, some fans very upset at the disorganization and being left out of things, cast went "home" and they were left in the lurch. Too bad, but the rain delayed things and they didn't seem prepared for the crowds. Others had a great time.

I don't think Matt (albert) was there and all the pics focused on Jon, Melissa, Alison, Dean and Kitty. Also the woman who played Eliza was there.

A fan asked Jon where he was living (we all know he got tons of inappropriate questions but well meaning) He told her he was living in LA, lived in NYC but didn't go into past. Good Lord, take your autograph and move on. lol There's thousands of fans in line, not interview time. Another fan said he, brace yourself, didn't know anyone wanted to see him, so I guess he was off grid. : )   He did say maybe he'll do more.

I have a feeling his life wasn't always great, don't know why but just a gut feeling but how many are? No wedding ring or talk of children but he is a dog lover and that's a double plus for me. : )  There's one with Tim Busfield and Jon I'll look for, he said he was having dinner with them later.

Edited March 23 by debraran

[debraran]

 This FB site has he 50th events. There are so many they are planning. I hope they aren't as crazy.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/littlehousefestival

Edited March 23 by debraran

[Mr. Sparkle]

Some great photos, but oof, those comments! 

[debraran]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/littlehousefestival/permalink/1546371446214042/?
Not the stockbroker they showed but did do that for a short time     Vague on other things 

talks of Katherine 

 

https://www.facebook.com/molly.minard/videos/7640439112645080/?idorvanity=1444808536370334

 

 

Edited March 24 by debraran

[Blergh]

It's telling that JG seems to be somewhat chummy with Mr. Busfield so I guess that means he and his adoptive sis could possibly have made their own peace. .

Again, I stress that JG's adult life [including sib bonds] are totally his own business unless he chooses to share them with others (and it's possible that his ringless state could be due to him having once been married but no longer and/or having never worn one regardless of marital status- and it's also possible that he could be protective of any offspring's lives even more than his own offstage life).

Still, it appears that he HAS made his peace with having been in LHOTP as well as embracing the fandom so, regardless of anything else, JG seems to have netted some positive experiences from the event.

Interesting seeing Miss Flippen and Miss Lester together since I can't recall their characters ever having a conversation (although Hester-Sue did awkwardly get acquainted with Harvey- the one Eliza Jane had wished had been her flame).

BTW, one of the oddest stories that Miss Lester told in her autobio was that her mother intended to name her 15th child 'Ojarva' for reasons never made clear to anyone in the family but the local registrar ruled that 'Ojarva' was an unacceptable name thus originally named Miss Lester 'Revoyda' (I don't see why anyone would have considered that an improvement). Yeah, I can't blame Miss Lester  for going with 'Ketty' as soon as she became an adult  to either of those clunkers.

 Also, Victor French, Jr. seemed to have his fun singing 'Ole Dan Tucker' in a plaid shirt . Ironically, it appears he's actually a few years older than his father's ultimate age.

[Zella]

Confession: I didn't realize Busfield and MG are married. I was wondering why Danny from The West Wing was at a LHOTP reunion and trying to figure out if he guest-starred on a random episode. 😂😂😂

[debraran]

This is second hand social media but someone who follow MG said they got together, talking, when a grandparent died. Whatever the reason, it's nice. The event actually wasn't the first time they talked of course. She said herself she hadn't seen him in decades and then said twice during the time since the show.  Never said when or how, which is her business. The reasons are theirs and he I'm sure will try to respect that while fans keep asking him questions. It seemed to me in one clip I saw from a fan, the host tried to keep the sessions short. He did say "finding himself " and as a woman a little older than he is, I'd let that be but you and I know others wont What have you been doing for money etc" is being asked a lot online. I don't want him to lie, but he'll be coached what to do by others used to the events etc. (or he wont go as often) I think the money and maybe being surprised how much fans still love the show, is a kick for him now and a little scary.

 

Edited March 24 by debraran

[debraran]

6 hours ago, Zella said:

Confession: I didn't realize Busfield and MG are married. I was wondering why Danny from The West Wing was at a LHOTP reunion and trying to figure out if he guest-starred on a random episode. 😂😂😂

It was a quiet thing in 2013.  They had their ups and downs financially and I remember them moving to a quaint old house in Midwest (but since they have moved back to more people ) 😉NYC

Edited March 24 by debraran

[debraran]

One more with a smile, so many had him look a big glum or overwhelmed.

Edited March 24 by debraran

[QQQQ]

That picture is so much better than the one that initially appeared on Simi 50th anniversary FB site and set off all of the disparaging remarks!!!

Edited March 24 by QQQQ

[jason88cubs]

13 hours ago, Zella said:

Confession: I didn't realize Busfield and MG are married. I was wondering why Danny from The West Wing was at a LHOTP reunion and trying to figure out if he guest-starred on a random episode. 😂😂😂

I just thought he was a big Little House on the Prairie fan lol

 

"Oh a reunion! I can't wait!"