Don’t believe that Little House on the Prairie was flawless!
Known for its timeless charm, wholesome tales, and spirit of adventure, this well-loved classic wasn’t without its share of missteps.
Many errors and blunders somehow made it passed the editing room, even though everything looked perfect.
Like my parents used to do, I still find myself addicted to Little House on the Prairie repeats. It instantly takes us to the late 1800s and presents us with the tenacious Ingalls family.
It is evident from watching the episodes now that the show’s message—treating people with dignity, embracing honesty, and appreciating the value of family and friends—is still as potent as ever.
But those of us who are perceptive have found a wealth of mistakes and idiots that will make you laugh and possibly perform a double take.
The mysterious pregnancy of Laura
Late in season seven, when the flowers were in full bloom and the prairie was at its most picturesque, Laura made her first pregnancy announcement.
However, she was still heavily pregnant by the next summer, which left viewers to wonder how long this unusual pregnancy was expected to last.
In all honesty, it seemed as though there was a gulf between the authors and the other members of the team, a blatant example of poor story management.
The wig that Nellie Oleson wore
We all recall Alison Arngrim’s portrayal of Nellie Oleson, the resident troublemaker from Little House on the Prairie. However, did you know that Nellie had a far larger part in the performance than she did in the original novels?
The character’s increased prominence demonstrates how much the audience detested this cunning antagonist, particularly when she teamed up with Harriet, her similarly cunning on-screen mother.
Nellie’s famous blond curls are undoubtedly remembered by many, but getting that look wasn’t simple. Using an antiquated curling iron that needed to be heated in an oven, Alison Arngrim’s own hair was styled into those recognizable ringlets. It was a laborious and patient procedure.
Bringing in a wig was the answer. They used dozens of long, straight metal hairpins and a big metal comb to hold it firmly in place.
The appearance of Colonel Sanders
Colonel Sanders, the famous originator of Kentucky Fried Chicken, made an unexpected appearance in the eighth season episode “Wave of the Future,” which is undoubtedly one of the greatest bloopers on Little House on the Prairie. Nellie’s eatery turns into a franchise in this plot.
However, things don’t work out as expected, and Nellie regrets the entire experience. She joins forces with Charles and Nels to create a competing restaurant in an effort to escape the contract.
In a strange turn of events, Colonel Sanders himself then appears and offers Harriet a contract to launch her own chicken business.
Frogs were put in Michael Landon’s mouth.
Pranks appeared to be a common occurrence in the filming atmosphere, and Michael Landon frequently took the lead with his inventive and humorous actions. Rachel Greenbush, who portrayed Carrie, the youngest of the Ingalls siblings, shared one amusing joke.
During breaks, Greenbush and Melissa Gilbert, her on-screen sister, would sneak down to the creek for some frog-catching excursions. To surprise Landon, they would return to the set with their slimy little companions.
In a lighthearted turn, he would approach other members of the cast and crew after taking the gullible frogs and putting them in his mouth. He would open his lips to let the frogs leap out while grinning cheekily, causing everyone around him to burst out laughing and in a panic.
The disagreement between Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert
Off-screen, the co-stars played a significant role in each other’s life for many years, and the ensemble had such a strong bond that you would assume they were a genuine family.
However, the actors’ relationship wasn’t always easy, and one significant incident led to a long-lasting breach between Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon.
It all began when the young celebrity learned something that would alter her perception of Landon for all time. During his marriage to his second wife, Marjorie Lynn Noe, Landon started an affair with Cindy Clerico, a considerably younger makeup artist and stand-in for Little House, on set.
On set, Gilbert remembers observing how close Landon and Clerico were growing, but he brushed it off, not believing that Landon would cheat on his wife.
She writes in her memoir, “It was nothing untoward; they weren’t in a closed-off room, not that I saw.” “But she was a pretty young thing, wearing stylish tight jeans, leotards, and high-heel boots, and Mike would walk around holding her puppy.”
We hope you have enjoyed this humorous behind-the-scenes peek at Walnut Grove as we conclude our exploration of Little House on the Prairie’s gaffes and errors.
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