WATCH: Stars of ‘Little Home on the Prairie’ reunite
It is arduous to imagine it has been 50 years because the Ingalls household made their community tv debut in 1974.
“Good Morning America” caught up with solid members Melissa Gilbert (Laura), Karen Grassle (Laura’s mom Caroline) and Alison Arngrim (Laura’s nemesis, Nellie Oleson) to have fun the fiftieth anniversary of the collection and focus on its lasting legacy.MORE: ‘Little Home on the Prairie’ star Melissa Gilbert talks embracing ageing, discovering love later in life
As for why generations of followers have continued to observe the present lengthy after its 200-plus episodes throughout 9 seasons got here to an finish in 1983, Grassle had a thought.
“Individuals are discovering values, consolation and a message that they lengthy for,” she mentioned. “And I believe, you recognize, it is simply easy human decency.”NBCUniversal through Getty Pictures, FILE(High L-R) Matthew Laborteaux, Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Dean Butler, Melissa Sue Anderson, Linwood Boomer (backside L-R) Karen Grassle and Lindsay/Sidney Greenbush seem on set of “Little Home on the Prairie” season seven.
Arngrim added that the present felt like a success on the time however its endurance is “completely mind-blowing” to her.
“It is overwhelming, really,” Gilbert chimed in. “I am remembering a lot, and a lot of my childhood and so many great experiences and emotional experiences connected to all of those individuals.”
Amongst those that have left an enduring affect on Gilbert is the late Michael Landon, who not solely performed Ingalls patriarch Charles, a.ok.a. “Pa,” but additionally produced the collection in addition to directed and wrote many episodes.
“Technically he was the TV lady dad,” Arngrim laughed.NBCUniversal through Getty Pictures, FILEMichael Landon seems as Charles Philip Ingalls on this undated photograph from “Little Home on the Prairie.”
Gilbert known as Landon, who died in 1991 on the age of 54, “magnetic,” saying he “drew me in however he additionally performed with me immediately.”
“Our relationship instantly turned parental,” she continued. “However he handled us when he labored with us like contemporaries, not like children.”
As Gilbert’s Laura was rising up from little lady to girl on the present, she was additionally guided by her TV mother.
Grassle, when reflecting on what Caroline — or “Ma” — gave Laura and, by default, those that watched the present, mentioned she “can solely suppose it is love.”
The trio of actresses — and different solid members — will reunite on the “Little Home on the Prairie fiftieth Anniversary Forged Reunion & Pageant” this weekend for the three-day competition working March 22-24 in Simi Valley, California. Get extra particulars right here.
See then-and-now photographs of the “Little Home on the Prairie” solid members:
Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls Wilder)Getty Pictures/ABC NewsMelissa Gilbert on “Little Home on the Prairie,” left, and Melissa Gilbert, March 21, 2024 on “Good Morning America.”
Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls, a.ok.a. “Ma”)Getty Pictures/ABC NewsKaren Grassle on “Little Home on the Prairie,” left, and Karen Grassle, March 21, 2024 on “Good Morning America.”
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)Getty Pictures/ABC NewsAlison Arngrim on “Little Home on the Prairie,” left, and Alison Arngrim, March 21, 2024 on “Good Morning America.”