These LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Enemies Were Friends in Real Life
By Movieguide® Contributor
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE stars Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim recently discussed the legacy of the show and their long-term friendship in honor of the series’ 50th anniversary.
On the classic show, Gilbert starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Arngrim played Nellie Oleson, who was a bully.
“Here’s Melissa Gilbert and I playing mortal enemies, beating each other senseless all week. And then on the weekends, we’d go to each other’s house for a slumber party and we were hanging out,” Arngrim said. “It’s so completely bonkers.”
Arngrim also shared how fans of the show disliked her in real life because of her aggressive role.
“People hated me. They hated me, hated me,” she said, noting that one fan even threw a cup of soda in her face at a Christmas parade.
In honor of the anniversary, some of the cast of the show also sat down with GOOD MORNING AMERICA, which Gilbert posted on her Instagram account.
“When will did the show, we went ‘Yeah, this is a really good show, oh it seems to be a hit, that’s nice,’ but the idea that 50 years later, that people would still be as excited about it, it’s absolutely mind-blowing,” Arngrim said in the clip.
“It’s overwhelming actually,” Gilbert said. “I’m remembering so much, and so much of my childhood, and so many wonderful experiences and emotional experiences attached to all of these people.”
Instagram users commented on the post, expressing love and appreciation for the show.
“I think people are longing for love, peace, family connection and for what would seem to be pre 21 century values and harmony, in our lives again,” one user commented.
“Forever my favorite show. It comforts me like no other,” another person said.
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE aired from 1974 to 1982 on the NBC network. The show was an adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classic novel.
Movieguide® previously reported:
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE stars Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle and Alison Arngrim are reuniting to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary…
Grassle (who played Laura’s mother, Caroline) added, “People are finding values, comfort and a message that they long for, and I think, you know, it’s just simple human decency.”
Gilbert, who starred as Laura, called the anniversary “overwhelming,” as “so much of my childhood and so many wonderful experiences and emotional experiences attached to all of these people.”
The trio also remembered their co-star, the late Michael Landon. He passed away in 1991 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“He was magnetic,” Gilbert shared. “He drew me in, but he also played with me right away. And our relationship immediately became parental in that way, but he treated us when he worked with us like contemporaries, not like kids.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
