Ep.19 - Sweet Melissa (Part 2) with Melissa Gilbert

[@debbienewton909]

I think the episode where Pa falls out of the tree and breaks his ribs and can't work, and the town finishes his job so he won't lose the cow, sets the tone for the series. Friends and family, loving and caring.

[@TruggyDude]

We, as a world live in such chaotic times. I thank God that Little House still serves as a moral barometer for the goodness that people can have. I hope the actors know how important to the world that is and how grateful we as fans are to be able to share in the stories you all took from the years on set. Thank you, with much love and respect.

[@shellirenee2061]

There should be a show titled "All I really need to know I learned from Little House."

[@lisodo1]

Img we need more Melissa on the podcast. Her memory is amazing

[@vettechmom6056]

These podcasts are so enjoyable can you all just continue them forever?????? What will we do when the 50 podcasts are over?

[@SueProv]

Be grateful. If they do more that's awesome but I'll take what they give.

[@saraschneider6781]

We NEED to get Todd Bridges for the podcast.

[@anniem9595]

50 years on...I never ever never get tired of seeing any of the LHOTP cast. Always a joy! Pure JOY. You are family to me. I was at the Simi Valley reunion...with my daughter and GRAND daughter. I didn't try to meet any of you...just was happy seeing you from afar...all three days! I did see the Q&A's with Pamela moderating. SO much fun! Thank you for 50 years and counting...💪💗❤

[@annika_panicka]

This one has me in tears for some reason. "Big Honey/Little Honey" set me off. There are no words for how much LHOTP means to me.

[@lisahaszto187]

I LOVED "Touched by an Angel" and "Highway to Heaven"!!!!!

[@davemacpherson4752]

And Promised Land

[@LadyJane975]

Thank you to each of you for posting these podcasts. I hadn't any idea that there was such a thing as "bonnet heads." 😂 Little House on the Prairie was such an enormous part of my childhood. My Mum was of the mindset that we needn't replace the old, broken television set when I began watching the series, so I found myself at my little friends house hijacking the TV set to watch my "show". Ma Ingalls was such a fantastic character. I adored her soft demeanour and she reminded me of my own Mum (whom I am quite close to). As delightful as Laura's character was, I gravitated to Mary. Perhaps because I recognised myself. ie. close to Mum, loves to read, glasses, watches over the littles, wants to be a teacher... Mum was patient and kind enough to sew me a "Prairie dress" from a pattern. And if I remember correctly, it had a bonnet. I even asked Mum to put my hair in a "blind" style (referencing how Mary Ingalls wore her hair. Just pulled back and straight). I must admit that watching Mary go blind was rather devastating. It began a long time fear that I might go blind. A child is unable to distinguish, I suppose that these are just people doing a job. Learning that Ms. Gilbert and Ms. Arngram, were actually dear friends makes me so happy. The way time changes our perspective.... Now, as a middle-aged adult, I find myself watching the series over again on television and I want to go back and reread the book series. It's indeed a relief to know that Ms. Gilbert felt and was safe during filming. I'd no idea the age difference between herself and Mr. Butler at the time of the series and Laura being frightened never crossed my mind. Ms. Gilbert did a skillful job at convincing me that she was indeed "Sweet Sixteen" and old enough to marry, teach, and have a child. As Mr. Butler pointed out, the relationship was something that was aspired to. Every girl dreams of her "Manly". And I think it lovely that Almanzo called his beloved, Beth (after her middle name Elizabeth), instead of Laura. Thank you for letting me waffle on. May you each continue to be blessed in all of your endeavours.

[@eightiesaddictone9063]

So great to see Melissa and Alison laughing and carrying on. Great friends after all these years.

[@SammiLill]

as a Canadian with physical disabilities I liked the stories that had disability related things, like Mary being blind or the girl in the wheelchair or the deaf boy.

[@DeniseEverett-e8u]

Thank you all for this interview, I loved the show growing up, and it is nice to know how you all felt about the show.

[@janef220]

Every episode wasn’t memorable, of course, they can’t all be but some were real standout’s. The ones they touch on were so good

[@nancycox6963]

Really enjoy this podcast! Would love for you to have Melissa Gilbert come back again. It feels like all of you have so much more to talk about! Love Little House on the Prairie!

[@GojiAnguirus]

If Melissa comes back on, you should have Sharon Evans-the trainer for Jack & Bandit on LHOTP- on too. I'd LOVE to hear stories about both Dogs from the cast & crew.

[@paulnelson7525]

I love the Halloween episode where Laura thinks Mr. Oleson cuts off Mrs. Oleson's head. I also love when Harriet's niece comes and falls in love with Dr. Baker. Fantastic.

[@MariaSLP95]

I’m enjoying these podcast episodes so much! And Melissa’s Modern Prairie app is amazing- I’ve joined the book club and have just loved all the books and discussions. Melissa always joins in, too! Thank you for sharing your time and memories of the show with so many of us who grew up watching LHOTP! Keep this going!

[@davesanchez5542]

The voice of tinker Jones was my favorite episode.

[@carolthomason2200]

I enjoy listening to all of you. Your all down to earth and very funny. I was a teenager when Little House came on.

[@natalieschannel7675]

My. favorites are “The Richest Man in Walnut Grove” and “Sweet Sixteen” and the two part “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” (because we are introduced to Steve Tracy as Percival ..A smart man who not only won Nellie’s heart but also knew how to put Mrs. O in her place.) And also “A Christmas They Never forgot.”

[@elizabethharrison7306]

The LIttle House the praire 50th podcast Love my favorite one fan BIG 💖

[@nataliebrayer9751]

Thank you for this podcast…so heart warming. Hope you continue!

[@jenbarry5340]

This is so cool~ getting to hear you all as you’re selves about your characters~ thank you all sooo much! Awesome! Love, Jenny~ 🧡☮️

[@claudiakrumtum1963]

I liked sweet sixteen and days of sunshine days of shadows. As the mother of 5 sons my heart goes out to Dean who was so cute and charming and it feels like Melissa was not feeling that. Must have made it difficult for Dean.

[@just_a_smalltowngirl585]

Yay!!! Love cast interviews!!!

[@mollieanne]

I have not watched Little House since I as a child, but now want to watch them again after seeing these podcasts. I am excited to watch them all! I would love to know where to see them though. I would like to see them in order.

[@MariaSLP95]

I’m rewatching them on Prime video!

[@mollieanne]

@@MariaSLP95 oh great I have Prime

[@cindyslavik5391]

These two episodes were amazing. Please have a part 3 of just Q & A

[@melissamckay9265]

Thank you for this! Very entertaining. I love you all!

[@fz1224]

You somehow hear and see very little of Jonathan Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson and Matthew Laborteaux, greetings from Germany.

[@janef220]

Love the addition of the wings at the end ❤

[@tammiesorgman3385]

Yes go to modern prairie!! As an ambassador it’s a must for every middle aged incredible woman out there !!!

[@donw3912]

I recall hearing Dean say in one of the DVD extra parts about the legacy of Little House and mentioning how we as a country were dealing with Watergate etc. And then along comes this new show that takes us back 100ish years to a much simpler time and we could forget about the current stuff for an hour. I was almost 4 when the show debuted as the series...what a coincidental date too as time and life has moved along. I love love LOVE all of the behind the scenes stuff about how this was done or what was going on personally like a bad day and dealing with that in front of the camera. When it comes to buying a series on DVD it is the extras that sell me without fail and LHOTP has great extras. As for the kids feeling safe and protected...that easy...Michael. I so wish he had written some kind of book as nowadays that would be huge. I also have noticed as actors from TV or movies have written books about their time on the show/movie...I believe little House has more books by cast members then any show out there...and quite handily the most if i am not mistaken and i sincerely thank everyone in the cast who has taken the time and effort to put pen to paper as it means so much to me and i am guessing countless others as well. Alisons was the first and what a book...you knocked it out of the park. As for selling books...pictures are a big thing I LOVE seeing. Thanks again for everything you all have been doing commemorating this slice of TV histories 50th anniversary!! I stand and applaud you all then and now still.

[@MitchellWaldrep]

Next time Melissa comes back talk about the episode "Divorce, Walnut Grove Style." I can't stop laughing with Charles and the picture window fail. And really laugh at Laura confronting Brenda Sue in front of Nellie's restaurant. With the famous line, "NO YOU WITCH, I FOUND OUT!!!!".........LMAO Nellie's expression at Caroline pulling Laura away and taking her inside the building was classic Nellie stare.

[@janef220]

I like the one where Pa takes Mary to the grange In Chicago and learns how the city folk manipulate the newspaper and back door deals etc. Of course Mary’s heartbreak with John with the broken engagement They arrived in style and went back to walnut grove simple country folk again. Things haven’t changed so much sadly. Good messages

[@OliverGByrne]

YES ! Dean literally said what I always been saying about "Touched by an Angel" . For the exact same reason I could never get into it. It does not help that it felt like a "Highway to Heaven" rip off either. Also I feel the same way about "When calls the heart" and "DR Queen" . Let's be honest there was a special sort of Michael Landon magic when it comes to making TV shows that died along with him. I would love a show to make me feel the same way as "Little House" "Highway to heaven" or even "Father Murphy" but it's impossible because Michael Landon is now gone. He really was one in a million.

[@just_a_smalltowngirl585]

Michael Landon, Jr is show runner for When Calls the Heart. I love it! And the Love Saga as well. I think he definitely inherited his father’s talent.

[@OliverGByrne]

@just_a_smalltowngirl585 I do not mean to be hard on When Calls because My mum loves it but I tried watching a few episodes but to me it's just a soap opera, it does not have any of the raw-ness Little house had. Everyone looks so clean and beautiful and it's very melo dramatic. Also it has none of the pick up and watch quality of Little House, if you have not watched previous episodes of When Calls the Heart, you feel completely lost while you could watch any episodes of any seasons of Little House and still have a good time because each episodes where like mini movies . I am talking more about the current TV show now , the first TV movie I did like and Michael Landon Jr did show some promises but that TV show is really just a glorified soap in my opinion.

[@just_a_smalltowngirl585]

@@OliverGByrne I totally agree!

[@randiahonig]

Omg I hated Highway to Heaven. Talk about preachy...ewwww

[@rebeccatool765]

I lovevthr color of your hair Pamela. Beautiful just like Melissa Gilbert's.

[@wakandaforever4291]

I've wanted to know this for decades. On the " Nephews episode S7 E14, Did the crew really pluck feathers off those live chickens for the boys when they put on the play for Laura and Manly?

[@randiahonig]

I LOVED Touched by an Angel!! It was incredibly well acted and very well written. Made me cry every episode. I loved Little House of course but there were SO many silly, poorly written episodes. I mean...an orangatan? Please ...

[@kamily8288]

Another great interview! ❤

[@mt1885]

hey y'all -this was so good!😁 Love it🥰

[@pamelav4628]

People and kid’s aren’t stupid. We understood all the stories.

[@sandy-ke1kr]

Sylvia was scary for me. As a young girl that was a very dark episode, and it scared me. I think it was the darkest they ever went. It was also so very sad. That is the only episode that I won't rewatch.

[@pamelav4628]

I noticed Michael Landon often had an Irish person portray the bad guy. The one with the angry temper, just generally the bad guy. He had some Irish history like “Tinker Jones” which was a good episode. The Tinkers in Ireland. Michael was 1/2 Irish.

[@saraschneider6781]

21:36 😯 One of my favorite shows!

[@saraschneider6781]

5:05 Again!🤣 Poor Dean is like "Help me!"😂🤦‍♀️

[@SueProv]

Dean didn't like Touched by Angel. No comments on Highway to Heaven?

[@pamelav4628]

The Odyssey, The Creeper, Men Will be Boys, Jasper the Raccoon, of course The Pilot, Country Girls. When Almanzo first arrives. So many of them.

[@just_a_smalltowngirl585]

WHY is there such a rush to end the show as soon as it gets going? Especially when you have cast members willing to participate?! I assume it’s something to do with monetization but it’s sooooo annoying and disappointing 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@randiahonig]

Pamela is a great moderator!

[@jennifer3237]

I’ve preordered deans book and have read Allison’s book

[@jenniferrotin21]

part 2 of this episode was really good i enjoy it i really look for this podcast it looks really good

[@davemacpherson4752]

Joshua Bryant, Charlotte Stewart, Little House On The Prairies Adam & Eva Simms. ( A blended family, as Eva became pregnant with the Second Simms Child. Luke, the Pig Farmer, Adam’s First Born )

[@middlemarie2]

My comment didn't show up. The episode where Laura and Albert dressed up as natives was a problem

[@KG-oe8oo]

Is no one going to mention the bananas hanging behind Melissa? LOL!

[@mprkg]

The Sylvia episode was absolutely horrific!

[@davemacpherson4752]

Melissa and the Lemon Verbena

[@lisahaszto187]

I loved Dinty Moore beef stew.....lol

[@GojiAnguirus]

No new episode this week?

[@jenifermassart5592]

Sad about Dean’s take on Touched by an Angel, they were trying to point people to God . People want to be “spiritual “but they don’t want to hear the truth

[@irishgal3882]

I agree! I did not like him dissing Touched by an Angel! I Truly LOVE THAT SHOW! It is so Beautiful. I loved that in each episode, you heard the words, “God loves you”.. Dean should NOT compare LHOTP to it. Two completely different shows, both good, but do not try and tell anyone it was “preachy” or somehow not to his liking. Touched by an Angel gave Great lessons, messages about God. In my opinion, that show means more to me than LHOTP…in a different way.. Hard to explain..but I did not like his comments…

[@fbueller]

15:25 What was the name of the original actor?

[@SammiLill]

I never knew my mother, I wanted Mrs. Ingalls as my mother when I was a little girl.

[@saraschneider6781]

I hate that the commercials interrupt Melissa without warning.

[@just_a_smalltowngirl585]

They don’t. They’re edited in after the interview 😊

[@catherinedesimone3630]

todd bridges did a pod cast about being on lh

[@saraschneider6781]

32:40 🤣🤣🤣

[@elizabethharrison7306]

The LIttle House the praire Love my favorite one fan BIG 💖 Melissa Gilbert Alison Arngrim Love my favorite one fan BIG season DVD 📀 Dolls 💖💖💖🎶🌻Laura lngalls Wilder Book 📚

[@saraschneider6781]

What???

[@natalieschannel7675]

The episodes I don’t like and I have a difficult time watching are “My We Make Them Proud” (I had nightmares as a kid about Alice and the baby in the fire) and “Sylvia” ( I still cringe about the psycho blacksmith in the creepy clown mask)

[@janef220]

That one was too much. Mary’s baby? Going blind was enough. And Alice garvey? I can’t watch those ones

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

So sad Melissa Sue Anderson isnt interested in the nostalgia.

[@beckyshell4649]

Melissa Sue Anderson actually did this podcast. She said she wants to look forward instead of back. Her and Allison did a 50th anniversary meeting in Monaco . Melissa Sue said that they had come to an understanding as two old ladies sitting on a beach. I don’t think Melissa Sue had the same experience with the show as Allison and Melissa Gilbert .

[@pmtspmts8441]

So love and grew up watching and read books as I am 56 .. what is bothering me is even though ‘Mary’ wants nothing to do with the show.. not to mention what she brought to little house is kind of tacky. Grow up please she was the only one nominated for an award. Still watching btw because loyal

[@jphillips5223]

They had issues as children and the bad feelings have obviously continued to adult hood.

[@pmtspmts8441]

Well I think highly of all of them have pictures with Alison and Melissa from Knoxville.. I just wish this podcast remembered everyone on the show because acceptance and moving on and respect are central themes of books and show

[@lee-lee2418]

Caroline letting her wig down? 🤭 We thot it looked phony. As a kid and beyond, I always saw her as average.

[@jphillips5223]

Oh Melissa, it looked like you were getting many many very important texts during this interview... and returning such texta. It was distracting.

[@2sistersjunkjournals]

I found it very distracting and unfortunate. Put the phone in the other room... please!

[@jphillips5223]

She was much more engaged in part 1. I was very disappointed 😞 in her.

[@cindyslavik5391]

She does this in the book club too and it is very distracting.

[@leslieaubrey5608]

I thought she was very rude!

[@shawnseal8119]

Is it me or does Dean talk too much?

[@mprkg]

Tobey Noe was awful