If you believe that Little House on the Prairie was flawless, think again!
This cherished classic, celebrated for its enduring charm, heartwarming tales, and adventurous essence, certainly had its fair share of blunders.
In spite of its seemingly perfect facade, a host of errors and mishaps somehow slipped through the editing process.
I still find myself captivated by reruns of Little House on the Prairie, just as my parents were in their time. In a heartbeat, it whisks us away to the late 19th century, introducing us to the tenacious Ingalls family.
Watching the episodes today, it’s evident that the show’s message remains as impactful as ever — treating others with kindness, embracing truthfulness, and cherishing the significance of family and friends.
However, those of us with a keen eye have uncovered a delightful collection of mistakes and goofs that are bound to make you do a double-take — and perhaps even bring a smile to your face.
Laura’s mysterious pregnancy
Laura first revealed her pregnancy late in season seven, during a warm season, with flowers in bloom and the prairie at its most beautiful.
Yet, by the time the next summer arrived, she was still very much expecting — leaving fans curious about just how long this prairie pregnancy was meant to endure.
Honestly, it seemed like there was a gap between the writers and the rest of the team, clearly indicating poor story management.
Nellie Oleson wore a wig
We all recall the troublemaker from Little House on the Prairie, Nellie Oleson, portrayed by Alison Arngrim. However, did you realize that Nellie’s role in the series was much more significant than in the original books?
The character’s increased presence highlights just how much audiences loved to despise this mischievous antagonist — particularly when she collaborated with her equally scheming mother, Harriet.
Many of us likely remember Nellie’s famous blonde curls, but achieving that hairstyle was quite a challenge. Alison Arngrim’s natural hair was styled into those distinctive ringlets using a traditional curling iron that had to be heated in an oven — a rather uncomfortable process that demanded both time and patience.
The answer was to introduce a wig. To ensure it stayed firmly in place, they utilized a large metal comb along with many long, straight metal hairpins.
Colonel Sanders Cameo
One of the most hilarious bloopers from Little House on the Prairie has to be the surprise appearance of Colonel Sanders, the legendary founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, in a season eight episode called “Wave of the Future.” In this plot, Nellie’s restaurant evolves into a franchise.
However, as you might expect, things don’t unfold as intended, and Nellie ends up regretting the entire situation. In a bid to escape the contract, she collaborates with Charles and Nels to launch a competing restaurant.
Then, in a strange turn of events, none other than Colonel Sanders himself arrives, presenting Harriet with an offer to establish her own chicken franchise.
Now, here’s where the fun begins: the good Colonel wasn’t even born until 1890, and KFC didn’t come into existence until 1952. Meanwhile, Little House is meant to take place in the 1870s and 1880s! Talk about a time-traveling entrepreneur.
And for a little extra spice — whenever fried chicken appeared in any meal on the show, it’s rumored that it actually came directly from KFC. So, perhaps Colonel Sanders’ appearance wasn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
The missing coats
This is something I’ve often pondered — the obvious absence of winter coats during the freezing weather. In the episode titled “Bless All the Dear Children,” Laura’s baby gets kidnapped around Christmas in Minneapolis.
Now, anyone who knows Minneapolis in December is aware that it can be extremely cold, yet everyone is wandering around without a coat, as Gilbert points out.
This oversight might stem from the fact that the show was filmed in Tucson, Arizona, during the summer months.
A fashion slip
In some episodes, you can catch a glimpse of Caroline’s bra when she moves just the right way. Given that the series is set in the 1870s and 1880s, this is a bit of an anachronism — since bras weren’t even created until 1912!
Some of the women also flaunt hairstyles with perms or curls on set – a style more suited to the 1970s than the 1880s.
On a related note, you might have noticed that most of the men in the series are clean-shaven, which is quite different from the historical images of the time. In reality, the vast majority of adult men had facial hair — beards were very much in vogue. In fact, Charles Ingalls himself sported a beard for most of his adult life. It appears that the show’s grooming choices didn’t quite align with the rugged fashion of the era.
A mannequin instead of a real person
In the fifth season episode titled “The Odyssey,” a gripping scene occurs when an unidentified attacker attempts to push Albert off a moving train.
However, Laura swiftly intervenes, pushing the villain away just in time to rescue Albert. Yet, amidst this thrilling moment, a humorous blooper takes place.
Observant viewers can catch a glimpse of a dummy being tossed from the train, landing awkwardly in the grass. At the same time, a daring stuntman tumbles down the hill, hilariously outshining the immobile dummy.
Melissa Sue Anderson was perceived as “cold and aloof”..
Throughout seasons one to seven of Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Sue Anderson captured the hearts of audiences as the lovely blonde-haired Mary, the eldest daughter of Charles and Caroline Ingalls.
Nevertheless, her fellow cast members found it difficult to bond with her. Both Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim recounted in their autobiographies that Melissa Sue Anderson — affectionately called “Missy” on set — often seemed distant and reserved during her tenure on the show. Yet, when viewing photos of the cast together, it’s hard to believe there was any separation among them.
Whispers circulated among the crew that Missy’s overly protective mother played a role in her inclination to remain withdrawn.
But Nellie and Laura became the best of friends
Alison Arngrim portrayed the original mean girl, Nellie Oleson, the arch-rival of the sweet Laura Ingalls, played by Melissa Gilbert. However, behind the scenes, the reality was quite different! Alison and Melissa formed a close bond and became the best of friends.
When the cameras stopped rolling, they were like true sisters, sharing laughter and creating memories that extended beyond the show.
Off the set, they were partners in mischief, enjoying sleepovers at each other’s homes and playing pranks on their unsuspecting co-stars. Who would have imagined that the fierce rivalry on screen would lead to such a fun and playful friendship off-screen?
The Impact of Grief in “My Ellen”
One of the most unforgettable episodes of Little House on the Prairie is called “My Ellen,” which centers on the heartbreaking drowning of Ellen Taylor.
When Laura and Mary decide to go skinny-dipping with their friend Ellen Taylor, they unexpectedly find themselves in a precarious situation. A group of boys arrives, causing the girls to dive underwater until it is safe to come up.
While Laura and Mary are able to surface without incident, Ellen sadly gets trapped and drowns. The consequences are devastating, as Ellen’s grieving mother, overwhelmed by her loss, holds Laura responsible for the tragedy.
During Ellen’s funeral, her mother is engulfed in grief and accuses Laura of causing the tragedy, exclaiming, “YOU did this!” This heart-wrenching accusation strikes Laura deeply, particularly since she is already burdened with guilt over the incident. What is particularly notable, however, is the reaction of the adults present. Rather than stepping in to support Laura, they merely exchange anxious glances and allow her to endure her suffering in isolation.
It’s a perplexing situation. With numerous adults around, including Reverend Alden and Doc Baker, one would anticipate that at least one of them would offer comfort to Laura and assure her that she is not at fault. Instead, they abandon her to confront the harsh accusations by herself. In “My Ellen,” the emotional depth of the narrative is unmistakable, yet there are instances that feel somewhat disconnected in terms of storytelling.
Michael Landon had a penchant for putting frogs in his mouth.
Pranks appeared to be a significant aspect of the filming atmosphere, with Michael Landon frequently at the forefront, showcasing his inventive and humorous antics. One particularly amusing prank was shared by Rachel Greenbush, who portrayed the youngest Ingalls sibling, Carrie.
The playful pair of Greenbush and her on-screen sister, Melissa Gilbert, would sneak away to the creek during breaks for some frog-catching escapades. With their slimy companions in hand, they would return to the set to surprise Landon.
In a humorous twist, he would take the unsuspecting frogs and pop them into his mouth, then casually walk over to fellow cast and crew members. With a mischievous smile, he would open his mouth to let the frogs leap out, causing everyone around him to erupt in startled laughter and chaos.
Melissa Gilbert’s conflict with Michael Landon
The cast shared such wonderful chemistry that it felt like they were a genuine family, and off-screen, the co-stars played significant roles in each other’s lives for many years.
However, their relationship wasn’t always harmonious, and a significant event led to a lasting divide between Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon.
It all began when the young actress uncovered information that would forever alter her perception of Landon. While married to his second wife, Marjorie Lynn Noe, Landon initiated an affair with a much younger woman, Cindy Clerico, who was the makeup artist and stand-in for Little House.
Gilbert remembers observing how close Landon and Clerico were getting on set, but she brushed off the idea, unwilling to believe that Landon would betray his wife.
“It was nothing inappropriate; they were never in a private room, at least not that I noticed,” she mentioned in her memoir. “But Mike would wander around with her puppy, and she was a lovely young woman who wore fashionable tight jeans, leotards, and high-heeled boots.”
Before long, the cast, including Gilbert, learned about the affair and were heartbroken by the actions of the actor they had admired as a father figure.
“For us, as young people, it was a significant shock,” Melissa Sue Anderson later reflected in her biography. “Even though we recognized he could be challenging at times and had his shortcomings, we never imagined he could cause such pain to his real family.
“Personally, I had always held him to a higher moral standard. He truly disappointed me.”
The traveling quilt
Sharp-eyed fans with keen observation skills have noticed another amusing blooper: the family quilt appears to have a life of its own! This elusive quilt shows up in different places throughout the series — on the Olsens’ bed, Charles and Caroline’s bed, and even on the beds of other characters.
Primarily white with a delightful design that resembles a double wedding ring quilt, it’s evident that some props were reused for practicality.
And speaking of locations, have you caught on to the Ingalls children’s confusing trek to and from school? Their path seems to shift from episode to episode. At times, they cross the bridge and walk past the sawmill, while at other moments they inexplicably show up on the road behind it.
Dean Butler nearly had a fatal accident
Some cast members joined the show in later seasons, including Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder, Laura Ingalls’ husband.
Just days after graduating from college, Dean arrived on the set of Little House. It was a day he would never forget — for several reasons.
In Butler’s first scene, he was tasked with driving a horse wagon down a hill for 200 yards. Having never done it before, when Michael shouted “action,” things didn’t go as planned. A gust of wind blew his hat off, causing Butler to instinctively drop the reins to grab it. Meanwhile, the horses, now out of control, bolted off the road and headed straight for an oak tree.
During the production, people were yelling, but fortunately, a crew member was able to get to the horses before they collided with the tree.
Dean’s initial day on Little House could have been better, as Michael Landon chose to perform the scene himself.
“Michael approached me, cigarette in mouth, and said, ‘Well, I think I have to double, you know,’” Butler remembered Landon saying. “‘I can double you but not replace the horses on the show.’ That was my first experience with Michael, and it was a lot of fun.”
Did Albert pass away?
Albert Quinn Ingalls, portrayed by a young Matthew Labyorteaux, became a central character in the series in 1978. The young boy is an orphan who is taken in by the Ingalls family – however, his departure from the series puzzled many TV viewers.
In the 1983 made-for-TV film “Little House: Look Back to Yesterday,” Albert is diagnosed with leukemia. But did he survive or not? That question remains unanswered to this day.
“He never officially passed away in the episode, and I believe it’s somewhat left open for discussion… but it was an unspoken understanding that we knew he was destined to die,” the former child star remarked in an interview several years back.
A classic oversight
In the series finale of Little House on the Prairie, the TV movie The Last Farewell, there’s a noticeable blunder. Taking place in 1901, it’s evident that most characters should be in their 60s or 70s as the 20th century begins.
For example, the real Charles Ingalls died in 1902. The younger characters, such as Carrie, Jenny, James, Cassandra, and Nancy, should have entered young adulthood by this time.
However, when looking at images from the final seasons, it seems that everyone has aged surprisingly little, as if time has frozen in Walnut Grove. Yet, historically, the Wilders had relocated to Missouri around the start of the century.
Took a journey to India
Did you notice that Katherine MacGregor, who portrayed Harriet Oleson for all nine seasons, was absent from The Last Farewell?
While various reports indicate that she was on a pilgrimage to India due to her new Hindu beliefs, her absence from the series finale has an additional layer. According to other sources, it was due to a long-standing personal dispute with Michael Landon regarding her salary and the way her talent was used.
As we conclude our exploration of the bloopers and blunders from Little House on the Prairie, we hope you’ve found this playful glimpse behind the scenes of Walnut Grove enjoyable.
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