Wikia

This article needs a Cleanup
Please help Little House On The Prarie Wiki by cleaning up Little House on the Prairie (Television Series)

Opening-girlsandjack — Mary, Laura, Carrie and Jack frolic down the hill.
Added by Muppets101

	We were always a family show, and it always seems to be families sitting around watching, they always did. and they'd cry together and they could really get their whole family, it wouldn't just be the guys off watching football and the girls watching Little House. it would be the whole family, and they'd almost all be crying.
—Melissa Sue Anderson, Interview

Little House on the Prairie is a hour-long dramatic television series based on the best-selling book series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It originally aired on NBC from September 11, 1974, to May 10, 1982; the final season, Little House: A New Beginning had a new title and was a departure from the earlier seasons, which mainly focused on Almanzo Wilder (Dean Butler) and Laura (Melissa Gilbert). It was the second lowest-rated season of the show.^[1]

Season two was the lowest ranked season,^[2] largely due to the Wednesday night time slot that it had. After moving to Monday nights, it remained in the top 30 for the rest of its run.

Little House had four television movies: the pilot movie, which preceded the series and three post-series to wrap the show up: Look Back to Yesterday, Bless All the Dear Children and The Last Farewell.

Little House on the Prairie has had many episodic themes throughout the series, such as love, marriage, childbirth and even some heavy subjects such as drug addiction, racism, and rape.

PlotEdit

As with the books, the series focuses on the struggles of a pioneer family living in the late 19th century, and their triumphs and tragedies. Comparing the television series to the books concludes that much of it was somewhat loosely based. For example, in the first book Little House in the Big Woods, it describes the Ingalls life in the big woods of Wisconsin. In the pilot movie, it shows the Ingalls family leaving the big woods immediately, without showing any of their life there. In addition, several characters were also added: such as Albert and the Garvey family.

CharactersEdit

The main characters are Charles Ingalls, played by Michael Landon (who also directed and wrote many of the episodes, and was an executive producer), Caroline Ingalls (Karen Grassle), Mary Ingalls Kendall (Melissa Sue Anderson), Laura Ingalls Wilder, (Melissa Gilbert), and Carrie Ingalls (twin sisters Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush) .

The townspeople of Walnut Grove are also a staple to the show, and thanks to them the show has some comedic episodes. They include, the Oleson family, Nels Oleson (Richard Bull), his gossiping wife Harriet Oleson (Katherine MacGregor), Willie Oleson (Jonathan Gilbert), and Laura's childhood rival Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim), and Charles' good friend Mr. Edwards (Victor French), who leaves Walnut Grove with his family in season three, but eventually returns in season eight.

Little House had many famous guest stars like Johnny Cash and Red Buttons.

ReleasesEdit

First, episodes from the show were available on VHS through a Columbia House club subscription. They contained two episodes per tape and also are the only commercially available episodes that are uncut, unlike the DVDs. All "ten" seasons (counting the three final television movies as the tenth season; the pilot was released on an individual DVD) have been released in North America on DVDs in region one format. Seasons one through five have been released in region two format. Also to note, the region one DVDs come with interviews of Dabbs Greer, Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler. The interviews were conducted by Little House historian Patrick Loubatière.

Additionally, Little House on the Prairie was overdubbed in many countries, including in German, "Unsere Kleine Farm", and in French, "La Petite Maison dans la Prairie". Seasons one through for have been released in Germany, with overdubs of the voices but still the same actors.

Mentions in popular cultureEdit

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

In an episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, titled "The Co-Producers", Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern attempt to make their own talk show. When Mary asks Rhoda if she could change something on television, Rhoda mentions Mrs. Oleson.

Sesame Street

During a segment on the childrens television series Sesame Street, the Monsterpiece Theater, Prairie Dawn has a little house on her head. Also, Michael Landon filmed a counting sketch with his Bonanza co-stars for the show.

Sanford and Son

On an episode of Sanford and Son, Fred makes reference about making a television series about a frontier plumber titled "Little Outhouses on the Prairie". The show was broadcast on NBC as well.

The Smoking Room

In the first episode of The Smoking Room, "Doo Di Dum Di Da", Robin can't remember the theme song for Little House.

Family Guy

Two episodes of FOX's Family Guy, Little House related scenes are shown. In one episode, it spoofs Charles, Caroline, Laura and Carrie tricking Mary (who is already blind) into going up a ladder which falls out an opening in the house. In another, Quagmire is seen running down a hill copying the end credits to Little House.

RerunsEdit

Little House continues to remain popular in reruns in syndication. The Hallmark Channel has broadcast the series for years and still does on a daily basis. Additionally, Little House on the Prairie can also be seen on INSP; and, because of it's historical background, the FCC deemed the show as acceptable to meet E/I programming guidelines.

MusicEdit

The music for Little House on the Prairie was composed by David Rose, who also worked on Bonanza and Highway to Heaven. He was nominated and won Emmy awards for his work on the show. The theme for Little House was titled "The Little House", and on a side note: while filming the opening credits for the show, Sidney Greenbush fell while going down the hill and got whiplash.^[3] Additionally, the theme from Highway to Heaven was used on the episode "Marvin's Garden".

AwardsEdit

Awards won are highlighted in green.

Emmy AwardsEdit

Emmy, 1975: Nominated, "Outstanding Achievement in Any Area of Creative Technical Crafts", Larry Germain (hairstylist) for episode "If I Should Before I Die".

Emmy, 1976: Nominated, "Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Entertainment Programming for a Series", Ted Voigtlander for episodes "Remember Me" part 1 and part 2.

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series", David Rose for "Remember Me" part 1 and 2.

Emmy, 1977: Nominated, "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Any Area of Creative Technical Crafts", Larry Germain (hairstylist) for "To Live With Fear" part 1 and part 2.

Emmy, 1978: Won, "Outstanding Cinematography in Entertainment Programming for a Series", Ted Voigtlander for the episode "The Fighter".

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Achievement in Makeup", Hank Edds (makeup) and Allan Snyder (makeup) for episode "The Fighter".

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Any Area of Creative Technical Crafts", Larry Germain (hairstylist) and Gladys Witten (hairstylist) for the episode "Here Comes the Brides".

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series", Melissa Sue Anderson.

Emmy, 1979, Won, "Outstanding Cinematography for a Series", Ted Voigtlander and "Outstanding Music Composition for a Series", David Rose for "The Craftsman".

Emmy, 1980, Nominated, "Outstanding Cinematography for a Series", Ted Voigtlander for "May We Make Them Proud".

Emmy 1981, Nominated, "Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling", Larry Germain for "To See the Light part 1" and "part 2".

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)", David Rose for "The Lost Ones part 1".

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Cinematography for a Series", Ted Voigtlander for "Sylvia part 1" and part 2.

Emmy, 1982, Won, "Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)", David Rose for "He Was Only Twelve part 2".

- Emmy, Nominated, "Outstanding Cinematography for a Series", Ted Voigtlander for "He Was Only Twelve part 2".

Emmy, 1983, Nominated, "Outstanding Cinematography for a Series", Ted Voigtlander for "The Wild Boy part 1".

Golden GlobesEdit

Golden Globes, 1977, Nominated, "Best TV-Series - Drama"

Golden Globes, 1979, Nominated, "Best TV Actor - Drama", Michael Landon

Golden Globes, 1981, Nominated, "Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Drama", Melissa Gilbert

People's Choice AwardsEdit

People's Choice Awards, 1978, Won, "Favorite TV Dramatic Program"

People's Choice Awards, 1979, Won, "Favorite TV Dramatic Program"

TP de Oro, SpainEdit

TP de Oro, 1978, Won, "Best Foreign Actress", Karen Grassle

- TP de Oro, Won, "Best Foreign Series"

TP de Oro, 1980, Won, "Best Foreign Actress", Melissa Sue Anderson

TV Land AwardsEdit

TV Land Awards, 2004, Nominated, "Most Memorable Man", Michael Landon

TV Land Awards, 2006, Nominated, "Teacher of the Year", Charlotte Stewart

- TV Land Awards, Won, "Most Memorable Kiss", Dean Butler and Melissa Gilbert

- TV Land Awards, Won, "Character Most Desperately in Need of a Timeout", Alison Arngrim

TV Land Awards, 2008, Nominated, "Siblings That Make You Grateful for Your Own Crazy Family", Alison Arngrim and Jonathan Gilbert

- TV Land Awards, Nominated, "Character You'd Pay to Do Your Homework for You", Melissa Sue Anderson

Western Writers of AmericaEdit

Western Writers of America, 1981, Won, "Best TV Script", Michael Landon for "May We Make Them Proud".

Young Artist AwardEdit

Young Artist Award, 1980, Nominated, "Best TV Series or Special Featuring Youth"

- Young Artist Award, Nominated, "Best Juvenile Actress in a TV Series or Special", Melissa Gilbert

Young Artist Award, 1981, Nominated, "Best Young Comedienne", Alison Arngrim

Young Artist Award, 1982, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Television Series", Missy Francis

- Young Artist Award, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Television Series", Olivia Barash

- Young Artist Award, Nominated, "Best Television Series - Family Enjoyment"

- Young Artist Awards, 1983, Nominated, "Best Young Actress, Guest on a Series", Sheri Strahl

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Missy Francis

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Shannen Doherty

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Allison Balson

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actor in a Drama Series", Matthew Laborteaux

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actor in a Drama Series", David Friedman

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best New Family Television Series"

- Young Artist Awards, Tied (with Jill Whelan for "The Love Boat"), "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Melissa Gilbert

Young Artist Awards, 1984, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Shannen Doherty

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Allison Balson

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actor in a Drama Series", Matthew Laborteaux

- Young Artist Awards, Nominated, "Best Young Actor in a Drama Series", David Friedman

- Young Artist Awards, Won, "Best Young Actress in a Drama Series", Melissa Gilbert

TV GuideEdit

Charles Ingalls was ranked number four on TV Guide's list of "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (June 20, 2004 issue).

Nellie Oleson Dalton was ranked number three on TV Guide's list of "TV's 10 Biggest Brats" (March 27, 2005 issue).

CastEdit

MainEdit

IngallsEdit

OlesonEdit

Members of the townEdit

RecurringEdit

IntroEdit

EpisodesEdit

See category or Episode Guide

ReferencesEdit

External linksEdit

Start a Discussion Discussions about Little House on the Prairie (Television Series)

You can find discussions about everything related to this wiki on Little House on the Prairie Wiki Forum!

[0] Television Rankings: 1982-1983

[1] Television Rankings: 1975-1976

[2] Melissa Sue Anderson Interview

[1]

[2]

[3]