Think Everything on the Prairie Was Perfect? Think Again!
For many of us, Little House on the Prairie was a staple of our childhood TV viewing. It painted a charming picture of life on the American frontier with its heartwarming tales of family values, community spirit, and the kind of grit that would make any modern-day influencer blush. But beneath its seemingly impeccable facade lies a trove of hilarious bloopers and anachronisms that slipped through the editing cracks. Let’s dive into the delightful chaos of these on-screen slip-ups!
The Mysterious Case of Laura’s Endless Pregnancy
Our first stop on this blooper train is none other than Laura Ingalls and her mystic pregnancy. Announced during a warm and flowery season in season seven, Laura’s pregnancy seemed to stretch well into the next summer. For fans keeping track, this timeline was longer than a prairie winter, leaving many scratching their heads and wondering just how long prairie pregnancies were supposed to last. Perhaps time moves differently when you’re living the frontier life?
Nellie Oleson: The Wigged Wonder
Ah, Nellie Oleson, the character fans loved to hate. Played by Alison Arngrim, Nellie was known for her iconic blonde curls. But wait, here’s a twist: those ringlets weren’t Alison’s own. Achieving Nellie’s look was no easy task; it involved an oven-heated curling iron and what must have been a few singed fingertips. Ultimately, the solution was a trusty wig, secured with enough pins to set off a metal detector. Who knew being a prairie troublemaker required such a high-maintenance hair routine?
Colonel Sanders: A Time-Traveling Entrepreneur?
Here’s a blooper that would leave even the most seasoned historian scratching their head. In a season eight episode, Colonel Sanders made a surprise cameo, offering Harriet a deal to start her own chicken franchise. The only hitch? The good Colonel was born in 1890 and KFC didn’t exist until 1952. Meanwhile, the show is set in the 1870s and 1880s! Whether this was a clever marketing ploy or a simple oversight, one thing’s for sure: fried chicken never goes out of style.
Winter Coats? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Coats!
One can’t help but notice the lack of winter coats during the frigid Minnesota winters depicted in the show. Even during the episode “Bless All the Dear Children,” set around Christmas, characters stroll around Minneapolis sans coats. The likely culprit? The show was filmed in sunny Tucson, Arizona. Who needs layers when you have sunshine?
A Fashion Faux Pas or Two… or Ten
Let’s talk fashion—or lack thereof. Despite being set in the late 1800s, Caroline’s visible bra straps and the men’s clean-shaven faces scream 1970s rather than 1870s. Historical accuracy, beards were all the rage back then! And don’t even get us started on the perms. Did the prairie have a secret hair salon we didn’t know about?
When Dummies Take Over
In a dramatic scene from “The Odyssey,” Laura saves Albert from being thrown off a moving train, but not before sharp-eyed viewers spot a dummy awkwardly flopping onto the ground. Meanwhile, a stuntman rolls away in the background, proving that even in the 1870s, special effects had their limitations.
Behind the Scenes: Friends or Frenemies?
While the onscreen rivalry between Nellie and Laura was legendary, off-camera, Alison Arngrim and Melissa Gilbert were as thick as thieves. The pair became best friends, enjoying sleepovers and pulling pranks on their unsuspecting co-stars. Talk about life imitating art—but in reverse!
The Fallout of Grief in “My Ellen”
One of the most poignant episodes, “My Ellen,” shows us a darker side of prairie life. After a tragic accident, Ellen’s grieving mother blames Laura, leaving her to face the emotional fallout alone. It’s a moment that leaves viewers wondering why none of the adults stepped in to comfort her. Perhaps they were too busy worrying about their next hair perm?
Wrapping It Up: The Prairie Never Looked So Funny
So there you have it, a glimpse into the delightful chaos behind the iconic Little House on the Prairie. These bloopers and blunders remind us that even in a world of picture-perfect storytelling, mistakes happen, and sometimes they’re just as entertaining as the stories themselves. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, next time you watch, keep an eye out for these laugh-out-loud moments. Who knew the prairie could be such a riot?