Little House on the Prairie, the beloved TV series that ran from 1974 to 1983, holds a special place in the hearts of many viewers. Known for its wholesome stories, touching family dynamics, and memorable characters, the show has become a classic. However, as with many long-running series, Little House wasn’t without its share of mistakes, bloopers, and goofs that somehow made it past the editing room. Here are some of the funniest and most surprising mistakes in the show’s history that even the most die-hard fans might have missed.
Laura’s Mystic Pregnancy
One of the more noticeable mistakes comes from a storyline in season seven where Laura Ingalls (played by Melissa Gilbert) is depicted as being pregnant. The strange part? Despite her pregnancy being revealed in the late spring, Laura is still very much expecting in the following summer—leaving fans to wonder just how long this prairie pregnancy was supposed to last. The continuity issue stands out as a clear case of sloppy story management and left viewers scratching their heads about the timing of her pregnancy.
Nellie Oleson’s Wig
Nellie Oleson, the iconic antagonist of Little House on the Prairie, is known for her curly blonde hair. But did you know that the curls were not entirely natural? Actress Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie, had to rely on a wig to achieve the character’s signature look. The wig was secured with metal combs and dozens of hairpins, a process that was far from comfortable. In fact, the iconic curls were achieved using an old-fashioned curling iron that had to be heated in an oven—talk about a painful process for that perfect look!
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Colonel Sanders’ Time-Traveling Cameo
In one of the show’s most hilarious bloopers, Colonel Sanders, the famous founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, appears in an episode titled Wave of the Future (season 8). In this storyline, Nellie’s restaurant transforms into a franchise, and in a bizarre twist, Sanders himself offers Harriet Oleson a deal to start her own chicken franchise. The hilarious problem? Colonel Sanders wasn’t born until 1890, and KFC didn’t start until 1952. Little House on the Prairie is set in the 1870s and 1880s, making this cameo a classic time-travel blunder. Perhaps, the fried chicken served on the show actually came from KFC, making the cameo not entirely far-fetched!
The Missing Coats in Freezing Weather
In the episode Bless All the Dear Children, set around Christmas in Minneapolis, the characters are seen wandering outside in the freezing cold without coats. While anyone familiar with Minnesota in December knows it can be bitterly cold, the characters are inexplicably walking around without a single coat. This glaring oversight is often attributed to the fact that the show was filmed in Tucson, Arizona, during the summer, where winter coats were not on hand.
Fashion Slip: The Invisible Bra
As a period drama set in the 1870s and 1880s, Little House on the Prairie strove for historical accuracy, but there was one small anachronism—bras. While the characters dressed in period-appropriate attire, viewers occasionally caught glimpses of Caroline Ingalls’ bra, an item that wasn’t invented until 1912. Additionally, some of the women wore hairstyles that looked more fitting for the 1970s than the 1880s, such as perms and curls. Similarly, the men in the series were almost all clean-shaven, which was highly unusual for the time, as beards were the fashion of the era.
A Dummy Instead of a Person
In a particularly funny blooper from the episode The Odyssey, when Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) saves Albert (Matthew Labyorteaux) from an assailant trying to throw him off a moving train, a dummy is clearly visible being tossed from the train. As the dummy lands awkwardly in the grass, viewers are left with a hilarious contrast between the stationary object and the stuntman who rolls down the hill shortly after. It’s a moment that’s hard to miss, especially for eagle-eyed fans.
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The “Cold and Aloof” Melissa Sue Anderson
Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls, the eldest of the Ingalls children, was described by her co-stars as “cold and aloof” during the show’s early seasons. Both Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim noted in their autobiographies that Anderson kept to herself on set, which led to some tension. Some speculated that her overprotective mother contributed to her behavior. Despite this, the chemistry among the cast seemed natural on screen, but it was clear there was a distance off-screen.
The Traveling Quilt Mystery
Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed a rather odd recurring prop in the series—the Ingalls family quilt. This quilt seems to travel from one bed to another throughout the series, showing up in various locations, including Charles and Caroline’s bed and the Olesons’ bed. The use of this same quilt in different scenes raises some questions about the continuity of props on the show. A fun little mistake that some fans may find amusing!
Dean Butler’s Near Miss with the Horses
Dean Butler, who joined the show in the later seasons as Almanzo Wilder, had a terrifying experience during his first scene. In an episode where Almanzo drives a horse wagon down a hill, things went wrong when Butler’s hat was blown off, and in trying to catch it, he lost control of the reins. The horses veered off course, charging toward a tree. Thankfully, a crew member managed to stop the horses just in time, avoiding a potentially disastrous situation. Michael Landon, ever the professional, stepped in to do the scene instead.
American actress Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls and Canadian actor Dean Butler as Ingalls’ fiance, Almanzo James Wilder, in an episode from the 1980 – 1981 season of the television series ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ 1980. The series was based on the ‘Little House’ book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. (Photo by NBC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images)
Did Albert Die?
One of the most debated moments in Little House on the Prairie revolves around the fate of Albert Ingalls. In the 1983 TV movie Look Back to Yesterday, Albert is diagnosed with leukemia, but the movie leaves viewers wondering: did he die or not? Matthew Labyorteaux, who portrayed Albert, explained that it was never explicitly stated in the film whether Albert survived or passed away, leaving the outcome up to interpretation.
The Last Farewell’s Ageing Issue
In the final TV movie The Last Farewell, set in 1901, the characters should have been in their 60s or 70s, but they still appeared remarkably youthful. The discrepancy in their ages was especially apparent in characters like Charles and Caroline Ingalls, who would have been much older by this time. This oversight in the aging process of the characters is a notable blooper in the series finale.
Matthew Laborteaux as Albert Quinn Ingalls — Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank
Katherine MacGregor’s Absence
Fans may have noticed that Katherine MacGregor, who played Harriet Oleson, was absent from The Last Farewell. Reports suggest that MacGregor was on a pilgrimage to India during the filming due to her new Hindu faith. However, other sources claim her absence was due to a longstanding personal conflict with Michael Landon over salary and her role on the show. Regardless of the reason, her absence from the finale remains a topic of discussion among fans.
Conclusion: The Enduring Charm of Little House on the Prairie
Despite its mistakes, Little House on the Prairie remains a cherished piece of television history, loved by generations of viewers. The show’s charm, wholesome stories, and heartfelt performances continue to resonate with fans. While we may spot some bloopers and mistakes, they only add to the fun of watching this beloved series.
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