Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert shares her thoughts on the classic show’s enduring popularity as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The 56-year-old actress shot to fame at the age of nine when she played Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, which aired for nine seasons from 1974 to 1983. She said this in an interview with People magazine. Gilbert reflected on why the series still resonates with viewers.
“It reflects all the things people crave in life: family, community, love, faith, hope,” she said at the show’s 50th anniversary cast reunion and festival held last weekend. .
Gilbert continued, “It’s all the delicious things that make humans wonderful and different from animals: that connection. And ‘Little House’ reminds us of that. ” he continued.
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“Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert shared her thoughts on why the classic show appeals to modern audiences. (Getty)
Loosely based on the best-selling novel series by the real-life Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie depicts the life of the Ingalls family, who owned a small farm in the town of Walnut Grove, Minnestota, in the late 1800s. is. .
Gilbert told People that she has noticed that the show is starting to attract new viewers during the coronavirus pandemic because it serves as a “reminder of where we used to be.” said.
The “Dancing with the Stars” alum says fans have been watching the storylines on social media, such as Season 1’s “The Plague” and Season 3’s “Quarantine,” in which the characters battle disease outbreaks in their communities. He pointed out that he was referring to a specific episode of the “Little House” feature.
“At the time, I saw the numbers going up, I read something on social media, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and then it started blowing up,” Gilbert recalled. Ta.
“Then the Black Lives Matter movement happened, and we’re talking about episodes like ‘The Wisdom of Solomon,'” she continued, noting that in a third season episode, a black boy is trying to get justice. He mentioned an episode in which he travels to Walnut Grove to pursue. education.
The series was set in the late 1800s and aired from 1974 to 1983. (Getty Images)
Gilbert pointed out that although Little House on the Prairie is a family-friendly period drama, it explores many social issues that are still relevant today.
“All of a sudden, people are realizing that Little House on the Prairie exists. [episode] “With everything we’re going through,” she said.
“It wasn’t just a cozy family show,” Gilbert continued. “We dealt with the problems of 1974, the recession, the return from Vietnam, xenophobia, equal rights for women, equal rights for people of color, anti-Semitism. We dealt with all of that. But he didn’t do it all at once in an exploitative manner. ”
“We were telling a story then, and sadly it’s still our story,” she added. “We’re still fighting for so many things in this country, and I think ‘Little House’ is like a bastion of what could be.”
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Last weekend, the surviving cast of Little House on the Prairie celebrated the show’s milestone anniversary at a festival at the series’ original filming location, Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley, California.
Gilbert’s co-star Alison Arngrim said she couldn’t believe the show would become so timeless. (Getty Images)
In an interview with FOX News Digital, Alison Arngrim, who played mean girl Nellie Olson, marveled at the show’s enduring appeal.
“If you had told us 50 years ago that this show would remain timeless, we would have thought you were crazy,” she said.
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“I never imagined that this show would still be on TV 50 years later,” she said. “We didn’t even know if we would still have television in 50 years! We were blown away that this show was a hit.”
But Michael Landon, who executive produced, directed and wrote the series and starred as patriarch Charles Ingalls, said he “always knew” Little House on the Prairie would stand the test of time. she stated.
Armgrim said Michael Landon “always knew” the show would stand the test of time. (Getty Images)
“He said to Melissa Gilbert… ‘They’re still going to be watching this after we’re gone.'” She died of pancreatic cancer in 1991 at age 54. He talked about the actor.
She continued, “And everyone he said that to shook their heads and smiled and nodded and said, ‘He’s crazy.'” No one believed him, everyone said, “Oh. “Isn’t that sweet? He was clearly insane.” No one thought something like this would happen 50 years later…We are stunned. I’m very excited. Thank you very much. ”
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“There’s a deep connection between people on this show, and that’s really great,” Arngrim said. “Just as Michael Landon predicted, it has really stood the test of time. There’s always Little House on the Prairie when times get tough.”
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.
