If you think Little House on the Prairie was picture-perfect, think again!
This beloved classic, known for its timeless charm, wholesome stories, and adventurous spirit, wasn’t without its share of slip-ups.
Despite its seemingly flawless appearance, a myriad of bloopers and mistakes somehow made it past the editing room.
I still find myself glued to reruns of Little House on the Prairie, just like my parents were back in the day. In an instant, it transports us to the late 19th century, and introduces us to the resilient Ingalls family.
Watching the episodes now, it’s clear that the show’s message is as powerful as ever — treating others with respect, embracing honesty, and valuing the importance of family and friends.
But those of us with a sharp eye have discovered a treasure trove of blunders and goofs that are sure to make you do a double-take — and maybe even make you chuckle.
Laura’s mystic pregnancy
Laura first announced her pregnancy late in season seven, during a warm season, with the flowers blooming and the prairie looking its best.
Yet, by the time the following summer rolled around, she was still very much expecting — leaving fans wondering just how long this prairie pregnancy was supposed to last.
Honestly, it just felt like there was a disconnect between the writers and the rest of the team, a clear case of sloppy story management.
Nellie Oleson wore a wig
We all remember Little House on the Prairie‘s resident troublemaker, Nellie Oleson, brought to life by Alison Arngrim. But did you know Nellie’s role in the show was much bigger than in the original books?
The character’s expanded presence is a testament to just how much viewers loved to hate this mischievous villain — especially when she teamed up with her equally conniving onscreen mother, Harriet.
Many surely remember Nellie’s iconic blonde curls, but achieving that look was no easy task. Alison Arngrim’s own hair was transformed into those signature ringlets using an old-fashioned curling iron that had to be heated in an oven — a rather painful process that required both time and patience.
The solution was to bring in a wig. To keep it securely in place, they used a large metal comb along with dozens of long, straight metal hairpins.
Colonel Sanders Cameo
One of the funniest bloopers on Little House on the Prairie has to be the unexpected appearance of Colonel Sanders, the iconic founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, in a season eight episode titled ”Wave of the Future.” In this storyline, Nellie’s restaurant transforms into a franchise.
But, as you can imagine, things don’t go as planned, and Nellie regrets the whole ordeal. In an attempt to break free from the contract, she teams up with Charles and Nels to open a rival restaurant.
Then, in a bizarre twist, none other than Colonel Sanders himself shows up, offering Harriet a deal to start her own chicken franchise.
Now, here’s where the hilarity kicks in: the good Colonel wasn’t even born until 1890, and KFC didn’t hatch until 1952. Meanwhile, Little House is supposed to be set in the 1870s and 1880s! Talk about a time-traveling entrepreneur.
And for a little extra flavor — whenever fried chicken showed up in any meal on the show, rumor has it that it actually came straight from KFC. So, maybe Colonel Sanders’ cameo wasn’t that far-fetched after all.
The missing coats
This is something I’ve often wondered about — the glaring lack of winter coats during freezing weather. In the episode titled “Bless All the Dear Children,” Laura’s baby gets kidnapped around Christmas in Minneapolis.
Now, anyone familiar with Minneapolis in December knows it can be downright frigid, yet everyone is strolling around without a coat, as Gilbert points out.
This oversight might be due to 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. Considering the series is set in the 1870s and 1880s, this is a bit of an anachronism — since bras weren’t even invented until 1912!
Some of the women also sport hairstyles with perms or curls on set – a look more at home in the 1970s than in the 1880s.
On a similar note, you might have noticed that most of the men in the series are clean-shaven, which is a far cry from the historical photos of the era. In reality, the vast majority of adult men sported facial hair — beards were all the rage. In fact, Charles Ingalls himself had a beard for most of his adult life. It seems like the show’s grooming choices didn’t quite match the rugged fashion of the time.
A dummy instead of a living person
In the season five episode “The Odyssey,” an intense moment unfolds when an unknown assailant tries to throw Albert off a moving train.
But Laura quickly jumps into action, shoving the villain off just in time to save Albert. However, amidst this dramatic scene, a funny blooper happens.
Keen-eyed viewers can spot a dummy being thrown from the train, landing awkwardly in the grass. Meanwhile, a fearless stuntman rolls down the hill, outdoing the stationary dummy in a hilarious contrast.
Melissa Sue Anderson was ”cold and aloof”..
From seasons one to seven of Little House on the Prairie, Melissa Sue Anderson won the hearts of fans as the beautiful blonde-haired Mary, the eldest child of Charles and Caroline Ingalls.
However, her co-stars found it challenging to connect with her. Both Melissa Gilbert and Alison Arngrim shared in their autobiographies that Melissa Sue Anderson —nicknamed “Missy” on set — often came across as cold and aloof during her time on the show. Yet, when you look at photos of the cast together, it’s hard to believe there was any distance between them.
Rumors swirled among the crew that Missy’s overprotective mother contributed to her tendency to keep to herself.
But Nellie and Laura became best friends
Alison Arngrim played the original mean girl, Nellie Oleson, the arch-nemesis of good girl Laura Ingalls, portrayed by Melissa Gilbert. But behind the scenes, it was a different story! Alison and Melissa hit it off and became the best of friends.
When the cameras stopped rolling, they were like real sisters, sharing laughs and creating memories that went beyond the show.
Off-set, they were partners in crime, enjoying sleepovers at each other’s homes and pulling pranks on their unsuspecting co-stars. Who would have thought that the fierce rivalry on screen would spark such a fun and playful friendship off-screen?
The Fallout of grief in “My Ellen”
One of the most memorable episodes of Little House on the Prairie is titled “My Ellen,” which revolves around the tragic drowning of Ellen Taylor.
When Laura and Mary go skinny-dipping with their friend Ellen Taylor, they suddenly find themselves in a tricky situation. Some boys come by, prompting the girls to hide underwater until the coast is clear.
While Laura and Mary manage to resurface safely, Ellen tragically becomes trapped and drowns. The aftermath is heart-wrenching, as Ellen’s grief-stricken mother, in her sorrow, blames Laura for the tragedy.
