The cast of the beloved 70s drama “Little House on the Prairie” has claimed that one episode of the historical series “would not happen today.” The show, which aired from 1974 until 1983, focused on the Ingalls family living in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, during the late 1800s. The main cast included Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, Karl Swenson, Richard Bull, and Karen Grassle. “Little House on the Prairie” was a popular series that ran for nine seasons.
Recently, actors Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler, who also starred in the series, collaborated with Pamela Bob on a podcast reflecting on their time on the show, in anticipation of a Netflix reboot. In the latest episode of “Little House 50,” the actors discussed the season four episode “Here Comes the Brides,” which initially aired on December 5, 1977. The episode focuses on Adam Simms (played by Joshua Bryant) and his son Luke (played by Bob Marsic), who move to town and stir the local community.
The drama unfolds as Adam makes a pass at Eva Beadle (played by Charlotte Stewart) and Luke falls for Nellie (played by Alison Arngrim).
Previous norms of Little House
The youngsters run away to get married, but their marriage is annulled. This is followed by Eva and Adam eloping, which shocks the locals.
Speaking during the podcast, Alison Arngrim expressed her fondness for the episode: “I love this episode so much … It’s just a display of adolescent rebellion, pouting, and smoking, massive hormonal love… it is Romeo and Juliet just gone berserk.” She noted that despite her character being 13, she was 15 when the film was made, while her co-star Bob Marsic was 22. Pamela Bob added, “It’s straight in for the kill. There is no swag on the prairie.
No one’s got game on the prairie. That would not happen today, right? Casting a full-grown adult to play or even kiss – and it was an innocent kiss, but it’s a kiss – a minor.”
Alison admitted that if such scenes were filmed today, intimacy coordinators would be involved to ensure the actors’ comfort and appropriateness of the content.
“Little House on the Prairie” remains a cherished series, though it is clear that societal norms and sensitivities have evolved significantly since the original airing of such episodes.
