The first season of Little House on the Prairie aired in 1974.
Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s best-selling Little House novels, the American Western historical drama starred Michael Langdon, Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle, and Melissa Sue Anderson as a family living on a farm in Plum Creek near Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

It takes place in the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s. The works covered a wide range of topics, including adoption, spirituality, and social challenges. The program was mostly a drama, although it did have some comedic and lighter moments. Melissa Gilbert, a former child star, recalls her time on the show warmly.

From 1974 through 1982, she portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Melissa currently owns a farm in Sullivan County, New York. She’s obsessed with agricultural life. Blisters on her hands from shoveling and dirt from all of the farm labor have become the norm for her. As she puts it, it’s her “Little House on the Catskills.”

“It was like a really great summer camp, but I also got to play the ultimate game of dress up and be in those fantastic clothes and button-up boots, and I don’t remember it ever not being fun.”

And it shows on her face, whether on or off the television.

The beloved show is still being shown on repeat.
Its popularity is also increasing. Melissa believes this is due to the current state of the planet. Little House offers a nostalgic reminiscence of a simpler period. The country had to contend with an energy crisis, a recession, and the Watergate affair in the 1970s.

It’s uncannily identical to what’s going on today. And, according to the former star, if it’s happened before and people did it, it may happen again. Compassion, community, faith, and love are the keys. She also speaks to them with a grin!

If you go back and view any of the episodes, you’ll see that they seem to anticipate the year 2020. Is it a plague?
What about one that is quarantined? Sure thing!

There’s even one about race. A former slave’s child passes through Walnut Grove and is taken in by the Ingalls family. The performances and conversation are really excellent. There are several times in the show that require the viewer to pause and contemplate.

Melissa was cast when she was just nine years old.
Michael Landon, a well-known actor at the time, played her co-star and lead. He played Charles Ingalls, Melissa’s on-screen father, but he was also the show’s “Pa,” according to accounts. He was executive producing the show as well as writing and directing episodes. The dude was gifted.

Melissa’s biggest issue was that, at nine years old, she had a lot of lines on the show. She also ran a lot on the show to go along with her statements. She claims she has no recollection of walking.

Relive Melissa’s childhood in the video below!