If Little House on the Prairie is remembered as an idyllic representation of the life of the pioneers, it was not exempt from some unforeseen events. The series’ charm and touching life lessons about family, love, and resilience have made it a must-have classic. But under this neat appearance hid a mine of errors, anachronisms and little anecdotes from the set that still make fans laugh today.
For decades, Little House on the Prairie transported viewers back to the nineteenth century, introducing them to the Ingalls family and their small, close-knit community of Walnut Grove. Rewatching the reruns today is like going back in time, to a simpler time, with timeless values like kindness and the importance of family and friendship. However, with a modern outlook, it’s clear that not everything was as perfect at Walnut Grove as it seemed.
Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating mistakes, quirks, and unexpected moments that captivated fans long after the series ended.
Laura’s never-ending pregnancy
Laura Ingalls’ pregnancy, a joyful plot introduced in season seven, in the middle of spring, seemed to last much longer than the usual nine months. The following summer, her belly was still visibly round, leading fans to wonder if the show’s timeline — or biology — had become inconsistent.
This screenplay inconsistency is a classic case of continuity error: the writers and production team failed to synchronize the timelines, leaving Laura in an inexplicably long pregnancy.
Nellie Oleson’s iconic curls were a wig
Nellie Oleson, the show’s deliciously Machiavellian troublemaker, was played by Alison Arngrim. Nellie’s mischievous abilities made her an out-of-this-world character, but her iconic blonde curls weren’t quite natural. Arngrim’s real hair was transformed using an oven-heated curling iron – a tedious and uncomfortable process.
In the end, the production opted for a wig, held in place by a massive metal comb and bobby pins. This decision saved Alison hours of hairstyling, but for viewers, Nellie’s curls became a memorable part of her quirky personality.
Colonel Sanders travels back in time
One of the most bizarre gaffes on the show occurred in the season eight episode “The Future Wave,” where Nellie’s restaurant becomes a franchise. As the plot unfolds, none other than Colonel Sanders – the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken – makes an appearance and offers Harriet Oleson a contract to open her own chicken franchise.
Although hilarious, this appearance was anachronistic, as Colonel Sanders was not born until 1890 and KFC did not come into existence until 1952. Given that Little House on the Prairie is set in the 1870s and 1880s, the presence of the Colonel is a comical, but glaring, error.
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