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.
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.
During Ellen’s funeral, her mother is overwhelmed with sorrow and blames Laura for the tragedy, saying, “YOU did this!” This gut-wrenching accusation hits Laura hard, especially since she already feels guilty about what happened. What stands out, though, is how the adults around them react. Instead of stepping in to defend Laura, they only exchange worried glances and let her suffer alone in her pain.
It’s a confusing moment. With so many adults present, including Reverend Alden and Doc Baker, you’d expect at least one of them to comfort Laura and reassure her that she isn’t to blame. Instead, they leave her to grapple with the harsh words on her own. In “My Ellen,” the emotional weight of the story is undeniable, but there are moments that feel disjointed in terms of storytelling
As we wrap up our journey through the bloopers and mistakes of Little House on the Prairie, we hope you’ve enjoyed this lighthearted look behind the scenes of Walnut Grove.
