Was Melissa Sue Anderson on Little House liked? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 06-20-2019, 08:53 PM

Melissa Sue Anderson left in episode 1 of Season 8 ("The Reincarnation of Nellie Part 1"). She said that it her choice to go, as she felt she wasn’t getting any storylines. Couple this with all her storylines being cut following her return to Walnut Grove.

I've also noticed this:

1) She was removed from the opening credits from that episode 2) She left the series near the beginning of the episode in a really half hearted way. 3) While she was removed from the opening credits, Linwood Boomer was given guest star billing at the beginning of the episode. However, Melissa Sue Anderson is actually credited at the end, sandwiched between two actors playing bit parts.

Schmoopie · 04-05-2020, 02:41 AM

Wow, interesting. I've been watching the show daily on UP-TV and I think I've already gone past Season 8 but I'm going to check tomorrow and see.

rusty spike · 06-28-2020, 07:25 PM

I think she became disappointed with her character's limited role on the show. I believed she perceived that her character was just "there". And I don't think the show wanted her to have a miracle moment and have her blindness cured.

I think Melissa expected to win an Emmy for her accurate depiction of a visually impaired character.

BestTVever · 02-19-2021, 10:05 AM

If you read Allison's book, no she was not liked by any of the kids on the cast.

RetroGuy2000 · 02-19-2021, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

If you read Allison's book, no she was not liked by any of the kids on the cast.

Not just Allison's book, but Melissa Gilbert's book as well. And the guy who played Mary's love interest in Season 4 said this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radames Pera

I did my best to put her at ease with me by trying to develop some authentic camaraderie we could share on-screen, but she would have none of it. The combination of being rejected by my peers at "regular school" and her rejecting my friendship in the working environment eventually got to me, and one day I lost my patience with her while in the little (and actual) school room - I needed to borrow a pencil for some math work I had, and she had 3 sharp ones next to her tablet, so I asked to borrow one and she pointedly said "No." I replied, under my breath, "What a b****..." The other kids (about 4 of them: Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim included) all contained their reactions ("OMG!" etc.), but were astonished I had said what we all thought. Miss Anderson distinctly had something lodged between her butt-cheeks, but I was the only one foolish enough to tell her so. Of course, this partially led to me getting written out of the show.

Chocolate Moose · 02-19-2021, 01:32 PM

i didn't like her either

BestTVever · 02-20-2021, 07:03 PM

Alison gives a theory why Melissa Sue Anderson was not liked. She believes her "Hollywood mom" kept control over her and made her feel superior to everyone else. She said just once for one night the cast of kids went out without parents and Melissa actually smiled and had fun. As soon as the mom came around to pick her up, her demeanor completely changed. She was so disliked that Alison said there was going to be a fight between Nellie and Mary in an episode. The producers edited the scene because they feared the fight would not be acting and someone would get hurt. Yes, they hated her so much. Even at Michael Landon's funeral, Alison approached Melissa and she got a sour face and cold shoulder. The craziest part is on the first day of shooting Melissa Gilbert came over to Alison's dressing room and warned her how mean Melissa Sue Anderson was. Now just think how young Gilbert was and how bad she must have been treated to say such a thing on the first day.

RetroGuy2000 · 02-21-2021, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Alison gives a theory why Melissa Sue Anderson was not liked. She believes her "Hollywood mom" kept control over her and made her feel superior to everyone else. She said just once for one night the cast of kids went out without parents and Melissa actually smiled and had fun. As soon as the mom came around to pick her up, her demeanor completely changed. She was so disliked that Alison said there was going to be a fight between Nellie and Mary in an episode. The producers edited the scene because they feared the fight would not be acting and someone would get hurt. Yes, they hated her so much. Even at Michael Landon's funeral, Alison approached Melissa and she got a sour face and cold shoulder. The craziest part is on the first day of shooting Melissa Gilbert came over to Alison's dressing room and warned her how mean Melissa Sue Anderson was. Now just think how young Gilbert was and how bad she must have been treated to say such a thing on the first day.

It couldn't have been the first day because the pilot was filmed before the Ingalls family moved to Walnut Grove, and before Nellie was on the show. But, yes, it's clear MSA was horrible from the very beginning.

Good to know they had at least one happy day together. So sad that was it.

Yong Fang · 02-21-2021, 05:33 AM

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Sue_Anderson

She stayed married to one husband for over thirty years. That’s always a sign of “good character”. Looks like she did lots of other roles besides Little House and maybe everyone else was jealous.

80s Dude · 01-08-2022, 12:35 AM

Now Karen Grassle is unloading on Melissa Sue. Stating that Melissa Sue gave her the cold shoulder.
https://technotrenz.com/entertainmen...e-1503560.html

RetroGuy2000 · 01-08-2022, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Now Karen Grassle is unloading on Melissa Sue. Stating that Melissa Sue gave her the cold shoulder.
https://technotrenz.com/entertainmen...e-1503560.html

MSA gave everyone the cold shoulder. I'm not sure she had a warm shoulder.

80s Dude · 01-08-2022, 10:08 AM

Melissa Sue Anderson was the Nellie Olsen of the set.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-08-2022, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Melissa Sue Anderson was the Nellie Olsen of the set.

According to Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson tried to push her off the wagon.

BestTVever · 01-08-2022, 06:49 PM

I like the story from Alison's book where there was supposed to be a fight between Mary and Nellie. However producers felt the fight could turn into something real and violent because of the tension. So they toned down the scene to a simple argument.

Yes folks, that's how bad it was. So bad that on the first day of shooting Melissa Gilbert at her young age came running to Alison's dressing room to warn her how nasty Melissa Sue was and gave her a warning. Good grief. Melissa Gilbert was only a small child.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-08-2022, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

I like the story from Alison's book where there was supposed to be a fight between Mary and Nellie. However producers felt the fight could turn into something real and violent because of the tension. So they toned down the scene to a simple argument.

Yeah, that's crazy levels of aggression!

Quote:

Yes folks, that's how bad it was. So bad that on the first day of shooting Melissa Gilbert at her young age came running to Alison's dressing room to warn her how nasty Melissa Sue was and gave her a warning. Good grief. Melissa Gilbert was only a small child.

It's very sad.

06-20-2019, 08:53 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,384	Was Melissa Sue Anderson on Little House liked? Melissa Sue Anderson left in episode 1 of Season 8 ("The Reincarnation of Nellie Part 1"). She said that it her choice to go, as she felt she wasn’t getting any storylines. Couple this with all her storylines being cut following her return to Walnut Grove. I've also noticed this: 1) She was removed from the opening credits from that episode 2) She left the series near the beginning of the episode in a really half hearted way. 3) While she was removed from the opening credits, Linwood Boomer was given guest star billing at the beginning of the episode. However, Melissa Sue Anderson is actually credited at the end, sandwiched between two actors playing bit parts.

04-05-2020, 02:41 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Wow, interesting. I've been watching the show daily on UP-TV and I think I've already gone past Season 8 but I'm going to check tomorrow and see.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

02-19-2021, 01:32 PM	#6
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	i didn't like her either
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

06-28-2020, 07:25 PM	#3
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	I think she became disappointed with her character's limited role on the show. I believed she perceived that her character was just "there". And I don't think the show wanted her to have a miracle moment and have her blindness cured. I think Melissa expected to win an Emmy for her accurate depiction of a visually impaired character.

02-19-2021, 10:05 AM	#4
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,910	If you read Allison's book, no she was not liked by any of the kids on the cast.

02-20-2021, 07:03 PM	#7
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,910	Alison gives a theory why Melissa Sue Anderson was not liked. She believes her "Hollywood mom" kept control over her and made her feel superior to everyone else. She said just once for one night the cast of kids went out without parents and Melissa actually smiled and had fun. As soon as the mom came around to pick her up, her demeanor completely changed. She was so disliked that Alison said there was going to be a fight between Nellie and Mary in an episode. The producers edited the scene because they feared the fight would not be acting and someone would get hurt. Yes, they hated her so much. Even at Michael Landon's funeral, Alison approached Melissa and she got a sour face and cold shoulder. The craziest part is on the first day of shooting Melissa Gilbert came over to Alison's dressing room and warned her how mean Melissa Sue Anderson was. Now just think how young Gilbert was and how bad she must have been treated to say such a thing on the first day.

02-21-2021, 05:33 AM	#9
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Sue_Anderson She stayed married to one husband for over thirty years. That’s always a sign of “good character”. Looks like she did lots of other roles besides Little House and maybe everyone else was jealous.

01-08-2022, 12:35 AM	#10
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,818	Now Karen Grassle is unloading on Melissa Sue. Stating that Melissa Sue gave her the cold shoulder. https://technotrenz.com/entertainmen...e-1503560.html

01-08-2022, 10:08 AM	#12
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,818	Melissa Sue Anderson was the Nellie Olsen of the set.

01-08-2022, 06:49 PM	#14
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,910	I like the story from Alison's book where there was supposed to be a fight between Mary and Nellie. However producers felt the fight could turn into something real and violent because of the tension. So they toned down the scene to a simple argument. Yes folks, that's how bad it was. So bad that on the first day of shooting Melissa Gilbert at her young age came running to Alison's dressing room to warn her how nasty Melissa Sue was and gave her a warning. Good grief. Melissa Gilbert was only a small child.