Actors fondly remember 'Little House on the Prairie' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 09-09-2009, 07:43 PM

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/arti...6594051593.txt

Actors fondly remember 'Little House on the Prairie'
By Danie Koskan, Journal correspondent | Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Strangers approach Patrick Labyorteaux for three reasons.

They most often recognize the 44-year-old actor from his roles on the television dramas “Little House on the Prairie” and “JAG.”

But the third?

“Life Cereal — which I didn’t do,” said Labyorteaux, who finds it amusing that people mistake him for “Mikey,” the freckle-faced tyke who popularized Life cereal in the 1970s.

Labyorteaux is among the many “Little House” cast members scheduled to appear together in Keystone this weekend. The cast reunion headlines Keystone’s Holy Terror Days, an end-of-summer celebration that kicks off tonight at the Keystone Community Center and wraps up Sunday afternoon.

The chance to catch up with former co-stars in a place he’s never been prompted Labyorteaux, who played Andy Garvey on “Little House,” to make the trip to South Dakota.

The same goes for Hersha Parady, who played Labyorteaux’s on-screen mother, Alice Garvey. They haven’t seen each other in at least 20 years.

“This is going to be a hoot,” the 64-year-old Parady said of seeing her TV son.

Labyorteaux said he’s amazed fans still can identify him as the scrappy kid who played Andy on “Little House.”

He attributes fans’ fierce loyalty to a few factors.

An overwhelming number of kid-oriented television shows vie for youngsters’ attention these days. At the height of “Little House,” few children’s programs were on the air.

“A lot of people found the show at an early age,” Labyorteaux said.

NBC aired the family drama for 10 seasons from 1974 to 1983. Years later, veteran viewers and newcomers alike still tune in to daily reruns of the show.

“It can be reruns, and it doesn’t look like it’s going out of style,” said Labyorteaux, who recalls a conversation with “Little House” star and producer Michael Landon about the series’ longevity.

It was about the time “Mork & Mindy” was taking off. While Landon didn’t dispute the sitcom’s popularity, he stressed “Little House” was different because it would still be around in 20 years.

Unlike the misadventures of Mindy McConnell and her alien buddy, Mork, the Ingalls family storyline was “not of the moment,” Labyorteaux said.

“The show is timeless,” he added.

Parady knew she was a part of something special during her three seasons on “Little House,” but it wasn’t until her departure that she realized how high the bar had been set.

“It was hard to work after ‘Little House,’” she said. “The production was of such good quality.”

Parady’s favorite episode is surprisingly the one that killed her off. In “May We Make Them Proud,” schoolteacher Alice Garvey and Mary Ingalls’ infant son burn to death in the blind school.

Parady’s choice scenes were those that used real, controlled fire, and those final moments on “Little House” were no exception. Alice Garvey truly went out in a blaze of glory. The actress who played her wouldn’t have had it any other way.

The logistics that went into making her untimely exit appear real to viewers were “magic,” Parady said.

Watch “Little House” for any length of time, and it might seem as if something is always catching fire, dying or falling ill.

The series didn’t shy away from real issues, Labyorteaux said. Storylines dealt with weighty matters such as alcoholism, infant mortality, losing a parent and illness.

That’s why Labyorteaux chuckles a bit when he hears fans share their fond memories of the show.

“People have such a warm, happy response to ‘Little House’ when each and every story is so devastating,” he said.

Cast members joining Labyorteaux and Parady in Keystone this weekend include Karen Grassle, who played Caroline “Ma” Ingalls; Alison Arngrim, who played snotty Nellie Oleson; Charlotte Stewart, who played school marm Miss Beadle; Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush, twin sisters who played Carrie Ingalls; and Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh, twin sisters who placed Grace Ingalls.

Some of the more famous cast members missing from the “Little House” line-up are actresses Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Laura and Mary Ingalls. Katherine MacGregor, who co-starred as pushy Harriet Oleson, is 84 and rarely makes it to cast reunions anymore.

The impetus behind the latest “Little House” reunion originated with the Greenbush twins, who were featured in last year’s Holy Terror Days. The siblings enjoyed their Black Hills stay so much that they resolved to return and bring a few more “Little House” actors and actresses with them.

“They had the idea,” said Holy Terror Days organizer Sandi McLain. “We felt it was so important to our community because Carrie Ingalls used to be a part of our community.”

Carrie Ingalls, the younger sister of “Little House on the Prairie” series author Laura Ingalls Wilder, called Keystone home for 35 years.

Parady brushed up on her “Little House” know-how in preparation for her trip north. She figured it would pay to know a thing or two about the real Ingalls family before she spent the weekend with diehard fans.

But the actress didn’t watch reruns. She went to the source and read the “Little House” series for the first time.

She’s halfway through “Farmer Boy” and is charmed by the author and her simple, yet eloquent, way with words.

“She’s a heck of a writer,” Parady said.

Marvo301 · 09-09-2009, 07:58 PM

That was a neat article. Thanks for sharing it with us Monika. Sure wish I could be in Keystone this weekend to meet these wonderful people. I also remember the show fondly.

Mr. Television · 09-09-2009, 08:04 PM

Great article. Thanks for posting it.

catlover79 · 09-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

That was a neat article. Thanks for sharing it with us Monika. Sure wish I could be in Keystone this weekend to meet these wonderful people. I also remember the show fondly.

No problem!! Brenda Turnbaugh (who along with her sister, Wendi, played little blond Grace Ingalls) is actually my best friend. I attended the LHOP reunion in Tombstone, AZ, in 2005 which was tons of fun. I would jump at the chance to go to another LHOP reunion (if I could afford it, that is!).

gidgetgrape · 09-09-2009, 08:07 PM

I enjoyed this article! Thanks for posting it.

I've never thought about it, but Patrick Labyorteaux does look like "Mikey."

catlover79 · 09-09-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

I enjoyed this article! Thanks for posting it.

I've never thought about it, but Patrick Labyorteaux does look like "Mikey."

Yeah, I never made the connection myself, but I guess I can see it a bit now.

Schmoopie · 09-10-2009, 03:13 AM

That would be so cool to go to a LHOTP reunion! Just last weekend there was an article in the Portland paper about a place in Minnesota, I believe where you can visit the locations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. I'll have to find the article and post it.

catlover79 · 09-10-2009, 09:41 AM

Here I am with Wendi and Brenda at the Tombstone, AZ reunion back in 2005 - and me visiting Brenda in 2007.

gidgetgrape · 09-10-2009, 01:54 PM

^^Cool photos! Thanks for sharing those too.

I really wish some of the reunions were broadcasted on TV. I would love to attend one.

catlover79 · 09-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

^^Cool photos! Thanks for sharing those too.

I really wish some of the reunions were broadcasted on TV. I would love to attend one.

Thank you!! They try to do a reunion once a year, so I guess we'll just have to stay tuned.

janet42 · 09-14-2009, 07:36 PM

Thanks Monica for posting the article and sharing the pictures with us.

catlover79 · 09-14-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janet42

Thanks Monica for posting the article and sharing the pictures with us.

My pleasure.

Schmoopie · 09-14-2009, 10:28 PM

Awesome pictures, Monika! You all look great!

catlover79 · 09-15-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Awesome pictures, Monika! You all look great!

Thank you, Andrea!!

70s show watcher · 09-19-2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

No problem!! Brenda Turnbaugh (who along with her sister, Wendi, played little blond Grace Ingalls) is actually my best friend. I attended the LHOP reunion in Tombstone, AZ, in 2005 which was tons of fun. I would jump at the chance to go to another LHOP reunion (if I could afford it, that is!).

have you seen the youtube tribute video that somebody made for brenda and wendi its really cute ?

09-09-2009, 07:43 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Actors fondly remember 'Little House on the Prairie' http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/arti...6594051593.txt Actors fondly remember 'Little House on the Prairie' By Danie Koskan, Journal correspondent \| Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Strangers approach Patrick Labyorteaux for three reasons. They most often recognize the 44-year-old actor from his roles on the television dramas “Little House on the Prairie” and “JAG.” But the third? “Life Cereal — which I didn’t do,” said Labyorteaux, who finds it amusing that people mistake him for “Mikey,” the freckle-faced tyke who popularized Life cereal in the 1970s. Labyorteaux is among the many “Little House” cast members scheduled to appear together in Keystone this weekend. The cast reunion headlines Keystone’s Holy Terror Days, an end-of-summer celebration that kicks off tonight at the Keystone Community Center and wraps up Sunday afternoon. The chance to catch up with former co-stars in a place he’s never been prompted Labyorteaux, who played Andy Garvey on “Little House,” to make the trip to South Dakota. The same goes for Hersha Parady, who played Labyorteaux’s on-screen mother, Alice Garvey. They haven’t seen each other in at least 20 years. “This is going to be a hoot,” the 64-year-old Parady said of seeing her TV son. Labyorteaux said he’s amazed fans still can identify him as the scrappy kid who played Andy on “Little House.” He attributes fans’ fierce loyalty to a few factors. An overwhelming number of kid-oriented television shows vie for youngsters’ attention these days. At the height of “Little House,” few children’s programs were on the air. “A lot of people found the show at an early age,” Labyorteaux said. NBC aired the family drama for 10 seasons from 1974 to 1983. Years later, veteran viewers and newcomers alike still tune in to daily reruns of the show. “It can be reruns, and it doesn’t look like it’s going out of style,” said Labyorteaux, who recalls a conversation with “Little House” star and producer Michael Landon about the series’ longevity. It was about the time “Mork & Mindy” was taking off. While Landon didn’t dispute the sitcom’s popularity, he stressed “Little House” was different because it would still be around in 20 years. Unlike the misadventures of Mindy McConnell and her alien buddy, Mork, the Ingalls family storyline was “not of the moment,” Labyorteaux said. “The show is timeless,” he added. Parady knew she was a part of something special during her three seasons on “Little House,” but it wasn’t until her departure that she realized how high the bar had been set. “It was hard to work after ‘Little House,’” she said. “The production was of such good quality.” Parady’s favorite episode is surprisingly the one that killed her off. In “May We Make Them Proud,” schoolteacher Alice Garvey and Mary Ingalls’ infant son burn to death in the blind school. Parady’s choice scenes were those that used real, controlled fire, and those final moments on “Little House” were no exception. Alice Garvey truly went out in a blaze of glory. The actress who played her wouldn’t have had it any other way. The logistics that went into making her untimely exit appear real to viewers were “magic,” Parady said. Watch “Little House” for any length of time, and it might seem as if something is always catching fire, dying or falling ill. The series didn’t shy away from real issues, Labyorteaux said. Storylines dealt with weighty matters such as alcoholism, infant mortality, losing a parent and illness. That’s why Labyorteaux chuckles a bit when he hears fans share their fond memories of the show. “People have such a warm, happy response to ‘Little House’ when each and every story is so devastating,” he said. Cast members joining Labyorteaux and Parady in Keystone this weekend include Karen Grassle, who played Caroline “Ma” Ingalls; Alison Arngrim, who played snotty Nellie Oleson; Charlotte Stewart, who played school marm Miss Beadle; Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush, twin sisters who played Carrie Ingalls; and Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh, twin sisters who placed Grace Ingalls. Some of the more famous cast members missing from the “Little House” line-up are actresses Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Laura and Mary Ingalls. Katherine MacGregor, who co-starred as pushy Harriet Oleson, is 84 and rarely makes it to cast reunions anymore. The impetus behind the latest “Little House” reunion originated with the Greenbush twins, who were featured in last year’s Holy Terror Days. The siblings enjoyed their Black Hills stay so much that they resolved to return and bring a few more “Little House” actors and actresses with them. “They had the idea,” said Holy Terror Days organizer Sandi McLain. “We felt it was so important to our community because Carrie Ingalls used to be a part of our community.” Carrie Ingalls, the younger sister of “Little House on the Prairie” series author Laura Ingalls Wilder, called Keystone home for 35 years. Parady brushed up on her “Little House” know-how in preparation for her trip north. She figured it would pay to know a thing or two about the real Ingalls family before she spent the weekend with diehard fans. But the actress didn’t watch reruns. She went to the source and read the “Little House” series for the first time. She’s halfway through “Farmer Boy” and is charmed by the author and her simple, yet eloquent, way with words. “She’s a heck of a writer,” Parady said.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-09-2009, 07:58 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	That was a neat article. Thanks for sharing it with us Monika. Sure wish I could be in Keystone this weekend to meet these wonderful people. I also remember the show fondly.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-09-2009, 08:04 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Great article. Thanks for posting it.
	__________________ Sonny

09-10-2009, 03:13 AM	#7
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That would be so cool to go to a LHOTP reunion! Just last weekend there was an article in the Portland paper about a place in Minnesota, I believe where you can visit the locations of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. I'll have to find the article and post it.
	__________________ 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

09-10-2009, 09:41 AM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Here I am with Wendi and Brenda at the Tombstone, AZ reunion back in 2005 - and me visiting Brenda in 2007. Attached Images

09-09-2009, 08:07 PM	#5
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,502	I enjoyed this article! Thanks for posting it. I've never thought about it, but Patrick Labyorteaux does look like "Mikey."

09-10-2009, 01:54 PM	#9
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,502	^^Cool photos! Thanks for sharing those too. I really wish some of the reunions were broadcasted on TV. I would love to attend one.

09-14-2009, 07:36 PM	#11
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	Thanks Monica for posting the article and sharing the pictures with us.

09-14-2009, 10:28 PM	#13
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Awesome pictures, Monika! You all look great!