After Michael Landon and Laura Almanzo, Dean Butler reveals how the Michael Landon.
Little House on the Prairie… Who could forget this show? It’s not just a TV show, it’s a childhood memory.
But did you know that the show could have ended after season eight?
The decision to continue the show hinged on a specific episode, and Dean Butler (Almanzo) himself revealed this.
Michael Landon’s Retirement Plan
Dean Butler revealed that show creator and lead actor Michael Landon (Pa Ingalls) had decided to leave the show at the end of season eight.
Now the question was whether the new pairing of Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Butler (Almanzo) could carry the story forward?
Producer Kent McCray told them bluntly, “We have to find out if you two can carry the burden of this show.”
Laura and Almanzo’s Real Test
To that end, the producers decided to throw one challenge after another at Laura and Almanzo.
To this end, a two-part episode, “Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow,” was created.
The episode was based on a true incident in the life of the real Laura Ingalls Wilder, in which Almanzo contracted diphtheria (a serious illness) and became partially paralyzed.
His co-star, Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), joked that the illness made Almanzo “completely irritable.”
Laura, a newlywed, immediately takes on the role of a full-time nurse.
Butler admitted that she found the role frustrating, as her Almanzo became akin to “Eeyore.”
Stellar Ratings and Show Expansion
According to Butler, even though the episode was “disappointing” in terms of acting, its ratings were excellent!
Viewers fully embraced Laura and Almanzo’s chemistry and conflict.
Butler said that Michael Landon used this tremendous success as a strong argument that the show could be continued.
This led to the show lasting another season (Season 9) and three more films.
However, Alison Arngrim had several complaints about the episode.
Her biggest objection was that the plot involved Almanzo falling ill after plowing in the rain—an absurd and impractical idea for any farmer!
Isn’t it a funny story? The success of one episode changed the future of the entire show.
Have you seen the episode “Cranky Almanzo”?
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