‘Little House on the Prairie’ returns – a look back at all the scandals
Netflix has revived "Little House on the Prairie" with a new series, prompting a retrospective on the original 1970s‑1980s show. While the classic series was marketed as family‑friendly, several cast members, notably Michael Landon, were involved in off‑screen controversies including inappropriate jokes and extramarital affairs. Former co‑stars have publicly discussed these issues, contrasting the on‑screen image with behind‑the‑scenes behavior.
- ▪Michael Landon, who played Pa Ingalls, was reported to tell vulgar jokes on set and to have had an affair with a teenage crew member who later became his third wife.
- ▪Karen Grassle, who portrayed Ma Ingalls, recounted in interviews that Landon frequently boasted about his libido and made lewd comments during filming.
- ▪The original series aired on NBC from 1974 to 1983 and has been remembered for its wholesome portrayal of pioneer life despite the later revelations of cast misconduct.
- ▪The new Netflix adaptation has sparked renewed interest in the franchise, leading media outlets to revisit the historical scandals associated with the original production.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
TV ‘Little House on the Prairie’ returns – a look back at all the scandals By Lauren Sarner Published July 10, 2026, 7:00 a.m. ET (function() { var overlay = document.getElementById("nyp-player-lcp-overlay"); if (!overlay) { return; } function hideOverlay() { overlay.remove(); } function afterDCL() { requestAnimationFrame(hideOverlay); } if (document.readyState === "loading") { document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", afterDCL, { once: true }); } else { afterDCL(); } })(); See more of our coverage in your search results. Add Page Six on Google Not so wholesome. “Little House on the Prairie” is back with a new Netflix show, now streaming.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Page Six.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Page Six
