Eight cast members from Little House on the Prairie reunited for the show’s 40th anniversary on the Today Show in Manhattan Wednesday.
It was the first time Karen Grassle – who played Caroline ‘Ma’ Ingalls – had seen her onscreen family since 1991.
‘I got tears in my eyes,’ 72-year-old Karen said after watching their ‘best of’ intro.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
‘It’s a very emotional experience’: Eight cast members from Little House on the Prairie reunited for the show’s 40th anniversary on the Today Show in Manhattan WednesdayReunited! Joining the ladies were Dean Butler (Almanzo ‘Manley’ Wilder), Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls), Melissa Sue Anderson (blind Mary Ingalls), and Lindsay Greenbush (who played Carrie Ingalls with twin sister Sidney)
Wholesome hit: The popular NBC series – which aired between 1974-1982 – centered on the Ingalls family living in Minnesota circa 1870s
‘First of all, I’m sitting here with these three daughters, really for the first time since (Michael Landon’s] funeral. And then to see them come running [down the hill in clip]…just kills me. I’m not really that sentimental.’
Melissa Gilbert scored a Golden Globe nod for her role as Laura ‘Half-pint’ Ingalls from age 9-19.
‘Yeah, well, I’m a crier anyway — and I’m also incredibly co-dependent,’ Melissa, who turns 50 next week, said.
‘So Ma goes, I go, I guess. It’s a very emotional experience, especially because we were together for so long, and it was an intense experience. We were a family there.’
Looking great: Red-haired Melissa Gilbert still wears plaits in her hair – like her character Laura IngallsLooking great: Red-haired Melissa Gilbert still wears plaits in her hair – like her character Laura Ingalls
‘I was pelted with a cup of orange soda in the Santa Claus Lane Hollywood Christmas Parade!’ Alison Arngrim – who played evil Nellie Oleson – revealed she ‘still’ encounters angry fans‘I was pelted with a cup of orange soda in the Santa Claus Lane Hollywood Christmas Parade!’ Alison Arngrim – who played evil Nellie Oleson – revealed she ‘still’ encounters angry fans
Still a blonde beauty: Melissa Sue Anderson still has shining blonde hair – albeit a foot less of it than when she was in the show as a teenLooking great: Red-haired Melissa Gilbert still wears plaits in her hair – like her character Laura Ingalls
The twins! Lindsay Greenbush looked youthful at the event celebrating LHOTP in which she played Carrie Ingalls – sharing the role with her twin sister SidneyThe twins! Lindsay Greenbush looked youthful at the event celebrating LHOTP in which she played Carrie Ingalls – sharing the role with her twin sister Sidney
The Miracle Worker star later tweeted: ‘So much fun spending time with my Prairie family! I’ve missed them. Now home to my hubby!’
The popular NBC series – which aired between 1974-1982 – centered on the Ingalls family living in Minnesota circa 1870s.
The wholesome, four-time Emmy-winning show – based Laura Ingalls Wilder’s best-selling memoir – ran for nine seasons.
‘We were a family there’: Melissa Gilbert scored a Golden Globe nod for her role as Laura ‘Half-pint’ Ingalls from age 9-19
Joining the ladies were Dean Butler (Almanzo ‘Manley’ Wilder), Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls), Melissa Sue Anderson (blind Mary Ingalls), and Lindsay Greenbush (who played Carrie Ingalls with twin sister Sidney).
Alison Arngrim – who played evil Nellie Oleson – revealed she ‘still’ encounters angry fans.
‘It’s quite difficult,” the 52-year-old blonde told Hoda Kotb.
‘I was pelted with a cup of orange soda in the Santa Claus Lane Hollywood Christmas Parade. [But] people kind of love the villains [now].’
Arngrim said she was eager to watch the DVDs so she could ‘see high-def when [Gilbert’s] fist goes in my face.’
‘I wish Michael could see what it means still to people’: The most beloved cast-member was notably missing – Michael Landon died from pancreatic cancer in 1991 at age 54
That’s a mighty big smile: Dean Butler laughed as he looked back at old episodes, in which he used to play Almanzo WilderThat’s a mighty big smile: Dean Butler laughed as he looked back at old episodes, in which he used to play Almanzo Wilder
He’s a proud son: Michael Landon Jr appeared at the anniversary, representing his late father Michael Landon (r) who played Charles Ingalls in the show – Michael Jr did appear in the show for one episode with his sister LeslieHe’s a proud son: Michael Landon Jr appeared at the anniversary, representing his late father Michael Landon (r) who played Charles Ingalls in the show – Michael Jr did appear in Little House On The Prairie for one episode with his sister Leslie
The most beloved cast-member was notably missing – Michael Landon died from pancreatic cancer in 1991 at age 54.
The Golden Globe nominee – who also starred on Bonanza – also produced and helmed 90 episodes of Little House.
Representing the on and off-screen patriarch was his son Michael Jr., who once played ‘Jim’ in a 1977 episode.
‘The great thing about the series was the hours that my father set,’ the 49-year-old producer said.
‘He was always home for dinner’: Representing the on and off-screen patriarch was his son Michael Jr. (L), who once played ‘Jim’ in a 1977 episode
‘We were together for so long’: The wholesome, four-time Emmy-winning show – based Laura Ingalls Wilder’s best-selling memoir – ran for nine seasons
‘It doesn’t happen anymore, but he was always home for dinner.’
Alison lamented: ‘I wish Michael could see what it means still to people.’
The reunited cast – minus Melissa – then visited Extra TV at their Times Square studios.
The first two seasons of Little House are now available on Blu-ray and DVD.
And according to Back Stage, a reboot is in the works as Columbia Pictures is currently casting a new feature film adaptation.
Arngrim said she wanted ‘to see high-def when [Gilbert’s] fist goes in my face’: The first two seasons of Little House are now available on Blu-ray
![Arngrim said she wanted 'to see high-def when [Gilbert's] fist goes in my face': The first two seasons of Little House are now available on Blu-ray](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/30/article-2617239-1D7BC94400000578-823_634x859.jpg)
