Karen Grassle's Difficult Relationship with Michael Landon
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Hear more from Karen Grassle in her memoir, Bright Lights, Prairie Dust: amzn.to/3o6RmkM
Karen Grassle, the beloved actress who played Ma on Little House on the Prairie, grew up at the edge of the Pacific Ocean in a family where love was plentiful but alcohol wreaked havoc.
In this candid memoir, Grassle reveals her journey to succeed as an actress even as she struggles to overcome depression, combat her own dependence on alcohol, and find true love. With humor and hard-won wisdom, Grassle takes listeners on an inspiring journey through the political turmoil on '60s campuses, on to studies with some of the most celebrated artists at the famed London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and ultimately behind the curtains of Broadway stages and storied Hollywood sets. In these chapters, listeners meet actors and directors who have captivated us on screen and stage as they fall in love, betray and befriend, and don costumes only to reveal themselves.
We know Karen Grassle best as the proud prairie woman Caroline Ingalls, with her quiet strength and devotion to family, but this memoir introduces listeners to the complex, funny, rebellious, and soulful woman who, in addition to being the force behind those many strong women she played, fought passionately - as a writer, producer, and activist - on behalf of equal rights for women. Raw, emotional, and tender, Bright Lights celebrates and honors womanhood, in all its complexity.
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Absolutely no other actress could have given Ma the soulfulness, grace and strength that Karen did. She was absolute perfection and we all loved her.
Karen’s portrayal of sweet Caroline Ingalls was outstanding. She was a huge contributor to the success of that show.
Her acting was great. So was the sweet katherine macgregor as harriet oleson to pulloff that hilariously memorable attitude😂 richardbull as mr oleson, everyone did great even jack the dog 😂
When she left it was not too good
She is forever engrained my head as proverbs 31 wife of Nobel Character.
Ma Ingalls was a beauty on the show.
I always thought she played a beautiful mom. I loved the time Ma and Pa were in bed together, eating popcorn and laughing! I just loved the show, and Ma was so real in it. Very good work, Karen! ❤️
@@jacquelinel1618 So true!!
I can't imagine what she was going through during the time they were filming the show, but for what it's worth, I'm thankful she stayed on since she brought me a lot of joy as I watched her, and I've always looked up to her as the Mom.
My favorite episodes were the first 3 seasons they were on. XO
i am very proud of her that she could tell what was happening behind the rideaux and what a professionnal to make these smiles and kiss him and hug him when she was actually mad at him .
At least she didn't have to kiss him much, or I don't remember much kissing going on....
@@midnighttennessee8904 are you serious ?? they were kissing and hugging all the time !!
@Film School'd This is the first video I've seen of yours and I really love this interaction with you and Karen. You ask questions in such a sensitive and caring way which real key resonates with me. You can see Karen's appreciation on her face by your ability to be empathetic and sympathetic to what she went through. It shows us really a snippet of what she dealt with and who she is today as well as showing us what kind of thoughtful person you are. I truly and thoroughly enjoyed this.
Wow this feedback is very encouraging- thank you so much! 🙏🏼
Grew up watching Little house on the prairie, I’m 30 now. That show will always have a special place in my heart
We watched it all the time!
She was always my favorite character of the show.. helped me want to be a good Mother and calm and quiet 💕speaking softly ❤️
Just say it:Landon wasn't a nice guy.Not in the days of Bonanza and certainly not later on when he was the male lead and producer.Karen was so great in the show
Have always heard that Michael was a malignant narcissist who controlled every set he was on. He upset the actors and made being on set a daily nightmare because of his horrendous personality disorder.
My favorite actress of all time.
Karen my wife an I loved you in the show trust me you are an icon imprinted on the hearts of Americans
Not a fan of Michael Landon, he seemed like a petty person.
Karen Grassle was the BEST possible Ma. She was the warmth of the show. I'm 50 years old and I still watch the show every single night. I bought the DVD set. There's so much garbage out there, I rely on Little House on the Prairie for wholesome, innocent entertainment. Thank you, Karen, for making the show what it is. It will live on for generations.
If you know the series, you know that it is based on the book written by Laura Ingalls-Wilder. Melissa Gilbert and Michael Landon were the stars of the show. Karen was just part of the supporting cast.
She's the main character
Best Ma in the world, most of us wished she was our Ma.
@@RichardNixon-y3o she was so much more than that
@@RichardNixon-y3o Yes, I've read the entire book series a few times. My comment was about Karen on the show, not Ma in the book. The show gave her a bigger role and it was an important one. She was a Ma I emulated once I became a mother and I don't think any other actress could've given Ma the depth and warmth that Karen did.
I grew up with an abusive mother, and I always looked to Ma as a child as a source of healing and comfort, trying to imagine her as my own mom. Her voice, her soft expressions, her steadfast strength and love, were all miraculous to me. Those are examples of the feminine Divine, and soft power, that eclipse all other forms of currency. She was the wealthiest of them all, and what she gave me was priceless. Thank you.
♥️
So beautifully expressed! Bless you🤗🤗🤗
It wasn't just me then. 😘
My step father abused me, and I feel the same way about ma and pa
Same. Mother struggled with mostly undiagnosed mental illness and Caroline's strength was awesome to me.
Too bad that Michael didn't see the valuable asset you were to the show. I marveled at your believability and expertise! You were perfect for the part.
its sad to me to find out landon was so petty and didnt give her what she deserved in wanting a raise...
smh. deff not a christian values i think. i dont think it would break the budget of the show now mike!!
sighs. sad when u find out stuff like this behind the scenes. but i will always cherish those show and cast.
@@ssppeeaarr if you notice, since he was a writer of many of the episodes that so many of the episodes had him as the hero of everything or the solution everything it’s like in so many ways, he didn’t let other people shine, and his character would not have been half what it was without her character to be that that other part
😞👍@@robinbrown7953
@@robinbrown7953I don't know where you get that he didn't let other people shine. Ma had plenty of episodes where she got the better of Mrs Oleson. She was the star of the episode where she hurt her leg. It was like a one-woman show. So you think people like Laura and Mr Edwards didn't have shows written about them, and didn't shine?
@@ssppeeaarrMichael Landon was Jewish. His real name was Eugune Orowitz! I don't know if he cared much about "Christian values." Either way, he should have treated her better and paid her a wage. Definitely shouldn't have belittled her. I can only imagine how lonely it was to feel excluded when she was working so hard only to feel underpaid and then to have him mock and harass her.
That one episode where ma gets an infected cut on her foot was some of the best acting I’ve ever seen in a tv show
Michael performed an earlier version of that episode on "Bonanza" when Joe was kicked and injured by a wild horse in the barn.
It wasn't her foot....it was her leg, the calf of her leg.
@@wanetawentz6501 I thought it was her arm... lol she tried to cut it off?
I agree.
GREAT episode of television.
Having an horrible mother, this woman was a treasure to me.
(((Hugs))) Helen 😢
Same here.
🙋🏻♀️
I hear you friend! I wished those were my parents
helenemartin9535 - Same here
Karen Grassle's role was the security of the series as a viewer. She did an outstanding job as Ma! I grew up with the series. It is sad to hear what she as a person went through during the filming of the series!
Much love to Karen from Sweden!!!💕
Why wasn’t this woman ever nominated for an Emmy??? No one else could had played this character. Karen owned this character and did a great job.
Probably because the show didn’t nominated her.
@@MikeA15206 which I wonder if Landon was behind it all.
@@MikeA15206 shows don't nominate themselves!
@@princessofarchetypes3870Stop making Michael Landon out to be the bad guy. You weren't there. You must think she's the same person in real life that she acted like on the show.
@@jessiem276 I won't argue with you on that one. You may be right. We'll never know for sure. It's just a shame that the cast didn't get the proper accolades.
I grew up in a house with screaming and anger. This show and how Ma Engalls acted, was an escape for me.
Sorry you had to endure that.
Me too! The whole show was my weekly escape from the hell
Me too. But I’m sad now knowing the truth of shows behind the scenes.
Interesting. When I read your comment it reminded me of how I always marveled at how Ma was so calm on the show, very different than my family situation. Hadn't thought of that for a long time. Also, their marriage on the show seemed good which was weird to me since my parents marriage wasn't.
I had a wonderful mother thankfully but I used to cry because I wanted my father to be like Pa Ingall’s, unfortunately he was a very angry man, unsuited to fatherhood.
It makes me sad to know that someone who brought us so much joy through their work had to suffer so...but I sure do appreciate that it never affected how she played her role so beautifully. She will forever hold a special place in tv viewing history...
Just hearing Ma’s voice again is comforting
Karen, you gave perhaps millions of people such a huge gift we still carry within us after all these years. You were the best of mothers, you sure were. Thank you.
Most Loved Mom I ever watched on TV
@@brendamchugh3813 you said it! I feel that way, too.
@jane - She sure was. Such a loving warmth came from her character and her as a person. I sure hate to hear she wasn’t treated with the utmost fairness!! So disappointing as a life-long fan of the show.
@@kimh4508 you are right there.
@@kimh4508 Don't believe everything you "hear".
You impacted my life 100% I grew up wanting to be just like Ma and I knew what kind of mother I wanted to become. When asked in school what I wanted to be when I grew up I always said a mother. I’m proud to say I am of 2 sons they are 40 and 32.
Karen you were probably not recognized enough monetarily, but you earned the hearts of millions of people in the world. We love you Ma!
She is still SO BEAUTIFUL! We watch several episodes every week! Amazing to learn this because the chemistry between them was so powerful and she was simply outstanding as Caroline!
I would still watch her in anything she does. She has a wonderful presence that doesn’t age
what else did she di after that ?
@@redinabloogs8477 what did YOU ever do?
@jadepaulsen8456 Oh, I see...was that too anti woke a question? I guess u don't remember either. If u don't know, then let someone else answer instead of trolling the comments looking for a fight. In answer to ur question, tho..what did I do... I became a decent human being by spending a lifetime of working on myself. U might want to give it a try. Happiness lies there, and u won't feel the need to look for evil in an innocent question.
The video is not about her age. Why are you mentioning that? If this was an interview with a man, that would not be mentioned. Did you actually LISTEN to anything she said?
@@Michelle-pn9xt Never thought my admiration for a woman whose work I’ve enjoyed, and would like to see more of, would trigger an obviously unstable woman such as you…my apologies, psycho
The greatest television mom of all time. I just love her.
The LHOP TV show wouldn’t be what is was without Karen. She carried it as much as anyone else.
Ms. Grassle, you did a great job portraying, ‘Caroline Ingalls” or ‘Ma’. No one could ever portray her as well as you did. Thank you.
Well said!
I enjoy your interviews but you lead too much. Let your questions be more simple and open ended. Let the interviewee do the most talking
Fair feedback! Always trying to improve. Thanks for watching!
Karen's Ma was absolutely radiant, even when she wasn't speaking. In many scenes with Michael Landon, she outshone him as the steady center, by just being there. I have to wonder if Michael was aware of that, on some level. I'm glad she's become open about it. So many of us were curious about her absence from fan events, etc. Now we know why.
still beautiful - always dreamed to have a wife just like Caroline in my life - I ended up blessed that way. Thank you Karen for bringing so much sweetness to such a wonderful character in a great show. You are still so beautiful ☺
Your comment was so nice to read.
I actually thought she was the only really irritating one on the show. Disingenuous Shone through.
@@lynnzucco5049 LOL
@@MissX33 being attractive is so much bigger than looks - even though to me she was always very attractive -
Loved her character in the show and I knew about Landon's extreme pride issue and always drinking on shows and in movies but I would NEVER have guessed that she was over indulging in alcohol. I just feel bad for her for having been trapped in that situation and as for her drinking, we are all human and have our weaknesses and she overcame it! She was perfect for the part and she still seems so cool and kind after all these years. She even looks and acts much younger than her age. Hats off to Karen...we still love you!
Working with that jerk did that
Karen made 2-4k per episdoe, Allison (Nellie) 900 per episde, Melissa (halfpint) slightly more than Nellie...Michael Landon......40 million in 4 years....i mean wtf... Melissa and Allison arguably are why most watched the show....this is really disappointing
Landon was the actor, writer, producer, director and show runner of lhotp. He was paid $10 million per year in 1974? I think him and Johnny Carson were two of the highest paid on NBC in the 1970s?
Wow this saddens me because “Ma” was such an important character that not just anyone can play. She’s absolutely phenomenal and contributes to what little House series stands for, she was a huge part of its success! Truly sad that she was treated that way, especially by “Pa”
How gracious Karen comes across in spite of the difficulties and challenges she faced on the set. She has the character of ‘ma’ in real life.
Rofl! She was an alcoholic demanding more money than she was worth and claiming to be a victim because SHE didn’t want to leave a hit show. That’s all her problem.
I hope you read this comment Karen, and please excuse my calling you Karen Mrs. Grassle doesn’t seem right either, but I just wanted to tell you how very much your character meant to me. Your beautiful smile and gentle ways and compassion and general radiance also your comedic acting is fine and I just felt like you were just the best mom in the world and I needed one. You and Michael learned from the Waltons were the moms that I Bonded with. Thank you! ❤❤❤❤❤
Theres no way Karen would read your comments
@@michaelmarama-de4gx
And on what authority do you have to make such a statement ?!
@@adasteia6667 on my OWN POWER and AUTHORITY. How dare you insult my intelligence.
@@michaelmarama-de4gx
Aw, Mysoginist Michael Throws A Tantrum !
HOW DARE YOU INSULT DIANA RIOS'S HOPES ! You are blocked you stupid
little boy !
What a super sweet comment to Karen!
The more I hear about the behind the scenes stuff of Little House the more convinced I become that Charles Ingalls would NEVER put up with the stuff Michael Landon pulled and got away with. 😑 He would have clocked him in the jaw and said “You get your act together or you’re not welcome in this town.”
You're absolutely right. 💯
I think the same!
Michael Landon had A LOT of skeletons in his closet and was in many ways VERY VERY different from his character. He was brilliant but like us all flawed. It was also a time when women were NOT VALUED in all industries and societies to the degree they should've been!...😢😡
Here here!
Yeah Melissa gilbert was talking bad about him too. Heard a lot if stuff where he was an alcoholic. Dam!! Little Joe
I loved Karen, it would’ve been heartbreaking for her to have left. I’m sorry there was such a pay disparity. Thank you for all your hard work Karen!
I believe her. Thank you for the truth. Karen Grassley. You are loved by the millions. I watched the little house because of you and Olsen.
Karen seems candid and forthright, yet lacking an air of bitterness over her problems with the show. She wears her balance and modesty well.
Great assessment, she is wonderful.
I don’t blame her.
She seems quite bitter, or she wouldn't be trashing someone who isn't here to defend himself.
@@caelachyt ...Karen's grievance with Michael Landon is legitimate, and she has every right to express her views on the matter --- which she has done, in my view, with a remarkable lack of bitterness. Also, Landon's death did not impose a permanent gag order on the subject, even if he can't "defend" himself. That's not how real life works.
@@caelachyt Where did she trash him? Sounds like you're penalizing her for advocating for herself as a woman in entertainment.
Little House would not be little house without Karen as Ma, Mike as Pa, Melissa 1 as Mary, Melissa 2 as Laura and Allison as Nellie.
The beautiful thing about this show that stands out from all the rest, is that EACH of the actors/actresses brought those characters to life and embraced them..They made each one believable. Can you imagine anyone else as Ma? I can't.
You forgot the youngest daughter lindsay greenhouse.
It’s funny I used to notice a bit of melancholy and sadness with her in some episodes. Now I know why. It never affected her acting though, she was always realistic in her portrayal.
I lost respect for Michael Landon a long time ago when I heard an interview Michael Jr did...the affairs and new family and rejection..I am sorry you went through all of this Karen. I love you in that role and your show was so much a part of our week. You did well helping teach us morals I think. You touched our hearts, so did Michael. But I did lose respect for him
I read a book that said he was only friendly when a camera was on him. I believe it.
@@gigilamoore2656 he threw the whole Edwards family under the bus in LHOTP just because of a fall out he had with French. Then a few seasons later he tried to bring them back after his attempts to mend fences. IMHO that was when the show started its downward slope. I think he had difficulty making good relationships with his family and teammates because of his rough childhood. Not saying people don't have a free will but environment does play a role.
@@lukasmiller486 Most of it is genetic, heredity.
@Lukas Miller,Victor French obviously mended his relationship with Michael Landon because they both starred together in “Highway to Heaven” after little house was over. French also credited Michael Landon for saving him from a life of playing bad guys and killers and gave him roles where he could really shine and show of his abilities. He was a great actor,both in comedic and serious roles. He had nothing but kind things to say about Micheal Landon at the end.
Like I said. Michael Landon was a human being. He had his flaws just as she did and we all do. You can’t ignore the great work he did while he was here though,or forget all the kind things people said about him.
Oh boo hoo! What these actors don't seem to get is that most of us in the real world have real jobs where things are far from perfect. We often have difficult bosses, coworkers that try to upstage us and dont even get me started on being paid for what I believe my work is worth. Why should it be different for actors? Get over it..
As a child, she was so pretty, still does, and the perfect mom. Terrible how hurt, she must have been, so unfair. Sending my love and best wishes.
she was one of the reasons the show worked so well and became a big sucess
Yes, I enioy her calm strength in the series.
I never understood why anyone liked Michael Landon so much. He obviously had something against her that had nothing to do with her. Sexism with the way he was raised maybe. It happens with powerful men all the time and everyone else just loves them.
Her voice is so soothing
❤
It's very comforting. She could read children's books and make a lot of money with that voice.
What a cheapskate Landon was. I loved Karen in her role. She was absolutely perfect.
Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura ingalls said she also had to fight to get a small pay increase.
We love you Ma!
Jesus Loves you Karen.
The Actress that played Mrs. Olsen, I forgot her name. But anyway when Michael Landon was gonna do The movie. Little House The Last Farewell. She would not do the movie . Because she couldn't stand Michael Landon. She said he did not pay her fairly and treated people awful. They released the article that she was in India.And that was why she didn't appear in the movie. But she said she was right here in America but refused to have anything to do with Michael Landon again.
Catherine McGregor? Obviously I could Google it, but taking a stab from memory
@@skippy675 Thank you! I loved her character❤ She passed in 2018.
Her voice is still so calming & beautiful. ❤️
So sad she had to go through this. But, now it’s behind her.
My guess is that Michael didn't want to give Karen her well-deserved raise bec that would acknowledge that she was a significant factor in the success of the show. I tend to think he wanted to be seen as the "reason" for the success of the show rather than acknowledging that Karen had majorly contributed to its success.
Interesting that this is being said when he's been dead so long and can't give his side of this.
If I say something negative about Hitler would that be in bad taste because he has been dead so long and he cannot defend himself against my statement?
To this day, I still wanna live with the Ingalls in Walnut Grove! Thank you Karen for putting up with this and for being such a role model for so many of us. 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching!
Karen had what you can't teach. Charisma.
Sounds like classic control. Not even about the money but keeping control of her. Why do men do this?
I doubt SERIOUSLY if it was about CONTROLLING her! 😅😅😅😅 What about all the other women on the set? I don't hear any of them b'ing.
@@Sealust50 Actually, as many people here are pointing out, several women on the set had issues with Landon. Moreover, he's a walking textbook of control issues.
OMG the guy’s questions are too damn long. Just ask the question then shut up. He did more talking than she did.
😂 you're probably right - it was a sensitive topic, I just wanted to give some context and ease into it rather than make it a "gotcha" moment.
In retrospect, I would have been a lot more brief, but I truly just wanted to be courteous.
@@EricSkwarczynski I think she appreciated it. A lot of people don't understand how difficult it can be as an interviewer. Sometimes it is better to run the risk of over-explaining your question rather than be too blunt and risk offending the interviewee!
She was so naturally beautiful and her voice is soothing. I love the episode called "Handyman ". She got to act along side Gil Gerard who was a hunk.
My fave episode as well! It was just on a few days ago😊
Gil Gerard went on to play Buck Rogers.
I read that #MichaelLandon was a heavy drinker along with #VictorFrench also heavy smokers as well but didn’t know about #KarenGrassel being a drinker.
Ma and Pa “Little house” I watched this show from first season first episode till they imploded walnut grove 😢very last episode and I just remember crying
The same way I cried when I heard Michael Landon passed away. I’m in my 50’s now and still watch “Little House on the Prairie” it was a great pleasure watching this and I wish Karen Grassel all the best.
The sad truth... Michael Landon was egotistical and was nothing what he wanted people to believe he was. I don't get starstruck from any actors. It's a job. If you do a good job, you're good at what you do and deserving. Karen was good and deserving!
I hope that Karen is reading these comments so that she can see just how much she meant to us as girls and still as adults navigating the misogyny and chauvinism that is so prevalent in our lives. We love you, Karen, and your role as Ma will stay with us forever.
Nonsense.
Your misandry is showing
@@caelachyt go away
@@erroneouscode women are stronger than you
@@beauty_enthusiast shaddap
I thought Michael Landon was a saint as portrayed in the media. I was a little girl at the time and it goes to show you how celebs can really fool you.
Landon was talented and also very hard on people… Sometimes he was a complete a hole
Exactly.
I was a child watching Little House I loved her and thought she was a beautiful mother and still is a beautiful soul!
Michael Landon perhaps was a vindictive person. That is why he & Johnny Carson got on so well, two vindictive men. Vindictiveness is a horrible character trait.
Johnny Carson was horrible to all of his ex-wives and refused to acknowledge his half-black granddaughter.
Sorry to hear Michael Landon didnt treat you better regarding your salary❤
I was so happy about the pilot of this show. Then began the regurgitated Bonanza scripts and it became unwatchable for me because I loved Laura Ingalls Wilders books so much. Karen did a good job playing Ma, though.
Yes, Michael Landon recycled a lot of episodes from Bonanza. I thought that I was the only one that noticed it.
As for me she is one of the best actresses I know in a specific role.
I thought she was great too. She always reminded me slightly of Doris Day.
She was VERY lucky to have found herself in the series. Her awkwardness and lack of talent actually worked,... only because of the period setting.
@@Suddenlyits1960I can see that! Doris was a sweet and beautiful lady too.❤❤
Karen you should be very proud of your wonderful work on LHOTP as Ma. You were the wind beneath the wings of your husband, the Olsen's and quite frankly the whole town.
Do you think she’s reading this and is going to respond to you?
@@dickiegreenleaf750 Be kind
@@dickiegreenleaf750 It is an interview she gave, so she very well may do so. Why do you have to be so snide and discouraging? Take your negative energy elsewhere.
@Dickie Greenleaf she may very well read it even if she doesn't reply. I do think celebs often have pseudonym accounts on UA-cam. They are human just like us.
Thank you, Karen, for being there when I grew up in the 70's! You were more than perfect for that role!!
Yet Michael Landon was supposedly a man of God, but acted like a devil...... shameful.
I'm so sorry to hear this. She was wonderful in Little House.
Yes she's 😊
My children are grown now, but all my life, I wanted to be Ma. She was the perfect mother. Karen pulled off Ma with such excellence that to this day, she's still my ideal image of a mother, to me, this is what makes an actor/actress fabulous, when they create a character so believable is hard to separate them from the character.
I really enjoyed the show when I was younger, as an adult, I realized just how "Jesus-ee" and "Bible-ee" the show was which was a hugh turn off. Not a surprise given that Landon and Victor French also did Highway to Heaven, where Landon played an angel.
@Sean given the time period, I think it was pretty normal. But to me, that's part of what I liked. It was a show with decent morals and ethics. I like Brady bunch for that reason too. Wholesome I guess it's the word.
I don’t like actors but you all did a wonderful show !!! As a child and growing adult these shows are great , Mike was great but human.
If “human” means getting a superiority complex and holding people who contributed to your success…back. I don’t think that’s the kind of human she is.
It’s a choice. Being human isn’t an excuse for being a jerk.
He refused to recognise his own daughter, even when he was dying. Horrid.
“I don’t like actors”? Now that is just WHAT??? I don’t like people who may ignore blanket statements like that
@@laurafuller8528
We cannot assume that Michael Landon caused these problems, without having his side of the story. Karen Grassle's drinking had a role in it, and there were conditions that Michael Landon expected to be met. Once these conditions were met, and understand he gave in also with some of what he expected and what was needed; a meet in the middle if you will, he conceded to what was being asked of him by Karen Grassle and others that were on his show.
@@savinya5367
Again, that isn't the whole story there.
I wonder what Landons problem was with that, giving a raise. Was Landon worried that all cast members would want a raise? Or was Landon just cheap? Guess we'll never know. Karen differently deserved a raise no matter how little or large.
I think it was a a time when women were just paid less in Hollywood.
Michael Landon wanted to keep the show on a tight budget.
@@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hcthat and his pay including Directing, Producing, Writing credits not to mention lead actor pay. .. they all made about the same for the acting. He just had more to do with the show.
@@BoozeandNewswithTimandDut Why did Karen Grassle wait until now to complain about Michael Landon? The man has been dead for 30 years.
@@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc I don't think she was really complaining, just more explaining. She's just really no different than most Hollyweird folks. They complain about pay inequality but that's not a thing. She seen his pay and wanted that much. She just didn't take into account that he wrote most of her lines, and episodes, he was a producer, writer, and director of that show for many episodes. He got paid more because he did more. I can't blame her for thinking that though. They are conditioned to think there is pay inequality and there isn't. But she's a wonderful actress and made this special show even better. Every cast member was absolutely perfect for their roles on the show
I can understand both her and his (possible) point of view. Her wanting him to support the raise may have put him in an awkward position. Who knows what his position or standing was with higher ups? Was he really in charge of the actors’ pay? If not, maybe she should’ve not involved him it and maybe just told him (as a comrade) she was gonna ask them (executive producers? or whomever…) Then maybe Michael could’ve just stayed more neutral. I doubt it was simple greed or selfishness on Michael’s part, which is often alluded to. Regardless, it was a difficult situation. Maybe the higher ups should just be proactive in compensating employees properly in the first place so they don’t have to ask for a raise?!
We only have her version here, he has no chance to defend himself.
Large ensemble, expensive sets, paying for the book rights.
I do know that when Adam (Pernell)left Bonanza, the 3 of them divided up his salary equally and it was Michael's idea.
Ma Ingalls sure was a very warm, feminine, motherly sort of character; a very reassuring presence in every episode.
I met Mrs Grassley in San Andreas California. I was 11 trying to get a glimpse of a movie star .There she was getting styled for her scene in the make up trailer. She invited me in to say hello.She was so kind and gracious.Thank you Mrs Grassley. Thank you for your wonderful contribution to the world.
Grassle, not Grassley. Not "Mrs," that was her name at birth.
@Historian212 good for you.
According to at least a couple sites, it is pronounced (/ɡræsliː/ GRASS-LEE). Perhaps that is where they are getting the spelling of Grassley from even if it is spelled Grassle?
Karen is still a beautiful woman. I loved her as Ma as I watched as a child because I could tell she was a caring mother. Kudos to her for giving us great memories.
I’m sorry to hear this because Little House on the Prairie was my absolute all-time favourite favourite show! I am the exact same age as Melissa Gilbert and I am now sharing this entire TV series through CD with my grand children
Iam glad that you didn't leave the show thanks so much for staying thank you
I always wanted her to be my mother when I was a kid. She was so perfect.
OMG we watched every episode us as kids would roll our eyes at her we would think she was dorky and just disingenuous as a person.
Had meant something? Are you kidding me? I cant believe this. Its tragic. How could she not have known her importance in our lives? I couldnt get enough if her andhow she handled every problem that came her way...
This was from a time when women were paid less than their male counterparts. I don’t blame Karen Grassle for asking for more money. During that era, actors in general, unless they owned a piece of the show, were not properly compensated given the amount of money these shows generated in syndication later on.
When John Ritter was on three's company, he got $150,00 an episode while his co-stars, Joyce Dewitt and Suzanne Somers only got $30,000 an episode.
I can’t believe this actress had to endure a hostile work environment of this magnitude, with a man who had a ginormous ego and hateful behavior towards women
I am so ,so sorry ! You were wonderful as Ma/.Caroline .!
ML was being quite mean, actually cruel . You will always be the lovely Caroline Ingalls ! ☘️🍃❣️☘️🍃
Ps Very glad the two of you worked things out before he died ! You deserve an award for your performance as his kind supportive loyal and very even tempered wife ! Oh wow,, that you had to hug and kiss him during a 2 year labor dispute. You are certainly something and he better have known how integral you are to that role !
How Blessed he was to have you !☘️🍃❣️☘️🍃
I just don’t understand why we have know what went on behind the scenes unless there was sexual abuse. We all have battles behind the scenes of our life. So many people have it so worse. This has just taken the love that I had out of this amazing series. Why does everyone have to tell all. I’m not looking at the show fondly anymore. Sad!!! Now she has a book???? Ugh! Settle things privately . I loved Carolyn now that I look at her it’s tarnished.
I disliked Michael and Gilbert. They were too good all the time.
I got sick of Gilbert. I bet she made more than nary because Michael petted her
Love covers a multitude of sin ! I ask the Lord to heal you in Jesus name.
She was my favorite character and actress on TV . I really felt like she embodied a strong loving , wonderful woman. Thank you to her because she was such a great role model for me. I loved her in the show . To this day it’s my favorite show.Much love to you Karen!!! You were such light!!
Alot of the actors on this show got Cancer due to the filming area they all deserved to paid a high amount, Shannen Doherty has brain cancer now sadly
Amazing work as an actress. Even more so considering everything going on behind the scenes. Never would have guessed had Karen not revealed it.
I found her portrayal often very mournful and grim. I figured that was how she interpreted prairie life. Now I know she was showing her trapped feelings. Yes her gentleness made her the dream wife for the men of the era. I felt for the kids, I wanted them to get more hugs from her. PA gave more than her.
If you read the books, Ma was kinda stressed a lot. I wouldn't say grim, but maybe a little. She liked town and to stay put, Pa always wanted to move west and live on the frontier.
This is so sad Karen. For whatever reason Michael was actually cruel here…to let this go on so long knowing there was a problem and apparently just didn’t care. Hardly the way Charles Ingalls would act. I’m so sorry. To be this miserable and trapped is pretty hard to forgive. I’ll have to read your book. ❤️
Landon was like any other selfish Hollywood producer. He wanted it all for himself. Disgusting.
Love your sincerity. Shorten up your questions a bit…
Thank you. I was thinking the same thing.