Little House on the Prairie icon Melissa Gilbert has responded to Jason Bateman’s claims he was ‘hazed’ by his fellow child stars on the hit show.
Bateman appeared on Hot Ones last week and was questioned about the rumor that “the older kids in the cast played an April Fool’s joke on you by telling you that your character had died.”
Bateman, 56, who portrayed James Cooper Ingalls on the show from 1981-1982, clarified: “Untrue. What they did do is pin me down on the ground, straddling me with knees on my shoulders, and gave me noogies, or whatever they call it, on my chest.”
Host Sean Evans replied: ‘There was a hazing ritual on Little House on the Prairie?’ to which Bateman answered: ‘Yeah.’
He continued: “They knocked on my chest like I was a front door. I went to the makeup artist and said, ‘Put a big black-and-blue mark all over my chest.’ Then I approached their parents and said, ‘Look what your kids did to me.’ And that was good. I got them in trouble.”
Gilbert, 61, who portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder, Bateman’s onscreen sister, humorously responded by resharing a People article about the story and writing: “Who? Who did this to you?!?!”
Little House on the Prairie icon Melissa Gilbert has reacted to Jason Bateman’s claims he was “hazed” by his co-child stars on the popular show – Bateman is shown top as James Cooper Ingalls, and Gilbert middle left as Laura Elizabeth Ingalls.
Bateman was on Hot Ones last week and was asked if it was true that “the older kids in the cast played an April Fool’s joke on you by telling you that your character had died.”
‘I will kick their tush….no one smacks down my little bro! #iwillcutab***h.’
Little House On The Prairie aired from 1974 until 1983 and starred Michael Landon, Karen Grassle and Melissa Sue Anderson in the main roles.
Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series of Little House books, this drama series revolved around the 1870s adventures of the Ingalls family who owned a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.
In January, Netflix announced a reboot of the iconic Western drama—42 years after the original show wrapped up in 1983.
The new series is described as ‘part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West,’ according to the streaming giant.
However, it seems the original cast won’t be making an appearance.
Alison Arngrim, who portrayed the notorious Nellie Oleson from 1974 to 1982, confirmed that she and her fellow OG cast members won’t be part of the reboot.
‘None of us, as far as I know, our gang, are in at this point,’ she revealed in an interview with ReMIND in January.
Host Sean Evans replied: ‘There was a hazing ritual on Little House on the Prairie?’ to which Bateman answered: ‘Yeah’ – pictured with Missy Francis as Cassandra Cooper Ingalls
Gilbert, 61, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder, Bateman’s onscreen sister, hit back in hilarious fashion as she reshared a People article post on the story and wrote: ‘Who? Who did this to you?!?!’
Little House On The Prairie aired from 1974 until 1983 and starred Michael Landon, Karen Grassle and Melissa Sue Anderson in the main roles
Still, the actress isn’t ruling it out, joking, ‘I have been joking for years that I’m finally old enough to play Mrs. Oleson, so call me!’
Arngrim went on to explain how the new show will differ from the original series, which ran for nine seasons and featured iconic cast members such as Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls, Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls, Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls Wilder, Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary Ingalls, and Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush as Carrie Ingalls.
‘It’s not really like a reboot, they’re not going back to Walnut Grove,’ she explained.
‘They’re not going to have Doc Baker and Miss Beadle, and they’re certainly not going to have Al Burton and all the people who were made up for the show. It is going back to the books.’
‘This [show] is part of the Laura Ingalls Wilder multiverse,’ Arngrim continued, speaking of the author of the novel that inspired the initial adaptation.
‘So concerns that they’re going to run amok away from the books and make it into something weird — not happening.’
In a statement, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Jinny Howe, VP of Drama Series for Netflix, revealed that the reboot will be a ‘fresh take on this iconic story.’
Howe also praised showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine for bringing ’emotional depth that will delight both new and existing fans of this beloved classic.’
