‘Cigarettes and Glasses of Gin’: Actress Alison Arngrim Compares ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Set to ‘Mad Men’
Alison Arngrim arrives at the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, December 15, 2023. (Photo: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images)
The celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the classic family TV series “Little House on the Prairie” brought together a handful of former cast members, including Alison Arngrim, Melissa Gilbert and Karen Grassle. As reported by Suggest, the event took place at Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley, California, the same location where the show was filmed during its nine-season run from 1974 to 1982.
Reflecting on the show’s enduring popularity, Arngrim, who portrayed mean girl Nellie Oleson in the series, expressed surprise at its lasting impact.
“If you would have told us 50 years ago that this show would remain timeless, we would have thought you were crazy,” Arngrim shared with Fox News.
“We had no concept that this show would still be airing on television 50 years later. We didn’t even know if there would still be TV in 50 years!”
Despite the show’s wholesome reputation for family entertainment, Arngrim painted a different picture of its behind-the-scenes ambiance. She described an environment where drinking and smoking were commonplace among the cast and crew, drawing parallels to the atmosphere depicted in the television series “Mad Men.”
“It was the ‘70s,” Arngrim informed Fox News. “People drank, people smoked. [Michael Landon] did all of these things. It was kind of strange you’re… on set and people are standing around with cigarettes and glasses of gin.”
“It seemed odd, but that was TV in the ‘70s,” she added. “It was like ‘Mad Men.’”
Michael Landon, who played the central character, Charles Ingalls, was highlighted as a significant figure both on and off-screen. Arngrim noted that while Landon’s real-life persona differed greatly from his on-screen portrayal as Pa Ingalls, his ability to transition between the two roles showcased his acting prowess.
“[Landon] was so not Pa,” Arngrim continued. “But then, if you think about it, what a brilliant performance. Here was this man who came to work in his unbuttoned shirt, in his gold chains, in his Ferrari with his Marlboros, and then he turned into Pa Ingalls in a matter of minutes.”
In another gin-based revelation within the pop culture space, Scottish crime writer Val McDermid, known for her Karen Pirie book series, confessed her regret for portraying her main character as a gin enthusiast. She stated that this was due to her preference for a fine single-malt whisky.
Read next:
Here at Gin Raiders, we do more than write about current events in gin and spirits. We are the only media property reviewing gins and aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the gin world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of gin in your morning email, sign up for our Deal of the Day newsletter
Follow The Daily Pour:
About The Daily Pour
Founded by Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is the ultimate drinking guide for the modern consumer, covering spirits, non-alcoholic and hemp beverages. With its unique combination of cross-category coverage and signature rating system that aggregates reviews from trusted critics across the internet, The Daily Pour sets the standard as the leading authority in helping consumers discover, compare and enjoy the best of today's evolving drinks landscape.
