Reading a memoir about someone I grew up watching on one of my favourite television series brought back many good memories of the past. I remember our whole family looking forward to the night that Little House on the Prairie was on TV. In those pre-VCR days, we had to plan ahead to have our homework done so that we had the time to watch the show. We would make popcorn and then sit as a family in the living room. laughing at the antics of Laura, Mary and Nellie as well as Mr. and Mrs. Oleson and the rest of the Walnut Grove gang. Of course, each episode also brought tears, as there were many tragedies, triumphs and moments of sheer happiness. When new episodes weren't on, we were happy to watch reruns. Who didn't want a mother and father like the Ingalls parents? They were loving and understanding, always knowing how to solve a problem. Ma and Pa always had the best advice!
However, one can't believe everything one sees on television. The idyllic family portrayed was less than perfect. Reading this memoir shattered any illusions I had. Pa, Michael Landon, was larger than life and wonderful to work for but he smoked and drank constantly on the set. He carried around a coffee cup of vodka on the set. Mary and Laura didn't get along (the "b....." word was mentioned) while Laura and Nellie were best friends. Relationships came and went for many with Michael Landon leaving his wife for another woman. Shortly after this, the show changed focus and was eventually cancelled. The celebrities, the money, the drinking and drugs that resulted for many actors is revealed through personal anecdotes.
Melissa was engaged to Rob Lowe and hung around the "brat pack" of the 80's - Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, and others. She had a drug and alchohol addiction and was involved in a slew of relationships before meeting her husband and soulmate, Bruce Boxleitner. I couldn't believe how many famous people she knew and worked with on numerous projects. It seemed she was constantly working on something. The celebrity lifestyle depicted is surreal - it's hard to imagine spending money, partying, travelling constantly, and behaving the way these actors did.
Despite some shocking revelations, I felt an instant connection to this memoir because of the great memories I had of "Little House on the Prairie". My own children now enjoy Laura Ingalls wonderful family both in books and on the television series.
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