Melissa Gilbert has sturdy emotions about some controversial Little House on the Prairie reunion occasions that occurred this 12 months.
The solid of the beloved interval drama just lately introduced that they might not help or seem at fan occasions produced by Jack Bishop and Gravel Road Markets, and now Gilbert, who performed author Laura Ingalls Wilder on the sequence, is tearing into the allegedly mismanaged occasions.
“From what I understand, it became a waking nightmare,” Gilbert mentioned of an occasion in Pennsylvania in a brand new interview with PEOPLE. “They ran [out of] food. He oversold tickets. He didn't pay the vendors.”
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Gilbert mentioned that the occasions have been “a shocking affront to the fans of Little House on the Prairie,” including, “If I were the owner of the IP, I would be infuriated because I think it really sheds a terrible light on the brand.”
A consultant for Gravel Road Markets didn't instantly reply to Entertainment Weekly‘s request for remark.
The actress and greater than a dozen of her Little House costars announced on Sept. 6 that they had cut ties with Bishop's firm, citing “disappointing events in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.” The solid mentioned they requested Bishop to take away their names and likeness from any promotional property for future occasions, which have been scheduled to happen in Tennessee, South Dakota, Missouri, and Texas. “This decision was not made lightly but with compassion, concern, and great respect for the well-being of our multigenerational fans,” they wrote of their assertion.
Then, on Oct. 1, the solid launched another joint statement accusing Bishop of failing to adjust to their needs and “refusing to announce the cancellation” of future Little House occasions, claiming that Bishop is itemizing the castless occasions as “sold out” quite than canceled.
“Mr. Bishop appears to be taking advantage of Little House fans by failing to inform them and his ticket vendor, Eventbrite, that the Little House cast has permanently ended our relationship with him,” they wrote. “This misrepresentation of event status has likely confused ticket buyers and complicated the process of requesting refunds.”
Gilbert advised PEOPLE that she had considerations about the occasions' promotion in early 2024. “Immediately, I knew there was an issue, because [Bishop] was promoting that I was going to be at all of these different places, and I wasn't,” the actress mentioned. “Fans were buying tickets to see me, and I knew that I wasn't going to be there.”
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
The actress mentioned she needed to take issues into her personal palms to make clear her absence from the reunions. “I started posting on social media, saying, ‘Guys, I'm not going to be there,'” Gilbert defined. “Apparently people contacted him, and he told them not only was I going to be there, but I was co-producing this with him. So this is the beginning of my experience with Jack Bishop, which just meant he's cut off and I will not work with anyone who does this. Period, full stop.”
Gilbert additionally mentioned she has “advocated for an investigation” into Bishop's enterprise practices.
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The solid ended their current joint assertion by expressing their appreciation of their followers. “After 50 years and counting, the Little House on the Prairie family of cast and crew treasures and respects the worldwide fan community that has made our series an enduring classic,” they wrote. “In 2025 we are dedicated to bringing you ‘Little House Love,' bigger and better than ever.”
The assertion was signed by Gilbert, Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle), Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls), Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace), Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey), Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder), Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder), Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder), Leslie Landon Matthews (Etta Plum), Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter), David Friedman (Jason Carter), Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb), Jonathan Kovacs (the Wild Boy), Jennifer Steffin (younger Rose Wilder), and Michelle Steffin (younger Rose Wilder).
