Little House on the Prairie concluded back in 1983 after a nine-season run on NBC, and it irreversibly changed the careers of many of the stars, including Karen Grassle, who became a household name for her portrayal of Caroline “Ma” Ingalls. Caroline became a symbol of strength and an icon in popular culture, but there is still one storyline that Grassle dislikes.
In a recent reunion, the actress expressed her disdain for the menopause storyline.
Karen Grassle talks about her frustration with one Little House on the Prairie storyline
Karen Grassle’s Caroline Ingalls will remain one of the most revered characters in television history. But the Little House on the Prairie star is still not satisfied with one particular storyline in the nine-season show.
During the show’s recent 50th Anniversary Reunion, the 83-year-old revealed that the decision to add a menopause storyline to her character arc on Little House on the Prairie greatly frustrated her.
In season 7 episode 20, Grassle’s Ma believes herself to be pregnant. But the doctor reveals that she was actually starting menopause.
“They wrote that Ma stopped having her period and she thought she was pregnant, and then they wrote that, no, no, she’s going through menopause,” Grassle said about this (via PEOPLE), “And I was like, give me a break.”
She continued to vent her frustration, “They wrote that my purpose in life was going away, and I was like, ‘No! No!’” and added, “It’s a wonderful thing to give birth, but give me a break.”
She was 30 at the time and felt that this would ruin her career. She revealed that it was hard for her to perform the scene. “So it was very hard for me to bring myself my whole self to the scene,” she said, and added, “I never did feel I did a good job.”
She continued to explain how she should separate her feelings from her character, saying, “We’re not supposed to judge our character. [We’re] supposed to live within the character,” but admitted that this arc for Ma tested her resolve. She added, “So I had so much judgment, I had a hard time. It’s interesting that they chose that.”
Little House on the Prairie, however, remains one of the most famous TV shows of all time.
