Beloved stars of the iconic TV series are refusing to attend certain fan events and distancing themselves from the 50th anniversary reunions, citing mismanagement and deception by organizers.
- October 6, 2024
AceShowbiz - Organizers of the "Little House on the Prairie" 50th anniversary events are under fire from the show's cast for allegedly mismanaging several key reunion events. The controversy revolves around Jack Bishop and his company, Gravel Road Markets LLC, accused of overselling tickets, failing to pay vendors, and misleading fans.
Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder on the beloved series, spoke candidly about the issue in a statement. "From what I understand, it became a waking nightmare," Gilbert told PEOPLE. "They ran out of food. He oversold tickets. He didn't pay the vendors."
This year, the cast participated in a reunion event in Simi Valley, California, which was well-received. However, subsequent events in Connecticut and Pennsylvania fell drastically short of expectations, prompting the cast to pull out of future events. "As the tour progressed and once they [fans] reached Pennsylvania, from what I understand, it became a waking nightmare," Gilbert claims.
A joint statement released on October 1 by the cast, including Karen Grassle, Alison Arngrim, Charlotte Stewart, and others, criticized Bishop's decision to not publicly cancel upcoming events but list them as "sold out" instead. This, they argued, misled fans and complicated the process of obtaining refunds.
The statement addressed the gravity of the issue, "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."
Gilbert also dismissed claims that she was co-producing the events, labeling such advertisements as "appalling." Fans attending a poorly-lit dinner in Pennsylvania had to rely on their smartphones to see their food - an experience Gilbert has described as a shocking affront.
The cast is advocating for an investigation into Bishop's business practices. "This really sheds a terrible light on the brand," Gilbert remarked, emphasizing their commitment to their fan base, "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."
Despite the turmoil, the cast remains optimistic about future plans. "In 2025 we are dedicated to bringing you 'Little House Love,' bigger and better than ever," concluded their statement.
