Embracing the Gifts of Nellie Oleson: Alison Arngrim on her time on Little House on the Prairie

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Alison Arngrim, the actress best known for her role as Nellie Oleson on 'Little House on the Prairie' joins Paula in this look back episode.

 

This episode, originally recorded a few years ago, is revisited as Paula and her son prepare to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and on the 50th anniversary of the TV show.

 

Alison shares her journey from suffering abuse as a child to finding empowerment through acting. She discusses her audition for Nellie Oleson, her experiences working with Michael Landon, and her transformation into an AIDS activist after her co-star Steve Tracy's death.

 

Alison also touches on the dynamics with her castmates, the impact of the show globally, and her post-'Little House' work, including her standup comedy and public speaking on surviving abuse. The episode emphasizes Alison's decision to turn her situation into a source of joy and advocacy. Listeners are also guided to check out the show notes and follow Paula's adventures in Kansas on Instagram.

 

Resources
Alison Arngrim's Bonnetheads.com website (sign up for the Nellie Newsletter here)
Alison Arngrim's Book, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch on Amazon

 

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Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:31 Revisiting a Classic Episode

01:04 Welcome New Listeners

01:48 Introducing Alison Arngrim

03:04 Alison's Early Career and Little House on the Prairie

05:13 The Audition for Nelly Olson

11:42 The Global Impact of Little House on the Prairie

14:42 Behind the Scenes with Michael Landon

19:25 The Friendship with Melissa Gilbert

21:58 Public Reactions and Personal Reflections

31:29 Navigating Early Uncertainty

32:02 Building a Support System

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