"Little House On The Prairie" lasted for about nine years and drew a huge audience from former readers of the books, plus a lot of teens and kids who pulled for the Ingalls family as they battled against the elements of the 1800's life on the prairie.
After the popularity of the show, many now in their 40's and 50's plus all the rerun fans have been turning out for Star Melissa Gilbert, who has been doing a musical stage show of the books, in which this time, SHE was the mother.
However, as they wound up the show, Melissa finally gave in to her constant pain in her back and went to see a specialist.
"He came in after my exam and said, "Your back's broken, and it has been for months."
Gilbert stated that it came as a shock, especially when thinking about the upcoming operation to fix it.
"I don't even know when it happened but the physician says it had been some time."
"Hmmmmmm."
"I tell you one thing, if that lady who dropped that banana peel I slid on six months ago had anything to do with it, it was probably that Nellie Oleson. She came by to wish me luck, the little bitch!"
