Here are some interesting secrets and lesser-known facts about "Bonanza":
1. **Michael Landon's Writing and Directing**: Michael Landon, who played Little Joe, was not just an actor on the show. He also wrote and directed several episodes, showcasing his talent behind the camera.
2. **Dan Blocker's Early Death**: Dan Blocker, who played the beloved character Hoss, passed away unexpectedly in 1972 due to complications from surgery. His death was a significant blow to the cast and crew, and his character was written out of the show without a detailed explanation, which was unusual for that era.
3. **Casting Changes**: Pernell Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright, left the show after the sixth season due to dissatisfaction with the direction of his character and the show's scripts. This led to various guest stars and new characters being introduced to fill the gap.
4. **The Theme Song**: The iconic "Bonanza" theme song, composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, became famous, but few know that there were lyrics written for it. However, the lyrical version was rarely used, and the instrumental version became more popular.
5. **Real Ponderosa Ranch**: A replica of the Ponderosa Ranch was built near Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and it became a popular tourist attraction. It included sets from the show and was open to the public until it closed in 2004.
6. **Color Broadcasting Pioneer**: "Bonanza" was one of the first television shows to be broadcast in color. This helped boost its popularity, as color TVs were becoming more common in households.
7. **Salary Disparities**: There were significant salary differences among the main cast members. Lorne Greene, who played Ben Cartwright, earned more than his on-screen sons, leading to some tensions behind the scenes.
8. **Historical Inaccuracies**: While "Bonanza" strove for historical accuracy, there were occasional anachronisms and inaccuracies in the portrayal of events, clothing, and technology of the time period.
9. **Guest Stars**: Many notable actors made guest appearances on "Bonanza," including Leonard Nimoy, Charles Bronson, and future president Ronald Reagan.
10. **Product Placement**: The show's popularity led to various merchandise, including comic books, lunchboxes, and even a "Bonanza" board game, making it a significant cultural phenomenon of its time.
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I copied the above from the Internet. Now, I (Lynn) must add something -- I grew up without television. After graduating from High School in Callaway, Nebraska, I went to business school in Omaha, NE in June of 1961 and got a job working in a cafeteria in the big Brandeis Store. Worked each noon during the week, plus Monday and Thursday evenings plus all day Saturday. One night we were called to work on a night not normally open and there was a lot of excitement among the rest of the employees. They were excited about seeing the movie stars from Bonanza who were performing at Ak-Sar-Ben that week. They were pointing out various characters. Of course, I had never heard of any of them and had no idea of who we were looking at. I guess I saw them all in person, but have no memory of it because they didn't make any impression on me.
Lynn
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