Hi everyone,

Goodness it's been such a hot week here this week. High 30's every day. Thank goodness for air conditioning, both at school and at home. Yes folks...I'm out earning my living again with school starting last Tuesday. All in all it's been a very busy week.

Now, to Waltons matters. Firstly I've just had a peek at the TNN website, and no new Waltons episodes have been listed. The last one they have there is February 2nd. I can only hope that there will be more on for you tomorrow.

I mentioned last week, that I'd been watching both The Whirlwind and The Tempest. Since these episodes are often criticized by Waltons lovers, I would like to compile some comments, both for and against these episodes. The idea is to add them to my site as a part of the episode guide. I thought I might build them up over time, but start with this one/two and see how we go. The idea is for you to give your opinions and comments of these two episodes. Do you like or dislike them? What is it about the episodes that you do or don't like? Many people find these unbelievable. Why? Now's the time to write about your Waltons views. Just send your letters to me and I'll add them to the next digests, then edit them and add them to the site further down the track.

I've also done a little checking during the week, about John Olvey's book. He tells me that it began as he continued to keep notes about The Waltons and developed from there. As we all know, Waltons fans have many questions about many of the episodes, and John says that rather than having to continually search the scripts, or rewatch the videos for the answers, he decided to put it in a book. He says that "Episodes are listed in order including the specials. Original air dates, writer, director, actors and story lines are included" and tells me that it can be ordered through Ike's store at the Museum. It's called "25 Years With The Waltons - Reference To Each Episode". He does point out that he is not a professional writer, but that most people seem to enjoy it anyway. Maybe one day John will get a chance to rewrite it because he is certainly very knowledgeable when it comes to Waltons matters.

That's all for this week. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Dear Karen,

I don't know if this has been mentioned. I just spotted "Curt" in the Bruce Willis movie, Die Hard II. He plays Marvin, the janitor.

Barbara

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for this one Barbara. I don't think it has been mentioned.

Karen-

I'm a newcomer to your digest, having happened upon it while browsing the web for info. on one of my favorite actors, Richard Thomas. He is primarily why I watched the Waltons when I was growing up. I did lose interest in the show after he left.

Your Digest, though, has rekindled the spark. I must have been about 9 when the Homecoming was first broadcast in the early 70s. I fell in love with the movie and was ecstatic when I learned that the Waltons would become a regular program. It could have been the influence of having a mad crush on Richard, but I remember imagining myself as a budding author, just like John Boy. The opening and closing narration was one of my favorite parts of the show. John Boy's first day of college was, for me, one of the most enjoyable episodes.

I have enjoyed reading about the Waltons' reunions in Va. And would love to attend one. The show's actors sound wonderfully unpretentious--it would be great fun to meet some of the cast. Do you know the exact date of this year's reunion?

Goodnight from Eileen

KAREN'S COMMENT: Richard Thomas was, and still is, delighting fans today with his wonderful work. You definitely are a woman of taste. You're right too, the cast sounds very unpretentious. As for the reunion, keep an eye on The Waltons Forum or better still, join the Waltons International Fan Club to keep abreast of the reunion information. There is some information on the Forum already, but a fair way down. The dates for 2001 are October 20 and 21.

Hi Karen,

Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday! While you've been hot, it's been pretty cold here in Texas. Today, Thursday Jan. 26th, is the first day in three months I haven't worn a coat to work. It's okay, I love the cold weather! I have a son on a mission in Chile and I'm always amazed how many people here don't realize that the northern and southern hemispheres have opposite seasons! I'm sure they really do know, they just forget.

I want you to know how much I enjoy your digest. I've only contributed a couple of times, but I read and enjoy everyone of them. I have enjoyed the forums and your digest for a couple of years now and I've come to know many other Waltons fans very well. The reason I'm contacting you now is to change my e-mail address.

The e-mail address I've been using is my business address, but my last day at work is March 2nd. I am sooooo excited! I have known for over two years that I was going to lose my job, but they keep asking me to stay for one more year. This year I decided I couldn't commit to another year and as long as they're going to pay me to go - I think it's time to go. I've been with this company for 13 years and I'm looking forward to being a stay-at-home mom again! My husband has promised that I can be off at least through 2001 and my list of things to do grows longer everyday! Of course, I will be watching a lot of Waltons!

Karen, I can't believe that such a wonderful Waltons fan like you hasn't been able to see all the episodes! I would love to help you. I have all the episodes on tape except for the last reunion movie and I would be happy to record them for you. Is this feasible? Would my tapes work in your VCR? If you think this would work please make a list of the episodes you lack and I will try to hook you up. I can't promise you will get them quickly, but I would do the best I can. Let me know if you're interested.

I agree with Dan about The Sermon. As I've mentioned many times before, this is my favorite! I've watched it over and over and I think it's a perfect episode. The story was wonderful and the acting was superb!

KAREN'S COMMENT: Patricia, your email address has now been changed. I appreciate the offer to tape the episodes for me, and the other offers I've had. At the moment someone is taping some for me, but I'll keep you in mind. Thankyou. It's interesting though. I have just about all of the first 5 seasons, but only about half of the seasons 6 to 9. A digest member in Australia and I did a swap a while ago, so she got some of the earlier ones, and I got some of the later ones. That worked well. :-)

It's amazing though. I haven't seen many of the later ones for years, about 15 for some of them, but writing the episode guides based on what snippets I found when they were originally aired, I did actually remember a lot of what went on through the episodes.

Hi Everyone,

I been a member for a few years and have just sat back and read everyones messages. I live in Minnesota and watched The Waltons since it came out and still enjoy watching them. The reason I'm posting today after so long is that Pax is showing The Homecoming on Saturday Jan. 27 at Midnite, I guess that would make it Sunday at 12 am. whichever. The question I have is they say it's only on 1 !/2 hours. Wasn't the original 2 hrs. or longer when it came out?

Sorry I couldn't let you know sooner but I just received my TV guide today. Good Night Everyone! Tiko

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm very sorry that I couldn't get this out any sooner. Did anyone manage to tape it if you needed it? I think without advertisements, it would be only 90 minutes long.

Hello everyone! Just a thought for Marie in Florida…do you have cable television? Perhaps you live in an area that can't get it, but if not, you should be able to get the TNN station. If it is not on your basic service, call your cable provider and request it! Also, it is quite a disappointment that the Waltons are only on once now…I guess we've been spoiled! Luckily, I am home during the day and most often get to see it. I did write an e-mail quite a while ago to TNN in an effort to show support for our beloved show, but no response! I hope everyone will do the same! Take care everyone. Enjoy your Waltons shows this week!

Judy

KAREN'S COMMENT: It would seem that we all should enjoy The Waltons while it is on.

I wanted to let you know I am so glad you were able to watch some of my favorites. The Last 10 Days, The Outrage --and also The Whirlwind and The Tempest.

The Idol was also wonderful. I don't know if any one has a tape of it. It was shown recently on TNN but my VCR had been disconnected, but it is OK now and the TV and VCR are better than ever.

There are conflicts of information as to when the Waltons will be on next week -just one episode a day or three.

The Revel was a wonderful episode. It brought all of them-except for Grandpa -back together. If you notice the date of the invitation it is June 4,1946. The Revel was initially shown June 4,1981.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: I did really enjoy The Revel. When Elizabeth had all those invitations spread out everywhere in their room, I did wonder whether each actor was given one as a memento. Would have been nice.

Hello Karen and friends. I was watching an episode of the Walton today the one where Olivia has a miscarriage and I noticed that when her and John went on a picnic she had gold lopped earrings I thought this was a bit unusual for the time.Anyway I love your messages each week. Good night Karen.

Bye,

Lisa

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm not really good on old jewelry, but it doesn't really seem to be in character even does it. I'll have to go back and have another look for it.