| WALTONS DIGEST 49-99:
Hi everyone, A very short and early digest for this week, given that Christmas is nearly here. I really just wanted to wish everyone on the Waltons list a very happy Christmas and holiday season. So to all of you and your families, have a wonderful time over the coming weekend. We will be celebrating Christmas by spending some family time at home first (read sleep in, open presents, and have a good relax) then it's out to lunch for us. We're eating Christmas lunch out at a restaurant for the first time ever. I'm not sure if Rod really didn't want my cooking, or whether he just thought it would be easier for me, but I'm not complaining that's for sure. As it is I've cooked all the meat for Christmas tea. We're taking it down to my mother in law's place. She's just come out of hospital this week after a hip replacement and she also has a broken arm (both the result of a fall in late November) so she's doing nothing this year apart from sitting. They'll be quite a few of us over there tomorrow night, so that will be nice. Anyway, from this Waltons fan, and her family, to all you other Waltons fans out there in cyberspace, and your families, have a great one, and I'll talk to you all next week. Actually the Waltons had the best idea when they said, make this Christmas the Best Christmas. Have fun.:-) Goodnight everyone, Karen.
Dear Karen, Just wanted to let you know that CBS has changed the date for the airing of BEYOND THE PRAIRE to Sunday, January 2, 2000, at 9:00 PM ET/PT. Brenda KAREN'S COMMENT: Thank you to Brenda and others who mentioned this correction. The digest had gone out when I noticed the time change on the Forum page.
Hi Karen, This is Nancy from Angola, Louisiana. I heard that there was going to be a new Waltons movie. Is the death of Ellen Corby going to be written into the script.? I thought that they might would bury "Grandma Walton" up on the mountain with "Grandpa". KAREN'S COMMENT: It would be a nice idea to have that written into the script, but they might deal with it another way this time. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Karen, Here is some info for your U.S. subscribers.... Entertainment Tonight is going to do a hour Waltons show the weekend of the 25th.... ET has been picking a show a week to salute. Last Saturday/Sunday they did a whole hour on Dynasty. While watching the Dynasty show the showed clips of the Waltons ET show. They are interviewing Ma Walton, John Boy and Erin. Ma Walton said she tries to get across to fans of the show that she is nothing like Olivia in real life. But people only see her as Olivia and not Michael Learned. Richard Thomas noted that he had no intention of doing any more than 5 years of the show. Before doing even one episode he signed a contract that he would do no more than 5 years and no more. He did mention that at the time of signing the contract he thought the show would never last beyond a year or two.... It should be an interesting hour show..... I would be interested in our list members views on who they think of as the most reclusive of all the all Walton actors... Is it David (Jim Bob)?? I rarely see mention of him at any of the Walton reunions/cruises or other appearances. What does he do for a living? In the reunion TV movies he rarely has many speaking lines. Does he still act?? John
KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes this is another piece of news I picked out from the Waltons forum, so it may be old news to some, and new to others, but welcome all the same. I wish we got some of these shows over here. It should be a good one. The most reclusive...definitely I would think David Harper. I've seen very little about him.
<<No explanation was given for Mary Ellen not being able to have children.>> Yes there was when she and Jonesy were on their honeymoon she was in a car accident (she swerved to avoid an animal) and due to her injuries, they had to repair her uterus and advised her it would be dangerous to have children But they never said she couldn't. So she still could have had children there just would have been a risk involved. Happy Holidays Theresa KAREN'S COMMENT: The wonders of medical science, or is it the wonders of TV writing:-)
Why wont anyone in this digest help find out what happened to the Model 'A' cars used in the series? I am a true Model 'A' enthusiast and would like to track down the ones used in the series. I own a 1930 Model 'A' Coupe two years newer than the one Jon boy drove. I have asked before with no reply. It is challenge time for you true Waltons fans. John
KAREN'S COMMENT: John, if a true Model "A" enthusiast like yourself can't track down the cars, how do you think we people who know nothing about cars would go :-) I have to admit, I wouldn't know one if I fell over it. Is there a club you could inquire to?
Hi! How are you? Congrats very much on your son's grades. I just want to tell you that I am a proud owner of the Waltons new CD. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. -Viv KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm pleased it arrived in time for Christmas. Mine's on its way!
Now here's some thoughts on Richard Thomas and Robert Wightman as the 2 John Boys: I am new to this, but I thought you would want me to respond to your digest like this, instead of reply, which would send the whole digest back to you with my response... I prefer the Thomas John Boy over the Wightman John Boy. I can't help it, I am a traditionalist. I never want anything to change! Which is probably why I am a Waltons Fan to begin with, it reminds me of the days watching it with my family when we were all still kids and my parents were alive and well....so my vote is for Richard. Good Night Everyone.....Julie :) KAREN: Julie you did just fine replying as you did. Please take note everyone: Sometimes people do hit the reply button and send me the whole digest back again, but it's much better to only include the bits your are commenting on, or simply a new message. So please if you do go to "reply" to the digest, delete most of it before sending it. Hello. I am new to the list. I have become a huge fan of the Waltons during the past year. Truthfully, I had forgotten many of the episodes that aired during my childhood. It is wonderful watching the shows each evening on TNN after dinner with my two young sons (ages 2 and 4). My father often watches the show with my sons when my husband is at work. The boys all favor the character of Grandpa. It is wonderful having a show that reiterates the values that I am trying to teach my sons. Unfortunately, most shows on television conflict with the things we are trying to teach them at home. In addition to being educational, I find the Waltons to be highly entertaining. This Christmas my four year old son asked for something with the Waltons on it from Santa. I had no idea if anything was available anymore. Luckily, I found the Waltons Museum on-line and ordered each of the boys blue tee-shirts with the Walton home imprinted on it. They will make nice sleep tee's and I think that the kids will be thrilled that Santa came through for them. In my search for a Waltons presents, I stumbled upon this list. As for answering the question you posed in the newsletter regarding which John Boy I prefer, my answer is Richard Thomas hands down. I actually find Wightman's portrayal to be rather flat. I think that Thomas is an outstanding actor. He has a certain richness to his voice which I find soothing. I enjoyed listening to Thomas read "The Homecoming" on tape and I am planning to see if he is also does the reading of "Spencer's Mountain" on tape. Likewise, I enjoy Thomas' reading in the audio tape of "The Christmas Box", which we play each year on Christmas Eve. I laughed when I read your statement about the perils of cooking in the heat for Christmas. I live in an old historical neighborhood in Chicago. As I write this note, my sons are playing in front of the fireplace with their Thomas the Train set. We received a dusting of snow last night and are expected to get a few more inches tonight. The children on our block were planning on caroling tonight-we even printed caroling books for the older kids. Unfortunately, the first real cold spell of the season has hit hard and it is expected to go below zero without the wind-chill factored in. I guess caroling must wait a few days. I guess that is it. Your digest was a welcome treat on a cold snowy day! Please let me know if I am replying correctly. Happy holidays! -Mary KAREN: Mary you also did the right thing when replying. Well done! Hi Karen and Fellow Walton Fans, Karen, you asked us to comment on which actor's portrayal of John-Boy we preferred, here are my thoughts. I much preferred Robert Wightman as the adult John-Boy. I feel that he added maturity to the role that was required, but also I think that he added a certain quality of sensitivity to the adult John-Boy. Yes, he was an adult, had been in WWII, but yet he still had that boyish fondness for his family, friends and the Mountain. His portrayal of John-Boy reminded the audience that the adult John-Boy still had the same endearing qualities that we saw in the early shows. I don't feel that Richard Thomas portrayed this as well in the later TV movie specials. He acquired a slightly flippant attitude that I didn't recognize as being part of John-Boy Walton's nature. But, as a teenager and young man, I think Richard Thomas did a fabulous and very convincing acting job! He had a wonderful rapport with his younger siblings and was so natural. Last I heard, Robert Wightman was married, with children, living in Southern California. He has had some small television roles. Thanks for asking this question, Karen. It will be interesting to see what everyone thinks. Happy holidays! Goodnight everyone, Silvia Hi Karen, hello everyone, Happy Holidays! Karen asked which John Boy we liked best. Although I thought Robert Wightman did a good job, I have to say that Richard Thomas wins hands down in my opinion. He was perfect for that part. In the earlier years, he had just the right combination of youthful innocence, and bright eyed eagerness to see the world. Besides, I loved his voice when he read poetry, or one of his stories. Speaking of which, if you haven't had an opportunity, buy or rent the audio version of The Homecoming. Richard Thomas reads it, and it is wonderful! I've listened to it many times in the car and he brings the story alive. He also reads Spencer's Mountain on audio tape. Have a wonderful, and safe holiday! Nancy Hi Karen, I have to say there could be John-Boy but Richard Thomas, he was the perfect one. I did not like that other guy in the role. I call him "the Fake John-Boy".... thanx , Jude We all got used to John Boy being portrayed by Richard Thomas. However when Richard Thomas got contracts to do other things they had to go ahead and show the Achievement. Then he came back to help reopen the Guthrie Coal Mine but then was going to marry Daisy but it was learned that she was already married. As I say we were used to Richard Thomas. But the character of John Boy was too big to lose so they couldn't have him killed in the war like they did to GW or supposedly to Curt for a while. So they had to create a new person to play the part. Both had good qualities of interest in the family and other essential attributes. So each served his own purpose as a good character to play the part. Donald Hi Everyone I liked both Richard Thomas and Robert Wightman as John-Boy. I think they both did a good job. I think I've seen Robert Wightman in two movies, one called "American Gigolo" and another one called "Poodle Springs" which was a 1998 TV movie. Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!!!!! from Kurt. Hello Karen, Just wanted to share a few thoughts about the Christmas C.D. I too have been trying to figure out who this "Cousin Jerry" is. I had thought that maybe he was part of the Haystack Gang (remember the episode with Erin Moran when she sang a duet with Jason, when they were at practice and that other girl was there (the one that Jason ended up walking home after the barn dance), she said that she was there with someone but I can't remember if she said her brother or what?). Anyway, I also noticed that Jerry Salley (spelling?) who is listed as Cousin Jerry co-wrote one of the songs with Jon (which is why I thought of the Haystack Gang as the connection). If this "Cousin Jerry" was a character at some time on the show, wouldn't he be listed on the C.D.'s credits under the "other Cast Members" section as opposed to the list of the family members? (Needless to say, I am totally confused as to who this may be, but I will keep trying to find out!!) I was truly amazed at how wonderful the C.D. turned out. They sound so great singing together (my favorite on the C.D. is "The Little Drummer Boy). Altogether, I think it's a very well put together collection of holiday songs sung beautifully. My husband Todd (the closet Walton's fan!!) copied it onto a cassette so that I can listen to it in the car and at work also. I think I will still be listening to it in July!! I was worried about being able to get the C.D. since I didn't want to wait for it to be delivered in the mail or get stuck on some backorder. Believe it or not, Todd went to the mall about 2 weeks ago and asked at the three music stores that are there if any of them had it. All were able to order it but it would have taken 2-3 weeks to get in. The he went to the main department store to see if by some remote chance they would have it. He said that the guy at the counter looked at him kinda funny when he asked about the Walton's x-mas C.D. and said (and I quote my husband) "Why would we even carry something like THAT, I've never even HEARD of that group ?!?!?" As Todd was walking away (with the guy still laughing), he turned around and there was a display of Christmas C.D.'s that are new releases. Guess what?? There were two copies of the Walton's C.D. and a listing showing that it was the # 1 new xmas C.D. so far this season (South Park was # 2, LeAnn Rimes # 3, can't recall who else was on the list). The sales guy was apologizing up and down as my husband made it a point to have that same guy ring up the purchase!! Of course I asked him why he didn't buy both copies so that I could keep one unopened for my collection but he said he was so glad to finally find it that he just grabbed one, oh well. (By the way, for those of you who live in the PA area, the store was Boscov's Department Store, they are based in Reading, PA but have stores throught PA, NJ, and DE - if you are still looking for a copy, try calling to see if they have it.) Wouldn't it have been great if they would have released a corresponding video titled "The Making of ..." so that we could have seen what it was like behind the scenes while making the C.D.??? Now onto the latest discussion of the two John-Boy's. Of course, no one can top Richard Thomas but I think the thing that always bothered me about the other John-Boy was that he always seemed to have his mind elsewhere. While the first John-Boy always seemed to be a leader (being the oldest, he'd have to be!), the second John-Boy seemed more of a follower, always staying in the background, he was just sort of "there". I also thought that he had a "large pair of shoes to fill" and that the writers "never quite let him step into them". It's almost as though they figured that "some" John-Boy was better than "no" John-Boy. He didn't seem to have any real direction in life after being released from the hospital. (It makes me think of "The Thanksgiving Story". John-Boy had just had major head surgery and STILL managed to take the college entrance exams, so why would he just sit around with his nose in a book after being released from the veteran's hospital?) That's just it, he wouldn't. Which is what makes me think the writers brought back a "token" John-Boy just to avoid having to either kill him off or explain why one of the major characters just "disappeared". (Not that they EVER explain where some of the characters disappear to, I envision a great big void such as the Bermuda Triangle of The Black Hole where all of the missing Walton's are just swirling around waiting to be found!!) Anyway, those are just a few of my thoughts. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to you Karen for putting this digest together every week so that we can share our thoughts and information on the greatest show (in my opinion) ever !!! How you manage to do it every week with your life being just as busy as the rest of ours, is way beyond me but I thank god every Monday morning when I get to work and print-out the digest to read with my first cup of coffee that you are there and still going strong!! I think that at this time of the year, everyone who receives the digest should make it a point to let Karen know just how much you appreciate her and her digest. With over 400 members, maybe we could ring in the new year with a SUPER-SIZED digest with everyone just telling a little about themselves so that we could see how really diverse of a group we are!! (especially the younger ones, very interesting to see their side of things since they did not "grow up with the show".) Hope everyone has the best holiday season and Happy New Year to ALL!! Sharon As for the discussion question of the 2 John Boy's. I favor Richard Thomas as John Boy. I love his syle of acting. He puts so much expression into. But, Robert Wightman is much better for the role when John Boy was in the service because he was more serious, strict which was needed when you play a role of a service man. But I will always favor Richard Thomas. For me the Waltons would not be The Waltons without Richard Thomas and I am so glad that for the reunion shows that they do bring Richard back as John Boy. Merry Christmas! Lisa/Mi Here is what Robert Wightman has been up to: Robert Wightman Actor filmography
Art Director filmography
Notable TV guest appearances
Merry Christmas! Lisa/Mi KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for this update on Robert Wightman Lisa. I don't think I've seen him in anything other than The Waltons. What an interesting bunch of comments. I loved Richard Thomas as John Boy and adored that he was so sensitive, literate and obviously loved learning. I also loved that he was passionate about what he believed in. He was a real country boy too, and a wonderful big brother to his siblings, although he was bossy at times too. Several of you mentioned the maturity that Robert Wightman brought to the role too, but I think both Donald and Sharon were spot on when they mentioned that in replacing Richard Thomas, the character of John Boy seemed to pale a bit. He was a character that was necessary to keep, but the storylines were not strong storylines in my opinion, for most part anyway, and the major storylines were being taken by Jason, Mary Ellen, Ben and Erin by that time. Was it a seniority thing? In fact I really can't remember too many storylines featuring him once he took over the role. I did like Robert Wightman though. He certainly never seemed out of place like some replacements do. There's a small article on him at the TNN website, and this prompted my posing the question. Go to the site, then do a search for Waltons, or Robert Wightman and it should come up. Now Sharon mentioned the possibility of a super dooper edition of the Digest with people introducing themselves to each other. We haven't done that for a while so if you want to start sending intros then I'll add them as we go through January. Great idea.
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