- Text
"The Waltons" reunited on the "Today" show
(Left to right) "Today" show co-host Matt Lauer talks with the cast of "The Waltons", Michael Learned, Kami Cotler, Richard Thomas, Jon Walmsley, Judy Norton, David Harper, Mary McDonough and Eric Scott on the "Today" show.
(Credit: Peter Kramer/NBC )(CBS) Eight members from the cast of CBS' family drama "The Waltons," which aired from 1972-1981, were reunited on the "Today" show this morning.
Kami Cotler (who played Elizabeth), Jon Walmsley (Jason), David Harper (Jim Bob), Eric Scott (Ben), Michael Learned (Olivia, aka "Ma"), Richard Thomas (John-Boy), Judy Norton (Mary Ellen), Mary Elizabeth McDonough (Erin) all fielded questions from "Today" show co-host Matt Lauer.
"The Waltons" was centered on a family growing up in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. Some of the show's critics complained that the show cast a squeaky-clean sheen on going up during the Depression.
Lauer asked that cast about those who say the show was too sweet. "That annoys me," said Learned, according to Entertainment Weekly. "In the beginning it was not [too sugary]. Toward the end it got a little...fell in love with itself. But toward the beginning we were dealing with book burning in Germany, we were dealing with the Dust Bowl cousins, ...segregation, ....some real issues, as well as the warmth of the family."
The series ran for over 220 episodes and there were seven TV movies. Lauer applauded the cast for handling their celebrity at such a young age - not being in trouble with the law or publishing tell-all memoirs, according to MSNBC.
Cotler noted that times were different then.
"It was a very different time to be famous," Cotler said. "When 'Walton' fans meet you, they feel like you're family...people just want to give you a hug."
- Adele flips off producers at Brit Awards
- Jennifer Aniston talks "Wanderlust" nudity, Theroux
- "Biggest Loser" contestants threaten to quit?
- Monaco prince hurt in NY bar fight
- Leslie Carter dead at 25
- Chris Brown, Rihanna collaborate on 2 new remixes
- Taylor Swift and Zac Efron sing a duet on "Ellen"
- Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Harmon reunite on "NCIS"
- Alicia Keys sings at Whitney Houston's funeral
- Judi Dench: I'm not going blind
- Colbert back on TV, honors sick mom
- Elizabeth Smart marries Matthew Gilmour in Hawaii
- Zsa Zsa at 95: Husband releases birthday photos
- Duchess Kate reveals new puppy's name
- Bethenny Frankel: I had a miscarriage
- Mariska Hargitay, Hilary Swank revel in Mardi Gras
- "Amazing Race" TV producer found dead in Africa
- Allianz net sags to euro492 million ($650.92 million)
- Fitness program for mentally ill expands in NH
- Newark mayor seeks probe of NYPD Muslim spying
- Feds crack down on rhino horn smuggling ring
on Facebook
- Six decades of Oscar fashion
- Christie: Buffett should "write a check and shut up"
- "Biggest Loser" contestants reportedly threaten to quit
on CBS News
