Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert shared a 2025 reimagining of the beloved show—and fans declared it was the “only acceptable use of AI.”
On Friday, Sept. 12, the former child star, now 61, took to Instagram with a video of various Little House characters performing everyday tasks after being plopped into the modern-day world.
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The clip began with Laura riding an electric scooter, followed by Ma Caroline Ingalls doing laundry and Pa Charles Ingalls moving the lawn. Next, Mary Ingalls walked outside with a guide dog, and two young boys watched TV. Nellie Oleson worked at McDonald’s as her mother, Harriet Oleson, worked as a cashier at Walmart.
Other characters—while still dressed like they were in the 1800s—drove a car, played with a drone, worked at a computer at an office job and cut down a tree with a chainsaw.
“The true definition of ‘Modern Prairie,'” Gilbert quipped in the caption.
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In the comments, Gilbert’s followers were clearly entertained by seeing how the Little House on the Prairie character might look like in 2025.
“Nellie at McDonald’s. 😂😂😂,” one amused fan commented,” as another pointed out, “Nellie working…as if…okay..she did work eventually…This is cute.❤️.”
A different Instagram user echoed, “Ok there is no way the Oleson’s would be working at McDonalds and Walmart! Funny though! 😂.”
Someone else shared, “This is hilarious (pa mowing the lawn 😂),” as a second wrote, “It’s like a fever dream,” and a third admitted, “I was not ready for this 😂😂.”
Meanwhile, other followers who normally shunned artificial intelligence praised the video.
One exclaimed, “The best AI I’ve ever seen!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣.’
Another echoed, “This is the only acceptable use of AI. ❤️,” as someone else agreed, writing, “Oh, I absolutely LOVE this! If this is what AI was invented for, I am all for it!”
Yet another Instagram user pointed out, “The only ones dressed modern are harriet and nellie. they should have put you all in modern clothes! i don’t like ai but have to admit this was kind of funny.😁.”
Recently, Gilbert turned heads for a different reason when she issued a blunt PSA for women over 60. She also sent a bold message that fans said “should be written on our flag.”
In other Little House on the Prairie news, a Netflix reboot is in the works, and Gilbert weighed in after the new Laura Ingalls Wilder was cast.
Next: Little House on the Prairie’s Melissa Gilbert Sends Bold Political Message After Charlie Kirk’s Death
