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.
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
