Melissa Gilbert Denies Jason Bateman Hazing Allegations on Little House Set

Jason Bateman recently revealed on the show Hot Ones that during his time on Little House on the Prairie, he experienced hazing by older cast members who pinned him down and gave him noogies on his chest. To get revenge, Bateman had the makeup artist create fake bruises on his chest and then showed them to the parents of the troublemakers, resulting in them getting in trouble. Melissa Gilbert, who played Bateman's onscreen sister Laura Ingalls Wilder, responded humorously and protectively on social media, vowing to defend him from the bullies. Bateman played James Cooper Ingalls in seasons 7 and 8 of the series, which aired from 1974 to 1983 and was based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's books about her family in 1870s Minnesota. While a reboot of the series was announced by Netflix, the original cast members, including Bateman and Gilbert, are not expected to appear. Bateman has also reflected fondly on his experience working with Michael Landon, the show's star and producer.