Little House On The Prairie Jason Bateman

Okay, bear with me. I know what you're thinking. Little House on the Prairie and Jason Bateman? What could these two possibly have in common? More than you might think, actually!

It's not that Jason Bateman played Almanzo Wilder (though, can you imagine?). Instead, we’re talking about his *other* career. The one that started way, way back, before *Arrested Development* and witty banter.

The Oleson's Mercantile and a Teenage Director

Did you know that Jason Bateman, yes *that* Jason Bateman, directed *three* episodes of Little House on the Prairie? He wasn’t exactly roughing it on Walnut Grove. He was calling the shots!

Think about it: the year is 1981. You’re 12 or 13 years old. Most kids are worried about dodging dodgeballs. But not Jason Bateman. He's on the set of one of the most beloved shows on television, yelling, “Action!” and telling Laura Ingalls what to do.

Seriously, can you picture him directing Nellie Oleson? The sass! The drama! I bet he handled it like a pro, even back then.

From Ricky Schroder to Michael Landon

Before stepping behind the camera on *Little House*, Bateman was already making a name for himself in Hollywood. He rose to fame as a teen heartthrob on *Silver Spoons*.

Maybe this is where he learned the ropes? Perhaps Michael Landon, the show's star, writer, and director, took him under his wing. Imagine the mentorship! "Jason, it's all about the heart, the land, and knowing when to use a good violin swell."

We could almost see him taking direction from Michael Landon. It’s easy to assume he learned something valuable from a master of television drama!

A Glimpse into the Future

Directing those episodes of Little House wasn't just a childhood lark. It was a stepping stone. He would take those lessons and use them in the future.

Fast forward years later, and Bateman is an acclaimed director, helming episodes of *Ozark* and the film *Bad Words*. From Walnut Grove to dark crime dramas and comedies. It’s quite the journey!

Maybe the secret ingredient to his success? A childhood spent on the prairie, learning about storytelling and character development in the most wholesome of environments.

"Directing Little House was like a masterclass in Americana," - Jason Bateman probably didn't say, but *should* have.

The Unlikely Connection

So, the next time you're watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie, remember that Jason Bateman was there. He shaped its world, even in a small way. He was a young boy with a dream to create stories!

It's a fun, quirky fact that adds another layer to both the show and Bateman's career. A little bit of Hollywood history that's both surprising and heartwarming.

Who knew that the man who played Michael Bluth once called the shots in Walnut Grove? It’s a reminder that everyone starts somewhere, and sometimes, that somewhere is a little, well, prairielike!