RICK OKIE -“FROM THE NETWORK TO THE WRITER’S ROOM"

Meet Rick Okie, officially the coolest person we know! RICK has been a successful writer, director, producer, showrunner, and executive in the television industry for over 40 years.

Most recently Supervising Producer on the CBS mystery series "Elementary", he has worked in nearly every genre for the major broadcast networks, cable channels, syndication, and streaming outlets. REFLECTING BACK, Rick worked as Director of Current Programs at CBS and NBC (that’s HIS Little House connection) before turning his attention to writing and directing. He was headquartered at Universal for several seasons, winning nominations for both the Emmy (for "Quantum Leap") and Edgar (for "Simon & Simon") awards while running existing series and also creating his own, "Major Dad", for CBS.

In addition, through his own production company (and with his friend, Dean – yes our Dean) he continues the ongoing production of documentaries. He TOUCHED HEARTS writing, directing, and EXECUTIVE producing the globe-spanning back-to-the-battlefields series "Goin’ Back" for The Discovery Networks WHILE CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCING the LAURA INGALLS WILDER INSPIRED musical special , “PA’S FIDDLE: THE MUSIC OF AMERICA" FOR PBS.

Rick talks to us about his IMMERSION INTO THE Little House FAMILY, (and eventually WRITING FOR "Highway to Heaven"); how he was the "Michael Landon Whisperer", and describes how Michael CONJOURED up the deepest part of his emotional past to crack Little House storylineS. RICK SHARES endlessly fascinating tales of how Little House worked--from the writers' room, to the Network, to the behind-the-scenes happenings on and off set. Rick tells us HIS PATH INTO THE business, and how Michael Landon and Little House impacted his ON-GOING career.

For our Patreon peeps, find out how Little House: A New Beginning was created, as well as more insider stuff about the infamous "SYLVIA" episodes.

For more info go to:
PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/LittleHousePodcast
www.LittleHouse50Podcast.com to connect with our hosts and link to their websites.*The merch shop is under renovation - we will keep you posted on the status!*
www.LivinOnaPrairieTV.com Check out this Award Winning Series created by Pamela Bob, with special guest stars Alison Arngrim and Charlotte Stewart.
Little House 50th Anniversary Bus Tours - www.SimiValleyChamber.org select Little House 50th Anniversary and then Bus Tickets
Facebook/Instagram/TikTok:Dean Butler @officialdeanbutler
Alison Arngrim @alisonarngrim
Pamela Bob @thepamelabob, @prairietv

LITTLE HOUSE EVENTS
August 16th-17th Tombstone, AZ
Book Signing
Address: 530 East Allen St. Tombstone AZ 85638RSVP at Eventbrite: Tombstone Book Signing Event - Dean Butler & Special Guests

August 30th-Sept. 1st Watertown, CT
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-house-50th-cast-reunion-ct-tickets-753166881417
Address: Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT 06103

September 3rd-4th 2024, Lancaster, PA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/792807006097?aff=oddtdtcreator
Farm & Home Center
Address: 1383 Arcadia Road Lancaster, PA 17601

September 14th-15th Lyles, TN
Johnny Cash’s Hideaway Farm
Address: 9347 Old Highway 46 Lyle, TN 37025
Sept 27-29, 2024 SDCarrie DaysKeystone Community Center

September 27th-29th Mansfield, MO
Wilder Days
Address: 100 E Parksquare
Mansfield, MO 65704
United States

October 4th & 5th - Tulsa, OK

October 18th & 19th - Almanzo Wilder Homestead

November 16th & 17th - Branson, MO
Branson Convention Center
200 South Sycamore Street Branson, MO 65616

December 6th-8th : Corsicana, TX
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/923124278567?aff=oddtdtcreator

CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH-ALISON'S ONE-WOMAN SHOW
August 1 at 7pm
Oasis (298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Tickets at www.sfoasis.com
**WITH A SURPRISE SPECIAL GUEST**

ADDITIONAL SIGNINGSAlison and Melissa Gilbert will be appearing at:
FAN X in Salt Lake City, Sept 26 - 28
https://fanxsaltlake.com/
FACEBOOK LIVE with PAMELA and DEAN
https://fb.watch/sXZvDxawWr/



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/little-house-on-the-prairie-50th-anniversary-podcast--6055242/support.