Ponderosa

I am very glad to see a show that I have loved from the beginning get a fresh start. Bringing the show back in an earlier time gives it a chance to show the way the characters became the most loved family in TV history. I never missed the first and I never missed an episode of the new Ponderosa. The actors playing the parts are hard working and have developed their characters well. I want this show to continue for at least as long 13 1/2 seasons as Bonanza, longer if possible. I miss the westerns, I am a child of the 50's. Thanks for the space. Long live the Ponderosa.

Although it is a remake of the legendary TV classic BONANZA, PONDEROSA more than holds its own showing greater depth and much more realism.

The Cartwright clan is younger in this new version, less rich, less sure about right & wrong -- specially in terms of the taking of the Nevada lands from its previous owners and the aftermath this produces. The Cartwright's and the local townfolk are often confronted with displaced and disgruntled Mexicans.

In line with real life, the Cartwright's and their western settler neighbors own only assorted hunting rifles, not slick 6-shooters at the hip. Whenever an odd gun-slinger gallops in from the badlands, he is wearing a monsterous mid-1800's side-arm and not the compact modern revolvers often seen in cheaper Westerns.

Dan Blocker, Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon -- these are larger than TV-life shoes to fill. An impossible task. Fortunately, the producers of PONDEROSA smartly chose have the characters be younger than in the original BONANZA series. As the settlers explored the new world of the real American West, we see the youthful Cartwright boys explore living on the rugged PONDEROSA ranch as well as learning about life in general.

Ben Cartwright is ever thoughtful as he leads his family without a wife to help (think Steve Douglas of MY THREE SONS). PONDEROSA benefits from above average direction, plot lines, set realism and acting.

An excellent Western. A hidden gem.

I am truly amazed after reading all the postings, on alot of different boards, how one show has brought people together, and helped other people. Look how many friendships have been created. I want to thank the writer's for the love, compassion and understanding the came through in the scripts, and thank the cast for perfectly performing the scenes. It's like dropping a stone in the water and watching the concentric circles continuously touch shore. I can't believe how excited all of us get to hear from Matt and Drew, or hear that another episode of The Ponderosa will air, or find labels that have pictures of the TP on them, or tell each other what Danny did and said in each scene, and how it affected us, the list goes on..... I personally, am a much happier person today, because I watched The Ponderosa....WOW!!! Thanks! Another aspect of 'The Ponderosa Magic', that also amazes me, is how so many people tell me 'why' they watch the show. The Ponderosa came on the TV, just when we NEEDED it. Let me explain. It appeared after the 9-11 tragedy. We needed a show that was kinda like our family...we grew up with them. Who doesn't know the Cartwrights? Everyone wants/needs Ben Cartwright as our father....kind but strong, dependable and understanding, yet doing the 'right thing' for everyone alike. Practicing being 'just', trying to live by the law. Sometimes, there is nothing 'fair' in our lives (like 9-11), but when Danny appeared on the screen, we felt SAFE. We knew that he would make sense of everything, he gave us hope. THANKS DANNY! Also, who wouldn't want MATT or DREW as our brothers..they couldn't have demonstrated any more love than what they did in every show. THANKS MATT & DREW! Yesterday, when I went home for lunch, I turned on the TV to watch the news....IRAQ...WAR...WEAPONS...IT'S NOT FAIR...SCARED...NO MORE KILLING...PLEASE STOP IT.... I needed Danny, Matt and Drew to escape from reality and feel safe again. Maybe it's like acting, the actors escape from reality to play someone else.

WE NEED 'THE PONDEROSA'.

The Ponderosa tv series is a prequel to Bonanza. It tells about the Cartwrights when they first built the ranch in Eagle Station, Nevada near Lake Tahoe. Before they became the Cartwrights we all know.

Families can sit together and watch The Ponderosa together without worrying about what children are learning from it. They will learn about love of family and friends, respect for others and more good lessons. This is a show for the entire family.

More shows like this are desperately needed in today's society.

This is a show that a huge number of people have been trying to save for nearly a year. The values of integrity, honest, compassion, love of family, community spirit, patriotism, love of the land, making mistakes and learning from them are beautifully and movingly portrayed in this majestic return to the Cartwrights and their home, The Ponderosa.

The writing, acting and production have captured what so manny Bonanza fans have loved, the strength and love of a good family building their dream, working together. It is a show that generations can watch together and come away from it feeling that their own values have been fortified. That, yes, other people believe and feel the way you do about family, injustice, honesty and hard work.

I hope others will join in and help save this show.