Ponderosa

This movie brought back our beloved Cartwrights. It brought anticipation and excitement for what the future would hold for Ben Cartwright as he brought up his three sons and attempted to build what we all knew would eventually become the famous Ponderosa. The characters had many qualities the older Cartwrights had, and I felt by watching this younger version of each (Ben, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe) we could watch them as they learned the ways of the west and see them as they struggled to survive and become the family we knew. The actors were well chosen for the parts. Diehard Bonanza fans, such as myself, knew Hoss immediately as protrayed by Drew. There was just no question that it was perfect casting. Little Joe (Jared) was a puzzle in the beginning but as he watched his mother die, the beginnings of the rebellious side of his character (which we all expect) appeared and Jared carried the part well. Pa was strict, yet loving, and Daniel was excellent. I had never seen him in previous roles yet I knew of him and some of the parts he had played and was a little concerned he wouldn't be right to play Ben Cartwright. But watching him as Pa interacted with his sons, I knew he was perfect. The mystery was who would portray Adam - my favorite Bonanza character. Matt totally exceeded my expectations for Adam. He portrays a sensitive, thoughtful, exciting, quick to anger when necessary Adam and those are all of the traits I expect to see in the eldest son. I'm sure as he delves further into the character and the history of Adam's life is brought out in later episodes, people are going to see what type of versatile actor he appears to be.

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.

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'.

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.

My children often joke I stopped watching televison when the Waltons went off the air. Not quite but have turned my televison off for the past five years. Finally a show a family can enjoy together then its pulled. I really hope the Ponderosa is returned to the airs! The cast was warm and real which is hard to find. Thanks