I adore Richard - working with him and having him in my life all these years. Of course he's gone on to do so much other work since The Waltons. What else have you enjoyed him in?
The Waltons, for me, is a warm safe place. During these dark times, the Waltons is my daily escape. I am home bound due to my health. Every day, for a few hours, I feel the feelings of coming home. Richard Thomas is an example of the sheer level of talent that came from the show. The chemistry between all of the actors was magic. 💕
I wish we had a dictionary with the kind respectful phrases these writers used to show compassion, understanding, comfort and acknowledging life’s issues in such a truthful honest ways!! So many childhoods are filled with everything just the opposite of that and it breaks my heart to see such broken families which is why the Walton’s are so rare and cherished!!
I miss John Ritter. He seemed so genuine and kind. His smile as was Richards is just contagious. Your smile is lovely as well. I have 9 people in my family ( 7 siblings and my parents ) so the Walton's felt very familiar to me. The fights, arguments, dinner etc it was the best show of my childhood. Thank you!
I can't put into words the impact this wonderful series had on my life....I just fell in love as a child with this family.....all of you were so genuine and real and you could really see the love you had for each other.....I thank you so much for this "behind the scenes" look at something that literally changed lives....God bless you Judy.
OMG Judy, You brought this almost 63 year old guy to tears. Thank YOU and all the cast members for welcoming us into your home on Waltons Mt. and for all these wonderful videos you are doing !
Hi Judy.. at the end of the video, you're thanking us.. well trust me when I say, we thank YOU for these absolutely marvelous insights of life behind the scenes of The Waltons.. brings us all closer together as one big family!
Julie I just want to thank you for what you're doing The waltons got me through a very difficult route to it and I still watch them today and have most of the DVDs thank you very much for bringing
Judy, I am 63 years old. In 1972 I was spending the night at my grandparents house, my grandpa had been diagnosed with cancer, he turned on the TV to watch the Waltons. He asked me if a had ever watched it, I said no. Grandpa said watch it with me, the old man makes me laugh. Because of my grandpa I became a life long Waltons fan. Everytime I watch the Waltons I am once again that young boy spending an evening with my grandpa. Good Night Grandpa Covey, I love you.
Growing up as an only child, your family made me less lonely for just an hour a day. Every day at lunchtime, my mom would turn the tv on for me to watch The Waltons while I ate my PB&J on a TV tray over my lap on the floor. John Boy was my first ever crush, and he was the big brother I always wanted. I truly loved him so much, and honestly still do. I would give anything to meet him and get a hug from him. All of you meant the world to me, but he was special. I don’t know if a good way to write to him, I wish I did.
That’s so sweet. Richard is very kind and generous. If his theatre tour comes to your town you should go see it and then wait at the stage door to say hello. The tour is To Kill A Mockingbird
I Have : The Waltons Movie Collection (A Wedding on Walton's Mountain / Mother's Day / A Day for Thanks / A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion / Wedding / Easter). Bought it on Amazon, it's a three disc collection.
I know the Waltons is a TV show but to me it is real. I have no brothers and sisters, raised by a widowed mother. I believe every episode. I relax for an hour and become part of a family I never had. Just love them. Thank you Judy for this opportunity to hear all about the show, the people, and the crew.
THANK YOU!! For taking time out of your busy schedule to share your sweet memories of The Waltons! Much appreciative!! ☺ God bless you and your family!! ☺
Dear Judy, I watch the Waltons from age 7 and I will be 55 this year . I loved watching the Waltons and I love each and every one of the cast as well .
Richard Thomas was my role model to become a writer. I saw the obstacles he had to overcome and it kept me going. And my stories are based on my life and that of my family. Mom was a Holocaust Survivor, my brothers had Muscular Dystrophy. So my thanks to Richard Thomas for helping me reach for the stars.
I am one of the biggest walton fan and without Richard Thomas playing john boy the show wouldn't be the same. Cant tell you how much joy this show has brought me. I watch waltons episodes everyday before I go to bed. Thank you for making these videos
Thank you Judy, My husband and I watch the series every single day, and when its finished, we watch it again and again....Grew up with all of you and makes us both feel so wonderful after we watch it, wholesome TV with wonderful people....
Good morning, Judy! I don't know if you know this, but there's a short clip of Will Geer and Richard Thomas mooning on RU-vid, and that's all I'm gonna say about that :-) I was sad to see that John-Boy was played by another actor near the end of the series, no one else could carry it like Richard did!
Exactly the producers took a gamble replacing John Boy with another actor..I wonder if the other actors found it a bit strange working with a different John Boy as they were used to working with Richard Thomas??
Jeff, can you imagine how hard it was for the actor stepping into that role after Richard Thomas? I would not want to be that guy, so you have to give him credit for taking such a big risk. In acting, without risk there is no reward, eh?
I loved watching the Waltons whilst growing up here in England in the 1970s and I have to confess that I had a big crush on Mary-Ellen! 😌 I’m starting to re-watch them now some 50 years later and I think the wholesome homespun wisdom of the Waltons is even more needed and relevant today. Thank you for sharing your memories of the show. 😊
Judy, I have to tell you I watched The Walton’s as a child and loved the show. I am now 54 and I have been rewatching EVERY day since the pandemic began in March. I keep it on from 12-5 Mon-Fri. It plays on MeTv, Hallmark Channel and Cozi Tv. I needed an escape from the terrible news and your show takes me away. I feel like I am watching old family movies, not a scripted tv show. I work while it is on but I have to be honest, I watch you guys more than work 😏. I cry, I laugh and I envy you for being a part of such a magnificent tv show. Every character was played so well and I love them all. Thanks for doing this channel. Would love to see more! You look wonderful.
I loved watching the Waltons , I"m 60 years old , I was a teen ager when the Waltons was on , I didn't miss a episode !! A sort of a crush on Richard too, God bless ! 🌼🌼
Hi Judy, Can you go behind the scenes of the Best Christmas 🎄? With all that is going on in the world today. It's a comfort to put in a Walton DVD. And try to forget things for awhile. Our lives are turned upside down 🙃 But soon we'll be upside right 🙂 Hang in there Stay safe 😷 Take care 🙂 Keep positive 🙏 We'll get through this together Enjoy your videos 👍😃 Do you keep in touch with the cast ?
I got the whole family watching now. Who knew you’d be just as loved all these decades later as then, if not more so. The Walton’s are just what we needed.
I think I speak for all of us when I say we are grateful for you and your on-screen family. The Waltons has brought so much joy to my family over the years. I loved the dynamic between Mary Ellen and John Boy’s characters. Judy, I so identified with you as a young girl. There weren’t a lot of smart, down to earth, pretty girls on the tube at that time. Fell in love with The Waltons after the first airing of The Homecoming. Thank you.
I remember growing up while watching The Waltons, I became a huge fan of Richard Thomas and John-Boy.I remember wanting to be like John-Boy and write story about my life. Anytime I see Richard in a movie or a show I would enjoy watching them, my favorite movie he did was when he played Hank Williams Jr. As for favorite John-Boy episode it's 'The Thanksgiving Story'.🙂
I really was liking Richard too. I really really liked how you all seem so close and how it did for me in alot of ways. I got married in 1973 at 19 and would sit and your shows and still do
Richard Thomas was a natural In the homecoming he was amazing. He made all of us believe his talent of writing was bottled up inside. He was a true believable son and brother
John Boy reminded me of my older brother, John, who also wanted to be a writer! Unfortunately my brother suffered from depression and is no longer with us... Thanks to Richard for his wonderful portrayal of John Boy!
I always thought he was dreamy, and still is, he aged well as you have Judy. I love this channel, it's fun to know all these behind-the-scenes stories. I have my subscription alert on I never want to miss a new post, I look forward to them, they make me happy, thank you. Please let the rest of the cast know when you see/talk to them we love them just the same today if not more than we did in the 70's.
The Waltons was a Thursday night tradition at our house. My mother would pop popcorn (the only night we were allowed to have it) and we watched it as a family. So much about how the Waltons grew up was reminiscent of my parents. I still love watching the shows and feel such a strong connection with the show and the cast. We all wanted Michael Learned and Ralph Waite to be our parents! :) Thank you for doing these videos!
I use to watch the Waltons with my Mother she and I always watched them together I was around 14 . And now I am watching season 5 I have all seasons and I watch them. I just they had something that decent of a Television programming now days. Keep up the good work Judy.
two of the episodes that affected me the most in the Walton’s series featured Richard Thomas: the one about the Hindenburg disaster, and the one with a Book-burning. Both just marvelous- and what depth of sn actor to pull those off.
Of course we all loved John boy, what a guy. He was a very handsome guy. The stories seemed like he was more than a big brother to you all. I remember when he had his children. WOW!!!!
Another great episode Judy thanks you're a doll. Most appreciated. Watch the show now for the umpteenth time every day here in San Francisco at noon. Stay safe and healthy.
Thank you for bringing happiness and joy to us as children..sometimes all it took was a episode to realize that our lives werent as bad as we thought..and all of you were like sisters and brothers..
I absolutely LOVED John Boy and l have loved everything l have seen Richard Thomas in. I especially loved hint Barefoot in the Park . He played that better than anyone l had seen before. I think l still have a crush on him to this day. 💗💙💗
Judy ...Such a big part of my life you guys were...I grew up with you..my gosh! I dreamed of being on Waltons mountain! The lessons I learned about life...how to approach my 2 boys...What a special time it was ! very much enjoy your youtube arrival with your insight thank you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge of The Waltons here. I love your show and have watched it ever since The Homecoming. My favorite television show of all time!
I can't believe you grew out of your crush on Richard Thomas. I swear he was the most beautiful man on the planet at that time, neck and neck with John Denver, who I loved equally much. I was about your age and had moved from the suburbs to the country, complete with horses and farmland and sled dogs and an old apple orchard and fields and fields and overgrown fields to roam in, and explore old settlers' cabins in, or their foundations, and the neighbors' pigs to chase when they got away, and the neighbors' huskies to chase on Christmas Eve, when they got away... and my own to chase, when THEY got away. The 70's were an idyllic time when girls were told they could be anything they wanted, when jobs were available for young people, and everybody had a guitar and faded jeans, and probably, their own cars. The Waltons defined that era for me as much as John Denver's music, as much as being on the trail with my dog team, after school, as much as playing my guitar late into the night, with my parents listening in the next room. I longed to see mountains, and oceans, and the mysterious northern territories. These days my career is interrupted by illness (Lyme Disease, picked up on a walk througn the woods) and I feel like the world has joined me at home, during this pandemic. We don't get much tv reception here in the woods but one channel does bring in a spotty re-run of The Waltons and I am now seeing episodes I missed when I went off to college... and I have drawn much comfort from the earlier seasons, as this is the first time I am seeing these characters and stories since the 1970's when they made me who I am today. I am really glad you thought to do these video recollections, thank you for reaching out to the rest of us this way, Judy!
I don’t know why we didn’t watch The Waltons on its first run, but I have recently begun watching the reruns, in order. I watch one episode each night. I just discovered your u-tube posts and they have made the show that much more enjoyable. You have a very charming way of speaking on these videos, and it adds a lot to my enjoyment of “The Waltons”. Thank you and I hope you will continue.
You brought "memory" tears to my already, sadden eyes to nostalgic 1976....I will faithfully embrace, forever! Thank you so much. How is he doing? Please tell him I would like to have coffee with him and talk film, if ever in Cincinnati. Thank you!
Discovered these videos today and I am addicted! Thank you. I do not think that John Boy should have been replaced with another actor. Glad that Richard came back for specials.
When I was in my late teens I used to work with one of John Ritters friends that grew up with him..His name was Tom, but I don't recall his last name. It was so funny because he had the same since of humor as John did and he was very kind also.. That was in the early 80s.
You talked about having a teenage crush on Richard....well I had a teenage crush on you and im now 66 and i think you look as great as you did then ! Thanks for sharing all these inside experiences with us all !
The best series on TV. I loved The Waltons and still watch the reruns on the Hallmark channel. The Waltons was the most caring, heart warming and loving TV series ever. The cast couldn't have been better. Thank You.
It’s been some time since you filmed this but I just wanted to share some of my personal perspectives from watching the Waltons. I was a young teen when it first aired. I first was drawn to John Boy because of his aspirations to write. I’ve always longed to write and thus far, aside from a few poems and school newspaper articles nothing has manifested. I still believe it will. Second was when Mary Ellen wanted to become a nurse. That was my goal also. At that time of my life I greatly related to those two roles on the show. Now in 2022 as I watch what I can find, I still have the remembrance of how I felt originally but now that I’m in the Grandma stage of life, I fully appreciate every character and what the show was all about. Thank you all for your part in such a great series that helped in my teenage development, and now for the appreciation I have to still be able to watch the shows.
The Waltons was a show like no other. I grew up watching and it’s unfortunate that you don’t see shows on television today that can compare. I remember one Christmas I had wanted the Waltons dollhouse but instead I received the general store. I was a little disappointed but I later found out the house had sold out. I did however get the John boy and Mary Ellen dolls I wanted so I was happy. Love your videos. 😊
Thank you "Mary Ellen" You were so convincing you all were. There is this place a marvelous feeling is there, it is something illusive. In that if you try to capture it, it vanishes. It is that feeling that comes when you are not projecting out. Where you are - is all anyone one could ever want. There is this sadness because we know that everything ends. I think love is the only way to transcend the sadness. This was a great idea Judy Norton, thank you so much for these insights and fond memories.
They were very funny...and sweet, like two wonderful maiden aunts...my fave I guess would be "The Statue" which is also notable for the "feud" between grandpa and grandma!
I just loved watching Richard Thomas on the Walton's. His actor was so caring to each and everyone of his siblings. He always tried to be a help to everyone. I still watch the show. It is a feel good show and comforting. Especially with everything going on in this world.
The Walton's was truly an amazing production of family & the values that holds it together! Richard Thomas is a very talented actor! He truly captured the character of John Boy! I loved the relationship between both of you! No matter what he always had your back as his little sister!🤗❤
I never missed an episode of the Walton's. Two more generation's of my family son and grandaughter now love this show. At a time when our nation has so much hate and discontent it is refreshing to have wholesome shows to turn to. Thank you, Judy
This is Karen from Indianapolis. Just saw Richard in To Kill a mockingbird in Indianapolis last night. It was wonderful!! So glad I got to see him. The play was so well done. A great cast.
Thank you so much Miss Judy for sharing with us your experiences from the Waltons and about Richard Thomas. I have loved the Waltons for years and love hearing these wonderful stories....❤️ I always loved the holiday shows especially the Thanksgiving ones when John Boy had his surgery and the one about the bear!
Just recently started tuning in to the Waltons on Hallmark channel. What a great show, all the way through. I know when it originally aired I tuned in the first few seasons. What I am impressed by is how strong the show was through it's entire run. Well done, thanks for doing these behind the scenes. Truly great acting by everyone, as a viewer definitely believe the love that must have been there for everyone. Take care....
I just now found you here. How wonderful. You took me back all those years. I had a bad crush on Richard also. How cute he was. So, I still have to watch the original Christmas show every year at Christmas time. You all had such well developed characters, with multi faceted traits, and you seemed so real. You all brought us through a time when we needed a little nostalgia in our lives, even if most of us were too young to remember the times the show took place in. Thanks so much and I will keep looking at your posts now that I know you are here. Best to you.
Thank you, great show. It's on ME TV Mon-fri, and just a wonderful show Richard was fantastic Not to mention a certain performance in the IT movie(1990s for those not old enough)
I've just recently found your channel and have to say that I have enjoyed all that I've viewed so far. I appreciated the show's depiction of a family so different from my disfunctional one-lol. Truly a blessing to watch. My husband and I watch reruns and enjoy them all. Thank you for sharing! ❤️
“Too schmaltzy,” I said, a cynical teen, for whom happy endings, seemed contrived. But still, I watched. Beginning, to end. Beguiled by Earl Hammer’s warmly, elegant prose, delivered with Richard’s beautiful voice. The influence, was profound. I now live in the country. A simple life, rich in ways impossible, to quantify. And walking the country lane, to my house, at dusk, I often narrate my walk, in Hamner fashion, and imagine John Boy, sitting in the upstairs window.
Judy, I am so glad you said that we have become part of your extended family. Because I certainly feel that way about you (all). I grew up watching the show. I am Kami's age. And I lived it. Continued to watch via DVD or marathons on networks etc. But becoming "friends" with you, Kami, Eric, Mary and these videos makes you seem even more like those well loved but seldom seen relations. I cant thank you enough for that gift!
