TELEVISION
Netflix adapts a ’70s classic in ‘Little House,’ Harlan Coben
George M. ThomasAkron Beacon Journal
July 13, 2026, 6:04 a.m. ET
There are times when remaking classic series or movies appear to be little more than a money grab or those who take on such projects lack some semblance of creativity
While that may be the case in many respects, it’s not so with the Netflix adaptation of the ‘70s-era classic “Little House on the Prairie,” a series that’s remembered with fondness by people of a certain age (For the record, I am people of a certain age). The original was on my radar, but I don’t necessarily remember it with any affection
With Rebecca Sonnenshine’s remake, I don’t know if that will change, but it’s far more enjoyable in three episodes of viewing than I suspected
The original was of its time and on network television – NBC – 50 years ago. The story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (portrayed by Alice Halsey), her parents Charles (Luke Bracey) and Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald) and older sister Mary (Skywalker Hughes), was largely sanitized and concentrated – mostly – on the feel-good aspects of Wilders’ biography with a heaping dose of familial morality thrown in
Some accuse the new version of being “woke,” a typical criticism in this era of backlash directed at anything diverse. Sonnenshine instead prefers to broker in historical accuracy, choosing not to ignore the indigenous people and African Americans who were out on the prairie of that time. How dare she not erase other groups from the pages of history
Additionally, there is an element of danger that runs through the series and that is a welcome dose of reality as the Ingalls must survive in an America that was still largely untamed when they settled near Independence, Kansas in the late 1800s
From wolves to potentially unsavory, opportunistic men who would covet girls in an isolated region, it proves compelling at points and while there is an element of peril that runs through it, “Prairie” possesses something that TV legend Michael Landon’s adaptation overflowed with – hope
Streaming: All episodes currently on Netflix
Looking for the MLB T-Mobile Home Run Derby? Check Netflix
For those baseball fans expecting to find the annual All-Star festivities home run derby on a sports channel, ummm…nope. That event will stream on Netflix for the first time ever Monday night (July 13) at 7
Yes, it’s controversial, given that Netflix isn’t exactly known for sports, but leagues will do what leagues do, maximize profit even at the expense of overall fan enjoyment. This is usually a marquee summer time event
Here is a list of participants:
- Kyle Schwarber – Philadelphia Phillies, DH, 32 HRs
- Ben Rice – New York Yankees, 1B, 28 HRs
- Junior Caminero – Tampa Bay Rays, 3B, 27 HRs
- Jordan Walker – St. Louis Cardinals, OF, 22 HRs
- Bryce Harper – Philadelphia Phillies, 1B, 20 HRs
- Willson Contreras – Boston Red Sox, 1B, 20 HRs
- Munetaka Murakami – Chicago White Sox, 1B, 20 HRs
- Jac Caglianone – Kansas City Royals, OF, 14 HRs
The streamer gets another premier event next month with the MLB at Field of Dreams Game on Aug. 13
So, does Harlan Coben own Netflix or what?
At this point, it’s clear that Harlan Coben is Netflix’s go-to literary collaborator. Yet another of his books, “I Will Find You,” has made it to the streamer – its 13th adaptation – recently and while being more than a bit far-fetched, it proves to be thoroughly entertaining as it tells the story of David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), a man wrongly convicted of killing his son and sent to prison for life, losing everyone and everything he knew. That’s until his former sister-in-law shows up offering possible proof that his son is still alive, prompting him to find a way to break out of prison to find him.
Call it “The Fugitive” circa 2026 in the Northeast as a manhunt with the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force (led by Chi McBride, Logan Browning), work to track him down, gradually learning the lurid details behind his incarceration
It’s a general thrill ride and Worthington proves up to the task and it’s certainly good to see McBride (“Boston Public”) on the screen again
Streaming: All episodes currently on Netflix
The Marvel geeks will revel in the second season of ‘X-Men ’97’
Time travel! X-Force! X-Factor! And, yes, time travel!
“X-Men ’97’ returns on Disney+ with a plot line sure to satisfy fans of the original early 1990s animated television show that aired on Fox Kids Saturday Morning
This time around, with the X-Men scattered throughout time, two teams, one working in the future, the other working in the past have to correct their timeline and stop the rise of the Marvel Universe’s ultimate baddie, Apocalypse. The animation is purposely retro, satisfying pangs of nostalgia while telling a fantastical, engrossing story. It’s a definite pleasure, guilty or otherwise
Streaming: Disney+ with four episodes available and subsequent installments dropping Wednesdays
‘Love Island USA’ finds its way to the top of the charts
For fans of reality TV, one of the genres most popular shows, “Love Island USA,” had leaped to the top of the overall charts. It leads the week in what could be called tepid streaming viewing. Here are the top five overall, originals and movies for the week ending June 14
- “Love Island” (Disney+ | Peacock | Paramount+) – 1.832 billion minutes
- “Bluey” (Disney+) – 958 million
- “Grey’s Anatomy” (Hulu | Netflix) – 882 million
- “The Big Bang Theory” (HBO Max) – 867 million
- “Sweet Magnolias” (Netflix) – 806 million
Original
- “Love Island” (Disney+ | Peacock | Paramount+) – 1.832 billion minutes
- “Bluey” (Disney+) – 958 million
- “Dutton Ranch” (Paramount+) – 746 million
- “Teach You a Lesson” (Netflix) – 611 million
- “The Four Seasons” (Netflix) – 455 million
Movies
- “Maternal Instinct” (Netflix) – 665 million
- “Hoppers” (Disney+) – 663 million
- “Office Romance” (Netflix) – 545 million
- “Fast Charlie” (Hulu | Netflix) – 321 million
- “Colors of Evil: Black” (Netflix) – 234 million
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal
