* Standard Network Programming: Most television shows in the 1970s and 1980s, including *Little House on the Prairie*, aired in a standard 60-minute format. This allowed for a specific amount of advertising time and followed the established television programming structure of the time.
* Special Episodes: *Little House* did have some special episodes that ran longer than the usual hour. These were often:
* Season Premieres: These would sometimes be extended to introduce new storylines or set the stage for the season.
* Season Finales: Similarly, finales would often be longer to provide a more satisfying conclusion to the season's arcs.
* Special Events: The show sometimes aired holiday specials or episodes focused on significant historical events that warranted a longer runtime.
* Syndication: When *Little House on the Prairie* entered syndication, it was common practice to edit together episodes to create 90-minute blocks for television stations. This wasn't necessarily the original format of the show, but rather a strategy for syndication.
So, while *Little House on the Prairie* did occasionally feature longer episodes, it was not a regular occurrence. The show primarily aired in the standard 60-minute format throughout its run.