‘The Waltons’ Homecoming’: Richard Thomas on Taking Over Earl Hamner’s Narration Duties
Preview
It was December 19, 1971, when The Homecoming: A Christmas Story—about a loving Virginia family anxiously awaiting their patriarch’s return on the eve of the holiday in 1933—aired on CBS. At a time when cops and doctors dominated TV drama and All in the Family was pushing the envelope, the wholesome film was a surprise ratings hit, spawning the heartfelt, all-age-friendly The Waltons (1972–81).
This Homecoming remakes the original with one familiar face in Richard Thomas, who played sensitive eldest son John Boy Walton for more than six years. “I do like the idea of the two shows ‘holding hands’ across 50 years,” Thomas says. After opening the new film as himself, the actor (as John Boy) takes over the narration duties originally performed by series creator Earl Hamner and now expanded. It’s a gratifying development: Thomas admits being disappointed when he learned he wouldn’t be speaking those “beautiful” words 50 years ago. But, he says, “Earl’s voice was inimitable and set the perfect tone.”
The story is virtually identical: John Walton (Ben Lawson), forced to work 90 miles away during the Depression, is overdue coming home on Christmas Eve, so it falls to aspiring writer John Boy (This Is Us’s Logan Shroyer) to reassure the worried family—especially as the weather worsens. “At the heart of the story is a young man trying to learn how to be a man,” Thomas says. Christmas is a time for miracles, though, so we can expect John Sr. to reunite with wife Olivia (Bellamy Young) and his six children (not seven—the Ben character was excluded in lieu of more story for the other kids).
The message couldn’t be more perfect right now. Just as The Waltons was a tonic for the tumult and disillusionment of the ’70s, Thomas says, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to have a show about people who are struggling and yet try to find a way through, where love is actually the most important factor.”
The Waltons’ Homecoming, Movie Premiere Sunday, November 28, 8/7c, The CW
BONUS: Catch the 1971 Homecoming Thursday, November 25, at 3/2c on INSP
Conversation28 Comments
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R
Still don't see why Ben was excluded from the show. The character was named after Father John's brother who was killed in the war.
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G
He should be proud to have been part of that original show. They epitimaized the family as strong, caring, helping each other, working hard, sharing, etc. All the traits that are sorely needed in todays America...
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O
Awe man. I missed it. I got some free movie channels just for the holiday weekend & I watch a lot & recorded a lot. I actually wanted to record that but forgot. Please replay it again?
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O
It doesn’t air until tomorrow night.
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O
The shouldn’t have excluded Ben.
The original should be on again. I didn’t know it was on I’m sorry I missed it. I love the Walton’s
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B
The original is available for viewing on YouTube in its entirety, no commercials.
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G
So many differences! No Ben, grandpa and grandma didn't live with them in the home place, the house, inside and out, was different, the barn was different, Mary Ellen was a nurse and in this one a pilot?! Really? I could go on and on nit picking!!! I'm disappointed! The Walton's was so wholesome and so on point for what a family back then was supposed to be! Maybe even what we all wished for in a family! I wish the show had stayed more realistic to the original! I can understand changes with the new actors/actresses but this was way off course and has left me feeling let down! Sad! 😢
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G
He’s such a fantastic actor. I’ve watched the Waltons over and over and each time I see something different. It was such a great show and I adored Richard as John Boy. I loved that whole family. Wish I had that house!!!
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O
I honestly didn't enjoy watching this at all. I'm not too keen on the cast either. They don't fit the image of the walton family. And writing Ben out due to lack of time or budget was an end all for me. But that is just my humble opinion.
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B
In my humble opinion, taking away Ben was not a great decision. The bar was raised high, many of us are fans of the original Waltons. I don’t know what make the producers take that decision, maybe tight budget but we miss seeing Ben. There were other inconsistencies from the original, especially their future. I would have preferred if they stick to the original version. I also would have like to see some of the original actresses like Elizabeth, Erin or Mary Ellen (or the boys) at the end [cemetery scene]. I bet they wouldn't mind.
However, thank you for bringing such a warm story back to life.
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G
I didn't like the the lost of a 7 child Ben a family member and the liberty they took with some of the characters and their place in history at that time . Just not correct.
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O
It was OK. The costumes are awfully new for people living in poverty in 1933. Other than that it was a nice way to pass a couple of hours.
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C
This Is Not The Walton Homecoming If Ben Isn't There! 🙄 When I seen That Ben Wasn"t on I wasn't really interested much anymore!!!
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G
You clearly wouldn't understand, even if they were. 🙄
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B
Just filth, when you cannot creatively and can’t form an original thought, you must resort to this kind of filth.
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G
I can’t understand why they took Ben out of the movie! That was a big disappointment. Didn’t really care for it, but the original Movie and series is great
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G
Get a REAL life libbie...SMH
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C
Oh yes I’m liberal as they come and PROUD of it !
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G
The originals are on ME TV
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B
Ben was most certainly in the original movie
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O
The cursing was definitely a dumb decision. It wasn’t necessary- they were trying to hard to make it work. Characters didn’t go deep enough-which made it shallow. And it was disappointing for Ben not to be a part of course. Grandma & grandpa should have obviously played a bigger part. They were a staple. John- boys character did a great job as did most of the others.
It just didn’t hit a home run for me when it could have. I’d rate it a 5 on a scale 1-10.
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B
Thank you soo much for doing this show I loved it and hope you continue the show.... I fall asleep every night watching the waltons...I love the Waltons show.... if I could recommend one thing it would be the language...most people who watch these type shows do so because they are wholesome shows... the part where John boy was in the car with his dad back in that time a young son would never talk like that in front of dad.... I was born 1962 and in my day we didn't talk like that in front of parents ...it took away from a beautiful show... it's just a thought... I'm soo thrilled you did the homecoming and am hoping there is more to come...
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C
The Original movie from 1971 didn’t have Ben included either. I watched the reboot and felt that the actors had no chemistry. I watched the original movie on YouTube to compare. Michael Learned and Ralph Waite and the kids who were both on in the original movie and the tv show had the best chemistry. I gave the reboot a chance though.
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O
Whoa! Back the soul train up... I wasn't a fan of the remake here. I still watched to the end. What is this made up notion about John boy being gay? And if he was who cares? As for the lack of Ben Walton. When you watch a remake of a show you usually expect to see the main characters right down to wreckless the dog. But again this is just my humble opinion. I'm not bent out of shape over anything. Just wasn't what I hoped it would be. Maybe I just expected too much...
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R
I don't care for this new Waltons. Too much is missing. Ben. Who's Charlie? Don't like
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P
Where is Ben?
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G
I totally agree with you riderman! I don't care what anyone else thinks! We have a right to our opinions too! You are 💯! If that happened it would soooo ruin the original shows! And if anyone don't agree they can keep their thoughts to themselves cause I don't care what the others think!
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G
I've never in my life commented on the internet. The comments on here drove me to chime in.
Do you realize this is an ARTISTIC endeavor? And that it's FICTION!?!?!?
Seriously...not watching because a FICTIONAL CHARACTER is missing from a re-write. Or made-up rage over the made-up notion of John Boy being gay?
If any viewer can have those thoughts, it's fairly obvious the morals, sentiments and lessons shared with us in the original story didn't sink in!!!!!!
Look in the mirror. Truly - take to heart the story's message - and honestly assess if your views are congruent with that message. Or if you can only be happy if you can make up some worthless crap to be mad about?
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