Bonanza (TV Series) Hoss and the Leprechauns (1963) User Reviews

A Little Easier To Buy When You're A Kid

[Calaboss · 9/10 · 7 April 2020]

I'm in my 60's, and am currently in home detention, like most of the country, because of a dang virus. This old episode of Bonanza came on the TVLand network and I remembered how much I enjoyed it as a kid, so I thought I'd give it another look.

It's a funny and enjoyable episode, but at my age, you can't help but break it down a little bit. You have to give some leeway to comedy, as suspension of disbelief is necessary for such things, but it's harder to swallow in your 60's than when you're 6.

I believe every member of the Cartwrights has proven their tracking ability in the past. And yet, somehow, nobody could see the tracks of these little men, their ponies, or the wagon they were using. It's a stretch, but it moves the story along, so what are you going to do? Let's call it poetic license. Still a warm and amusing episode of an old, beloved series.

BTW, one piece of fun trivia, Felix Silla, who played one of the "leprechauns", also played Cousin Itt, on the Addams Family.

The Little People of Ireland

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 14 October 2020]

One day out on the trail Hoss spies a bear getting ready to chow down on a little man in a green costume suitable to medieval times. He also finds a small box of gold dust and brings it back to the Ponderosa.

Where Dan Blocker's story is greeted with considerable skepticism by his father and brothers and Sheriff Ray Teal. But a traveling visitor to Virginia City from Ireland Sean McClory shows some interest. Of course it's just possible that the wee people of Ireland might have a colony in the American west.

Naturally there is a logical explanation to it all. But see this charming episode and find out for yourselves.

Very relevant today

[will304 · 9/10 · 17 March 2022]

I think let me preface, my son has cystic fibrosis.

With COVID19, he could die. People think I'm crazy to wear a mask in southern West Virginia. I feel like Hoss in this episode.

I'm a Public Health Physician and I know the truth but everyone thinks I'm crazy for wearing a mask.

I wish I had a professor that people respected that rode into town to help people understand.

The top episode of the country's top rated western.

[brabryant · 10/10 · 12 January 2018]

I was 14 years-old when this episode aired in December of 1963. We had about 12 boys in our neighborhood including my younger brother and myself. Of course we always watched Bonanza on Sunday nights, and never laughed so hard in our young lives! "Hoss and the Leprechauns" was all we talked about for days. Very enjoyable and certainly did air at a time when we all needed a lift in America after what happened to our President just a short time before. I've had this episode on DVD for years and pull it out every once in a while to have a good laugh and bring back a little bit of 1963, and the good memories that it conjures up.

My favorite episode

[cherylbaxter-34656 · 10/10 · 2 October 2016]

I would classify this episode as a comedy even though there are a couple of somber moments. Dan Blocker and Michael Landon are the best comedians. They make a great pair. Little Joe's laugh, played by Michael Landon, is contagious. The chase scenes are just as funny. The show starts out with unbelief from everyone from what Hoss has seen. Even his family does not believe him. Then Little Joe sees the same thing that Hoss has seen and the outrageous laughter never stops. The show actually shows the issue of prejudice in a different way. It was not the usual example of prejudice for that time period. Eventually everyone believes Hoss when everyone sees what he sees. He has a wonderful view of the guest stars in the end.

Who needs this? You do! In 2022!

[jaimhaas · 10/10 · 17 March 2022]

So today is the luck of the Irish day and what a great idea that whomever planned this TV schedule aired this today. Enjoy folks. Life is short. Hoss is the perfect fella to come across a bear trying to munch on a little fella. Hilarity ensues.

Most Loved Episode

[chaffin · 10/10 · 1 October 2021]

This episode was mentioned by Roseanne Barr on her show because it was never forgotten by kids who saw it back then. It was a kind of Christmas event, being shown in the holiday season.

However, there was something about this show I had definitely forgotten. It was shown just about ten days after JFK's assassination when the country definitely needed a laugh.

I'll have whatever it is you're smoking

[glitterrose · 2/10 · 17 March 2022]

Cause the writers had to have been on something STRONG for this one. It's definitely an episode you have to suspend all disbelief when watching it and even then you still might have trouble with it. It's another episode where they have to dumb the characters down in order to get the story told.

I come away with two take aways. It's now in my headcanon that Adam sleeps in the nude. Ben and Joe came down in their night clothes and Adam comes down the stairs with his usual clothes on, just with the shirt unbuttoned. Yeah, I guess one could say he was sleeping with just long john bottoms on but I prefer my answer. ;)

The second thing I wanted to point out involves the "leprechauns". It sounds like they want to create a life for themselves and their families. They don't want to be performers anymore. Some of the towns people start laughing and it really hurts the men. I'm not sure if it was the right thing for Hoss to point out you can live around somebody just as long as you're getting money from any supplies or services they intend to use while in the area. I guess since this is a light hearted episode that the writers might not have wanted to get preachy about treating others with respect, treating others the way you wanted to be treated, etc.