When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left their senior royal roles in 2020 and moved to North America, many fans were not happy. Meghan has shared some tough experiences from her time in the royal family, but there have also been times when fans turned against her. Recently, she was even accused of trying to outshine Kate Middleton.
The conflict with the royal family has been ongoing for years. While Prince Harry has visited the UK a few times since leaving, Meghan hasn’t joined him often. Some say it’s for security reasons, but others think she might not be interested in fixing the relationship with the royals.
A royal expert says Harry misses his old friends and wants a permanent home in the UK. However, he is also very worried about losing Meghan. Some reports say he isn’t interested in reconciling with his family. But there is hope, as Meghan is reportedly open to having a meeting to talk things out.
Despite Harry and Meghan’s complaints about their treatment in the UK, they have aimed for a more private life since moving to the US. However, some argue they are still seeking attention through interviews, a book, a Netflix show, and podcasts. This doesn’t seem like stepping back from the spotlight as expected.
Their desire for more attention hasn’t gone unnoticed. The couple was even mocked on the popular comedy show South Park.
Harry and Meghan haven’t returned to the UK often. They did attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral together, but when King Charles was diagnosed with cancer and Harry went to see him, Meghan stayed in the US.
The feud between the Sussexes and the royal family has been ongoing for years, with no signs of resolution. However, Harry and Meghan did reach out to Kate Middleton after her surgery and cancer diagnosis, which they reportedly learned about through the news, not directly from family members.
Even though the relationship is tense, one royal expert suggests that Prince William and Kate Middleton are willing to try and mend things with Harry and Meghan.
Speaking with the Mirror, royal author Tom Quinn said that William and Kate were open to inviting Harry, Meghan, and their children to visit England. However, Meghan wasn’t interested and declined the offer.
“There is no way Meghan would bring the children to the UK,” Quinn told the Mirror in early April. “William and Kate suggested that Meghan and Harry bring the children and that the two couples and their families try to make up, but so far, it’s not going anywhere.”
In May, Prince Harry visited the UK again for a special Invictus Games service at St Paul’s Cathedral. He wanted Meghan to join him, and at first, she seemed interested. But soon after, Meghan changed her mind because of concerns for her children’s safety.
A source said that while Meghan had hoped to go to the UK with Harry in May, she didn’t want to bring Archie and Lilibet due to fears for their safety.
“It’s now at the point where Meghan doesn’t want to come to the UK with the children. She just doesn’t feel safe,” the source said. “The question now is whether the family should come with increased security or if Harry should go alone.”
Harry reportedly begged Meghan to reconsider, saying, “I don’t want to do this alone.”
“Harry doesn’t want to keep making solo trips to the UK,” the source continued. “He would prefer if the whole family made regular visits to see his family and rebuild relationships, but there is so much happening behind the scenes that it just isn’t possible right now.”
Harry and Meghan were planning to come to the UK, but when the exact time and date of their appearance were made public, Meghan started to rethink the idea.
The children’s safety isn’t Meghan’s only concern about returning to the UK. The source said that the Duchess doesn’t want to “be thrown back into an anxiety-filled visit to England where she feels like she’s not wanted.”
Time will tell if Meghan will join her husband for the UK trip. But one thing is for sure: A reunion with the royal family seems very far away.
The conflict with the royal family goes back many years. The tension between Meghan and Kate Middleton started just before Meghan’s wedding. In her interview with Oprah, Meghan revealed that Kate made her cry over a dress.
Despite the years that have passed, Meghan has said she doesn’t want to mend the relationship with the royals, believing it’s gone too far.
However, new reports suggest that Meghan has changed her mind and is now “ready to sit down” with the royal family to make peace. But why? One royal commentator said that having a good relationship with her in-laws would “help her sell her jam.”
Speaking to GB News, royal expert Angela Levin said the Duchess is “still genuinely hurt” by how the royal family treated her. However, Meghan is ready to reunite with them to discuss everything.
“She’s still genuinely hurt by how she was treated by the Royal Family – this is four years on,” Levin told GB News. “And she now wants to sit down and talk through things.”
Levin also claimed that Meghan wants the royal family to “make apologies” to her and Prince Harry.
**Here’s a simpler version of the text:**
Angela Levin explained that Meghan wants the Royal Family, including King Charles, to apologize, but they aren’t going to do that. Levin believes that Meghan is the one who should apologize, but she doesn’t want to.
Levin also said that Meghan is trying to get Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie to help her sell her jams. Meghan hopes that King Charles might buy some of her products too.
“This information comes from a good source,” Levin said. “Meghan wants to use the excuse of selling her jams as a reason to visit the UK and make things nice, but it’s also a way for her to promote her products.”
Even though Meghan Markle reportedly “never wanted to set foot in Britain ever again,” this new plan might change her relationship with the royals.
The Duchess had reached out to Kate Middleton after Kate’s surgery and cancer diagnosis, which Harry and Meghan found out about from the news instead of directly from the family.
Meghan is focused on her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and is selling jam. However, Levin’s idea that making amends with the royals could help her sell more jam might not be well-received by royal fans. Meghan was recently accused of trying to take advantage of Kate’s royal return for her own benefit.
On Saturday, June 15, just hours before Kate Middleton made her royal return during Trooping the Colour, Argentinian polo player Nacho Figuerasa, a close friend of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, revealed the Duchess’s brand’s new raspberry-flavored jam via an Instagram Story.
The announcement’s timing left many royal fans angry, and they took to social media.
A fourth person concluded, “Who buys jam anyway? It is so easy to make right at home with fresh fruit and a load of sugar!”
Although many were furious with Meghan Markle for this, a source close to the Duchess told the Daily Beast that she had nothing to do with it.
The source claimed, “While I am sure the gift packages came with notes requesting social media coverage, you can’t tell Nacho Figueras what to do. So I think it’s certain the timing of his post was his own idea.”
“The larger point here is that the American Riviera Orchard campaign has been phenomenally successful and cost Meghan nothing.”
The source added, “It is a textbook social media campaign. The only problem is that there still seems to be nothing actually for sale, so what is it all for? I guess we will find out.”
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Little-known mistakes and bloopers in The Rifleman
For those who grew up in the late 1950s, this Western classic was a must-watch in many homes, teaching timeless values like respect and honesty.
But beyond its powerful moments, The Rifleman also had its share of little-known mistakes, bloopers, and fun facts that only die-hard fans might notice.
Stay tuned as we uncover the hidden gems behind this iconic Western…
Those early Westerns, like The Rifleman, were packed with historical inaccuracies, but who cares? They’re still a blast to watch and offer richer characters than anything on TV today. Every episode delivered a meaningful takeaway, often focusing on basic human values with a heartwarming moral twist.
The Rifleman starred the legendary Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, a widowed rancher and skilled sharpshooter raising his son, Mark, played by the charming Johnny Crawford. The duo captivated audiences with their heartfelt bond and thrilling adventures in the Old West.
Even though the series has been hailed as one of the greatest ever produced, even the best of the best can have their slip-ups… So let’s take a peek behind the scenes and uncover some things most of us viewers had no clue about!
Lucas McCain a trendsetter
It’s no surprise that cowboy Lucas McCain preferred jeans, but it turns out he was ahead of fashion trends by about half a century! Sharp-eyed viewers might have caught a scene in “End of a Young Gun,” one of the early episodes featuring Michael Landon, where a shirtless Lucas repairs a wagon wheel.
You can see a “W” stitched on the back pocket of his jeans, and yes, he’s actually wearing Wranglers. The catch? The series is set in the 1880s, but those jeans didn’t start being produced until the 1940s. More than just a fashion-savvy cowboy, he Lucas McCain a true trendsetter and definitely ahead of his time!
Connors’ real son
As I mentioned, one thing I really loved about the show was the father-son relationship. But did you know that Chuck Connors’ real-life son makes an appearance in the series? In the episode “Tension,” Mark and Lucas attends the funeral of Sid Halpern, a friend of the McCains.
The widow and son, Toby, are there dressed in black. It was Jeff Connors, Chuck Connors’ second son with Faith Quabius, who played that young Toby and he had two lines. Sadly, Jeff passed away in 2014.
Getting Chuck wasn’t easy
Casting the lead role in The Rifleman was no easy feat.
Chuck Connors had to outshine 40 other actors, but landing the role was far from guaranteed. Initially, he turned it down due to a low salary offer from ABC, as he could earn more as a freelance actor.
However, Connors eventually secured the role in an unexpected way. It all started when the producers took their children to see Old Yeller, where Connors portrayed a strong father figure. After that experience — presumably with the kids sharing their thoughts — the producers came back with a much better offer, including a five-percent ownership of the show. And just like that, it was all set!
The 1892 Winchester rifle
Every episode of The Rifleman opened with Chuck Connors showcasing his remarkable skills, cranking off a seemingly endless barrage of shots with his saddle-ring carbine. With a dramatic flair, he would spin the rifle, effortlessly toss it from his right hand to his left, and insert a new cartridge, all while giving a menacing stare directly into the camera.
To pull off these iconic scenes, the production utilized two identical 1892 Winchester rifles — one for filming and the other as a backup.
Some might have assumed that the opening scene featuring the 1892 Winchester rifles was trick photography or somehow manipulated. However, the truth is that Connors was genuinely that fast and agile with his carbine. As a former athlete who played professional basketball and baseball in both major and minor leagues before transitioning to acting, he had impressive skills and coordination that made those quick movements look effortless. What we do know though, is that the weapon had been customized to enable rapid firing by cycling its lever action.
The Duke connection
Lucas McCain’s trusty Winchester rifle was more than just a prop; it was a true scene-stealer with an interesting backstory.
The Rifleman took place in the 1870s and 1880s, so it’s impossible for the 1892 Winchester rifle to have existed during that time.
However, this iconic rifle had a previous life on the big screen, making its debut in none other than John Wayne‘s classic 1939 film, Stagecoach. Producer Arnold Levin later revealed the exciting twist: the rifle used by Lucas McCain was the very same one wielded by the Duke in his legendary movie.
The Madera Hotel
The Madera Hotel was a well-known landmark in North Fork throughout the series, frequently appearing in various episodes.
However, in the pilot episode, The Sharpshooter, the establishment underwent a name change to California House. Speculation arose regarding a possible ownership change between episodes, but no one really knows why the establishment suddenly switched names.
Johnny Crawford got blacklisted
At the age of 3, Johnny Crawford made his debut in front of the cameras during an audition. But it wasn’t a success – in fact, he got blacklisted after his performance as a 3-year-old actor.
”I don’t remember the picture and I wound up on the cutting room floor anyway. But I played one of a bunch of refugee children and I was in a scene where Rosalind Russel was supposed to give us all chocolate bars. I think I got blacklisted after this film because the scene had to be reshot and I refused to give back my chocolate bar for the second take,” Johnny Crawford told The Miami Herald in 1973.
”Hazardous” task of casting a new female lead
While widower Lucas McCain primarily focused on raising his son, the series also featured several romantic interests. In the third season, it seemed like Lucas and Milly Scott, played by Joan Taylor, were on the brink of a budding romance.
However, this storyline fizzled out when Milly left the show in season four, with a vague explanation that she needed to head back east.
This left producers in search of a new female lead, introducing the character Lou Mallory. The challenge was to find an actress who not only fit the role but also had undeniable chemistry with Chuck Connors.
To ensure a successful match, Chuck was actively involved in the casting process. However, this turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. Chuck interviewed over a dozen women who seemed perfect for the part but just didn’t quite click.
”A few months ago, I was handed what I thought was a dream assignment. At least it started out on a dreamlike note but almost snowballed into becoming a nightmare,” the actor shared.
After carefully considering over 60 women, the choice ultimately fell to the stunning red-haired beauty Patricia Blair, who hailed from Texas.
Recognize this baseball hall-of-famer?
As previously mentioned, Lucas McCain was an incredibly skilled baseball player. However, he could never match the prowess of former Dodgers star Duke Snider, who made a guest appearance on the show. (Chuck Connors hit only two home runs during his Major League Baseball career).
The celebrated baseball player, nicknamed “the Duke of Flatbush,” portrayed the character Wallace in the episode titled The Retired Gun. Another former baseball star who made an appearance on the show was Don Drysdale.
Johnny Crawford’s brother popped up
The Rifleman was heavily centered around family themes, and it was the first network television series to portray a single parent raising a child.
In addition to Jeff Connors, another relative of the show’s stars made an appearance: none other than Bobby Crawford, brother of Johnny.
He played the character Freddy in the episode Second Witness, and both he and Johnny delivered performances so impressive that they earned Emmy nominations in 1959. Bobby, whose full name is Robert Lawrence Crawford Jr., continued his acting career and portrayed Andy Sherman on the NBC television series Laramie from 1959 to 1960. He is still alive today and is 80 years old.
Over-protective of Johnny Crawford
It is already known that Chuck Connors looked after the young Johnny and the two actors kept a close relationship off-screen when the series ended.
From a young age, Johnny Crawford admired Chuck Connors, particularly because of his passion for baseball. Their affectionate bond during The Rifleman became a defining aspect of Crawford’s life, as he learned invaluable lessons from his mentor both on and off the set.
”It was a fascinating part of my education listening to Chuck tell his baseball stories or he’d be reciting Casey at the Bat or he’d be doing speeches from Shakespeare. This always surprises people, that Chuck Connors knows Shakespeare,” Crawford told The Buffalo News.
Their special connection is beautifully captured in the classic photo below, showcasing the deep camaraderie and mutual respect they shared.
Actor Paul Fix, who played Marshal Micah Torrence on The Rifleman, also felt a great responsibility for Crawford.
During the filming, he became an extra father to Crawford, and he made sure that all the weapons used during the filming were secured. For Paul Fix, his obsession with security around Crawford was personal.
Fix himself had a near-death experience as a young boy when he played around with his brother and a weapon misfired. The bullet was a hair’s breadth from killing Fix; it was a miracle that he survived.
Buddy Hackett twist
In a surprising twist of casting, Buddy Hackett, known for his comedic genius, played the father of an actor who was actually four years his junior.
In one episode of The Rifleman, Buddy Hackett portrays Daniel Malakie, a father who discovers that his two sons, Ben and Jud, have landed in jail. Interestingly, Christopher Dark, who played the “boy” Ben, was born in 1920, while Hackett was born in 1924. This age dynamic makes for some creative casting, proving that Hollywood has a knack for bending traditional family roles and age expectations…
Baby girl was played by a baby boy
Does the name Robert Anacher ring a bell? No? That’s understandable! His most notable role came was when he played the adorable baby girl Fancy in the episode The Baby Sitter. But as it turns out, the girl was actually a boy.
Shot dead with a pistol
In the pilot, which was originally intended for Gunsmoke (1955), Chuck Connors’ character was named John McCain. According to IMDB, he didn’t have any children and was a dead shot with a pistol.
Sammy Davis Jr. impressed the crew
Know as “Mr Show Business” and “the greatest entertainer ever to grace a stage in these United States” – Sammy Davis Jr. is a dearly missed superstar who forever carved himself into American history.
But did you know he made an appearance in The Rifleman? In the episode Two Ounces of Tin, Sammy Davis Jr. portrayed the outlaw Tip Corey. He showcased impressive skills with a gun, demonstrating quick draws and impressive twirling maneuvers. What’s remarkable is that all of these stunts were performed by Davis himself, without a stand-in!
The hair styles
Despite being set in the 1880s, most of the actors in The Rifleman sported hairstyles that mirrored the trends of the 1950s and 1960s, when the show was actually filmed.
This anachronism is further highlighted by the wardrobe choices, as many of the men wore full-front button-down shirts — a style that didn’t even emerge until the 1920s and didn’t gain popularity until the 1930s. It’s a fascinating blend of historical context and mid-century flair that adds an unexpected twist to the classic Western!
Chuck Connors’ headstone
Chuck Connors, renowned for his athletic prowess, smoked three packs of Camel cigarettes daily. Remarkably, he was one of only twelve athletes in history to play both Major League Baseball and in the NBA.
In the fall of 1992, Connors was hospitalized due to pneumonia. Tragically, three weeks later, he succumbed to lung cancer. He was laid to rest at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, where his headstone proudly displays the logos of the three sports teams he represented: the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Cubs, and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
As we wrap up our journey through the iconic world of The Rifleman, it’s clear that this classic Western series has left an indelible mark on television history.
With its unforgettable father-son bond, memorable characters, and a perfect blend of action and moral lessons, the show continues to resonate with audiences today. I still watch the reruns now. RIP Johnny and Chuck
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